This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
When the consumer pulled into a parking space at 2mp, the steering column locked in place without warning. The dealership replaced the relay and wiring harness. The column locked while in drive under power. There was no engine shutdown.
While pulling out of the driveway steering column locked up. Consumer tried to unlock it but was unable to do so. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the vehicle was operating normally. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred on numerous occasions, and had not been resolved.
Recall no.#04V060000, steering column/anti theft device: When the vehicle was put in reverse and backing out of a parking space, the steering wheel locked up. This problem has occurred twice with this vehicle. The dealer repaired the problem at cost to the consumer.
Steering column lock failure. (3rd event) today, my steering column lock failed for the third time in lake city Florida. I called the chevrolett dealer in that town and was unable to get assistance with this problem. I was told tow the car in although it was unlikely that the venicle would be reviewed on the next day. This is a major defect that continually causes me problems in the most unfavorable areas for service. I informed a service writer a bill heard chavrolett about a recall on my car for this problem at least three months ago and was told that there was no recall on my car for this matter. This is a potentially dangerous and very inconvient problems that warrants immediate repair.
- Lake Mary, FL, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
While starting up the vehicle steering wheel locked up. Consumer was unable to unlock the steering wheel. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and dealer was unable to resolve the problem.
Upon starting car, the steering column remained locked, so that I could only drive in a circle. Car had to be towed and a dealership installed a "steering kit" to repair the defect at a cost of approximately $300. Chevrolet advises that my vehicle's identification number is not included under the recent recall for this defect. (NHTSA campaign id number 04V06000)(GM recall no. 04006)
Consumer indicated that dealership performed electronic column lock recall 04V060000 repaired 3 times, but the steering wheel continued to lock up while driving.
Steering column locked & was unable to unlock it after numerous attempts at turning the wheel to the right while turning the ignition key (which is supposedly "the trick"). had to have car towed to 2 different shops (1st one was an independent Chevy service center that couldn't find the problem). Was very shocked to see that this has occurred to hundreds of other Corvette owners. I was never issued a recall notice on this. Why in the world not? now I have to pay for repairs. I knew I should have bought that jag instead.
Vehicle type: 1998 Corvette. Failure of electronic steering column to unlock during initial key in/vehicle start. Fortunately, if the rest of the systems work, the engine will shut down after the vehicle moves a short distance. I purchased this Corvette in June 2003 (I have owned older Corvettes) not knowing there is this defect with not only the 1998 Corvette but also with the 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2001 Corvettes. Beginning with the 2002 model year, this feature was removed. General Motors has known about this situation for some time. They issued a "customer satisfaction bulletin" during Sept. 2001. This bulletin covered about the last third Corvettes manufactured during 1998 (serial #S 23355-31069), all of 1999 Corvettes (serial #S 000001-33283) and the first half Corvettes manufactured during 2000 (serials #S 000001-16233). They also have a repair kit available to correct the problem (GM part # 88952427 or 88952428 or 88952428 depending on transmission and export). This indicates to me that they know the car has a defect and are willing to pass fixing the defect on to the vehicle owner. Unfortunately, the serial # of my 1998 Corvette is 11791. The incident occurred, ironically, just after touring the Corvette factory in bowling green, ky. It cost me $250 and two nights in a local motel to get my car operational. The car is still not fixed properly. After disassembling the steering column, the steering locking system was reset and disabled. The car's computer shows an error code every time the car is started. NHTSAS web site shows there is an investigation open on this very problem with no conclusion. This defect may exist in other GM cars with the electronic steering lock assemblies. I do know they don't use it after 2002.
While pulling out of a parking space steering wheel locked up. When this occurred ignition failed to operate which caused the engine to die. There was a consumers satisfaction campaign on this issue. After this occurred, consumer could start the vehicle and drive it but the steering column would be locked. Vehicle would move but no steering.
On 8-6-03 I was pulling out of a parking lot and my steering wheel locked-up. I ended up having my Corvette towed home. On 8-7-03 after speaking to some service tech's at a couple of garages found out that my problem is a part that has had a recall issued and supposedly already replaced on my car. The recall # is 01044. The part was supposedly replaced on 1-17-02 when my car had approx. 43K mi. On it. I purchased the car 5-03 from an individual and had no idea that anything had ever been worked on. Local dealership won't honor recall anymore so I then contacted GM. Spoke to kevin may @800-222-1020 on 8-8 and 8-11-03 about honoring the recall again because the evidently didn't correct the problem and GM won't honor again. This is outrageous to me! there is obviously a problem with this part and I feel they should stand behind their products and work. Why should I have to pay several hundred dollars for a problem they should fix" what if I had been driving down the interstate or been in heavy traffic" I can't afford to spend several hundred dollars every 7K mi. Or so because GM won't take care of their customers and I shouldn't have to!!! this is wrong for them to do and I hope someone can help.
Steering column lock keeps locking causing the vehicle to not respond. This has happened on three time in 3 months. Vehicle has to be towed to shop to reset and repair. The last time this happened 7/21/2003 the recall work had already been done.
Steering column lock on 1998 Chevrolet Corvette while parked. Once the key was turned on in the ignition, the message displayed on the dash said service column lock and the steering wheel was locked. Repeated attempts still yielded the same results. The vehicle was not driveable and required towing to the dealer. The dealer indicated that this was a popular defect with this year make and model but that a recall had not been issued yet.it is my understanding that ODI and the NHTSA have received at least 344 similar reports of this defect over the last 2 years (see investigation #EA02-031). I also understand that the same problem became a defect in the 2000 chev. Corvette (see recall #co 1044). Can someone in your office with the proper authority please instigate a recall on this defect so that others will not have to suffer the inconvenience and expense ($600 total out of pocket) that I had to endure. Fortunately I was unable to drive the vehicle when this event occurred. I would hate to think of the safety issue surrounding a moving vehicle having the steering column lock. I understand that it is not uncommon for the steering column to lock on subsequent repairs. I urge you to please initiate a recall. I would also be appreciatiative if GM would step up to the plate and reimburse me, and others before me, for the costs on repairing this defect. Thank you in advance for your prompt attention and consideration on this matter.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Nashville, TN, USA