IllustrationSEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK,CAN NOT BUY A REPLACEMENT.MFG DOES NOT MAKE THESE ANYMORE WHY?THEY SHOULD MAKE REPLACEMENT PARTS ,THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.YOU CANNOT DRIVE CAR WITHOUT SEATBELT!
2001 Chevrolet Corvette
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Corvette years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Corvette are substantially higher than the model-year median of 29.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Corvette years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
5125–50K
2850–75K
1175–100K
4100–150K
3150K+
132 reports with mileage · 71 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports
Seat Belts complaints
9 reportsI HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT SEATBELTS IN RECENT (2000) CAR MODELS. I'VE RIDDEN IN CHEVROLET, CHRYSLER, FORD AND GMC VEHICLES AND ALL THESE VEHICLES (AT LEAST IN THE FRONT SEATS) HAVE RETRACTABLE SHOULDER HARNESSES. THESE HARNESSES KEEP RETRACTING WHEN YOU HAVE THEM ON AS YOU ARE DRIVING. SINCE I AM ONLY 5 FEET TALL, THE HARNESS CHO…
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I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT SEATBELTS IN RECENT (2000) CAR MODELS. I'VE RIDDEN IN CHEVROLET, CHRYSLER, FORD AND GMC VEHICLES AND ALL THESE VEHICLES (AT LEAST IN THE FRONT SEATS) HAVE RETRACTABLE SHOULDER HARNESSES. THESE HARNESSES KEEP RETRACTING WHEN YOU HAVE THEM ON AS YOU ARE DRIVING. SINCE I AM ONLY 5 FEET TALL, THE HARNESS CHOKES ME. ON MOST OCCASIONS WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I CAN SLIDE THE HARNESS OVER MY HEAD AND ONLY BE BELTED IN WITH THE SEATBELT UNTIL I CAN EITHER PULL OVER SAFELY TO FIX IT OR AM AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN AND CAN FIX IT. TO FIX THE STRANGULATION OF THE HARNESS, I HAVE UNHOOK THE WHOLE HARNESS AND LET IT TOTALLY RETRACT, THEN PULL IT OUT TO WHERE I CAN KEEP MY HAND ON IT SO IT DOESN'T KEEP GETTING TIGHTER OR USE A CLIP TO TRY TO KEEP IT FROM TIGHTENING ON ME. THE CLIPS ARE WINGED PAPER CLIPS, SO THEY DON'T ALWAYS HOLD. MY ISSUE IS THAT AS I'M DRIVING, I'M BEING STRANGLED BY THE HARNESSES IN THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE, CAN YOU START LEGISLATION TO PREVENT RETRACTABLE HARNESSES OR MAKE IT THAT THE RETRACTION IS CONTROLLED BY THE RIDER? THANK YOU. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING FAILED TO RETRACT WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM PROPERLY LOCKING THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,600.
2001 CHEVROLET CORVETTE WITH MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE WHICH HAVE LED TO MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. MOST RECENTLY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE THE CAR IS ON. THIS OCCURED THREE TIMES. IT WAS REPAIRED TWICE BY THE DEALER AND CURRENTLY THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER AGAIN. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THA…
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2001 CHEVROLET CORVETTE WITH MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE WHICH HAVE LED TO MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. MOST RECENTLY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE THE CAR IS ON. THIS OCCURED THREE TIMES. IT WAS REPAIRED TWICE BY THE DEALER AND CURRENTLY THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER AGAIN. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. IF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHEN I'M ON THE FREEWAY SOMEONE COULD GET INJURED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECALLED ON THE VEHICLE. GM CUSTOMER CARE WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. WHAT SHOULD I DO? THEY CANNOT FIX THE CAR NOR WILL THEY REPLACE IT.*AK
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS I HAVE HAD THE FUEL GAUGE READ FROM OVER A HALVE OF A TANK TO IMMEDIATELY READING NOTHING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED TO ME "WELL IT'S NOT A PERFECT SCIENCE YOU KNOW" AND PROCEEDED TO DO NOTHING TO INVESTIGATE IT OR REPAIR IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE …
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ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS I HAVE HAD THE FUEL GAUGE READ FROM OVER A HALVE OF A TANK TO IMMEDIATELY READING NOTHING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED TO ME "WELL IT'S NOT A PERFECT SCIENCE YOU KNOW" AND PROCEEDED TO DO NOTHING TO INVESTIGATE IT OR REPAIR IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MPH LIGHT IS BLINKING ON AND OFF AND JUST THE OTHER DAY THE LIGHT INFO BAR WENT COMPLETELY OFF AND I COULDN'T READ MY COMPUTER INFO. I HAVE ADDRESSED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE DEALER ABOUT THE SEVERE FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHES SPEEDS OF 70MPH, BUT THE DEALER WON'T LOOK INTO IT BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY CAN;T DRIVE IT THAT FAST. WHAT! IF THE LAW ALLOWS ME TO GO THAT FAST, WHY CAN'T THEY? THE DRIVES SEAT BELT CONSTANTLY LOCKS ON ME NOT ALLOWING ME TO LOOK OUT MY SIDE OR REAR WINDOW. IN THE CONVERTIBLE YOU REALLY HAVE TO STRETCH TO SEE OUT THAT SMALL WINDOW IN THE TOP, THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO AND I FIGHT TO GET IT TO RELEASE. THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IT TAKE MY SEAT BELT OFF WHEN I'M DRIVING! PLEASE LOOK INTO THESE PROBLEMS. THANK YOU. *CB
VEHICLE CONSUMES TOO MUCH OIL DUE TO A DEFECTIVE A MOTOR. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR COLD PISTON KNOCK PROBLEMS. THE DEALER REPLACED RINGS TWICE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP …
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VEHICLE CONSUMES TOO MUCH OIL DUE TO A DEFECTIVE A MOTOR. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR COLD PISTON KNOCK PROBLEMS. THE DEALER REPLACED RINGS TWICE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TEN TIMES FOR PROBLEMS RELATED TO EXCESSIVE OIL USE. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR HAD FAILED, BUT THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT SIDE SHOULDER ASSEMBLY. THE PASSENGER DOOR OPENING WEATHER STRIP HAD GLUE COMING OUT. ARBITRATOR DENIED THE CONSUMERS REQUEST FOR THE MANUFACTURER REPURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. *YH
SENSOR ON DRIVER'S DOOR HAS BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES, INTERMITTENTLY DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT RESPOND TO REMOTE OPTION.*AK CUSTOMER STATED THAT OIL LEAKED FROM ENGINE AREA. THE DRIVER DOOR RATTLES WHILE DRIVING AND WAS HARD TO CLOSE. THE RIGHT DOOR GLASS HAS WIND NOISE DUE TO DOOR GLASS FAILURE. BRAKES FAILED TO GRAB. THERE W…
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SENSOR ON DRIVER'S DOOR HAS BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES, INTERMITTENTLY DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT RESPOND TO REMOTE OPTION.*AK CUSTOMER STATED THAT OIL LEAKED FROM ENGINE AREA. THE DRIVER DOOR RATTLES WHILE DRIVING AND WAS HARD TO CLOSE. THE RIGHT DOOR GLASS HAS WIND NOISE DUE TO DOOR GLASS FAILURE. BRAKES FAILED TO GRAB. THERE WAS A NOISE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO LEFT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES CD CHARGER WOULD NOT EJECT CD CARTRIDGE, THE STEERING TILT WAS INOPARTIVE, THE DOOR RATTLED, THE SEATS WOULD NOT HOLD PROGRAMMING. *YH
COPY OF COMPLAINT TO DEALER: I BROUGHT MY 2001 CORVETTE IN FOR SERVICE YESTERDAY. ONE OF MY COMPLAINTS WAS THE IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT. YOU REPLACED THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY. THE NEW ONE IS FAR WORSE. IM NOT BLAMING YOU BECAUSE IT WAS OKAY WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR. BY THE END OF THE DAY IT WAS ALL MOST…
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COPY OF COMPLAINT TO DEALER: I BROUGHT MY 2001 CORVETTE IN FOR SERVICE YESTERDAY. ONE OF MY COMPLAINTS WAS THE IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT. YOU REPLACED THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY. THE NEW ONE IS FAR WORSE. IM NOT BLAMING YOU BECAUSE IT WAS OKAY WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR. BY THE END OF THE DAY IT WAS ALL MOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PROPERLY EXTEND THE BELT TO BUCKLE IT. EVEN MORE DANGEROUS WAS THE FACT THAT IT LOCKS UP ON ME WHILE IM DRIVING, PINNING ME TO MY SEAT AND MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER (LIKE CHECKING TO THE REAR WHEN BACKING UP)..... I WENT THROUGH ALMOST 3 YEARS WITH THIS NONSENSE WITH MY 1998 CORVETTE BEFORE CHEVY FINALLY RECALLED THE CAR. . *AK
DEFECT #1: BRAKES STICK CLOSED AT RANDOM TIMES. SEEMS RELATED TO ENGINE RPM AND TO DECELERATION. DEFECT #2: DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT & HARNESS WILL NOT EXTEND AT RANDOM INTERVALS. INERTIA REEL APPEARS TO LOCK SEVERAL TIMES AS THE BELT IS DEPLOYED.
Official recalls
104V060000 · Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
Feb 9, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEMS (ECL), WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED TO "LOCK," THE ECL SYSTEM PREVENTS TURNING OF THE STEERING SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ECL UNLOCKS THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED SO THAT IF THE COLUMN FAILS TO UNLOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND THE CUSTOMER TRIES TO DRIVE, THE FUEL SUPPLY WILL BE SHUT OFF SO THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT MOVE WHEN THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE STEERED. IF VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, HOWEVER, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR AND THE VEHICLE CAN BE ACCELERATED WHILE THE STEERING SYSTEM IS LOCKED. ALSO WHEN THE CONTROL SYSTEM SHOWS THAT THE ECL IS UNLOCKED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE LOCK PIN LOCATION CAN VARY. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE LOCK PLATE RELATIVE TO THE SWITCH TRANSITION POINT, THERE COULD THEN BE CONTACT BETWEEN THE LOCK PLATE AND PIN CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING .
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL DISABLE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK BY REMOVING THE COLUMN LOCK PLATE. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WILL LOCK BUT THE STEERING COLUMN WILL NOT LOCK. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, PERFORM A DIMENSIONAL CHECK OF THE COLUMN LOCK AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LOCK PLATE. THE STEERING COLUMN ON THESE VEHICLES WILL CONTINUE TO LOCK WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED. OWNER NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS OF 1997 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2004. OWNERS OF 1998 THROUGH 2004 VEHICLES (EXCEPT 1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED BEGINNING ON AUGUST 2, 2004. THE REMAINING OWNERS (1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED LATER IN 2004, WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA02031 · 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.