My Corvette was inspected as part of the initial steering lock recall and I was told it was okay, no action was needed. Subsequently, my steering column lock has frozen and the vehicle cannot be moved under its own power. Does the original recall still apply? From what I have seen on the Corvette Forum, this is an ongoing, recurring issue with C5 Corvettes.
2001 Chevrolet Corvette: steering wheel locks up
30 of the 205 complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Corvette describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 30
- of this car's complaints
- 15%
- typical mileage
- 40,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 9 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
What owners say
Recall number 04v060000 recall date 02/09/2004 component steering:column locking:anti-theft device summary. Steering locked at exiting freeway. The fuel supply shut off so the vehicle cannot moved. The vehicle cannot be steered.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet corvette. While restarting the engine, a "service steering column" message appeared and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer (dave mcdermott chevrolet, 655 main st, east haven, ct) where it was diagnosed that the steering column locking mechanism failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column actuator was faulty. The vehicle was repaired and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,996.
The steering wheel lock does not release. I believe this was already a recall issue
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet corvette. While the vehicle was in reverse, the steering wheel seized and the engine stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called a dealer (john l sullivan chevrolet 350 automall dr, roseville, ca 95661 (916) 782-1243), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that no recall was associated with the VIN and did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 134,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized after starting the vehicle. The failure recurred numerous times and was towed to the contact's residence after each occurrence. The steering wheel would eventually reset over a period of twenty four hours or greater. The vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering); however, the failure persisted after the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Started the vehicle, in the display panel were the words, "steering column locked." although the vehicle was running, the steering column was in fact locked. Restarted vehicle and the display read..."service column locked" however this was not the case. The steering wheel moved freely. The problem now is; the steering wheel will not lock when the ignition is turned off. My concern is...can the steering wheel lock when the vehicle is in motion?
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that while reversing at low speeds moving, the steering wheel seized and the engine stalled causing the contact to crash into a trailer. The front passenger suffered injuries to the right arm. The driver's seat moved out of position and caused the contact to hit the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to a specialized mechanic, who performed a diagnostic and located the failure at the ignition switch. Additionally, the driver's seat rail mounting was fractured to due to defective metal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and the key was able to be removed from the ignition. The dealer stated that the lock plate and motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 40,000.
I bought a 2001 corvette with my wife from hendrick chevrolet. The steering wheel locked as I was pulling out of a parking spot rendering the car not drivable. I was a car salesman at the time and had gotten a text from my wife to hurry home about something urgent. As I pulled out in reverse I adjusted the steering wheel down and started backing up all at the same time very fast and the steering wheel locked. I called hendrick chevrolet and told them of the incident. I am a manufacturing engineer in the automotive industry that deals with tier1 and tier 2 suppliers for gm. I know their quality standards and this I told them was going to kill someone if not addressed properly with an 8d a corrective action report and an update to the pfmea and dfmea control plans.
The vehicle is a 2001 chevrolet corvette. Upon driving the steering column locked preventing the car from being controlled at speed. After researching the issue and investigating the matter with chevrolet customer service I found that this steering lock antitheft device was found to be dangerous as I described. The federal safety agency forced gm to recall vehicles, mine in 2003, recall number 4006. Subsequently gm concluded that this recall was not effective and issued two more recalls however customers were never notified by mail. Recall number 4006c issued in feb 08 2006 supersedes all previous recalls instructing dealers and service technicians to remove the locking mechanism. However gm fails to take responsibility to assure that this latter recall is provided to my vehicle. After numerous calls to customer service 866 790 5700 they will not authorize repair of my vehicle. After $1700 out of pocket expenses my car is still in a situation that the steering column can lock while being driven and gm fails to respond. I have been bounced around to 8 to 9 representatives in customer service from peru , texas and detroit all with no action. All owners of 1999 to 2004 corvettes whose theft deterrent system is still in operation, meaning the steering column locks when the key is removed should be aware that the car may lock when driving and crash. This is from gm's own service recall number 4006c. These vehicle should not be driven.
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 2001 Chevrolet Corvette steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2001 Chevrolet Corvette?
30 of 205 owner complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Corvette (15%) 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 2001 Chevrolet Corvette?
There is 1 recall and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
Oil consumption 13Engine failure 10Fuel smell 10Stalling 10Fuel gauge 8ABS 7Fuel leak 6Seat belt 6
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