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1998 Chevrolet Corvette steering complaints

Page 2 of 8: complaints 11 to 40 of 215, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1998 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jun 13, 2016 · Steering · 29,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started and switched into the drive position, it moved forward briefly and stalled as the column lock repair warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted but the failure recurred and the vehicle failed to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2016 · Steering · 36,261 miles · NC

Filed this earlier. Not sure if received. You issued a recall #04v060000 for steering column lock problem. My VIN does not show up, however gm issued bulletin 04006c listing my VIN as having the problem. Gm will not honor it because you have not issued a recall on my VIN. I had the problem and had it repaired. Why is my VIN not listed??

Filed Jun 4, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 110,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. Prior to the contact owning the vehicle, it was repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The repair did not correct the failure. The service column lock warning lamp illuminated randomly and the vehicle stalled several times. The steering wheel locked and would not unlock. The contact was unable to drive over 2 MPH each time the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who replaced the column lock bypass. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Oct 20, 2014 · Steering · 36,261 miles · NC

The electronic column lock system locked up as I was pulling out of garage. This was a problem under the federal safety agency recall 04v06000 for 1997-2004 models. Gm says my VIN number not involved. After being towed in the dealer made the repairs (removed lock replaced harness as indicated in the recall) and charged me almost $600 because my VIN not listed. How many more vehicles need this done but not recalled?

Filed Sep 23, 2014 · Steering · 36,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing and the harness kit was replaced. The VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed Jul 17, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 86,263 miles · NY

While driving, the steering wheel suddenly locked and the engine shut off. The car was stuck in the roadway. The car was towed to the local dealer, who said a critical recall was never done. Although I am the original owner, I never received a recall notice from gm. The recall, which I later found to possibly affect 120,000 corvettes from 1997 to 2004, was performed according to gm instructions. However, the recall only consisted of removing the steering lock pins. The likelihood of fuel system shut off still existed. The dealer said the gm recall was ineffective, gm was aware that the recall was insufficient, and said the entire mechanism needed to be replaced in order to prevent future recurrence. The replacement was then done at my cost. As a licensed professional engineer I believe the inadequate gm recall remediation is a serious safety defect. I was told by the dealer that the defect usually occurs after 60,000 to 80,000 miles. However, most corvettes are driven well beyond this point. I wrote to gm, but they are not taking this potentially dangerous condition seriously.

Filed Apr 2, 2014 · Steering · 43,025 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that when attempting a turn, the steering wheel would seize without warning. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering) but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the electronic column lock was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 43,025 and the current mileage was 46,000. Updated 6/17/14*cn updated 8/14/17

Filed Jun 18, 2013 · Steering · 51,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and could not be turned. The vehicle was shut off and restarted but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.

Filed Dec 31, 2012 · Steering · 22,500 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle was been previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v060000 (steering:column locking:anti-theft device). The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer december 2012 due to steering failures and the steering column harness was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 22,500. ... Updated 02/27/13

Filed Jul 3, 2012 · Steering · 52,929 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer six times to have repairs performed under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v060000 (steering: column locking; anti-theft device) but to no avail. The manufacturer advised that they were unaware of how to remedy the issue. The failure mileage was 52,929 and the current mileage was 65,000. Updated 7/26/12

Filed Oct 29, 2011 · Steering · 89,000 miles · CA

My steering lock would not disengage under any condition. Car would drive but would not steer.

Filed Oct 25, 2011 · Steering · 47,500 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the steering wheel would seize while driving various speeds. The dealer diagnosed that the steering column motor would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified, but denied any assistance with repairs to the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 47,500 and the current mileage was 49,000.

Filed Aug 4, 2011 · Steering · 88,000 miles · HI

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. The federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 04v060000 (steering: column locking: anti-theft device) repair was performed on the vehicle and it failed after 30,000 miles. The contact stated the repair consisted of putting a k-harness in place to emulate the locking mechanism so that the steering would not lock. The repair failed and the manufacturer will not repair the vehicle again. The failure and current mileage was 88,000.

Filed Jun 8, 2011 · Steering · 28,500 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the steering wheel would lock abnormally and without warning. The failure would occur mostly when in reverse or first starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis. The manufacturer was then contacted but advised that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v060000 (steering:column locking:anti-theft device) and that they were no longer liable for the failure. The vehicle would have to be repaired at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was 28,000 and the current mileage was 28,500.

Filed Aug 24, 2009 · Steering · 38,000 miles · MD

I have experienced for the 2nd time a problem with the steering column lock system. I had previously had my car towed (2008) after attempting to back out of a parking space and the steering wheel locked in place and I could not turn at all. The problem was suppose to be corrected after notifying the dealership of a service bulletin that spoke directly to this problem. The remedy was disabling the steering column lock by removing the lock plate. I have again experienced this problem! However, this time, the column no longer locks, since the column lock plate was removed, but when you try to accelerate the fuel cuts off. My son towed the car to a local dealership for me last week and informed them of the problem. They say they can correct it for $915.00, stating they have to replace a motor in the steering column, and that it is not related to the previous problem at all. Sounds like pure bull to me! I have read that others have experienced this problem as many as 5 times, and have been told that it is not covered because of the year of the car. I have under 40k miles on this car, and have not put more than 10k on the vehicle since the problem was initially repaired. It is a defect that they need to correct at their cost and hopefully permanently this time. Please help!!!!

Filed Sep 18, 2008 · Driver assistance, Steering · 54,678 miles · CA

When starting my 1998 corvette (indy edition) car after it was parked, the steering column lock was engaged and I could not turn the steering wheel. No matter what I tried or how long I waited (12 hours) the steering column lock remained locked.

Filed Sep 17, 2008 · Steering · 39,000 miles · WA

My 1998 chevrolet corvette convertible has less than 40,000 miles on it. General motors issued a recall for a "steering column lock defect." this recall is very wide spread over many model years of corvettes. This is a serious safety and road hazard. I have just experienced the 5th incident in less than 40,000 miles and the 3rd time within 13,000 miles. When the steering column lock warning appears, it kills the motor. What if this happens while I am driving? It has been repaired under recall 4 times by our local dealership jerry chambers chevrolet in bellingham, wa. On september 4, 2008 for the 5th time, the steering column locked and the motor died. Now the same dealership said the car is too old and gm will not stand behind the recall. They have offered to fix it at my cost without warranty or guarantee that this will finally fix the recall "steering column lock". I need to understand my consumer rights under the recall. In my opinion, this is a recall that has not been fixed even if the car has 40,000 miles on it and is 10 years old, it is a well known recall. Are there other agencies I should be contacting? Do you have any understanding how a class action lawsuit is initiated? Katie zowada

Filed Aug 8, 2008 · Steering · 79,988 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. When starting up the vehicle, the steering column would lock up. It would occasionally be released if the key was removed and the vehicle was restarted. The steering lock was repaired twice according to the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v544000 (steering:column locking:anti-theft device), but it currently needs to be repaired again. The current mileage was 80,500 and failure mileage was 79,988. Update 09/10/08 *cw updated 09/15/08.

Filed Jul 31, 2008 · Steering · 33,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet corvette. While driving 20 MPH, the steering column locked up while making a right turn. She stopped vehicle, got out and had vehicle towed to the dealership. The dealer took out a plate that caused the steering wheel to lock to remedy the issue. Again in 2002, the same issue occurred in 2002 and most recently in 2008. The dealer in 2002 put an ecl relay harness to remedy the issue. The dealer also stated that they repaired the issue according to recall 04v060000. The failure mileage was 33,000 and current mileage was 50,000.

Filed Jan 10, 2008 · Steering · 18,501 miles · FL

On april4, 2006, while parked in my driveway, my 1998 corvette, when I tried to start my engine, the steering column failed to unlock and when I tried to drive the engine would shut down. I call the local chevy dealer, bill branch chevrolet located at 3980 fowler st, ft myers ,fl 33901. They said they understood the problem and would send a tow truck to pick up the vehicle as I was unable to move the vehicle. They repaired the vehicle at no charge but billed me for towing. As the problem with this vehicle was listed under your recall, the federal safety agency campaign id # 00v111000,as of feb 6,2004 why would I be charged for towing ????

Filed Nov 15, 2007 · Steering · TN

Recall on column lock system on gm/chevy corvette was performed on 2-14-05 & not done properly. The solution is to disable this anti-theft system as it can lock-up on you without warning while driving. On my corvette this was performed but not disabled, my car locked up in my garage 11/07...lucky me! So for well over 2 years I was driving a car that was supposed to be fixed putting my life as well as my family members in danger. Now gm wants me to eat the cost of repairs because of the time & miles since. I'm talking about $371.00, not much really but it's the principle. They should be more worried that I'll sue for negligence!

Filed Apr 3, 2007 · Steering · NY

1998 chevrolet corvette customer states that the steering column suddenly locked up and was unable to steer the vehicle**cc the consumer was told the problem he experienced was a recall issue. The problem was corrected free of charge, however the consumer is requesting reimbursement for the towing charges. The claim for reimbursement was denied because the consumer didn't have the vehicle towed to a gm dealer.

Filed Dec 27, 2006 · Steering · CA

Started car, engaged auto trans and accelerated. Car moved approx 10 feet and stalled. Repeated several times. Car was towed to dealer. The repair was to re-install the parts removed on 3/16/06 as part of the electronic column lock system recall issued by chevrolet.

Filed Dec 12, 2006 · Steering · 135,000 miles · FL

Dt*: the contact stated after the recall remedy repair #04v060000 regarding the steering; column locking; anti theft device was performed on the vehicle another problem appear. While driving any speeds the vehicle stalled without warning. This occurred on three separate occasions. The vehicle was maneuvered off the road and restarted. The dealer was alerted.

Filed Apr 13, 2006 · Steering · 107,000 miles · TX

I have a 1998 corvette which has had the steering column lock recall performed twice. Now there is a updated recall for my car that I cannot get covered because the dealer says that one of the past recalls have been performed improperly. The car has never been serviced any where except authorized chevrolet dealers. The dealer says it needs $439 worth of repairs that have been known to chevrolet for eight years now as a continues safety issue. They continued to build the corvettes with the same problems after the first recall was announced. That shows inability to solve this problem. If you had the problem fixed you would not continue to build new cars with the problem.

Filed Feb 1, 2006 · Steering · CO

1998 chevrolet corvette steering column light comes on and shuts off engine. *ts the consumer is requesting reimbursement because the repair shop installed the wrong part, which was replaced under recall. The consumer had to go another repair facility and get the work done

Filed Jan 21, 2006 · Steering · 109,310 miles · CA · crash · 3 injuries

I own a 98 m/t corvette & I am an automobile expert. The c5 corvette has an engineering safety defect with the electo-mechanical steering column lock system. There had been many instances of the steering column lock engaging while driving on these c5 & has happened 3 times on my c5 before the accident on 12/25/05. No fail safe system for the column lock exists and the bcm or body control module has total control over this column lock. Many vehicle malfunctions will cause this steering lock to engage while driving. Gms recall for vehicles equipped with an a/t the column lock was eliminated. Gms supposed fix for the m/t vehicles was to reprogram the PCM's with new software & this software change did not prevent the column lock from engaging; it just made sure that the engine shuts off should the steering lock engage. About 07/05 the steering column lock had engaged while driving & had left the car stuck in traffic. The recall was performed at his time. I was told the steering locking problem had been resolved. On 12/25/05 while driving on a wet road, without warning, my c5 skidded when the engine suddenly stopped & I was unable to correct the skid because the steering lock had engaged & the car went a crossed a divided roadway into oncoming traffic, stopped & then got hit. The other vehicles that hit my c5 were destroyed & the occupants were injured. This accident will happen eventually with all c5 s. If the steering lock had just engaged this would have of not caused an accident. If it had just locked, & the engine had not shut off, the car could still be stopped safely just blocking traffic. However, if the road is wet when the engine stops & the vehicle is rear wheel drive with a m/t the rear wheels will skid. If a skid occurs it can be easily corrected by turning the steering wheel to keep the vehicle in a straight path unless the steering is locked. If the recall had not been performed this accident wouldn't have happened.

Filed Oct 13, 2005 · Steering · 44,939 miles · NJ

Crane chevrolet in wayne nj performed the electronic column system recall and 1500 miles later it locked up again so the car had to be towed for the second time and to my surprise they gave me a bill for$382. They claimed it was ecl motor that had to be replaced and it was not under the recall ,the system was supposed to be disabled so this would not happen again, shame on gm for putting a system on this car that keep failing and trying to make us pay for it .there are countless amounts of complains here also on every corvette forum ,why isn't the government stepping in and making gm take responsibility for this failure, until they do we can not drive this cars with confidence that we will not get stranded.

Filed Sep 8, 2005 · Steering · 28,380 miles · AL

I answered the recall on the steering column lock for my 1998 corvette in november 2004. It has stranded me 6 times since and says "steering column lock" on the message board. I never know when it is going to do it so we have basically quit driving the car. In 400 miles since november it has failed 6 times and had to be towed in to the dealership. The 7th time when I went to pick it up, it failed again in the service department so I had to leave it again. Now I don't trust it to drive it and I can't sell it for fear of being sued. What do I do? Gm says they are not responsible and I will have to just keep taking it back. They said any legal claims would have to be directed at the dealership.

Filed Aug 23, 2005 · Steering · 30,500 miles · IL

Dt: the caller stated steering column locks when in reverse. This did not happen every time. The caller had it fixed and paid for it himself. Dealer said repair was not under recall. The caller said a recall on the ignition lock actuator was issued. Manufacturer said they would not fix it under warranty.

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