The contact owned a 2000 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized, with the steering column warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and became aware that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.
2000 Chevrolet Corvette: steering wheel locks up
54 of the 278 complaints about the 2000 Chevrolet Corvette describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 54
- of this car's complaints
- 19%
- typical mileage
- 38,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 12 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the steering column lock bypass needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
My 2000 chevrolet corvette has approximately 57,500 original miles on it. Recall #04006 was completed on my vehicle by dealer code 20385 back in 2004. I did see they released recall's #04006b and 04006c as well. I started my car on 7/30/2019 and I was sitting in the garage when I saw the "steering column lock" message on the dashboard. The car was started and now the steering wheel is locked and can not be turned. I reached out to two local san diego chevrolet dealerships; bob stall chevrolet and jimmie johnson chevrolet, corporate gm, corporate chevrolet and the ntsb. They all told me the recall was completed and there is nothing they can do, they said I will have to repair the issue. This is unsatisfactory! I could have taken the car out for a drive and had the steering wheel lock up as im driving. Doing research online and reading the recall bulletin is it possible the repair was not done properly? I don't know, I did not own the car when the recall was performed. I was given a case # of [xxx] when I called 1‑800‑630‑2438. Please see the attached pictures. Contact has not been able to drive the car for 10 months. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tt *ln*jb *ln
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet corvette. Months after the vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering), the steering wheel seized, the vehicle stalled, and an error message indicated to remove the key. The vehicle was able to restart and was towed to parks chevrolet (103 robert smalls pkwy, beaufort, sc 29906, (843) 525-4100) where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel security system was defective. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to fred caldwell chevrolet (974 bethel st, clover, sc 29710, (803) 810-0089) where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel security system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage and VIN were not provided.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet corvette. Shortly after the contact placed the key into the ignition and started the vehicle, the steering wheel locked and prevented the vehicle from being driven. The contact had to try different keys in order for the steering wheel to unlock. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the brenegens arnold chevrolet dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle was previously included in a recall for the steering column lock anti-theft device, which needed to be deactivated in order to prevent the failure from occurring. The failure recurred and the vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that, due to the recall repair being performed once, they were not able to provide the repair again for free. The recall details were not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 30,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet corvette. While driving various low speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic column system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle and the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering harness kit and column lock would need to be replaced. In 2004, the vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle from a parking space, the steering column lock warning light illuminated. The contact was only able to move the vehicle back and forth less than 15 to 20 feet. The front wheels were spinning and the steering wheel seized to the left. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel harness, the relay needed to be replaced. In addition, a harness plate kit and a small lock needed to be installed. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering) and the federal safety agency action number: ea02031 (steering). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,524.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet corvette. While starting the ignition, the steering wheel seized and a warning light illuminated. In addition, the steering unlocked. The failure recurred on a separate occasion; however, the steering failed to unlock. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel motor would need to be replaced. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under a recall for a steering failure that replaced the relay harness and electronic column lock. The vehicle was then serviced under another recall for steering failure and the vehicle was reprogrammed. When the contact started the vehicle, the display read "remove key and wait ten seconds". The contact restarted the vehicle and the display then read "service steering column locked". The steering wheel seized and failed to move. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired. The federal safety agency campaign numbers and failure mileage were unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The dealer diagnosed that the ecl system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part not being available. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was at the dealer for approximately one month awaiting the repair part. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, the steering shaft failed to unlock preventing the steering wheel from moving. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the steering wheel lock was replaced. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Steering
- 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
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 2000 Chevrolet Corvette steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2000 Chevrolet Corvette?
54 of 278 owner complaints about the 2000 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 2000 Chevrolet Corvette?
There is 1 recall and 12 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
ABS 25Engine failure 15Stalling 13Fuel gauge 9Fuel leak 7Door locks 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2000 Chevrolet Corvette?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history