NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
168 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 2, 2003
Steering
STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I SPOKE W/4 DIFFERENT SALES PERSONS, CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS, AND MECHANICS AT DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE KNEW WHY, AND ALL THEY COULD TELL ME WAS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. 1 LITTLE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE, AND IT TOOK TWO TOW TRUCKS AND 3 HOURS OF MY TI…
Read full complaint
STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I SPOKE W/4 DIFFERENT SALES PERSONS, CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS, AND MECHANICS AT DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE KNEW WHY, AND ALL THEY COULD TELL ME WAS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. 1 LITTLE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE, AND IT TOOK TWO TOW TRUCKS AND 3 HOURS OF MY TIME TO GET THE VEHICLE ON A FLAT BED, THAT IS AFTER KNOCKING ON ALL THE NEIGHBOR'S DOORS TO FINDOUT WHO OWNS WHICH CAR, AND HAVING MOVE THEIR CARS, SO THE TOW GUYS CAN ACCESS THE VEHICLE BY PLACED THE FRONT OF IT ON A FREE WHEEL AND READ OF IT ON A FREE WHEEL, TURNING THE VEHICLE 180 DEGREES, AND THEN PLACING IT ON A FLAT BED. *AK REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS
NHTSA ODI #10020898
38,000 miles · May 5, 2003
Steering
STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. I WAS LUCKY THAT IT WAS IN MY GARAGE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS A VERY FRIGHTENING PROBLEM, WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS GOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. *JB REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS
NHTSA ODI #10017068
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingInjury
THE CONVERTIBLE TOP SQUEALED,THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAD COME LOOSE, THE RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL HAD GONE OUT, THE VEHICLE EXCESSIVELY USED OIL, THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON THE STEERING IGNITION LOCK, ULTIMATELY THE STEERING LOCKED AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE BEING BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE GAS GUAGE …
Read full complaint
THE CONVERTIBLE TOP SQUEALED,THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAD COME LOOSE, THE RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL HAD GONE OUT, THE VEHICLE EXCESSIVELY USED OIL, THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON THE STEERING IGNITION LOCK, ULTIMATELY THE STEERING LOCKED AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE BEING BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE GAS GUAGE MALFUNCTIONED, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THE BATTERY LEAKED ACID. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. SCC REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS
NHTSA ODI #10011597
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
VEHICLE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS; REMOVABLE TOP SQUEAKED, DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE WAS LOOSE, RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL FAILED, EXCESS OIL, AND STEERING/IGNITION INTERLOCK RECALL. ALSO DELCO BATTERY CABLE LEAKED ACID, CONTROL LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10011366
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2003
Steering
THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP OCCURRED ON START UP. GM'S FIX FOR THIS CONDITION WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER AND THERE HAS BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCE. HOWEVER, TWO OF MY FRIENDS HAVE HAD THE "DEALER FIX" PERFORMED, ONLY TO HAVE THE FAILURE HAPPEN A SECOND TIME. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS LOCKUP WILL HAPPEN AT SPEED. REF. IN EA02-031…
Read full complaint
THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP OCCURRED ON START UP. GM'S FIX FOR THIS CONDITION WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER AND THERE HAS BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCE. HOWEVER, TWO OF MY FRIENDS HAVE HAD THE "DEALER FIX" PERFORMED, ONLY TO HAVE THE FAILURE HAPPEN A SECOND TIME. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS LOCKUP WILL HAPPEN AT SPEED. REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS
NHTSA ODI #10007583
19,650 miles · Jan 22, 2003
Steering
THE VEHICLE'S STEERING COLUMN HAD LOCKED WHILE STARTING AND WOULD ALSO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. TS SCC REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS
NHTSA ODI #10004396
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2003
Steering
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS
NHTSA ODI #10002505
30,000 miles · Dec 20, 2002
Steering
2000 CORVETTE STEERING LOCK PROBLEM. I RECEIVED A NOTE FROM GM SAYING THAT THEY WOULD DISCONNECT THE LOCK AND IF I DID NOT HAVE IT DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER THEY WOULD WASH THEIR HANDS OF THE PROBLEM. I PAID $45M FOR THE CAR AND THE SOLUTION WAS TO DISARM A SAFETY FEATURE. I COMPLIED BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID THE LOCK WOULD ENGAGE WHIL…
Read full complaint
2000 CORVETTE STEERING LOCK PROBLEM. I RECEIVED A NOTE FROM GM SAYING THAT THEY WOULD DISCONNECT THE LOCK AND IF I DID NOT HAVE IT DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER THEY WOULD WASH THEIR HANDS OF THE PROBLEM. I PAID $45M FOR THE CAR AND THE SOLUTION WAS TO DISARM A SAFETY FEATURE. I COMPLIED BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID THE LOCK WOULD ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING. I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE. TS REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS
NHTSA ODI #10000301
32,518 miles · Aug 19, 2002
Steering
CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO UNLOCK, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED.*AK *JB REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS
NHTSA ODI #8016605
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2002
Steering
WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER.*AK REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS
NHTSA ODI #8015565
NHTSA investigations
3EA02031 · Steering Column Lockup
Opened Nov 15, 2002 · Closed Mar 11, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
IN 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ISSUED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 1044 AND 1044A TO ADDRESS A CONDITION WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FAIL TO UNLOCK DURING THE INITIAL KEY-IN AND START-UP IN CERTAIN MY 1998-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP ON CORVETTE VEHICLES.AS A RESULT, PE02-054 WAS OPENED AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA02-031 FOR MY 1997-2001 SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED CONCERNS WITH POST-REPAIR FAILURES IN VEHICLES SERVICED THROUGH THE CAMPAIGNS, AS WELL AS, FAILURES IN MY 1997-2003 SUBJECT VEHICLES NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGNS.(NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER FAILURE DATA ABOVE IS LIMITED TO MY 1997-2003 VEHICLES THROUGH 10/17/2003.)ON FEBRUARY 6, 2004, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 1997-2004 CORVETTE VEHCLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND MY 1997-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT IF THE VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM), WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN THE FUEL SUPPLY WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE CUSTOMER TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR.AS A RESULT, THE CUSTOMER COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLY CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE PCM REPROGRAMMED FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND THE ELECTRIC COLUMN LOCK DISABLED FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Steering:column
IN 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ISSUED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 1044 AND 1044A TO ADDRESS A CONDITION WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FAIL TO UNLOCK DURING THE INITIAL KEY-IN AND START-UP IN CERTAIN MY 1998-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP ON CORVETTE VEHICLES.AS A RESULT, PE02-054 WAS OPENED AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA02-031 FOR MY 1997-2001 SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED CONCERNS WITH POST-REPAIR FAILURES IN VEHICLES SERVICED THROUGH THE CAMPAIGNS, AS WELL AS, FAILURES IN MY 1997-2003 SUBJECT VEHICLES NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGNS.(NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER FAILURE DATA ABOVE IS LIMITED TO MY 1997-2003 VEHICLES THROUGH 10/17/2003.)ON FEBRUARY 6, 2004, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 1997-2004 CORVETTE VEHCLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND MY 1997-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT IF THE VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM), WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN THE FUEL SUPPLY WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE CUSTOMER TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR.AS A RESULT, THE CUSTOMER COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLY CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE PCM REPROGRAMMED FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND THE ELECTRIC COLUMN LOCK DISABLED FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
IN 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ISSUED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 1044 AND 1044A TO ADDRESS A CONDITION WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FAIL TO UNLOCK DURING THE INITIAL KEY-IN AND START-UP IN CERTAIN MY 1998-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP ON CORVETTE VEHICLES.AS A RESULT, PE02-054 WAS OPENED AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA02-031 FOR MY 1997-2001 SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED CONCERNS WITH POST-REPAIR FAILURES IN VEHICLES SERVICED THROUGH THE CAMPAIGNS, AS WELL AS, FAILURES IN MY 1997-2003 SUBJECT VEHICLES NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGNS.(NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER FAILURE DATA ABOVE IS LIMITED TO MY 1997-2003 VEHICLES THROUGH 10/17/2003.)ON FEBRUARY 6, 2004, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 1997-2004 CORVETTE VEHCLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND MY 1997-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT IF THE VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM), WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN THE FUEL SUPPLY WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE CUSTOMER TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR.AS A RESULT, THE CUSTOMER COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLY CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE PCM REPROGRAMMED FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND THE ELECTRIC COLUMN LOCK DISABLED FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Steering
IN 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ISSUED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 1044 AND 1044A TO ADDRESS A CONDITION WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FAIL TO UNLOCK DURING THE INITIAL KEY-IN AND START-UP IN CERTAIN MY 1998-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP ON CORVETTE VEHICLES.AS A RESULT, PE02-054 WAS OPENED AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA02-031 FOR MY 1997-2001 SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED CONCERNS WITH POST-REPAIR FAILURES IN VEHICLES SERVICED THROUGH THE CAMPAIGNS, AS WELL AS, FAILURES IN MY 1997-2003 SUBJECT VEHICLES NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGNS.(NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER FAILURE DATA ABOVE IS LIMITED TO MY 1997-2003 VEHICLES THROUGH 10/17/2003.)ON FEBRUARY 6, 2004, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 1997-2004 CORVETTE VEHCLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND MY 1997-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT IF THE VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM), WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN THE FUEL SUPPLY WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE CUSTOMER TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR.AS A RESULT, THE CUSTOMER COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLY CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE PCM REPROGRAMMED FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND THE ELECTRIC COLUMN LOCK DISABLED FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
PE02054 · Steering Column Lockup
Opened Jul 1, 2002 · Closed Nov 15, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
SEE RESUME IN REPOSITORY.
EA00009 · Front Lap Belt Malfunction
Opened Mar 16, 2000 · Closed Apr 18, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
ODI OPENED THIS EA00-009 ON MARCH 16, 2000, TO CONTINUE ANALYSES BEGUN UNDER PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE99-076.THE ALLEGED DEFECT: LAP BELT WEBBING IN BOTH SEATING POSITIONS TENDS TO FOLD OVER WHILE ENTERING THE RETRACTOR OPENING.THESE FOLDS FREQUENTLY IMPEDE PROPER WEBBING RETRACTION.IF THE RETRACTOR HAS BEEN INADVERTENTLY TOGGLED INTO AUTOMATIC LOCK RETRACTOR (ALR) MODE BY BEING EXTENDED TO ITS FULL LENGTH, IT MAY FAIL TO RESET ITSELF TO THE NORMAL EMERGENCY LOCK RETRACTOR (ELR) MODE.SUCH A CONDITION HAS BEEN SHOWN TO RENDER THE ACTIVE RESTRAINT UNUSABLE.CONCLUSION: GM WILL REMEDY THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN 71,569 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO AUGUST 1999 BY ADDING WEBBING GUIDE INSERTS TO THE LAP RETRACTOR OPENINGS OF BOTH SEATING POSITIONS TO PREVENT THE ADMISSION OF FOLDED WEBBING ONTO THE RETRACTOR SPOOL.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN CLOSED.
Illustration