Steering Anti-theft Device problems of the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette

Tl the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the steering column was malfunctioning. The locking pin for the anti-theft device for the steering column was not working and stopped the vehicle from moving. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there were no recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 33,200.

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 NHTSA 04v060000 (steering:column locking:anti-theft device). The contact stated that the recall remedy was insufficient. The failure mileage was 19,786.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact started the ignition and when the gear was shifted into "drive" the steering column locked without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the wiring harness kit, and steering column lock were replaced at the owner's expense. The failure occurred after a previous repair under NHTSA campaign id number 04v060000 (steering: column locking: anti-theft device). The failure mileage was 1,700.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The steering column locked up as the vehicle was being backed out of the driveway at 5 mph. The contact was unable to steer the vehicle. Through online research, he discovered NHTSA campaign id number 04v060000 (steering:column locking:anti-theft device ). He called several different dealers and the manufacturer and was informed that there were no recalls on his vehicle. The vehicle is still in the contact's driveway and has not been repaired. He believes that the dealer should repair his vehicle according to the recall. The current and failure mileages were 27,786.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. While driving at various speeds, the service column indicator would illuminate. The contact has not driven the vehicle since this occurrence. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04v060000 (steering:column locking:anti-theft device). The vehicle will be repaired at the contact's expense for $400. The failure and current mileages were 30,000.

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 NHTSA 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 updated 10/23/08.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer six times to have repairs performed under NHTSA campaign id number: 04v060000 (steering: column locking; anti-theft device) but to no avail. The manufacturer advised that they were unaware of how to remedy the issue. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 51,000 and the current mileage was 65,000.

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.

This is stated on my work order as "generic recall". On date below I took my 04 Corvette to the dealer for this work to be done. The c-5 generation has had chronic problems with the steering wheel continuing to be locked after inserting the key. Many motorists have been stranded in bad situations with this feature. There was a recall for the auto. Trans. That removed the plate from the steering column so the steering wheel would no longer lock. The wisdom being the vehicle would be in park anyway and not easy to steal. What they did for us with straight shifts was reprogram it so if the column locked up the fuel would be shut off. I want to state at this point my car has not locked up 13,00 miles but I don't like the odds being against me. We are dealing with a relay and a sliding pin that has a history over time being problematic. There are products on the after market that some people have purchased but I am reluctant to buy one my self because I've heard 1 they won't work if you have let the dealer do the reprogramming 2 they could screw up the computer at big$$$$ or 3 if this damn thing ever locks up with me at speed I want g m totally on the hook . Gm wants to say this is not a safety issue but if there is something with a car that over time has proved to strand people in areas that are not safe to be stranded in the times we live in your safety is involved. Let me give you an example of how I look at this. Lets say I knowingly have a tire that has a slow leak and I don't repair it then one day it suddenly leaks fast and I am in a dangerous situation then I'm real stupid. We are caught in a bad situation the facts are out there. Most owners would probably be glad to sign a release not to hold g m responsible if our car is stolen if they remove our locking plates I know I would. Remember they did for the automatics ,they never would if this was not a problem . My biggist concern continues to be can this damn thing lock up at speed. Remember murphys law. Please help us .

The consumer's vehicle experienced the same problem as stated in NHTSA recall# 04v060000 which states that on certain passenger vehicles equipped with electronic column lock systems (ecl), when the ignition switch is turned to ?lock,? the ecl 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. The dealership indicated that the consumer's vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

The so-called "fix" gm has for the 1997-2004 Corvette column lock problem does not fix the problem. It merely puts a band-aid on the problem to protect them from lawsuits. I do not understand how this can be allowed by law. I have had to resort to an aftermarket part to fix the problem and chose to ignore the recall due to this situation. I should not have to do this. Gm should have to fix the problem. And I should be reimbursed for the proper repair I executed to the car.

Consumer dissatisfied with recall repairs. 2004 Corvette steering column would make a humming noise when turning after engine was warm. ***** the consumer did not have any problems with his vehicle until after she took in to to be serviced for the recall.