2004 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems

36 complaints (17% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 36,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 36
of this car's complaints: 17%
typical mileage: 36,000
crashes: 3
recalls: 2

Which part fails

Column locking: anti-theft device
7
Column
3
Linkages
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 2004 Chevrolet Corvette steering

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Steering lock-up 9

Related recalls

Steering: linkagesReported June 9, 2004 · 41,928 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material. The washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, reducing clamp load. Separation of the control arm ball stud and steering knuckle, due to disengagement of the tapered attachment and retaining nut, is possible.
Risk: If the control arm separates from the knuckle, the affected corner of the vehicle will drop and the control arm would be forced downward, contacting the wheel. The affected wheel could tilt outward and create a dragging action that would tend to slow the vehicle and create a tendency for the vehicle to turn in the direction of the affected wheel. In extreme situations, the affected wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle. Separation of the wheel assembly would also sever that wheel;s hydraulic brake hose and result in diminished braking performance of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ball stud joints and measure the torque of the nut for all front lower control arms in all models affected as well as the rear lower control arms on the xlr and corvette. If the torque is not at specification, the dealers will replace the ball stud, the knuckle, and the nut. If the torque is at specification, the dealers will replace the nut/washer assembly only. The recall will begin on august 25, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339 or chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438.

Recall number 04V273000 · Recall details

Steering: column locking: anti-theft deviceReported February 9, 2004 · 126,624 vehicles affected

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 lockupOpened November 15, 2002, closed March 11, 2004

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

What 2004 Chevrolet Corvette owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 17, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · CA

When I start my vehicle, the steering wheel locking system does not disengage and the steering wheel stays locked.

Filed Aug 1, 2022 · Steering · 75,000 miles · AZ

The contact's friend owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while his friend was starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that they were unable to assist due to the age of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Filed Mar 22, 2021 · Driver assistance, Steering · 115,000 miles · UT

While traveling down the freeway at around 80 MPH on a straight flat surface, the corvette sharply veered to the side as I heard a loud screech from one of the brakes it lasted for about a second. The turn was so abrupt I thought I was going to roll but after fishtailing was able to get things going straight. Immediately a service active handling system message popped up. Happened about a week later going about 60 MPH not quite as abrupt. This condition could have lead to a fatality.

Filed Nov 5, 2019 · Lights, Steering · 24,379 miles · CA

Prepurchase recall search.

Filed Oct 7, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 6,890 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet corvette. While the vehicle was parked outside the garage and the ignition was started, the clutch was released and the vehicle seized. Also, the steering column lock warning message illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The vehicle was not able to be driven. The contact called maguire chevrolet cadillac of ithaca (located at 35 cinema dr, ithaca, ny 14850, (607) 272-9292) and notified them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 6,890.

Filed Aug 8, 2019 · Steering · 33,200 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the steering column was malfunctioning. The locking pin for the anti-theft device for the steering column was not working and stopped the vehicle from moving. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there were no recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 33,200.

Filed Jun 20, 2018 · Airbags, Fuel system · 88,010 miles · CA

Takata recall visible gasoline leakage after vehicle hasn't been parked over a period of months. Then I began to take notes of what , when , where this leak was occurring, I would fill the tank, park the auto in the garage . The next time I used the vehicle, a noticeable gas odor, spot on the garage floor was noted. I started to place a cardboard under the front end to more readily be able to observe the substance leaking. The odor was unmistakable. Several occurrences n spotting is evident after having parked in my garage . The auto was parked overnight in my garage. I am listing the latest calendar date and photo. I have other dates in my notepad. 2) my seatbelt occasionally will not lock. I hear the click of a seatbelt lock then upon driving away from my home ~ ,25 miles ~ my seatbelt unlocked through no fault of my own. 3) airbag cannot be checked for effectiveness .

Filed Jun 12, 2018 · Steering · 89,000 miles · NM

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet corvette. While driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to galles chevrolet (2801 university blvd ne, albuquerque, mn 87107) where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that there were no recalls and the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Sep 6, 2016 · Steering · 6,100 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet corvette. While attempting to restart the vehicle, the engine shut off and a "service steering column" message displayed. The vehicle continued to stall. The contact also observed a second message that read "take the key out for 10 second and reinsert". After following the instructions, the vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v06000 (steering), although the failures were identical. The failure mileage was 6,100.

Filed Aug 26, 2016 · Steering · 61,000 miles · DE

The vehicle's electronic column locking system was having intermittent severe failure. When trying to steer the car after ignition and moving down the road the wheel would lock in certain positions and to prevent a crash I would have to stop the car and hope the locking system released. I found that this issue was covered by #04006c product safety recall. When I contacted the service department at nucar chevrolet; they indicated that the recall was not still open. Thus I was forced to have my mechanic repair this before a serious crash occurred. I also called the chevrolet product recall line and was told that my vehicle was not one of the affected VIN's. That is not the case if you review document id#1761087 or the attached documentation I have found. On 8/24/16 I paid $215.46 plus my time and talent to research and bring this forward. I believe gm needs to reimburse me for this issue. Please advise how best to proceed. Thank you *js

Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette steering

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette have steering problems?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette, 17% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 36,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette steering?

Yes, 2 recalls: 04V273000, 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).