FaultScore

1998 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems

222 of the 466 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette are about the steering — 48% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 46,912 miles.

F

222

Complaints

6

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Anti-Theft Device 82 36.9%
Steering Wheel/Handle BAR 80 36.0%
Steering 37 16.7%
Column 15 6.8%
Gear BOX (Other Than Rack AND Pinion) 4 1.8%
Hydraulic Power Assist System 1 0.5%
Hose, Piping, AND Connections 1 0.5%
Linkages 1 0.5%
Steering Control Module 1 0.5%

Steering across every Chevrolet Corvette year

1997 103 9.4%
1998 222 20.2%
1999 207 18.8%
2000 175 15.9%
2001 89 8.1%
2002 60 5.5%
2003 34 3.1%
2004 37 3.4%
2005 77 7.0%
2006 44 4.0%
2007 22 2.0%
2008 12 1.1%
2017 18 1.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Crestview, FL

STEERING

The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering column lock failed to unlock, preventing the vehicle from being driven. After turning the key, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The service steering column lock warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11607560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,565 miles Greenacres, FL

STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE

The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while the vehicle was with a local transmission mechanic for service, the technician was reversing out of the service bay when the Service Column warning light illuminated. No other warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to another local mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,565.

NHTSA complaint #11565697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,000 miles Jackson, TN

STEERING

The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the steering column remained in the locked position and the steering wheel could not be turned in either direction. The contact stated that occasionally the message "Remove Key - Wait 10 Seconds" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced that failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 78,000.

NHTSA complaint #11519241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Southaven, MS

STEERING

I own a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The EBCM can have an issue. Complains of traction control, ABS braking and AH active handling. This can cause issues when driving with no ABS active. I have seen numerous complaints about this issue here and on various forums. Unfortunately the part needed to correct the issue is no longer available and for some reason cannot be repaired. Used parts are costly (2K or more) and no guarantee they work. GM should provide replacement part or work around. If not available they should offer total car buy backs for a fare price depending on condition or offer an exchange for a corvette that can be repaired.

NHTSA complaint #11477534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,000 miles Madera, CA

STEERING

THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. PROCEED TO START VEHICLE. STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP. HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. IN RESEARCHING INFORMATION REGARDING PAST RECALLS APPARENTLY HEDRICK'S DEALERSHIP OF FRESNO, CA COMPLETED WORK BUT IN ASKING WHAT THEY COMPLETED, I WAS INFORMED THAT ALL PAST COMPUTER DATA WAS PURGED FROM THEIR FILES SO THEY CANNOT TELL ME WHAT WAS COMPLETED. I THEN CALLED GM TO GET INFORMATION BUT AFTER TALKING TO THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE I WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHAT WAS COMPLETED. I REFERENCED A GM REPORT ENTITLED "04006C - PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL - FEBRUARY 8, 2006" IN TALKING WITH THE GM REPRESENTATIVES AND I WAS TOLD THE REPORT DIDN'T EXIST. THE REPORT WAS FOUND AT HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV. THIS REPORT REPLACED BULLETIN 04006B - NOVEMBER 23, 2004. IN READING ON NHTSA, SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME VEHICLE ISSUES WITH STEERING COLUMN. PLUS, WITH WORK BEING COMPLETED BUT STILL HAVING SAME ISSUES. CAN YOU ASSIST ME IN OBTAINING THE RECALL WORK COMPLETION REPORT ON MY VEHICLE? HEDRICK'S INDICATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW AT THE COST OF $165.00 AND THEN GO FROM THERE. IN READING "04006C - PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL - FEBRUARY 8, 2006" IT INDICATES, "DEALERS ARE TO SERVICE ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL AT NO CHARGE TO CUSTOMERS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, AGE OF VEHICLE, OR OWNERSHIP, FROM THIS TIME FORWARD." PLUS, WHATEVER WORK HEDRICK'S COMPLETED THE WORK WASN'T SUFFICIENT AS THE ISSUE OF THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKING UP CONTINUES.

NHTSA complaint #11377500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles 7991 Cross Ridge DR, TN

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE MULTIPLE TIMES, SHOOK THE STEERING WHEEL, AND REMOVED THE BATTERY SO THE COMPUTER COULD REPROGRAM; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINED LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA complaint #11258559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,500 miles Edison, NJ

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO SCHUMACHER BUICK GMC OF NORTH PALM BEACH DEALER LOCATED AT 3720 NORTHLAKE BLVD SUITE C, LAKE PARK, FL 33403 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK, THE STEERING PLATE, THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 866-790-5600 AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. A CASE NUMBER 8-3480612551 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,500.

NHTSA complaint #11046525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Morton, IL

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE COLUMN LOCK FAILURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HARNESS KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA complaint #10899726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles NEW Castle, PA

STEERING

I HAVE OWNED MY 1998 CORVETTE FOR TWO YEARS. THE PULL KEY AND WAIT 10 SECONDS AND THE SERVICE STEERING COLUMN LOCK ERRORS ARE CRIPPLING ME ENJOYMENT OF THE CAR. I HAVE INSTALLED AN LMC5 MODULE LAST YEAR AND THE PROBLEMS WILL NOT GO AWAY. THE RECALL ON THE SERVICE COLUMN LOCK WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAR WHICH REMOVED THE ACTUAL LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE STEERING COLUMN. BUT THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE OVER TWO MILES PER HOUR WITH THE ERROR MESSAGE AND I HAVE FOUND NO FIXED THAT HELP ME. WHAT IS GM DOING ABOUT THE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE PROBLEM ON THEIR MOST DISTINGUISHED CAR MODEL.... ? ALL INSTANCES HAPPEN WHEN FIRST STARITING THE CAR NO MATTER HOW LONG IT HAS SAT. BATTERY IS PERFECT. I VERY RARELY DIVE THE CAR, BUT WHEN I DO I HAVE THIS HORRIBLE PROBLEM AND IT IS GETTING WORSE.

NHTSA complaint #10883365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Shelby Township, MI

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 12/01/16*LJ UDATED 12/05/16.

NHTSA complaint #10877114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,000 miles Lorain, OH

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SWITCHED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, IT MOVED FORWARD BRIEFLY AND STALLED AS THE COLUMN LOCK REPAIR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA complaint #10873821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,261 miles Jacksonville, NC

STEERING

FILED THIS EARLIER. NOT SURE IF RECEIVED. YOU ISSUED A RECALL #04V060000 FOR STEERING COLUMN LOCK PROBLEM. MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW UP, HOWEVER GM ISSUED BULLETIN 04006C LISTING MY VIN AS HAVING THE PROBLEM. GM WILL NOT HONOR IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON MY VIN. I HAD THE PROBLEM AND HAD IT REPAIRED. WHY IS MY VIN NOT LISTED??

NHTSA complaint #10823966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Jackson, MI

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. PRIOR TO THE CONTACT OWNING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE SERVICE COLUMN LOCK WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED RANDOMLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE OVER 2 MPH EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE COLUMN LOCK BYPASS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #10723505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,261 miles Jacksonville, NC

STEERING

THE ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM LOCKED UP AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF GARAGE. THIS WAS A PROBLEM UNDER NHTSA RECALL 04V06000 FOR 1997-2004 MODELS. GM SAYS MY VIN NUMBER NOT INVOLVED. AFTER BEING TOWED IN THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS (REMOVED LOCK REPLACED HARNESS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL) AND CHARGED ME ALMOST $600 BECAUSE MY VIN NOT LISTED. HOW MANY MORE VEHICLES NEED THIS DONE BUT NOT RECALLED?

NHTSA complaint #10648724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Jacksonville, NC

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE HARNESS KIT WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA complaint #10638337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,263 miles Shirley, NY

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CAR WAS STUCK IN THE ROADWAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHO SAID A CRITICAL RECALL WAS NEVER DONE. ALTHOUGH I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GM. THE RECALL, WHICH I LATER FOUND TO POSSIBLY AFFECT 120,000 CORVETTES FROM 1997 TO 2004, WAS PERFORMED ACCORDING TO GM INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, THE RECALL ONLY CONSISTED OF REMOVING THE STEERING LOCK PINS. THE LIKELIHOOD OF FUEL SYSTEM SHUT OFF STILL EXISTED. THE DEALER SAID THE GM RECALL WAS INEFFECTIVE, GM WAS AWARE THAT THE RECALL WAS INSUFFICIENT, AND SAID THE ENTIRE MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO PREVENT FUTURE RECURRENCE. THE REPLACEMENT WAS THEN DONE AT MY COST. AS A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER I BELIEVE THE INADEQUATE GM RECALL REMEDIATION IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE DEFECT USUALLY OCCURS AFTER 60,000 TO 80,000 MILES. HOWEVER, MOST CORVETTES ARE DRIVEN WELL BEYOND THIS POINT. I WROTE TO GM, BUT THEY ARE NOT TAKING THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION SERIOUSLY.

NHTSA complaint #10611206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,025 miles Adelphia, NJ

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,025 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 6/17/14*CN UPDATED 8/14/17

NHTSA complaint #10576920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Scotia, NY

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA complaint #10520383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,500 miles Tequesta, FL

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V060000 (STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER DECEMBER 2012 DUE TO STEERING FAILURES AND THE STEERING COLUMN HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,500. ... UPDATED 02/27/13

NHTSA complaint #10490580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,500 miles Tequesta, FL

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V060000 (STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER DECEMBER 2012 DUE TO STEERING FAILURES AND THE STEERING COLUMN HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,500. ... UPDATED 02/27/13

NHTSA complaint #10490580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,929 miles Monticello, KY

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES TO HAVE REPAIRS PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING: COLUMN LOCKING; ANTI-THEFT DEVICE) BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF HOW TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,929 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 7/26/12

NHTSA complaint #10464062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Hawthorne, CA

STEERING

MY STEERING LOCK WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNDER ANY CONDITION. CAR WOULD DRIVE BUT WOULD NOT STEER.

NHTSA complaint #10433558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,500 miles Ashley, OH

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA complaint #10432750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Honolulu, HI

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING: COLUMN LOCKING: ANTI-THEFT DEVICE) REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED AFTER 30,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THE REPAIR CONSISTED OF PUTTING A K-HARNESS IN PLACE TO EMULATE THE LOCKING MECHANISM SO THAT THE STEERING WOULD NOT LOCK. THE REPAIR FAILED AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA complaint #10417094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,500 miles Highland Park, IL

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK ABNORMALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR MOSTLY WHEN IN REVERSE OR FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED BUT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE) AND THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER LIABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,500.

NHTSA complaint #10405610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Upper Marlboro, MD

STEERING

I HAVE EXPERIENCED FOR THE 2ND TIME A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM. I HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD MY CAR TOWED (2008) AFTER ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE AND I COULD NOT TURN AT ALL. THE PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSE TO BE CORRECTED AFTER NOTIFYING THE DEALERSHIP OF A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT SPOKE DIRECTLY TO THIS PROBLEM. THE REMEDY WAS DISABLING THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK BY REMOVING THE LOCK PLATE. I HAVE AGAIN EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM! HOWEVER, THIS TIME, THE COLUMN NO LONGER LOCKS, SINCE THE COLUMN LOCK PLATE WAS REMOVED, BUT WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE THE FUEL CUTS OFF. MY SON TOWED THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR ME LAST WEEK AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY THEY CAN CORRECT IT FOR $915.00, STATING THEY HAVE TO REPLACE A MOTOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THAT IT IS NOT RELATED TO THE PREVIOUS PROBLEM AT ALL. SOUNDS LIKE PURE BULL TO ME! I HAVE READ THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AS MANY AS 5 TIMES, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE OF THE YEAR OF THE CAR. I HAVE UNDER 40K MILES ON THIS CAR, AND HAVE NOT PUT MORE THAN 10K ON THE VEHICLE SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS INITIALLY REPAIRED. IT IS A DEFECT THAT THEY NEED TO CORRECT AT THEIR COST AND HOPEFULLY PERMANENTLY THIS TIME. PLEASE HELP!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10281528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,678 miles LOS Gatos, CA

STEERING

WHEN STARTING MY 1998 CORVETTE (INDY EDITION) CAR AFTER IT WAS PARKED, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WAS ENGAGED AND I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED OR HOW LONG I WAITED (12 HOURS) THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK REMAINED LOCKED.

NHTSA complaint #10242820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,000 miles Ferndale, WA

STEERING

MY 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE HAS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON IT. GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A RECALL FOR A "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT." THIS RECALL IS VERY WIDE SPREAD OVER MANY MODEL YEARS OF CORVETTES. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY AND ROAD HAZARD. I HAVE JUST EXPERIENCED THE 5TH INCIDENT IN LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AND THE 3RD TIME WITHIN 13,000 MILES. WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WARNING APPEARS, IT KILLS THE MOTOR. WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE I AM DRIVING? IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 4 TIMES BY OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP JERRY CHAMBERS CHEVROLET IN BELLINGHAM, WA. ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 FOR THE 5TH TIME, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND THE MOTOR DIED. NOW THE SAME DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR IS TOO OLD AND GM WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE RECALL. THEY HAVE OFFERED TO FIX IT AT MY COST WITHOUT WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL FINALLY FIX THE RECALL "STEERING COLUMN LOCK". I NEED TO UNDERSTAND MY CONSUMER RIGHTS UNDER THE RECALL. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A RECALL THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED EVEN IF THE CAR HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT AND IS 10 YEARS OLD, IT IS A WELL KNOWN RECALL. ARE THERE OTHER AGENCIES I SHOULD BE CONTACTING? DO YOU HAVE ANY UNDERSTANDING HOW A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS INITIATED? KATIE ZOWADA

NHTSA complaint #10242568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,988 miles Springfield, MO

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHEN STARTING UP THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD LOCK UP. IT WOULD OCCASIONALLY BE RELEASED IF THE KEY WAS REMOVED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE STEERING LOCK WAS REPAIRED TWICE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V544000 (STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE), BUT IT CURRENTLY NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,988. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/15/08.

NHTSA complaint #10237450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,000 miles Perryopolis, PA

STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. SHE STOPPED VEHICLE, GOT OUT AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER TOOK OUT A PLATE THAT CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. AGAIN IN 2002, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED IN 2002 AND MOST RECENTLY IN 2008. THE DEALER IN 2002 PUT AN ECL RELAY HARNESS TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE ISSUE ACCORDING TO RECALL 04V060000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10236524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Chevrolet Corvette problems

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