Steering Anti-theft Device problems of the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette - part 2

Recall no. #04v060000, steering column/anti theft device: when the vehicle was put in reverse and backing out of a parking space, the steering wheel locked up. This problem has occurred twice with this vehicle. The dealer repaired the problem at cost to the consumer.

Steering column lock failure. (3rd event) today, my steering column lock failed for the third time in lake city florida. I called the Chevrolett dealer in that town and was unable to get assistance with this problem. I was told tow the car in although it was unlikely that the venicle would be reviewed on the next day. This is a major defect that continually causes me problems in the most unfavorable areas for service. I informed a service writer a bill heard chavrolett about a recall on my car for this problem at least three months ago and was told that there was no recall on my car for this matter. This is a potentially dangerous and very inconvient problems that warrants immediate repair.

When turning the steering wheel towards the left, it locked, which caused the consumer to drift off the road. The consumer shut the vehicle off, restarted the vehicle and the steering wheel unlocked. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership to be inspected. The consumer contacted the dealership on several occasions and was told there was a recall on Corvette's, however his vehicle was not included.

The failure described in the electronic column lock recall 04v060000 occurred on 3 separate occasions. But this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. The steering column locked up.

Nhtsa recall 04v060000 concerning electronic column lock. Vehicle experienced a problem with the steering column locking up when the vehicle started. Dealer and the manufacturer were notified.

Consumer complained about a steering column problem. The steering column locked. This year 's vehicle was being recalled. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

Steering column locked & was unable to unlock it after numerous attempts at turning the wheel to the right while turning the ignition key (which is supposedly "the trick"). Had to have car towed to 2 different shops (1st one was an independent chevy service center that couldn't find the problem). Was very shocked to see that this has occurred to hundreds of other Corvette owners. I was never issued a recall notice on this. Why in the world not? now I have to pay for repairs. I knew I should have bought that jag instead.

Vehicle type: 1998 Corvette. Failure of electronic steering column to unlock during initial key in/vehicle start. Fortunately, if the rest of the systems work, the engine will shut down after the vehicle moves a short distance. I purchased this Corvette in June 2003 (I have owned older Corvettes) not knowing there is this defect with not only the 1998 Corvette but also with the 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2001 Corvettes. Beginning with the 2002 model year, this feature was removed. General motors has known about this situation for some time. They issued a "customer satisfaction bulletin" during sept. 2001. This bulletin covered about the last third Corvettes manufactured during 1998 (serial #s 23355-31069), all of 1999 Corvettes (serial #s 000001-33283) and the first half Corvettes manufactured during 2000 (serials #s 000001-16233). They also have a repair kit available to correct the problem (gm part # 88952427 or 88952428 or 88952428 depending on transmission and export). This indicates to me that they know the car has a defect and are willing to pass fixing the defect on to the vehicle owner. Unfortunately, the serial # of my 1998 Corvette is 11791. The incident occurred, ironically, just after touring the Corvette factory in bowling green, ky. It cost me $250. 00 and two nights in a local motel to get my car operational. The car is still not fixed properly. After disassembling the steering column, the steering locking system was reset and disabled. The car's computer shows an error code every time the car is started. Nhtsas web site shows there is an investigation open on this very problem with no conclusion. This defect may exist in other gm cars with the electronic steering lock assemblies. I do know they don't use it after 2002.

Steering wheel locked up leaving user stranded. Gm states this VIN# is not included in recall for same known problem.

Steering column lock w/ dic code of 2588.

Steering column lock failed. Chevrolet did a patial recall on this item but did not include all 1998 cars.

Steering column will not unlock.

On 8-6-03 I was pulling out of a parking lot and my steering wheel locked-up. I ended up having my Corvette towed home. On 8-7-03 after speaking to some service tech's at a couple of garages found out that my problem is a part that has had a recall issued and supposedly already replaced on my car. The recall # is 01044. The part was supposedly replaced on 1-17-02 when my car had approx. 43k mi. On it. I purchased the car 5-03 from an individual and had no idea that anything had ever been worked on. Local dealership won't honor recall anymore so I then contacted gm. Spoke to kevin may @800-222-1020 on 8-8 and 8-11-03 about honoring the recall again because the evidently didn't correct the problem and gm won't honor again. This is outrageous to me! there is obviously a problem with this part and I feel they should stand behind their products and work. Why should I have to pay several hundred dollars for a problem they should fix? what if I had been driving down the interstate or been in heavy traffic? I can't afford to spend several hundred dollars every 7k mi. Or so because gm won't take care of their customers and I shouldn't have to!!! this is wrong for them to do and I hope someone can help.

Steering column lock keeps locking causing the vehicle to not respond . This has happened on three time in 3 months. Vehicle has to be towed to shop to reset and repair. The last time this happened 7/21/2003 the recall work had already been done.

Steering column lock on 1998 Chevrolet Corvette while parked. Once the key was turned on in the ignition, the message displayed on the dash said service column lock and the steering wheel was locked. Repeated attempts still yielded the same results. The vehicle was not driveable and required towing to the dealer. The dealer indicated that this was a popular defect with this year make and model but that a recall had not been issued yet. It is my understanding that odi and the NHTSA have received at least 344 similar reports of this defect over the last 2 years (see investigation #ea02-031). I also understand that the same problem became a defect in the 2000 chev. Corvette (see recall #CO 1044). Can someone in your office with the proper authority please instigate a recall on this defect so that others will not have to suffer the inconvenience and expense ($600 total out of pocket) that I had to endure. Fortunately I was unable to drive the vehicle when this event occurred. I would hate to think of the safety issue surrounding a moving vehicle having the steering column lock. I understand that it is not uncommon for the steering column to lock on subsequent repairs. I urge you to please initiate a recall. I would also be appreciatiative if gm would step up to the plate and reimburse me, and others before me, for the costs on repairing this defect. Thank you in advance for your prompt attention and consideration on this matter.

In short, I experienced the "steering column lock" error that is now recalled on certain chevy Corvette. I had this repaired at my cost. My 1998 chevy Corvette VIN 1g1yy22g5w5101248 fell within gm's VIN on the technical service bulletin 01-02-35-008, but my repairs were not performed for free, as stated in the bulletin. I have contacted gm several times only to be told that I am not eligible for reimbursement. They claim that my vehicle was and is not part of any recall, bulletin, etc. I beg to differ. I have receipts for everything and copies of the bulletins, recalls, etc. But gm still refuses to acknowledge that my car should have been repaired for free. I have been fighting with them for over a year now and I have gotten nowhere!.

1998 Corvette c-5. Steering wheel locked. Told our VIN # was not in the recall campaign range. How can this be when all c5's have the same problem?? ref. In ea02-031 thank goodness this happened while stopped. I can't imagine what would have happened if we had been moving.

While driving, the steering column suddenly locked. Consumer could not go forward (barrier) forcing him to back up. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column lock malfunctioned and locked up. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column motor on my 1998 Chevrolet Corvette defective for the second time in one year causing the steering column to lock and be inoperable. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column locks upon start up. This is second occurrence . This makes all movement except in the direction that the front wheel were locked. If the front wheels are not locked in the directly forward position, placing the car on a flat bed is next to impossible. A recall has been issued but my car is not within "the break point range" so I was not entitled to reduced cost repair and was not entitled to the available installation of the appropriate fix. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column lockup. With the key in the ingnition and the engine running, the steering column lock fails to release. Thus making the vehicle inpossible to drive. Ref. In ea02-031.

The steering wheel locked on the vehicle.

The steering wheel locked on the vehicle. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column locked on 1998 Corvette - did not lock while vehicle was moving - remained locked after starting vehicle from parked position ref. In ea02-031.

Steering wheel locked up,.

Chevrolet has refused to acknowledge the NHTSA recall, (#04v060000), on my 1998 covette. They say it only covers the 1997 model year despite my quoting your recall notice which covers 1997-2004. The specific item and failures listed in this recall occurred in August 2002. I started the vehicle and while backing out of my garage I tried to turn the steering wheel and found it to be locked! the vehicle had to be towed to a dealer where repairs totaled well over $650. 00, (using "genuine gm parts" which disable the column lock.

Steering column lock up. Ph ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column locked up and could not be unlocked. Car was in parking lot at the time. ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****770778 ref. In ea02-031.

Recall 04 v 060 000 concerning electronic column lock. Consumer stated steering column failed to unlock when the vehicle was started. Vehicle was towed and repaired at the dealer. Manufacturer informed the consumer that this vehicle wa snot covered under the recall due to VIN.

Steering column locked up 1998 Corvette. Car started and was able to move, but there was no steering as the column locked up. Ts ref. In ea02-031.

When first starting vehicle steering would not unlock. Consumer unable to drive vehicle to dealer, will have to be towed. This is the 3 time that column lock has gone out, causing loss of steering. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering wheel will not unlock after entry of key. Computer reads " service column lock" * jb.

On at least 3 occasions the steering wheel on my 1998 Corvette would not unlock after the car was cranked. After numerous attempts of removing the key and restarting the car the steering wheel finally unlocked. I contacted the local Chevrolet dealer who did not know what caused the problem or how to fix the problem. On July 18, 2001, I received a letter from Chevrolet ( recall c01044) stating that "your Corvette may have been built with a condition in which the steering wheel may not unlock when the key is turned to the on position. " I was relieved to find out that my problem was going to be fixed. I contacted the local Chevrolet dealer, carter Chevrolet, to make an appointment but was informed that the recall was for my 2000 Corvette (which is not having the problem) not my 1998 Corvette (which is having the problem). I also was informed that some 1998 models were included in the recall, but not mine. Next, I contacted Chevrolet customer service which informed me that my car was not included in the recall and nothing would be done. They could not tell my why some 1998 models were included in the recall and not mine. I am extremely concerned that Chevrolet knew that the recall did not include all the models which has this problem. I am sure there are numerous Corvette owners not included in the recall which are affected by the problem. Would you please investigate why all 1998 models with this problem were not recalled. Thanks for your assistance.

Upon starting car, the steering column remained locked, so that I could only drive in a circle. Car had to be towed and a dealership installed a "steering kit" to repair the defect at a cost of approximately $300. 00. Chevrolet advises that my vehicle's identification number is not included under the recent recall for this defect. (NHTSA campaign id number 04v06000)(gm recall no. 04006).