Steering Column Lock, Anything New?

[steve1173]

Steering Column Lock, anything new

Heard on the other forum today that someone heard on the radio this morning that GM was recalling 1997-2003 Corvettes for the steering column lock. Went to NHTSA but they still show the 2nd investigation open & the previous one closed 11/15/02. Any news on it???

 

[GS Diva]

I saw something very briefly this morning on TV...a one-liner on the bottom of the screen that said "Feds looking into Corvette steering". Guess we'll hear more about that soon.

Elaine

 

[Guy]

Today..

Just a quick paragragh in the Boston Herald saying the Feds were looking in to it. No specifics.


Guy

 

[Rob]

Re: Steering Column Lock, anything new

Heard on the other forum today that someone heard on the radio this morning that GM was recalling 1997-2003 Corvettes for the steering column lock. Went to NHTSA but they still show the 2nd investigation open & the previous one closed 11/15/02. Any news on it???

To the best of my knowledge, that is incorrect. If and when GM does issue a public recall, we will have a copy of it here. For now, this came in yesterday via the Associated Press:

Feds Upgrade Corvette, GM Van Probes

By Nedra Pickler
Associated Press Writer
Thursday, December 19, 2002; 6:20 PM


WASHINGTON –– The federal government has upgraded an investigation into the Chevrolet Corvette after receiving hundreds of complaints that the steering column can lock up and cause the driver to lose control.

Twenty-five crashes and 10 injuries have been reported in the investigation, which covers 131,981 cars from the 1997-2001 model years.

There have been 344 complaints that the steering column locks up while the car is traveling at speeds between 5 mph and 65 mph. General Motors Corp. also fielded 24,127 warranty claims about the condition.

General Motors would not comment on the investigation except to say the company is cooperating with federal officials. According to the report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the automaker maintains it is not a safety defect because there have been a small number of crashes with no serious injuries or deaths.

NHTSA begins any investigation with a preliminary inquiry where the agency and the manufacturer exchange paperwork. An investigation can be upgraded to an engineering analysis where government engineers examine parts for a possible defect, which is the stage of the Corvette investigation.

An investigation can lead to a recall, but many are dropped.

NHTSA on Thursday released a report of its investigative actions taken last month. The agency also upgraded an investigation into the seat belt latches on 324,164 GM vans.

[...the rest of the release was deleted as it did not pertain to the Corvette - Rob Loszewski, Site Administrator, Corvette Action Center]

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

My 1999 C5 coupe was one of the 24,127 warranty claims for steering wheel lockup.

I purchased and installed the CLB after my car was towed and fixed. I'll bet there would be thousands more warranty claims if many owners had not installed the CLB.

This issue is a classic case of Chevrolet / GM ignoring a problem. The final "satisfaction campaign" fix that is being offered by Chevrolet eliminates a theft deterent feature that owner's paid for (a locking steering column). It also does not compensate owners (like me) that were stranded out-of-state and had to have our car's towed. I was not reimbursed for lodging and meals while my wife and I waited three days for my car to be repaired.

C5 owners should receive a permant fix and monetary compensation for their loss, aggravation, inconvenience, and loss of a vehicle theft deterent system.

 

[Doneboy]

If you want to know if your vehicle qualifies for this repair contact your local dealer with your VIN or you can check on the various forums that have a list of the vehicles VIN's and TSB's and/or campaigns. All vettes are not eligible from97-03.

 

[steve1173]

Mine (M6)was one of the 2001's produced last week before switchover to 2002. So from what I have read it has some of the 2002 refinements (LS6, intake manifold, etc) as well as the improved steering column part but mine locked up & was towed to the dealer. Mine was not in the Vin range but my dealer replaced the part anyway.Guess GM still has not got it right as mine had the improved part that they are installing now in the Vin range but still is NG!!!!!!

 

[Rob]

If you want to know if your vehicle qualifies for this repair contact your local dealer with your VIN or you can check on the various forums that have a list of the vehicles VIN's and TSB's and/or campaigns. All vettes are not eligible from97-03.

Or just click the Knowledgebase tab at the top of this page and go into the 1997-2003 Category. All current service bulletins and campaign notices for the C5s are in there.

 

[Jim]

Hi Rob, and Happy New Year! Just wanted to let you know I liked the old pic much better!

 

[vetu4ya]

My '99 C5 is within the range given in the recall notice, so I'll be visiting the dealer in the spring (car is stored for the winter). Does anyone know if the "fix" eliminates the steering column locking capability?

 

[Jim Shoemaker]

I believe the steering column lock is only disabled if you have an automatic transmission.

 

[CMESWME]

Steering Column

I have a 1997 C5 and within 2 years and 8,000 miles I had to have the wiring harness in the column replaced because of the steering column lockout. But the second time the dealership and GM denies responsibility for this failure and this costs me over $ 400.00 for the repair, I am so P-SSED OFF, I contacted NHTSA and also Washington DC Recalls for formal complaints. It seems that anybody who owns a vette of this series, has this problem, as per the tow truck drivers I've talked too and other C5 owners. I recommend anybody having this concern, please support the cause and contact any agencies to apply pressure that GM be held accountable for this joke. We spent enough of money on the " All American Dream Car ", let's not let GM deface this representation. Otherwise, again like Firestone, they will get away with our money and disrespecting the public. As you can see I am quite annoyed, so support the cause and let us " The Public " make a statement, thanks.

 

[steve1173]

I have said all this before even class action lawsuits but my take on it is that most owners would rather do Chevrolets job by installing the bypass instead of forcing Chevrolet to do the right thing.

 

[atmmac]

Ridiculous

I have payed 650 dollars to have my steering column fixed twice. They had to put a new motor in the column. The first time they just reset it. I am fed up with it but so far since the repair it has been behaving! Finally i dont have to worry about it. Both times it locked up it was in my driveway right after i had washed and waxed it!

 

[Rich Wetington]

C5 Z06 column lock and engine cutoff

Heard on the other forum today that someone heard on the radio this morning that GM was recalling 1997-2003 Corvettes for the steering column lock. Went to NHTSA but they still show the 2nd investigation open & the previous one closed 11/15/02. Any news on it???

My Z06 is now cutting engine off after moving a few feet. I replaced battery and had the recall work done years ago. Any advice.

 

[xdmikey]

My Z06 is now cutting engine off after moving a few feet. I replaced battery and had the recall work done years ago. Any advice.

Dang man, I never got shut down like that; I just got the "pull key, wait 10 seconds" message. I sent off for a part, supposedly to fix it it but still get the message but less often.

If you need the info on the replacement/fix IM me.