RoadVitals

2006 Chevrolet Corvette Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
44
Latest Jan 29, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 365 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 44 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.

Owner reports naming steering

The 25 most recent of 44, in the owner's own words

BrakesSteering
Filed Jan 29, 2025

I purchased this car from a dealer in Sarasota Florida. Driving it home from the dealer, I was driving approximately 70 mph on [XXX] near Sarasota. The vehicle suddenly braked and pulled to the left simultaneously. I have taken it to a repair shop that specializes in Corvettes, and trying to ID the problem. In doing research, evidently it is related to the active handling system. There is a recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V172000 Manufacturer GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Components STEERING Potential Number of Units Affected 40,028 and a service bulletin 10118. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11639257
Incident
Jan 8, 2025
BrakesSteering
Filed Nov 5, 2022

my service active handling and traction control light will come on randomly and disappear, when it does come on usually my car will brake on one side of the car and skip and skid over to one side. when it happens I have zero control of the braking and steering and it has taken my car into another lane completely. it is terrifying and I've had the whole brake system replaced, along with ecm, ebcm, rack and pinion all suspension and steering components, wiring harness and just about everything I could think of that may cause it. I have a tilting telescope steering wheel and I've heard that they can cause this

NHTSA ID
11492389
Incident
Oct 22, 2022
BrakesSteering
Filed Jul 20, 2021

On numerous occasions the past two years the active handling system in the vehicle will take control for no reason and brake on one side causing the car to swerve out of its lane and other times applies the brakes on its own. Very dangerous.

NHTSA ID
11425718
Incident
Jul 1, 2021
Steering
Filed Aug 28, 2020

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT SUBMITTED COMPLAINT 11350345 WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM NHTSA ABOUT. WHY DID I NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE? KEVIN

NHTSA ID
11351871
Incident
Aug 28, 2020
Mileage
97,000 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 19, 2020

2006 CORVETTE, VIN IS [XXX] APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE FROM 5 MPH TO 75 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS THE VEHICLE THE LEFT.......ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT MANY TIMES BY PULLING ME INTO THE MEDIAN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11350345
Incident
Jul 1, 2020
Mileage
97,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 13, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED TO THE RIGHT AS THE SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V172000 (STEERING) WHICH THE CONTACT LINKED WITH THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND PELTIER CHEVROLET (2700 W. SW LOOP 323, TYLER, TX 75701) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ID
11320998
Incident
Apr 8, 2020
Mileage
50,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Oct 17, 2019

WHEN I MOVE THE STERRING WHEEL COMPLETELY TO THE LEFT THE CAR HAVE AND INTERRUPTION AND PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM MESSAGE APPEARS

NHTSA ID
11269155
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Mileage
184,500 mi
BrakesInterior & seatsSteering
Filed Sep 24, 2019

RECENTLY WHEN I MADE A TURN IN FRONT OF ON COMING TRAFFIC THE CORVETTE STEERING DID NOT RETURN TO CENTER I ALMOST HIT HE VEHICLE AT THE STOP SIGN !!!!!! I ALSO NOTICE THE ABS LIGHT ON

NHTSA ID
11257789
Incident
Aug 23, 2019
Mileage
130,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 17, 2019

THE POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE LINE LEAKS IN MULTIPLE PLACES THROUGH A SHORT CANVAS REINFORCED RUBBER SEGMENT ON MY 2006 CORVETTE, NOT THROUGH ANY CRIMPED FITTINGS, O-RINGS, ETC. THE HIGHER THE RPM, THE FASTER IT LEAKS. IT SPRAYS ON THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST. THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK WAS DIFFICULT TO FIND SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE (USED), BEING THE HOSE ITSELF IS HARD TO SEE, THE LEAK WAS SMALLER THEN, AND IT HAD A CORRUGATED PLASTIC TUBING WRAPPED AROUND IT FOR ABRASION PROTECTION, DIVERTING THE LEAKS. NOW IT'S LEAKING BADLY. THE HOSE IS BENT IN A CURVE, AND THE LEAKS ARE ALL ALONG THE OUTER PERIMETER (STRETCHED) SIDE OF THE HOSE. I DISCOVERED THE REPLACEMENT STEEL LINE HAS BEEN REDESIGNED TO A LONGER UNIT WITH TWO STRAIGHT RUBBER SECTIONS THAT MUST BE REROUTED, WHICH TOLD ME THE ORIGINAL HAD A DESIGN FLAW THAT LED TO FAILURES. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS, AND THERE IS, BUT ODDLY MY VIN SEEMS TO 'NOT BE INCLUDED'. RECALL #05V455000 IS DATED 10/5/2005, AND THE DATE MY CAR WAS BUILT IS 09/05 ACCORDING TO THE DOOR DECAL. THE RECALL STATES: 'CONSEQUENCE: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.' THE DEALERSHIP INSISTS MY VIN IS NOT EFFECTED, BUT YET I CLEARLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM NOW ON A HOSE THAT IS NOTHING LIKE THE NEWLY-DESIGNED ONES. I THINK GM MUST INCLUDE MY VIN AND ALL ADDITIONAL ONES WITH THIS OLD STYLE HOSE INSTALLED, I THINK IT 'SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS'. IT'S SPRAYING FLUID ON HOT EXHAUST BENEATH, AND IT LOSES LOTS OF FLUID QUICKLY WHICH CAN LEAD TO STEERING/BRAKE FAILURE. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR IN THE STATE IT'S IN.

NHTSA ID
11244640
Incident
Nov 4, 2017
Mileage
85,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 23, 2019
Crash reported

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ID
11234073
Incident
Jul 22, 2019
Mileage
66,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 6, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM ENGAGED AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID
11067279
Incident
Jan 4, 2018
Mileage
65,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Oct 12, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM ENGAGED AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKES ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MICHAELS TOYOTA OF FRESNO, CALIFORNIA (50 WEST BULLARDS AVE, (559) 431-7576 93704), BUT THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V172000 (STEERING) WAS A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ID
11033138
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Mileage
110,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Jul 13, 2017

BEGAN TO NOTICE A SENSED VEHICLE SELF STEERING SENSATION ON 7/12/17. THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE THE REAR WHEELS ARE SLIDING AROUND WITH NO TRACTION OR AS IF THE REAR WHEELS ARE STEERING THEMSELVES. IT IS OCCURRING AT ALL SPEEDS, EVEN WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINED DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID
11005205
Incident
Jul 12, 2017
Mileage
31,300 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 7, 2017

[XXX] 2006 CORVETTES HAVE RECALL FOR SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING APPLY BRAKES OR ONE SIDE OF BRAKE ... THE CAR I OWN AND DRIVE HAS THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE ..WHY WOULD MY CAR NOT BE ON A RECALL TOO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JB *TR

NHTSA ID
10971221
Incident
Apr 7, 2017
Mileage
30,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Dec 27, 2016

IN 2010, THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR "STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR." THE ISSUE WAS THE "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING" WARNING NOTICE WAS INTERMITTENTLY APPEARING IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. THE REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL A PLASTIC CLIP. THIS REMEDY DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW "STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR" AND THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AND IT WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. I DID NOT HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AT THAT TIME BECAUSE I RARELY DRIVE THE CAR, AND THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME TO HAVE A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND THAT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR AWHILE. THE "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING" WARNING HAS RETURNED, AND I'M SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED FOR ABOUT $800. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE 2005-2006 CORVETTES, AND THE PLASTIC CLIP DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED AS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY BAD ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM ENGAGING AT RANDOM TIMES AND CAUSING CRASHES. WHY DIDN'T GM ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PLASTIC CLIP DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE AND WHY AM I HAVING TO PAY FOR A REPAIR THAT IS WIDE SPREAD AND THAT THE RECALL REPAIR IS KNOWN TO NOT HAVE WORKED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10937597
Incident
Dec 16, 2016
Mileage
8,700 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Sep 21, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY AND "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM ERROR" ILLUMINATED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR IT TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V172000(STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ID
10908378
Incident
Sep 18, 2016
Mileage
22,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Aug 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE SERVICE RIDE CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OCCASIONALLY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V172000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10897796
Incident
Aug 19, 2016
Mileage
40,000 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, A "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ERROR MESSAGE WAS CLEARED BY THE CONTACT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKES ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V172000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10884130
Incident
May 12, 2016
Steering
Filed Mar 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V172000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10845676
Incident
Mar 5, 2016
Mileage
110,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Dec 7, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT BEFORE COMING TO A HALT. IN ADDITION, WHILE IN PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM" DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,461.

NHTSA ID
10808691
Incident
Dec 5, 2015
Mileage
32,461 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SIGNAL INTERRUPTION WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V172000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA ID
10726098
Incident
Jun 6, 2015
Mileage
61,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 9, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE SERVICE HANDLING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V172000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA ID
10671318
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
23,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 3, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVED FORWARD THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT TO THE LEFT AND INTO ANOTHER LANE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLUG IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V172000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ID
10630352
Incident
Sep 2, 2014
Mileage
43,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jul 6, 2014

THE HARMONIC DAMPER ON 2006 CORVETTE WITH LS2 ENGINE FAILED RESULTING IN POWER STEERING DRIVE BELT COMING OFF PULLEY CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE HIGH EFFORT REQUIRED TO STEER VEHICLE ALMOST RESULTED IN CRASH. THIS HARMONIC DAMPER ISSUE IS DOCUMENTED IN NUMEROUS INTERNET FORUMS AND IS BELIEVED TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *JS

NHTSA ID
10608479
Incident
Jul 3, 2014
Mileage
33,321 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE BRAKES ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SEIZED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWAY ABNORMALLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V172000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ID
10564974
Incident
Apr 11, 2012
Mileage
35,000 mi

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .