Steering Column Lock Recall - finally!

[Tuna]

Just released this afternoon, GM is recalling 127,000 C5's to fix the electronic steering column lock.

Check out http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/040210/autos_gm_recall_2.html for the press release.

 

[Ken]

Chevrolet recalls Corvettes

No. 1 automaker recalls 127,000 Chevrolet Corvettes in its third major recall in less than a week.
February 10, 2004: 2:59 PM EST

DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp. Tuesday said it will recall about 127,000 Chevrolet Corvette sports cars, the automaker's third major recall in less than a week and a blow to its claims of improved quality.

GM, the world's largest automaker, said it will fix the electronic steering column, which can remain locked while the vehicle is being driven. GM (GM: up $0.16 to $49.27, Research, Estimates) said it had no complaints that consumers experienced the problem with their Corvettes, and there are no confirmed crashes related to the condition.

The Corvette is equipped with an electronic column lock system which prevents the steering wheel from being turned when the ignition is off. The system is designed so that if the column fails to unlock when the vehicle is started, the fuel supply is cut off, GM said in a statement. However, the fuel shut-off many not work if an electronic control malfunctions, and the vehicle could be driven with the steering system locked.

The recall includes approximately 127,000 Corvettes from the 1997-2004 model years, GM said.

Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified in the second quarter and instructed to bring the Corvette to a Chevrolet dealer, who will fix the problem at no charge.

GM has recalled a total of more than 2.4 million vehicles in two other recalls since last Friday. On Monday, GM said it would recall about 636,000 mid-size sport utility vehicles following two reports of crashes related to electronics that could short-circuit when water leaks into a wiper module.

Last Friday, GM recalled about 1.8 million cars to fix an electrical defect that can spark fires in the steering column following 80 reports of problems.

GM said it had no reports of any injuries associated with either of those two problems.

See all stories from CNN Money on this topic: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&l...y.cnn.com/2004/02/10/pf/autos/gm_recall.reut/

GM Recall Corvettes This Time
February 10, 2004 3:15:00 PM ET
By Michael Ellis

DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp. (GM) on Tuesday said it will recall about 127,000 Chevrolet Corvette sports cars, the automaker's third major recall in less than a week and a blow to its claims of improved quality.

GM, the world's largest automaker, said it will fix the electronic steering column, which can remain locked while the vehicle is being driven. GM said it had no complaints that consumers experienced the problem with their Corvettes, and there are no confirmed crashes related to the condition.

The Corvette is equipped with an electronic column lock system which prevents the steering wheel from being turned when the ignition is off. The system is designed so that if the column fails to unlock when the vehicle is started, the fuel supply is cut off, GM said. However, the fuel shut-off may not work if an electronic control malfunctions, and the vehicle could be driven with the steering system locked.

The recall includes approximately 127,000 Corvettes from the 1997-2004 model years, GM said.

Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified in the second quarter and instructed to bring the Corvette to a Chevrolet dealer, who will fix the problem at no charge.

GM has recalled a total of more than 2.4 million vehicles in two other recalls since last Friday. On Monday, GM said it would recall about 636,000 mid-size sport utility vehicles following two reports of crashes related to electronics that could short-circuit when water leaks into a wiper module.

Last Friday, GM recalled about 1.8 million cars to fix an electrical defect that can spark fires in the steering column following 80 reports of problems.

GM said it had no reports of any injuries associated with either of those two problems.

The string of recalls follows assertions by the automaker that its quality has improved in recent years, backed by independent studies which showed higher quality scores.

"We're attempting to do our best to improve quality," GM spokesman Jim Schell said. "Some of these recalls are being conducted on vehicles that are over five years old, sometimes seven years old."

GM ranked sixth among automakers, and tops among U.S. brands, in vehicle quality in the 2003 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Survey, which polled 55,000 owners of 3-year old vehicles.

But many consumers remain skeptical that GM's quality has rebounded from the dark days of the early 1990s, when the automaker almost went bankrupt.

About 40 percent of U.S. buyers do not consider buying GM vehicles, GM officials said in May last year when the automaker launched its "Road to Redemption" ads, which acknowledged GM's past quality problems while asserting that its new vehicles deserve a closer look.

GM shares were down 3 cents at $49.08 in early afternoon trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

See all stories from MSN Money on this topic: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&l...ngredir.asp?feed=OBR&Date=20040210&ID=3378512

 

[jason marks]

Did they not already have a recall on this last year or so?

 

[duals]

It wasn't really a recall just a TSB. finally they will have to do something.

 

[c4c5specialist]

It wasn't really a recall just a TSB. finally they will have to do something.

Hi there,
This is incorrect. Recall 01044A was a recall about this condition.
It did NOT cover the entire Corvette production, as this new recall does.
It covered late 98, all 99 and early 2000 vehicles.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[rsimoes]

There was a recall on this for earlier cars, but not all C5's. I guess now this recall is for all C5's.

Here is the old recall:

1998-2000 Corvette Recall - Corvette Electronic Column Lock

GM Service Operations DCS851
Urgent - Distribute Immediately

Date: September 6, 2001
Subject: 01044A - Customer Satisfaction Campaign Corvette Electronic Column Lock
Models: 1998-2000 Corvette

To: All Chevrolet Dealers

Attn: Service Managers, Parts Managers, and Warranty Administrators: This bulletin supercedes and replaces campaign bulletin 01044 issued July, 2001. The service procedures have been revised along with the schematic for all manual transmission vehicles and export only automatic transmission vehicles. The steering wheel nut part number has been added to the part information table and the part count in the claim table has been adjusted accordingly.

This campaign is in effect through July 01, 2003.
****************************************************


CONDITION

General Motors has decided that certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the electronic column lock may not function as intended. The condition could result in the failure of the steering column to unlock during initial key-in and start-up. Should the column fail to unlock, the engine will stop running if the vehicle starts to move.


CORRECTION

Dealers are to install repair kit PN 88952427 for automatic transmission Corvettes in the US & Canada or repair kit PN 88952428 for all manual transmission Corvettes in the US & Canada. For Corvettes sold in all other countries, both manual and automatic, dealers are to install repair kit PN 88952428.


VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:

YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT FROM THROUGH
1998 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green W5123355 W5131069
1999 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green X5100001 X5133283
2000 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green Y5100001 Y5116233

IMPORTANT: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) or DCS Screen 445 (IPC only) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign.


MAILING INFORMATION
Dealer mailings will begin on September 6, 2001.

GMVIS INFORMATION
GMVIS information is currently available.

GM SERVICE OPERATIONS

I have this recall in the Tech Tips page: www.corvettecavalry.com

 

[Silver97]

Does this mean I get the money back that I spent fixing this, when mine locked?

 

[VETTEX2]

Does this mean I get the money back that I spent fixing this, when mine locked?

no it doesn't .....they wouldn't pay to tow minead

 

[cavettefan]

Silver97, I would try contacting GM regarding a re-imbursement. If they stiff you, then you could try filing in Small Claims Court. The fact that a recall has been announced is pretty compelling evidence on your behalf.

 

[maxm]

Does this mean worlwide ? Even in Sweden ?
Max

 

[rsimoes]

I think with all the people that pleaded with GM to involve their car in the recall, because it had the problem, but was not officially recalled, specially the 1997 C5's. . . there will probably be a class action suit in order to get reimbursed for the repais they had to pay for and they'll probably go for the towing costs too. To me it sounds like an easy case. . .

 

[hotmtrsports]

I'm thinking about this a different way.

If I were a dealer, I'd be so excited to get part of the 127,000 Corvettes at my dealership.

This is an excellent opportunity for sales and service. Hell, I'd send GM a percentage.

Making this an official recall could be a super back door incentive. Why mess with rebates to try to get us in. We'll surely be in there with this call back. (I'll bet it's cheaper for GM than incentives and advertising them)

The column lock has been a problem, it's not new so they can't really claim "another new problem". With the C6 coming out, it will quickly be neutralized.

Unprecedented Sales Campaign Idea!!!!!! Think about it.

 

[Vette Virgin]

I have a 2003 C5

Are there any recalls that I should worry about?

vv

 

[atmmac]

I think with all the people that pleaded with GM to involve their car in the recall, because it had the problem, but was not officially recalled, specially the 1997 C5's. . . there will probably be a class action suit in order to get reimbursed for the repais they had to pay for and they'll probably go for the towing costs too. To me it sounds like an easy case. . .

Sign me up for that i got ripped off 600 dollars for the steering column!

-Andy

 

[Tuna]

Are there any recalls that I should worry about?

vv

This recall covers cars from 1997 to 2004 so don't be surprised if you get a letter from GM.

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

Previous fix under warranty.

I had my column lock fixed under warranty when it broke in the unlocked position. What will GM do for cars in a situation like that? I understand I should still get a recall notice but what is going to happen?

I guess my question is this: What exactly is GM going to do?

Is it going to involve a new locking mechanism or will it involve removing the mechanism? If a car has already been repaired under warranty will it get repaired again with the same fix it has already received or is there a new part that is different from the one I got when my car was fixed previously?

 

[atmmac]

im not sure either but i have a new column motor in mine right now. Im just gonna bring it in when my vette is back on the road, try and get my money back and make sure it never happens ever again!

-Andy

 

[marteeni]

From what I've read, the new recall only addresses cars that CAN be driven with the column locked. What about the PITA issue of being stranded because your column lock DIDN'T unlock and you can't move your car. Didn't the above repair kits (PN 88952427 for auto and PN 88952428 for manual) disable the column lock altogether so you wouldn't have to worry about the column lock not working???

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

My repair made the lock operable again. So far.

 

[cavettefan]

On another forum, there was a thread about the recall that mentioned the cars with automatic transmissions after the 2000 model year that were delivered in the U.S. of A. were not included in the recall. Yet, in the same thread, cars with automatic transmissions that were delivered outside of the U.S. of A. were included in the recall. I am now curious as to why the cars with automatic transmissions after 2000 that were delivered in the U.S. of A. were not included in the recall.

c4c5specialist, any thoughts?