When I start my vehicle, the steering wheel locking system does not disengage and the steering wheel stays locked.
2004 Chevrolet Corvette: steering wheel locks up
9 of the 217 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 9
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 75,000
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 10 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
What owners say
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet corvette. Within two miles of driving the vehicle, the steering wheel seized without warning. In addition, while in reverse, the steering wheel would seize without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet corvette. While backing out of a parking space, the steering wheel suddenly locked up and a message indicating a steering lock failure was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who indicated that the electronic column locking system failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 81,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that while traveling 65 MPH, the steering seized and the vehicle pulled severely to the left. The contact had to use extreme bodily force to position the vehicle to remain in one lane. The contact service active handling system warning light illuminated on the instrument panel at the time of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v172000 (steering: column), but was advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The failure and the current mileages were 17,020. Updated 09/06/12*lj updated 09/10/2012
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet corvette. While the contact was driving approximately 5 MPH, the steering wheel locked without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the steering column and relay switch were replaced. The failure occurred after the previous recall repair under the federal safety agency 04v060000 (steering:column locking:anti-theft device). The contact stated that the recall remedy was insufficient. The failure mileage was 19,786.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet corvette. While driving 40 MPH on slick pavement, the traction control warning light illuminated for approximately three seconds and then dimmed at one point, the contact deactivated the traction control in order to control the vehicle. Suddenly, the vehicle lost complete power, and both the rear driver's side wheel and steering wheel locked up. The vehicle struck the median on the rear passenger corner panel and spun around several times. The contact had been experiencing issues with the valve stems losing pressure. He referenced the federal safety agency campaign id numbers 04v273000 (steering linkages) and 04v060000 (steering: column locking:anti-theft device). The contact has pictures available. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 55,000. Updated 10/14/08 *bf updated 10/23/08.
The present safety recall of late model corvettes to rectifiy a potentially catastrophic steering lock while travelling does not eliminate the safety risk in vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. Gm's solution for manual transmission vehicles is to shut off gas to the engine instead of removing the column lock plate (as in the recall for the automatics). The steering on cars equipped with manual transmissions can still lock up while travelling at high speed - even after the gm recall fix. Please address this issue - this is still a potentially serious condition that should have been resolved by the recall.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with...
- 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
Related recalls
Steering: linkages
- 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 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 2004 Chevrolet Corvette steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette?
9 of 217 owner complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette (4%) 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 2004 Chevrolet Corvette?
There are 2 recalls and 10 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
Fuel leak 66Fuel smell 66Check engine light 8Fuel pump 7Engine failure 6Fuel gauge 6
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