Steering Wheel problems of the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette - part 1

Consumer states that while driving at 5mph on a flat surface and with no warning the steering column locked up causing the consumer to have an accident. Dealer notified. Mr the consumer is concerned that the steering column could lock up again while driving at highway speeds. Ref. In ea02-031.

This was indeed a frightening incident. The steering wheel is locked with no way to release it! ref. In ea02-031.

While driving steering wheel will lock up and consumer wouldnot be able to control vehicle. Consumer has had parts replaced several times at 600. 00 miles a part, but remedy did not work. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column locks and won't unlock unless taken back to dealer for service,vehicle will only drive on a straight line. Ref. In ea02-031.

While backing up vehicle steering column locked and vehicle continued to roll. Consumer feels this is very dangerous. Ref. In ea02-031.

The steering wheel locked while driving the car !! I beleive that this manufacturer defect may have caused a crash, injury to my wife or other motorists. Gm does not want to fix the problem, this car is very low mileage and I believe that this is a manufacturer probelm and a nation wide recall shoudl occur to assure that no one gets their steering wheel locked while driving their vehicle. Ref. In ea02-031.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Steering column will lock up after vehicle has been parked for a while. Vehicle is still able to be driven. Contacted dealer. Ref. In ea02-031.

After returning home and parked vehicle consumer tried turn ignition and steering column locked. Dealer notified. Ref. In ea02-031.

There was a gm recall for 98-2000. Though 97 an other later year model have the same problem. The part was replaced in June 2001 and Chevrolet dealership won't even guarantee or are cautious about gm's defect in my car. I have not paid because I am seeking fairness and they don't want to do anything to the car. Gm's defect in their Corvettes has happened to many. Quote the dealership it will be $384 or if you want to take it and deal with it somewhere else. Please respond promptly. I know an issue was sent out to 98-2000 but the same parts have been used on 97 and some 2001 manual models it is very unfair.

Steering column locked while driving at 25mph. Ref. In ea02-031.

On various occasions, the steering wheel locked up after starting the car. A computer read out says, service column lock, and prior to that, the read out says, pull key, wait ten seconds. This happened in a parking lot and at home in the garage. I took it to the Chevrolet dealer in our area (corona) and they had no idea what I was talking about and they couldn't get it to lock up. I read and heard from a fellow Corvette owner that there might be a recall in the future on this problem. I thought I would get my complaint in. Fortunately, it hasn't occurred while driving but it does concern me. Nlm ref. In ea02-031.

Car was parked with no incedent when vehicle was started later that day the steering column lock would not disengage and has been locked since. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column would not unlock and car was totally undrivable. Had to be picked up and towed to a dealership. A recall is in place for this exact problem on certain 1998 and 1999 models. There should also either be a recall on 1997 models with the problem, or at the very least, it should be handled as a recalled vehicle would be at no cost when the problem arises. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column locked up twice while parking, vehicle has not been examined by dealer. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column locked, will lock and unlock intermittently. Dealership is aware of problem.

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

While pulling out of driveway steering wheel locked up, and consumer could not control vehicle. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering wheel locked without prior warning. Dealership was aware of problem. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column locked while parked in garage. Cannot move vehicle. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering wheel will not turn. Please provide any further information.

Steering wheel has locked up, and driver can not turn steering wheel. Ref. In ea02-031.

Consumer states the steering column is locked, as the vehicle was in reverse and was unable to steer the vehicle.

Consumer stated the steering wheel locked while engine was running and the vehicle was in motion, the consumer was unable to steer vehicle.

Steering column locked and won't unlock. Ref. In ea02-031.

My car was parked outside of a grocery store. When I returned to my car I started the engine and the dic panel read steering column locked, pull key and wait 10 seconds. I tried to get the car to unlock the steering column for 1 hr. I called for help and he also tried for approximately 2 hours. The car had to be towed to the dealership. Jerry hamm Chevrolet would not cover the repair expenses even though I notified them of the 13 complaints that are currently listed on your website. The repairs cost me $418. 00 plus $65. 00 for towing. Chevrolet needs to be held accountable for this malfunctioning part. I am handling my dispte through arbitration and will take them to court if necessary. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering wheel column lock fails and engages the wheel in a locked position. The car becomes undriveable and must be towed. My concern is if this were to happen while driving. I was parked. The dealership told me it was a very common problem. There is. Ref. In ea02-031.

The message "service column lock" came on and the steering column locked up (luckily not while driving). I understand that this is quite a common problem on c5 Corvettes and would like to know what gm are going to do about it. Thank you.

This is the third incident of this type on this car. The steering column locks up on the vehicle making the car inoperable. This is a well known defect on this car that could cause a serious accident if it were to occur while driving. My car is currently at the dealership for the second time within 6 weeks for the same problem. The dealer doesn't know what cuaes the problem, and consequently how to fix it. Gm barley acknowledges the problem even exists, saying they have been working on a fix for the problem. They don't seem to perceive it as a safety issue. I feel as though this common defect needs to be the subject of a recall by the manufacturer so that the owners of these cars can feel safe while driving them. Ref. In ea02-031.

Common problem on Corvette that service column lock light comes on and column may lock at speed. Dealer stated that it a common problem and there is no recall. They can only replace current parts. Car is unsafe !.

At first start steering column locked up. Vehicle had to be towed to dealer. This happened again in February 2002, and on June 25, 2002. Please add further information. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column completely locked resulting in vehicle being towed to dealer and having steering lock, cylinder, ignition, lock actuator replaced at the tune of $591. 61. In August of 2001 same exact problem and part repaired. No assistance what so ever from the manufacturer. Ref. In ea02-031.

The Corvette's steering becomes inoperative randomly due to the column lock not releasing. The dealership agreed to replace the lock at my cost and stated the problem may still occur with the new lock? ref. In ea02-031.

As I was trying to back out of a parking space at a ball game parking lot, I started getting a message to "remove key and wait 10 seconds" on the computer readout in the dash and the engine would die each time the car started to move. After doing this two or three times as I was trying to back up , the steering column locked, leaving my wife and I stranded. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer for repairs which put the vehicle out of service for six days. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column locks while driving, unable steer vehicle. Contacted dealer. Replaced part; however, problem reoccurred.