Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 95 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 95, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
THE CHEVROLET CORVETTE WAS STARTED IN THE COURTHOUSE PARKING LOT MOVING IN REVERSE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE NARROWING AVOIDING PEDESTRIANS. THE VEHICLE COULD BE MOVED IN EITHER DIRECTION, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED AND SUBSEQUENTLY TRANSPORTED TO PRINCETON CHEVROLET [FORMERLY KNOWN AS SUPERIOR CHEVROLET] IN LAWRENCEVILLE, NEW JERSEY FOR REPAIR. DURING PREVIOUS SERVICE, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR RECALLS INCLUDING THE STEERING DEFECT WITH THE MANAGER STATING THAT ALL RECALLS WERE COMPLETE. THE JUNE 26, 2013 DEALER STEERING REPAIR INVOICE MAKES NO MENTION OF THE SERVICE RECALL, THE MANAGER EXPLAINING THE JUNE 25, 2013 INCIDENT WAS UNRELATED TO THE STEERING DEFECT AND SAFETY RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR RESPOND TO OUR INQUIRIES REFERENCING THE "ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM" PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL [04006C] WHICH STATES;" GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT, WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY, EXISTS IN CERTAIN 1997-2004 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET CORVETTE VEHICLES.WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, IT UNLOCKS THE STEERING. TWO CONDITIONS CAN PREVENT STEERING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING: ... IF ONE OF THESE CONDITIONS OCCURS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING." [PG 1 RECALL BULLETIN NO.: 04006C] THE RECALL SPECIFICALLY WARNS DEALERS; "WHENEVER A VEHICLE SUBJECT TO A RECALL ... IS IN YOUR DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ... YOU MUST TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO BE SURE THE RECALL CORRECTION HAS BEEN MADE BEFORE ... RELEASING THE VEHICLE." [PG 28 RECALL NO.: 04006C] WE REQUEST NHTSA INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE OF GENERAL MOTORS TO PROMPTLY ALERT OWNERS WITH THE LOCKING STEERING DEFECT, WHY THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED BY THE DEALER WITHOUT VERIFYING THE RECALL STEERING STATUS, AND WHETHER THE REPAIR PERFORMED AT PRINCETON CHEVROLET ON JUNE 26, 2013 WAS THE REPAIR PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN GM SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 04006C. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STEERING LOCK BOX WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CONTROL STEERING LOCK WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY FOR REPAIRS UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE). THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS ONLY REQUIRED TO PAY FOR RECALL REPAIRS ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 268,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V060000 (STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT IS NOW EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE STATED IN THE RECALL. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BACK OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. ALSO, A WARNING MESSAGED APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, STATING THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING BOX MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SAME FAILURE HAS BEEN REPAIRED FIVE TIMES PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,000.
SERVICE BULLETIN 05081 JUST PERFORMED ON MY CORVETTE TO FIX A STEERING COLUMN LOCK PROBLEM. AFTER WORK PERFORMED I GET A MESSAGE TO REMOVE KEY AND WAIT 10 SEC. TGM COMPLETED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON MY CAR THAT LEAVES ME WITH A CAR THAT STALLS IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING. IN THE MANY YEARS I OWNED THE CAR I HAD ONLY GOTTEN THE MESSAGE ONCE, WHICH RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK. NOW SINCE THE SERVICE BULLETIN WAS DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM I GET THE MESSAGE EVERY OTHER TIME I START THE CAR. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE I HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE OCCASION WHERE I DID NOT SEE THE INFO MESSAGE. I PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR STALL AND ALMOST GET HIT BY A TRUCK. FORTUNATELY THE TRUCK WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE A COLLISION OCCURRED. THE TRUCK DRIVER WAS NOT VERY PATIENT AND PROCEEDED TO GIVE ME A FEW CHOICE WORDS WHILE I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE FAMOUS 10 SECOND DRILL 2 TIMES BEFORE I COULD GET THE CAR TO RUN. WHAT I REALLY EXPECT IS A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT FIXES A PROBLEM NOT CAUSES ONE I NOW HAVE AN UNSAFE CAR. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE IT FOR FEAR IT WILL STALL WHEN MOVING FROM A PARKED POSITION INTO TRAFFIC. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. THE CAR HAS STALLED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK! VERY UNSAFE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT 2 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN AND THE STEERING COLUMN SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER, HOWEVER, IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V060000 (STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE) TWO YEARS AGO. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 29,191.
GM STATES THAT THE RECALL ON MY 1997 CORVETTE HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN RESOLVED, WHEN I PRIOR HAD NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE RECALL. AFTER PERSISTENTLY GIVING THEM THE RECALL NUMBER THEY FINALLY ADMITTED TO THE RECALL APPLYING TO MY VEHICLE, BUT STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED TO SPECIFICATIONS, WHEN IN FACT ALL THEY DID WAS RESET THE COMPUTER FOR A TEMPORARY FIX. THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED AND ALL COST INCURRED WOULD BE MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. I REALLY FEEL THAT A RECALL FOR THIS SEVERE OF AN OCCURRENCE SHOULD STAY OPEN UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS COMPLETELY REMEDIED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FAULTY PART THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REQUIRE AN OPEN RECALL ON. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V060000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE STEERING HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED A NEW COLUMN LOCK PLATE WAS NEEDED. UPDATED 5/10/2006 - THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE ONLY REMEDY WAS TO REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A RELAY THAT DID NOT WORK. *NM
ON 12/21/04 I BROUGHT MY 1997 CORVETTE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET SERVICED FOR THE "#4006 ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM" RECALL. LAST THURSDAY (8/11/05) MY VEHICLE'S STEERING LOCKUP UP WHILE MOVING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT. IT WAS TOWED IN TO BYERS DUBLIN CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP (614-793-4800) THE NEXT DAY. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL AND THAT I NEEDED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER STEERING LOCK ACTUATOR FOR $475. I HAVE READ ON VARIOUS NEWSGROUPS THAT THIS TYPE OF LOCKUP CAN HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN IF THE LOCK PLATE IS STILL IN PLACE. I HAVE REQUESTED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO JUST REMOVE THIS LOCK PIN AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PAY FOR THEIR LABOR TO DO SO, BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO IT. I'VE TALKED TO CHEVROLET CORPORATE (TICKET # 1-355691956) AND THEY STILL REFUSE TO PUT IN A BYPASS OR TO REMOVE THIS LOCK ALTOGETHER. CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME ADVISE ON HOW TO RESOLVE THIS SO THAT I AM NOT DRIVING AROUND IN A CAR THAT COULD HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK UP AT ANY GIVEN TIME? IT IS A HAZARD FOR ME AND A LIABILITY TO CHEVROLET. THANKS, -KEVIN. *JB
RECALL CAMPAIGN:04V060000 THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF THE STEERING RECALL PRIOR TO RECEIVING NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS. *NM THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. *SC *JB
THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. *JB THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE COMPUTER READ PULL KEY WAIT 10 SECONDS. THE COMPUTER THEN READ SERVICE COLUMN LOCK. RECALL# 04V060000. *SC
NHTSA RECALL 04V-060000, ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK. VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AN ECL COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT UNLOCK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE HAD A MANUAL TRANSMISSION IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *LA
WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE, TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONSUMER STATED," THAT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE STEERING WHEEL HAD LOCKED UP".PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
I OWN A 1997 CORVETTE WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT HAS HAD TWO INSTANCES OF THE ELECTRONIC CLOLUMN LOCK SYSTEM FAILING. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED IN JUNE OF 2000 AND GM REPLACED THE MODULE AT NO CHARGE. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED IN AUGUST OF 2003. I UNDERSTAND THAT GM HAS DONE A RECALL ON 1997 CORVETTE'S FOR THIS PROBLEM (RECALL CAMPAIGN #04V060). I WROTE A LETTER TO GM REQUESTING INFORMATION AND REINBURSEMENT FOR MY COSTS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ECM IN AUGUST OF 2003, BUT WAS TOLD BY THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER THAT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERDSTAND HOW THERE CAN BE A RECALL FOR 1997 CORVETTE'S THAT EXCLUDES A VEHICLE CAR THAT HAS HAD TWO INSTANCES OF THE RECALLED PART FAILING. THE CAR ONLY HAD 32,000 MILES ON IT, THE SECOND TIME THE PART FAILED. FROM READING THE RECALL NOTICE, THERE IS A PROCEDURE TO PREVENT FURTHER LOCK UPS OF THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT APPRATENTLY MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO LOOK INTO LTHIS MATTER AND FORCE GM TO INCLUDE ALL 1997 MANUAL TRANSMISSION CORVETTES AS PART OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. *AK
WHILE PARKING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA RECALL 04V060000 CONCERNING VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEMS (ECL). WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED TO LOCK THE ECL PREVENTED THE TURNING OFF THE STEERING SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE ECL UNLOCKED THE STEERING SYSTEM. DEALER INDICATED SORRY THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED DUE TO VIN. *AK
RECEIVED RECALL 04V060000 CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN LOCKING MECHANISM. WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTS THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT UNLOCK. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING LOCKED UP RECALL (#04V060000). THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM THE CONSUMER DID HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE, BUT HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. *JB
WHEN DRIVING AT 5 MPH STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AND THEN LOCKED UP. *AK SEE ODI VOQ #8005263
STEERING COLUMN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE LOCKED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THIS HAPPENED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AS CHEVROLET DID NOT HAVE A RECALL THEN HAD TO BUY AN AFTER MARKET DEVICE TO GET THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVEABLE CONDITION.*AK
LOCK (2ND INCIDENT OCCURRED 2 MONTHS LATER FIRST INCIDENT (SEE VOQ 10044868): (ABOUT 3000 MILES AFTER 1ST INCIDENT) DRIVING CAR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH. TURNED RIGHT INTO RESTAURANT PARKING. WENT TO TURN RIGHT INTO PARKING SPACE, BUT WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. HAD TO PARK CAR IN ROADWAY OF PARKING LOT. ENGINE DID NOT TURN OFF. TURNED OFF ENGINE, RESTARTED CAR, BUT WHEEL WAS STILL LOCKED. HAD CAR FLAT-BEDDED TO DEALER (BOB HOOK CHEVROLET).DEALER HAD CAR A FEW DAYS AND SAID IT WAS REPAIRED. (DRIVER TO SEND PAPERWORK). PER PHONE CALL WITH CHERYL TUOSTO (CAT). *NLM
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON A 55 MPH ROAD CONSUMER GOT ONTO ANOTHER ROAD GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. TURNED RIGHT INTO WORK PARKING LOT AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. AFTER TRYING UNSUCCESSFULLY TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE WHEELS HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. DISC DISPLAYED A MESSAGE. DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, BECAUSE NOTHING WAS IN VEHICLE'S PATH. SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED VEHICLE TO TRY TO GET WHEELS TO UNLOCK. ALSO TRIED TO TURN WHEEL BACK AND FORTH, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER SAID HE FIXED THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER SOLD VEHICLE SO HE DID NOT KNOW IF PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE WENT ONTO AN EXIT RAMP, SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 35 MPH, AND IT TURNED RIGHT. THEN, WENT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT VEHICLE AND STEERING LOCKED UP. RAN VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD INTO EMERGENGY LANE; DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, BUT HURT SHOULDER, POPPED IT, TRYING TO TURN STEERING. COULD NOT GET STEERING UNLOCKED. GMC SENT INVESTIGATOR OUT TO CHECK OUT CAR, AND THEY FIXED EVERYTHING. REPLACED STEERING COLUMN E7680/ PART 267460, COLUMN LOCK/10424050S WHEEL, AND SC4X 267460 (COUNT 2). CLAIM TYPE E OM. REPLACED N4800 533WC0.60, MODULE 1 AT 9381389, SC4X 9381389. CUSTOMER TO SEND INVOICE.*AK
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK STEERING LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
STARTED CAR , SHIFTED TO REVERSE , STARTED TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND STEERING COLUM LOCKED.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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