The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) in 2019. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Service - Steering Column Lock" was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who informed the contact that he needed to pay for a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 37,300.
1999 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems
194 complaints (63% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 42,220. 8 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 194
- of this car's complaints
- 63%
- typical mileage
- 42,220
- crashes
- 8
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Steering wheel/handle bar72
- Column locking: anti-theft device66
- Column10
- Hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
- Gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Corvette steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 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 1999 Chevrolet Corvette owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Something is wrong where it will stall out when you start driving. Soon as I put the car in gear and start rolling forward it dies. And I’ve looked online and it’s quite common.
Still having a problem with the steering column locking on my 1999 Corvette after the first recall was performed. Chevrolet issued a second recall but I never received a notification. the dealer indicated both recalls were closed and I had to pay $600+ to fix the problem. I contacted GM Customer Care for assistance but pretty much got the same feedback that the recall was closed and that there was no financial assistance they would provide, 100% of the cost would be my responsibility. I don't understand how a safety recall can be closed until it is repaired? I'm not sure why consumers have to pay for a design issue that has the potential of causing an accident due to the potential of the steering column locking up while driving! I had no choice but to direct the dealer to perform the repairs so I can drive the car with confidents it won't lockup in the future. Not expecting anything to happen as it seems these types of reported issues fall in favor of businesses and no longer the consumers. Just wanted to post this complaint out of frustration!
Steering column lock warning light on vehicle which was recalled in 2004 and GM says my vehicle was not involved with recall and will not repair vehicle.
After parking and trying to restart the engine the message "steering column maintainance needed" the engine started but when I put it in gear the engine stopped. After trying to start the car again and again the same result. I checked the owners manuel and found no such item. After sitting for about 20 minutes the cat did start and I got home.
The car was in the chevrolet dealers for rear brake lights the were not working. They called and said the steering wheel column locked and will have to be replaced originally the cost was $230 now it's over $1100
I am the third owner of this car and it has 24,500 original miles. At 19,000 (4/19/2004) the steering column lock recall was performed. Then in 2006 it was announced that even those initial recall repairs were failing and it was suggested to have the locking pin removed altogether which never was done to my car. My car currently has a locked pin and the dealer says they will not do the repair or remove the pin for free unless I file a complaint with the nhta.
My steering column failed in "locked" position. Car can not be driven. I called chevy global and told my car was not covered in recall number 04006c. I called dealer and was told the steering column was fixed in 2004, two years before the 2006 recall. I asked how could the column lock if the original lock plate was removed? No one can answer that. They proceeded to remove the lock plate and charge me $300. I never received any notification of this recall or service bulletin back in 2006.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet corvette. While driving 1 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the service column lock indicator illuminated and the "pull key ten seconds" message displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was showing the same symptoms as indicated in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 30,300.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet corvette. After the key was placed in the ignition, the vehicle cranked. However, the steering wheel was in a locked position and the gear shifter failed to shift into gear. A few hours later, the steering wheel unlocked without warning. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000.
Questions about the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette steering
Does the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette have steering problems?
Owners have filed 194 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette, 63% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 42,220 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1999 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 1999 Chevrolet Corvette problems
Electrical 30Brakes 25Seat belts 19Fuel system 14Seats 12Transmission 12Engine 11Driver assistance 10Lights 7Body 6Visibility 6Acceleration 5Locks 3Suspension 2Tires 2Wheels 2
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