2005 Chevrolet Corvette: won't start

Filed Oct 9, 2025 · ND

Sometimes (intermittently), when I push the start button to start the car, it just makes a "click" sound, the car does not start and the steering wheel will lock and all other functions of the car will be disabled. "CHECK COLUM LOCK" will be displayed on the screen. I have to take a battery cable off to reset the software before I can once again start and drive the car.

Filed Oct 4, 2017 · Steering · 48,000 miles · CA

Tried to start my corvette which is stored in the garage and dash screen stated "service column lock" and vehicle will not start. After researching online I found this is a known issue for 2005 manual transmission corvettes and lots of people are having the same problem. Called gm to see if my VIN would be covered since this is a known issue with a faulty part, and was told it was not. Gm should do the right thing for their customers and recall this known problem to fix or reimburse those who have already paid for this very inconvenient and dangerous issue.

Filed Nov 27, 2015 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · NJ

My problem is very similar to below. My 2005 chevy corvette will run fine for a while. Then for no particular reason, the dic will flash - check traction control, check ABS, etc. If I shut off the car, then restart, this message will stop, but the security lamp will stay on. The time between instances will decrease until the car will not start periodically. I have had the bcm and ECM changed. This fixes the problem for a while, but the problem comes back. I have also seen the error "no fob" even when a new battery has been put in the fob and it worked just fine an hour ago. This is getting expensive. I have put new batteries in, nothing seems to prevent this from eventually happening. The corvette forum has many posts on this issue. From another post: I have had several incidents of dead battery syndrome (dbs) since I bought my 2005 corvette in october 2008. The battery has been replaced at least 4 times. I have bought this to the dealers and gm's attention and they say that there is nothing wrong with the car. They refuse to acknowledge that this condition affects very many 2005 manual transmission cars with much data on the internet on forums and blogs. Many of us have found alternative methods to keep the car operable. Gm needs to finally acknowledge this condition and issue a fix.

Filed Jan 18, 2014 · Fuel system · 56,000 miles · FL

Vehicle turns over but will not start fuel pump relay was changed and it started but then a week later same thing happened I switched fuel pump relay several times and stiil did not start, finally starting after reapeated attemps and swithing relays. I think there is something wrong with the contacts on the relay box. This has and continues to happen since stated date.

Filed Oct 28, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 47,150 miles · CA

On four separate occasions over the last two weeks the vehicle has failed to start after being turned off for a brief period of time (while refueling the vehicle, etc.). On 2 of those 4 occasions the vehicle has required towing to a dealership's repair facility. On the first occasion, the vehicle would turn over but failed to start. It then mysteriously started again after sitting at the gas pumps of the gas station for approximately 45 minutes while waiting for a tow truck. On the second occasion, the vehicle failed to start but was able to be restarted after pulling and reinserting the fuel pump relay located in the under hood ubec. On the third occasion, pulling and reinserting the fuel pump relay had no affect, the vehicle would not start and the vehicle required towing to the dealership. The dealership noted loose connections on the ubec and also replaced the fuel pump relay. One day later, the vehicle again failed to start and required towing to the dealership, where the vehicle is currently. Upon writing-up the service ticket, the dealer stated that the circuits within the ubec on this vintage corvette have been problematic and that the ubec would most likely require replacement. On visual inspection, the ubec appears to be located very close to the exhaust manifold on the vehicle which would make it very susceptible to intermittent failures of various ubec components caused by heat (headlights, fuel pump, etc.). Gm should issue a voluntary recall to include a heat shield or some improvement in component design of the ubec on this vehicle.

Filed Jun 7, 2012 · Electrical · 37,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet corvette. While parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle but it would not start. The contact disconnected the battery and was able to start the vehicle upon reconnecting the battery. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.

Filed May 21, 2012 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 36,800 miles · FL

Upon complition of the recall servicing my car would not start the car's digital imformation center said service colume lock.....this problem was created by the dealership that performed the recall now for the last few months when ever I excellerate quickly I get an service active handling message and the brakes do apply and I get an unstable ride for a short period of time, after I come to a stop and cut the motor off the (dic) digital imformation center will no longer show the message. As a result of the recall servicing I have had constance errow messages stating....service colume lock, and service active handling. When the massage center reads service colume lock the car won't start, these problems started immeadily after the recall servicing. Please advised me of what can be done to correct this most distrubing problem....the dealership is not owning the problem they surely caused. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Dec 30, 2010 · Electrical, Steering · LA

Service column lock (scl) code on dic occurs with high frequency on 2005 chevrolet corvette mn06 when attempting to crank engine - car will not crank, other electrical components function. Car flatbed-towed on at least 4 occasions. Car was serviced numerous times, by 3 different chevrolet dealers, for separate scl incidents occurring 2006-2010; most recent scl incidents occurred 6/2010 & 11/2010; car towed to chevrolet dealer in 6/2010 to a chevy dealer that claims to be corvette service center of south. Dealer replaced scl part but only after the car experienced scl failure on their lot when I attempted to take delivery after they certified the car was fine. Car experienced scl on their lot and was pushed into service bay. Scl post-repair failure occurred 11/2010 following dealer's replacement/repair of scl part. Car towed to private auto repair shop where scl post-repair failure was discovered (hint: tapping the column released the scl): bcm also required replacement - car would not communicate with bi-directional tool. Scl issue exists with many 2005 corvettes (refer to corvette forums); scl was a notorious problem for c5 production years -refer to the federal safety agency recall campaign number : 04v060000. Gm issued scl recall for c5, but not yet for c6. Multiple c6 owners report experiencing scl failure & post-repair failure -- gm refuses to acknowledge this is a gm problem - owners are paying for the repairs and there is no guarantee that the new scl part will function and no guarantee that the steering column will not lock during operation. Gm refuses to recognize that they have a serious safety and defective engineering issue with the 2005 c6 production model.

Filed Oct 4, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · 26,000 miles · CA · crash

02/13/2007 2005 corvette car was completely dead. Would not start or lock. Left us stranded after dinner. Car was towed to home that night and towed to dealer on 02/14/07. 02/14/2007 invoice# cvcs117440 #1 customer states vehicle will not start - battery leaking acid, necessary to replace battery, clean acid spill. Clean cables - check alt 145 amp output diodes good the consumer stated she was in an accident as well as her son and on both occasions, when the brakes were applied, it felt as if the brakes locked up. Also. The service active handling system light illuminated. The dealer had to rework the connection to secure and prevent the tilt telescope steering wheel from pulling the vehicle to the right. Updated ivoq 10/08/10 *jb

Filed Aug 21, 2010 · Steering · 34,829 miles · AL

2005 corvette steering column lock would not allow engine to start but would allow steering wheel to move. Dealer replaced column lock system, worked ok for 10 days. Car would not start again, column lock would not release steering wheel. I understand earlier model vettes recalled to fix this with a bypass. Later model vettes do not have this locking system. Part is obviously defective for 2005. I am concerned that column lock will engage while I am driving. Have there been any crashes resulting from this? I am afraid to drive this car.

Filed Feb 8, 2010 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 50,000 miles · CA

Constant electrical failures and problems with electronic stability control (traction control / active handling). Computer systems replaced, same failures return. Mirrors move by themselves, car wont start, traction control failure,

Filed Feb 23, 2007 · Locks · 6,390 miles · GA

Tl*- the contact stated that on 01/05/07 she got into the 2005 chevrolet corvette, put the key into the ignition whichwas located inside glove box, she turned the key,and the doors locked as usual. The vehicle didn't start because it sat for sometime without being driven. The contact stated that the doors would not unlock. The battery failed. She panicked, and couldn't get the doors to unlock. The contact stated that she had to get someone from the outside to get the hood open, and someone to get jumper cables to get the vehicle to start in order to get the door locks to unlock. The failure mileage was 6390, and the current mileage was 6950.