Steering Wheel problems of the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette - part 1

Not able to move steering wheel. Mr ref. In ea02-031.

Car reported "steering column locked" (which it was). This car has an electronic lock, not physically connected to the ignition key. Lock engaged and would not disengage after starting car. Had to tow car to dealer. Tow truck driver cited another example with same car model in which lock engaged while vehicle was in motion on street. , and narrowly missed an accident. This is a dangerous situation, and is apparently quite common in this model Corvette. Nlm ref. In ea02-031.

Comsumer states while pulling out of her drive way the steering wheel locked up. Ref. In ea02-031.

Failure of the steering lock column during initial start-up. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column has locked-up "frozen" on me three times. Ref. In ea02-031.

While driving at any speed and with no warning steering wheel will lock up, and consumer will lose control of vehicle. It could have caused consumer to have an accident. Dealer notified. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering wheel locked after starting vehicle and was able to shift to drive with steering wheel locked. I am concerned with the steering wheel locking while driving the vehicle and causing an accident. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering wheel column locked up, unable to steer . Contacted dealer. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering wheel locked up upon startup, the dealer installed harness kit and relay. Ref. In ea02-031.

On 08/02/02 I was backing my vehicle out of a parking space when the steering wheel locked up and would not unlock. The vehicle had to be towed to a dealership to be repaired. The dealership, terry cullen Chevrolet in morrow GA, stated that this a common problem with the Corvette. I contacted Chevrolet and they refused to admit that there is a probelm with this part even though there was a recall for this problem in 1997 and apparently on some 98 models. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column locked twice since 1999. Last time (08/2002) was while car was in reverse and backing up. Had to pay around $450 to have corrected. Gm said there had not been any other complaints this problem; but I just read an article in automotive news titled "feds examine vette streering". Ref. In ea02-031.

While driving at 5 mph in reverse steering wheel locked up, and consumer could not control vehicle. Contacted dealer. Ref. In ea02-031.

While driving steering wheel locked up. Contacted dealer. As a result of steering locking up motor was defective. *akconsumer states there is a recall regarding this defect, but this vehicle does not fall under the parameters of the recall. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column remains locked after car is started. The following message appears: "service column lock". The column lock does not disengage. The car is being towed to the dealership. Ref. In ea02-031.

My steering column locked up while the vehicle was moving causing a total loss of steering. The front of the car was slightly damaged because of this. It is a known problem by gm affecting many vehicles outside of their so called pool of VIN. #'s. It is a matter of time before innocent people are harmed by this if it has not happened already. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column locked up while backing out of driveway. Ref. In ea02-031.

While starting vehicle steering locked up, and consumer could no longer turn wheel or control vehicle. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything. Ref. In ea02-031.

I inserted the key, like normal, started the engine, put into reverse, and backed up and while backing, the steering column locked up via computer control. I've heard of this happening to other owners/drivers while they were driving. This is very unsafe! I cannot get any CO-operation from general motors at all!!! ref. In ea02-031.

Gm has recalled vehicle beginning with VIN# w5123355. The steering column will not unlock when vehicle has been started. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column locked up while driving! ref. In ea02-031.

On numerous occasions and upon starting vehicle steering wheel locks up. Consumer has to cut off car and restart it. Please provide any further information. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering wheel locked up when going into drive. Once in drive while moving the engine stopped and I hit the curb taking off some paint. If this would have happened on a highway I would have die. I called GMC, but they said that my car did not have this problem so there was nothing they could do at this time. On the web and on your site I see that my model year does have this problem. I said to gm I seems to me that this will only be a problem for you when I am kill in this car and my family will sue you for million of dollars which you will pay only to keep it out of court and the news papers. I feel that you at the NHTSA should do what you say people saving people. If I was the only person that you save maybe you will have done what you say. I think the only way that gm will do anything is if you get involed. Ref. In ea02-031.

Went to start car - car would start - steering wheel would not turn - message to remove key and wait 10 seconds came across dashboard - also message of service column locked - tried for 30 minutes - called dealer for info - was told to take to chevy dealer - had to have car towed - chevy dealer told me there was nothing wrong ref. In ea02-031.

Steering colmum has failed to unlock on three occaisions, once at the dealer, twice after being parked. Vehicle has required flatbed transportation to dealer 2 times. Ref. In ea02-031.

Steering column locks and will not release. Ref. In ea02-031.

Column lock - when I went to start my car column lock would not unlock. Tried jiggling wheel, etc for 45 minutes then called a taxi.

I have read reports of many incidents concerning the steering column-lock problem on the Corvettes by the owners themselves. Some have even reported that this problem has occurred while in motion, which scares the hell out of me! I did have mine in for this repair and I can only hope that it does not happen again. Luckily, mine happened while the vehicle was parked. Please do something about this before someone gets hurt or killed!!! ref. In ea02-031.

This problem is wide spread. Please reopen investigation. No safety defec t mentioned.

Consumer states that the steering column will lock up and cause the steering wheel not to turn, and is very concerned about what damage a locked steering could cause himself and others in a physical /property damage. Consumer also feel he should be compensated with reimbursement for the reoccuring problem. Ref. In ea02-031.

Once again steering column locked-up for the third time. Had to have vehicle towed to dealership for repairs. Repairs are still being covered on warranty. I still feel that this is a safety issue ! ref. In ea02-031.

While pulling out of a parking lot space, my steering column locked. I had to have it towed to a repair shop. Ref. In ea02-031.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Started car, proceeded to put in gear and drive off, could not turn vehicle, got a message on dic stating "service steering column lock" had to have car towed to dealer to reset computer codes to unlock column. Ref. In ea02-031.

This is the second time I have submitted this form. Disregard the first form sent earlier which was on odi #746729. It was accidentally sent with incomplete information. On 6/11/01 while backing out of my parking place at work, my steering locked up. I called two local dealers with no solution. I called customer service in detroit and they were no help at all. Since my 1998 c5 Corvetter was in motion when it locked up, I assume it can happen when going down the freeway at 60 mph. This is very, very scary. Can you help? ref. In ea02-031.

No summary listed for abov evehicle.