2004 Chevrolet Corvette Steering Problems

When I start my vehicle, the steering wheel locking system does not disengage and the steering wheel stays locked.

NHTSA ID

11583610

Incident

Apr 17, 2024

The contact's friend owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while his friend was starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that they were unable to assist due to the age of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11476933

Incident

Jul 31, 2022

Mileage

75,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 80 MPH ON A STRAIGHT FLAT SURFACE, THE CORVETTE SHARPLY VEERED TO THE SIDE AS I HEARD A LOUD SCREECH FROM ONE OF THE BRAKES IT LASTED FOR ABOUT A SECOND. THE TURN WAS SO ABRUPT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO ROLL BUT AFTER FISHTAILING WAS ABLE TO GET THINGS GOING STRAIGHT. IMMEDIATELY A SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM MESSAGE POPPED UP. HAPPENED ABOUT A WEEK LATER GOING ABOUT 60 MPH NOT QUITE AS ABRUPT. THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE LEAD TO A FATALITY.

NHTSA ID

11404236

Incident

Mar 16, 2021

Mileage

115,000 mi

PREPURCHASE RECALL SEARCH.

NHTSA ID

11278217

Incident

Nov 4, 2019

Mileage

24,379 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE THE GARAGE AND THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, THE CLUTCH WAS RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED. ALSO, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT CALLED MAGUIRE CHEVROLET CADILLAC OF ITHACA (LOCATED AT 35 CINEMA DR, ITHACA, NY 14850, (607) 272-9292) AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,890. *TR

NHTSA ID

11266749

Incident

Oct 6, 2019

Mileage

6,890 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11242608

Incident

Jul 18, 2019

Mileage

33,200 mi

TAKATA RECALL VISIBLE GASOLINE LEAKAGE AFTER VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN PARKED OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS. THEN I BEGAN TO TAKE NOTES OF WHAT , WHEN , WHERE THIS LEAK WAS OCCURRING, I WOULD FILL THE TANK, PARK THE AUTO IN THE GARAGE . THE NEXT TIME I USED THE VEHICLE, A NOTICEABLE GAS ODOR, SPOT ON THE GARAGE FLOOR WAS NOTED. I STARTED TO PLACE A CARDBOARD UNDER THE FRONT END TO MORE READILY BE ABLE TO OBSERVE THE SUBSTANCE LEAKING. THE ODOR WAS UNMISTAKABLE. SEVERAL OCCURRENCES N SPOTTING IS EVIDENT AFTER HAVING PARKED IN MY GARAGE . THE AUTO WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN MY GARAGE. I AM LISTING THE LATEST CALENDAR DATE AND PHOTO. I HAVE OTHER DATES IN MY NOTEPAD. 2) MY SEATBELT OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT LOCK. I HEAR THE CLICK OF A SEATBELT LOCK THEN UPON DRIVING AWAY FROM MY HOME ~ ,25 MILES ~ MY SEATBELT UNLOCKED THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. 3) AIRBAG CANNOT BE CHECKED FOR EFFECTIVENESS .

NHTSA ID

11102924

Incident

Mar 5, 2018

Mileage

88,010 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GALLES CHEVROLET (2801 UNIVERSITY BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, MN 87107) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11101490

Incident

Jun 6, 2018

Mileage

89,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND A "SERVICE STEERING COLUMN" MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED A SECOND MESSAGE THAT READ "TAKE THE KEY OUT FOR 10 SECOND AND REINSERT". AFTER FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V06000 (STEERING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,100.

NHTSA ID

10903763

Incident

Sep 2, 2016

Mileage

6,100 mi

THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCKING SYSTEM WAS HAVING INTERMITTENT SEVERE FAILURE. WHEN TRYING TO STEER THE CAR AFTER IGNITION AND MOVING DOWN THE ROAD THE WHEEL WOULD LOCK IN CERTAIN POSITIONS AND TO PREVENT A CRASH I WOULD HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND HOPE THE LOCKING SYSTEM RELEASED. I FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE WAS COVERED BY #04006C PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL. WHEN I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT NUCAR CHEVROLET; THEY INDICATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT STILL OPEN. THUS I WAS FORCED TO HAVE MY MECHANIC REPAIR THIS BEFORE A SERIOUS CRASH OCCURRED. I ALSO CALLED THE CHEVROLET PRODUCT RECALL LINE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE AFFECTED VIN'S. THAT IS NOT THE CASE IF YOU REVIEW DOCUMENT ID#1761087 OR THE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION I HAVE FOUND. ON 8/24/16 I PAID $215.46 PLUS MY TIME AND TALENT TO RESEARCH AND BRING THIS FORWARD. I BELIEVE GM NEEDS TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THIS ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE HOW BEST TO PROCEED. THANK YOU *JS *JS

NHTSA ID

10898943

Incident

Aug 24, 2016

Mileage

61,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WITHIN TWO MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHILE IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID

10886258

Incident

May 30, 2016

Mileage

125,000 mi

THIS REQUEST INVOLVES A SAFETY BULLETIN [#0400C6], DATED 2/8/2006 RELATING TO THE ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK (ECL) FOR APPROXIMATELY 96% OF ALL 220,000+ C-5 GENERATION CORVETTES. 2004 WAS THE LAST YEAR OF PRODUCTION FOR THE C-5 GENERATION. TOTAL PRODUCTION IN 2004 IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN ABOUT 35,000: OUT OF THIS, 20,861 VEHICLES WERE COVERED BY THE ABOVE SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT AS MINE WAS ASSEMBLED AFTER VIN #45120862 UNTIL ASSEMBLY BEGAN FOR THE 2005 MODEL YEAR (C-6 GENERATION), MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED ON PAGE 2 OF THE BULLETIN. PRIOR TO THE STEERING COLUMN ON MY CAR LOCKING ON 6/28/2016 I HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THIS PERILOUS CONDITION EXISTED. GM HAS INDICATED THAT IT WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY FUNDS TO OFFSET THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS FAULT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY SERVICE BULLETIN. I BELIEVE THAT SERVICE BULLETIN #04006C WAS INTENDED FOR (OR SHOULD APPLY TO) THE ENTIRE C-5 PRODUCTION -- UNLESS THERE IS SOME REASONABLE EXPLANATION AS TO WHY MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXCLUDED (SUCH AS A DIFFERENT ECL CONFIGURATION WAS USED, ETC.) IN EITHER EVENT, I FEEL THE COMPANY SHOULD HONOR MY REQUEST FOR A FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR FUNDS EXPENDED TO REPLACE THE FAULTY ECL. I HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO GM EXPLAINING THE FACTS SURROUNDING THIS REQUEST AND HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF THAT LETTER FOR YOUR REVIEW.

NHTSA ID

10882190

Incident

Jun 28, 2016

Mileage

72,504 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED UP AND A MESSAGE INDICATING A STEERING LOCK FAILURE WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCKING SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA ID

10703868

Incident

Mar 24, 2015

Mileage

81,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,900.

NHTSA ID

10639155

Incident

Aug 26, 2014

Mileage

92,900 mi

GOING 80 ON FREEWAY CRUISE DISINGAGED ACTIVE HANDLING WARNING CAME ON CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT VERY SCARY CONTACTED CHEVOROLET NO HELP THERE ARE MANY MORE OF THESE SAME PROBLEMS REPORTED RECALL FOR 2005 FOR EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10573077

Incident

Mar 14, 2014

Mileage

76,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING SOUTH, ON I-25, IN ALBUQUERQUE, NM, WHEN I BUMPED THE IGNITION KEY WITH MY HAND AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THIS OCCURRED A COUPLE OF MORE TIMES SINCE THEN. WHEN I HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING WITH OTHER CHEVROLETS, I CALLED A DEALER, IN ALBUQUERQUE, REPORTED THAT IT HAD ALSO HAPPENED IN MY 2004 CORVETTE C5. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS, ORDERS, OR TECH ORDERS FOR THAT MODEL CAR. HAVE OTHER OCCURRENCES BEEN REPORTED? I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY ON THE CORVETTE BLOGS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10569293

Incident

Sep 12, 2012

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 CORVETTE THE ACTIVE HANDLING MESSAGE COME ON AT THE DASH AND WHILE DRIVING THIS CAUSES THE BRAKES TO PULL THE CAR FROM ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER SUDDENLY AND THIS HAPPENS VERY OFTEN. I AM AFRAID THIS COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10522383

Incident

Jun 1, 2012

Mileage

36,000 mi

STEERING COLUMN LOCK RECALL: DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND REPROGRAMMED AND PERFORMANCE TEST. DATE ACCOMPLISHED - AUGUST 31, 2004. APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO, THIS VEHICLE BEGAN DISPLAYING COLUMN LOCK ERROR MESSAGE "REMOVE KEY FOR 10 SECONDS" WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL IF YOU SHOULD TRY TO START IT. THE VEHICLE WILL START WITHOUT HAVING REMOVED THE KEY FOR 10 SECONDS,HOWEVER, IT WILL STALL UPON BEGINNING DRIVING. THIS MESSAGE OCCURS EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS STARTED AND MAY RECUR SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CAR CAN BE DRIVEN. DEALER INFORMS US THAT GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOT PERFORM NECESSARY REPAIR AT THEIR COST. WE STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THIS AS IT IS A RECURRING RECALLED SAFETY CONDITION. PLEASE ADVISE ON NHTSA'S POSITION WITH REGARD TO THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10508063

Incident

Aug 31, 2004

Mileage

8,370 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE PULLED SEVERELY TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME BODILY FORCE TO POSITION THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN IN ONE LANE. THE CONTACT SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V172000 (STEERING: COLUMN), BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17,020. UPDATED 09/06/12*LJ UPDATED 09/10/2012 *JS

NHTSA ID

10467826

Incident

Jul 21, 2012

Mileage

17,020 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR IN THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V172000 (STEERING:COLUMN), BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE RECALL ONLY INCLUDED 2005-2006 MODEL YEARS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,600 UPDATED 6/7/12 *CN UPDATED 06/22/12

NHTSA ID

10457509

Incident

Apr 18, 2012

Mileage

14,600 mi

THIS FIRST HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND IT HAS NOW HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THIS PAST MONTH. CHEVROLET SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM BUT I AM LIVING THE PROBLEM. WHEN USING THE TILT AND TELESCOPING STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER ?SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM?. THE CAR THEN ACTS LIKE ONE OF THE BRAKES LOCK UP. FURTHER THIS JUST HAPPENED WHEN I WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH. THE JERKING OF THE VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS. EVEN WITH TWO HANDS ON THE WHEEL THIS UNEXPECTED BREAKING OF THE VEHICLE SCARES THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10436228

Incident

Oct 23, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,221 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80, 331.

NHTSA ID

10424469

Incident

Aug 19, 2011

Mileage

80,221 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,317.

NHTSA ID

10373141

Incident

Dec 17, 2010

Mileage

36,317 mi

TL*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.

NHTSA ID

10364048

Incident

Sep 14, 2010

Mileage

19,786 mi

TL*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.

NHTSA ID

10361244

Incident

Sep 14, 2010

Mileage

1,700 mi