I have read reports of many incidents concerning the steering column-lock problem on the corvettes by the owners themselves. Some have even reported that this problem has occurred while in motion, which scares the hell out of me! I did have mine in for this repair and I can only hope that it does not happen again. Luckily, mine happened while the vehicle was parked. Please do something about this before someone gets hurt or killed!!!*ak ref. In ea02-031
1998 Chevrolet Corvette steering complaints
Page 7 of 8: complaints 161 to 190 of 215, newest first, as owners wrote them.
When attempting to start car, engine would not start and driver information display read "remove key and wait 10 seconds". Key was removed, and after 15 seconds, attempts made to restart car. Engine then started, but driver information display read "service steering column lock" at which time I attempted to turn steering wheel and found it would not turn in either direction. Engine then stopped running after about 15 seconds. I attempted to restart car a number of times, but same problems persisted. I removed and checked fuze #23 per chevrolet repair manual, but fuze was okay. Again attempted to restart car, but same problem was still present (steering wheel was locked and couldn't be turned). Tow truck operator later advised that he had towed five corvettes with smae apparent problem in last two weeks. Chevrolet delaer subsequently advised that chevrolet initiated a recall this week, but for 1999 corvettes (and possibly newer, only). My 1998 is apparently not covered by the recall. This problem would be particularly dangerous if it occurred while the vehicle was moving.*ak ref. In ea02-031
When first starting vehicle steering would not unlock. Consumer unable to drive vehicle to dealer, will have to be towed. This is the 3 time that column lock has gone out, causing loss of steering.*ak ref. In ea02-031
Once again steering column locked-up for the third time. Had to have vehicle towed to dealership for repairs.repairs are still being covered on warranty. I still feel that this is a safety issue !*ak ref. In ea02-031
When starting vehicle steering would lock up for no reason. Problem would happen after vehicle had been driven for a while and turned off.*ak ref. In ea02-031
This problem is wide spread. Please reopen investigation. No safety defec t mentioned.
While pulling out of a parking lot space, my steering column locked. I had to have it towed to a repair shop.*ak ref. In ea02-031
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Started car, proceeded to put in gear and drive off, could not turn vehicle, got a message on dic stating "service steering column lock" had to have car towed to dealer to reset computer codes to unlock column. *ak ref. In ea02-031
This is the second time I have submitted this form. Disregard the first form sent earlier which was on odi #746729. It was accidentally sent with incomplete information. On 6/11/01 while backing out of my parking place at work, my steering locked up. I called two local dealers with no solution. I called customer service in detroit and they were no help at all. Since my 1998 c5 corvetter was in motion when it locked up, I assume it can happen when going down the freeway at 60 MPH. This is very, very scary. Can you help? *ak ref. In ea02-031
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
Steering wheel lock refused to disengage without repeated attempts by shutting off and removing key, reinserting. Has happened twice so far. Concerned that defective lock could engage while driving. Also, could strand car if I can't get it to disengage. Ref. In ea02-031
No summary listed for above vehicle.
I was a victim of the corvette steering-column lock. I read an article just now that a spokesman of the federal safety agency said "it is a definite problem, but not a safety issue". This is a ridiculous statement considering the fact that without warning a driver can be stranded anywhere at anytime. In my opinion, and I'll bet somewhere in the judicial system they'll agree with me, gm is blatantly placing corvette drivers and their passengers in danger of being stranded anywhere at anytime and in my opinion should be held completely and without recourse responsible for any harm< damage<discomfort<fear, even missing a ballgame due to being stranded by this known problem that no attempt has been made to correct by the maker (and I don't mean graciously replacing the defective part after the damage has been done!) there is a known problem with uncomprehensible dangerous ramifications. Gm knows there's a problem, they know there is a correction (the steering column lock bypass). They are at the very least morally responsible to recall and install this part immediately and probably legally "if not but for the non-action of gm to make any reasonable attempt to correct a known reliability problem....fear,danger,,robbed while walking to phone booth(or raped,murdered,kidnapped)????? (you fill in the blank) would not have occurred" . I suggest a class-action lawsuit... Gm needs to pay for the disregard of the safety and very lives of their customers and their families with the only thing they seem to care about... The almighty dollar. Ref. In ea02-031
1-steering loose and unsafe/2-eng stumbles and dies/3-eng rattles in gear/4-drivers seat loose/5-gas milage dropping/6-all codes errased by themself.
The steering wheel locked up while in motion. "steering column lock" appears in the dash board . I was unable to steer the car. The engine turned off. This is while driveing. Two other times it occured while parked in my garage. The dealer repared the "motor" that causes the steering column to lock.speed at failure wa s20-25 MPH. *ak ref. In ea02-031
Steering column locked up and car died while backing out of parking space on friday evening. Dealer could not work on it until monday and car was ready monday evening. They 'replaced the steering lock solenoid and relay pier tac' (their words and spelling). I am concerned that if this happens while I am pulling out into traffic, I could be involved in a traffic fatality. I've researched this problem and found countless similar problems reported on the web site www.corvetteforum.com. It seems to re-occur after repair. Gm has known about the defect since 1997 and done nothing to fix it. How many complaints will it take before the federal safety agency forces gm into a recall? Ref. In ea02-031
On two occasions, once while driving at 35mph, the steering column completely locked up and could not control vehicle. Narrowly missed being in an accident. Upon researching this problem, it has been reported by other corvette owners. The dealers solution was to remove the key for 10 seconds and try again. This is unacceptable and very dangerous. I am now afraid to even drive the car. Will it take a head on collision before gm fixes this very unsafe defect? Please send whatever papers necessary to sign so that this is thoroughly investigated. Ref. In ea02-031
I have a 1998 c5. Last night I was driving down a driveway when the "service column" lock appeared on the dic display. The message " pull key and wait 10 seconds" appeared as well. The steering column locked up and the car shut down. I was in motion going down the driveway when this happened. Once the car came to a stop, I had to push it back up the drive way to get it out of the way, since the engine would shut off if when I tried to restart the car. I tried multiple times to restart the car, hoping it would unlock the steering column. It did not unlock. I am very upset that a "theft deterrent device" is more of a safety hazard! I don't know what would have happened if I were on the road somewhere and the steering column would have decided to "lock up". What if kids were near the car and the car decided to lock the steering and shut down? When the car shuts down you loose control of the car and power brakes. This 'feature' is not safe if it decides to randomly lock up the steering column. This is totally unacceptable for chevrolet's american sports car to have a security safety flaw in it. I refuse to own a car by any company if the security feature which was meant to protect the car from being stolen, actually may cause injury or worse to the owner or passenger riding in the vehicle. What is the fix for this issue? I do not want the same parts replaced for this. This is a faulty part on the part of gm and should be resolved as quickly as possible. I have read about other c5 owners and the same experiences they had. This car retailed for over $41,000. A car of this stature, class, and price should be safe to drive at all times. I have made gm aware that I have filed a complaint with the federal safety agency to look into this issue. What would gm do for a stranded customer, who is out in the middle of nowhere, and that cells phones are not accessible for communication? This is a dangerous feature *ak ref. In ea02-031
This complaint regards the steering column locking up. This appears to be a common occurance according to my corvette sources. Mine locked up last week and required that the vehicle be towed to the dealer. My concern is that should this happen again, I may be in a place where assistance is limited. The vehicle failure occured in my garage as I was leaving the house. The problem I encountered was that the wheel was not straight which required a lot of effort to get the car out of the garage and on to a wrecker. Ref. In ea02-031
Pe99066; steering column lock module: upon starting vehicle and driving about 50 feet, steering wheel locked up. After letting vehicle sit for 5 hours and removing the battery, problem cleared up. Owner experienced the same problem a couple of weeks ago, but vehicle only sat a few minutes before steering wheel unlocked. Please provide any further information.*ak ref. In ea02-031
My steering wheel would not unlock, since this vehicle has a manual transmission I put it in gear and started to back away from the garage when I went to turn so as not to hit a wall the steering wheel was locked. It would not unlock and had to be towed to the dealership for repairs. It's dangerous because the car should not be able to go into a gear if the vehicle cannot be steered. Ref. In ea02-031
Steering wheel lockup got message service steering column ref. In ea02-031
While driving steering column locked up, causing steering to become difficult cause unknown. Please give any further details.*ak ref. In ea02-031
Im started my car, put it in drive and drove off. I noticed my steering wheel was locked. The engine died almost right away. I was going about 3 MPH. I restarted the engine several times trying to free the steering. Nothing worked. I had to back my car out of the street with no steering. The next morning the steering started working again. After talking to some corvette club member, I found out that this is very common to happen on late model corvettes. Ref. In ea02-031
The covers on the inside of headlights are designed small and result in falling off continually. *et ref. In ea02-031
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Replacement seatbelts not stocked, revised design not perfected.
Steer column would not unlock after the vehicle was started. Vehicle had to be towed to dealer for replacement of the steering column lock actuator. *ak ref. In ea02-031
This problem is endemic to 1997-on c5 corvettes! No safety defect listed in summary.
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