Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet corvette. While attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel would not unlock. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering), but the remedy failed to repair the failure. The contact mentioned that the steering locked up when attempting to start the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000. Updated 06/29/16*lj the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired, free of charge. Updated 08/03/16.
1999 Chevrolet Corvette: steering wheel locks up
59 of the 308 complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 59
- of this car's complaints
- 19%
- typical mileage
- 41,252
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 11 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the steering column seized while driving 25 MPH. During the failure, the steering wheel lock warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was remedied according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000. Updated 02/05/16*lj updated 05/02/18
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that when the key was inserted in the ignition, the steering wheel lock warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the warning indicator light instructed to remove the key and wait ten0 seconds to retry. The contact followed the instructions, but it failed to unlock the steering wheel. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering); however, the repair failed to remedy the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that when the key was removed, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
While pulling my car out of the garage and in drive the steering wheel locked as if the key was removed and in the security mode. I stopped the car and tried to wiggle the key to remedy, it would not, I had to stop the car, return the transmission to park, turn the key off and remove, and when I reinstalled and started the car the steering wheel would unlock. I took the car to the dealer, whom informed me this was a safety recall, had been addressed about 3500 miles prior, and it would now need to be repeated and my cost is almost $1000.00. It appears to me the recall correction was either not designed, installed, or has correctly resolved the recall problem. Imagine had this occurred while traveling at highway speeds?? I contacted gm and reported, they chose to do nothing. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
Cpsc: i1530233a. 1999 chevrolet corvette. Consumer stated while driving out his garage the steering wheel locked. *ln the consumer was informed by the dealer, the electronic steering lock and harness needed to be replaced. The consumer stated the problem was addressed twice.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that while reversing, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who repaired the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v060000 (steering), however the failure recurred on two separate occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the service steering warning lamp illuminated. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel seized and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer however, a technician was contacted who notified the contact of the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 67,000. Updated 11/21/13
My steering wheel locked up when pulling out of a parking space. I took it to the dealer for the factory recall. They said that the factory recall procedure had already been done on the car once. They said that because it has been more than 12 months since the first repair was done they will not cover the expense of fixing the problem. I now have the choice of driving a car that has a steering column that may lock up while driving or having to fork over close to $1000 to have them fix something that should have been done right the first time.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the steering seized while driving 35 MPH. The failure would recur sporadically and often when the vehicle was first started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on numerous occasion where they replaced the steering relay and the actuator. The vehicle was scheduled to be towed to the dealer for repairs. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v060000 (steering: column locking: anti-theft device). The vehicle was repaired under the recall but because of the recurrence of the failure each the contact was held liable for repair costs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised the contact that they repaired the vehicle previously under the recall campaign and they would not repair under the recall any further. The failure mileage was 6,731 and the current mileage was 15,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the steering wheel lock activated and would not turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic that located the failure at the steering. Lock module. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised that the failure was previously repaired under a customer satisfaction campaign (01044) in july 2002. The manufacturer refused any further assistance with the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 108,000. The consumer stated the steering locked up, but the vehicle was still drivable. The consumer stated a recall had been issued for the problem, but the dealer stated her vehicle identification number was not included in the recall. Gm then informed the consumer, the recall had already been performed on the vehicle. Updated 08/30/11 updated 10/18/11*lj upadted 12/02/11
I want to report a recurring problem with chevy corvettes 97-04 model years. The steering column lock on these cars malfunctions and renders your car immobilized. My 1999 model with 46000 miles has been through 2 recalls in 2001 and 2004 and locked up again this past saturday. I had the car towed to a gm dealer and according to chevy I have to pay for the repairs. What is the use of a recall if it doesn't solve the problem. It is also a safety issue. Can you imagine driving at interstate highway speeds and your steering wheel locks up and you have no control? This problem happens to all corvettes in these years but it is more prevalent with manual transmissions. Chevrolet needs to fix at their expense this serious defect before someone gets killed if they haven't already. This is a major inconvenience, expense and safety issue for corvette owners. Chevrolet should have corrected this problem 2 recalls ago.
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...
- Telescoping column moves with seat switch
- 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
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 1999 Chevrolet Corvette steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette?
59 of 308 owner complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette (19%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 1999.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette?
There is 1 recall and 11 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
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