The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering column lock failed to unlock, preventing the vehicle from being driven. After turning the key, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The service steering column lock warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
1998 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems
215 complaints (54% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 46,912. 6 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 215
- of this car's complaints
- 54%
- typical mileage
- 46,912
- crashes
- 6
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Column locking: anti-theft device81
- Steering wheel/handle bar79
- Column15
- Gear box (other than rack and pinion)4
- Steering control module1
- Linkages1
- Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
- Hydraulic power assist system1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Chevrolet Corvette steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with electronic column lock systems (ecl), when the ignition switch is turned to "lock," the ecl system prevents turning of the steering system. When the vehicle is started, the ecl unlocks the steering system. The vehicle is designed so that if the column fails to unlock when the vehicle is started and the customer tries to drive, the fuel supply will be shut off so that the vehicle cannot move when the vehicle cannot be steered. If voltage at the powertrain control module is low or interrupted, however, the fuel shut off may not occur and the vehicle can be accelerated while the steering system is locked. Also when the control system shows that the ecl is unlocked and the vehicle is being driven, the lock pin location can vary. Depending on the location of the lock plate relative to the switch transition point, there could then be contact between the lock plate and pin causing the steering to lock while driving .
- Risk
- If this occurs, a crash could occur without warning.
- Remedy
- On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, the dealer will disable the steering column lock by removing the column lock plate. When the ignition key is removed, the transmission shifter will lock but the steering column will not lock. On vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, the dealer will reprogram the powertrain control module, perform a dimensional check of the column lock and, if necessary, replace the lock plate. The steering column on these vehicles will continue to lock when the key is removed. Owner notification to owners of 1997 vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions began on april 26, 2004. Owners of 1998 through 2004 vehicles (except 1997-1998 manual transmission vehicles) will be notified beginning on august 2, 2004. The remaining owners (1997-1998 manual transmission vehicles) will be notified later in 2004, when parts are available. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438.
Recall number 04V060000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Steering column lockup
In 2001, general motors (gm) issued customer service campaigns 1044 and 1044a to address a condition where the steering column would fail to unlock during the initial key-in and start-up in certain my 1998-2000 corvette vehicles.however, odi continued to receive complaints concerning steering column lockup on corvette vehicles.as a result, pe02-054 was opened and later upgraded to ea02-031 for my 1997-2001 subject vehicles.odi's analysis identified concerns with post-repair failures in vehicles serviced through the campaigns, as well as, failures in my 1997-2003 subject vehicles not included in the campaigns.(note: the manufacturer failure data above is limited to my 1997-2003 vehicles through 10/17/2003.)on february 6, 2004, gm notified the federal safety agency of a safety defect in my 1997-2004 corvette vehcles equipped with manual transmissions and my 1997-2000 corvette vehicles with automatic transmissions.the notification stated that if the voltage at the powertrain control module (PCM), which was designed to shut down the fuel supply when the steering column failed to unlock and the customer tried to drive the vehicle, is low or interrupted, the fuel shut off may not occur.as a result, the customer could drive the vehicle while the steering column was locked causing the driver to lose steering control and possibly crash without warning.gm will instruct owners to bring their vehicles to a dealer to have the PCM reprogrammed for manual transmission vehicles and the electric column lock disabled for automatic transmission vehicles.odi will monitor the effectiveness of the remedy in the manual transmission vehicles and take further action if warranted.
EA02031
Steering column lockup
See resume in repository.
PE02054
Steering column lock module
There is no summary currently available
PE99066
What 1998 Chevrolet Corvette owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while the vehicle was with a local transmission mechanic for service, the technician was reversing out of the service bay when the Service Column warning light illuminated. No other warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to another local mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,565.
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the steering column remained in the locked position and the steering wheel could not be turned in either direction. The contact stated that occasionally the message "Remove Key - Wait 10 Seconds" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced that failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 78,000.
I own a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The EBCM can have an issue. Complains of traction control, ABS braking and AH active handling. This can cause issues when driving with no ABS active. I have seen numerous complaints about this issue here and on various forums. Unfortunately the part needed to correct the issue is no longer available and for some reason cannot be repaired. Used parts are costly (2K or more) and no guarantee they work. GM should provide replacement part or work around. If not available they should offer total car buy backs for a fare price depending on condition or offer an exchange for a corvette that can be repaired.
The vehicle is stationary. Proceed to start vehicle. Steering column locks up. Has occurred several times. I am the third owner of this vehicle. In researching information regarding past recalls apparently hedrick's dealership of fresno, ca completed work but in asking what they completed, I was informed that all past computer data was purged from their files so they cannot tell me what was completed. I then called gm to get information but after talking to three different people I was told they were not allowed to give me any information as to what was completed. I referenced a gm report entitled "04006c - product safety recall - february 8, 2006" in talking with the gm representatives and I was told the report didn't exist. The report was found at this report replaced bulletin 04006b - november 23, 2004. In reading on the federal safety agency, several other owners experienced the same vehicle issues with steering column. Plus, with work being completed but still having same issues. Can you assist me in obtaining the recall work completion report on my vehicle? Hedrick's indicated that I would have to bring the vehicle in for a diagnostic review at the cost of $165.00 and then go from there. In reading "04006c - product safety recall - february 8, 2006" it indicates, "dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward." plus, whatever work hedrick's completed the work wasn't sufficient as the issue of the steering column locking up continues.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. While turning into the driveway, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that he powered off and restarted the engine multiple times, shook the steering wheel, and removed the battery so the computer could reprogram; however, the steering wheel remained locked. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the power steering lock warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive home safely. The vehicle was then taken to schumacher buick gmc of north palm beach dealer located at 3720 northlake blvd suite c, lake park, fl 33403 where it was diagnosed that the steering lock, the steering plate, the steering shaft and the steering wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 866‑790‑5600 and was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not part of the recall and that the contact had to pay for the repair. A case number 8-3480612551 was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 79,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The column lock failure warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the harness kit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however the failure recurred. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
I have owned my 1998 corvette for two years. The pull key and wait 10 seconds and the service steering column lock errors are crippling me enjoyment of the car. I have installed an lmc5 module last year and the problems will not go away. The recall on the service column lock was performed on the car which removed the actual locking mechanism on the steering column. But the car will not move over two miles per hour with the error message and I have found no fixed that help me. What is gm doing about the horrible horrible problem on their most distinguished car model.... ? All instances happen when first stariting the car no matter how long it has sat. Battery is perfect. I very rarely dive the car, but when I do I have this horrible problem and it is getting worse.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. While attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel seized and the steering wheel lock light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that if the vehicle was started and the steering wheel locked, the engine would stall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,000. Updated 12/01/16*lj udated 12/05/16.
Questions about the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette steering
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette have steering problems?
Owners have filed 215 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette, 54% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 46,912 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V060000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Corvette have bad steering?
The Chevrolet Corvette model years with the most steering complaints are 1998 (215 complaints), 1999 (194 complaints) and 2000 (169 complaints).
Other 1998 Chevrolet Corvette problems
Brakes 36Electrical 32Seats 28Engine 24Seat belts 22Transmission 18Fuel system 17Visibility 8Acceleration 7Driver assistance 7Suspension 7Wheels 6Airbags 3Body 3Lights 3Tires 2
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