While pulling out of a parking space steering wheel locked up. When this occurred ignition failed to operate which caused the engine to die. There was a consumers satisfaction campaign on this issue.*ak after this occurred, consumer could start the vehicle and drive it but the steering column would be locked. Vehicle would move but no steering. *ph
1998 Chevrolet Corvette: loss of power steering
6 of the 399 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette describe loss of power steering.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 10 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Loss of power steering by model year
What owners say
Steering column locked up 1998 corvette. Car started and was able to move, but there was no steering as the column locked up. Ts ref. In ea02-031
My steering column locked up while the vehicle was moving causing a total loss of steering. The front of the car was slightly damaged because of this. It is a known problem by gm affecting many vehicles outside of their so called pool of VIN. #'s. It is a matter of time before innocent people are harmed by this if it has not happened already.*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
In each failure of the rotor assembly, the vehicle began to vibrate terribly upon trying to stop and this usually is noticable at 15 MPH. The dealership is terrific in attempting to repair the problem and the service manager at sewell is the best ever...very attentive and concerned with this continous failure. I do not drive fast and as you can see, the vehicle is seldom driven accumulating only approximately 21,000 miles in 3 years but the rotor assembly fails at almost 7,000 miles each time starting with originaly equipment and the replacement parts also fail each time the problem is attempted to resolution. Steering is difficult when failure occurs and the vehicle vibrates.
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
Service bulletins that may apply
- Steering
- Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment
- Special policy adjustment-electronic column lock system
- Revised steering column turn signal cancel cam and steering shaft upper bearing spring replacement (manual...
- GMP04-057 - 04006 electronic column lock system
- Electronic column lock system
- A condition in which the vehicle CAN operate when the electronic steering column fails to unlock
- Revised steering wheel position sensor or steering shaft lower bearing replacement procedure and steering...
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
Questions about the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette power steering loss
Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette?
6 of 399 owner complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette (2%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette?
There is 1 recall and 10 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
Steering lock-up 57Stalling 14ABS 13Seat belt 12Engine failure 8Loss of power 7Fuel smell 5
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