Transmission Solenoid problems of the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette

Automatic transmission shift lock solenoid fails, preventing trans. To lock into park and or can't place transmission in park. Gm corrected this condition starting with VIN number 75405780, VIN numbers before that still continue to have this safety condition.

After initial start, and while holding brake pedal down, the automatic shift lever stays locked in "park," and cannot be shifted to other gears. The solenoid seems not to be engaging. This is an annoying occurrence, which happens too often. I can see safety issues arising from this problem. Problem began @ 2,500 miles. Vehicle now has only 3,100 miles, and still occurring. Vehicle is always stationary, and mostly occurs during initial start, when operation of vehicle begins. Also occurs after a few hours of vehicle operation, when parked, ignition turned off, then restarted minutes or hours later. Vehicle is always garaged, and this problem is not weather related.

Automatic transmission shifter stuck in park. In the 2006 model both of these issues will eventually lead to being "stuck in park" and you cannot control when or where. It is a known issue with gm and they have failed to issue a recall because of the cars age. It is starting to effect newer models and likely the same or similar part. The safety locking solenoid goes bad, and the part is not replaceable on its own. You have to buy an entire shifter assembly. It will cost upwards of 700. 00 or more. If you force it into gear you can also break the shifter cable at a higher cost.

Took the car in for an oil change and when I picked it up, they added 2 quarts of transmission fluid to the car. Didn't think much of it and left. 5000 miles later, while entering the freeway, the engine light came on and the car stalled. Went from 45 mph down to 5-10 mph, the steering wheel locked and I was about 3 seconds away from being rear ended by an 18 wheeler. The car was towed to the dealer and I advised them to call me with the diagnosis. They called and said my transmission solenoid was defective and needed to be change. I thought about the 2 quarts of fluid and thought to myself, why was it low and did this cause the breakdown? I called and told them not to touch the car until I was present. Went to dealer, the 32 year experienced transmission specialist checked the level of fluid and "OH my god, it is very low again". I had their service manager come and told him I wanted a gm rep to inspect my car before any repairs where done to it and that he did not have my consent to repair the vehicle. 8 days later the service manager calls and says "I fixed your car, the fluid was never low and come pick up your car or I will charge you storage and rental if you don't". I called gm and them talk to this guy and beg him to leave the car at the dealership until a rep was available, and he said " no way, I want this car out of here. So I go to pick up the car and noticed the repair invoice did not indicate the fluid was low and I asked him to fix it and he refused and said the 32 year gm transmission specialist made a mistake and needed to check the manual on how to check the fluid level. He then offered me and extended warranty and agreed to say on the invoice that the fluid level was low. To date no one can tell me why the fluid was low the first time or the second time. The dealers only explanation is that the car came from the manufacturer missing 2 quarts of transmission fluid. Contacted gm and bbb and just went to arbitration and waiting for verdict.