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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,353 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2005 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems

steering problem

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2005 Chevrolet Corvette Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #71

Dec 182023

Corvette

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

steering wheel lock car cannot start and this can happen while driving and could cause a accident chevy knows of problem and has been recalled but has not solved the problem knowed as steering wheel lock

- Mountain Top, PA, USA

problem #70

Jun 012022

Corvette

  • miles
2005 Corvette coupe, manual trans, Z51. Intermittent problem: Electronic steering column will not unlock when attempting to start or will not lock on shutdown. Vehicle inoperable, sometimes in potentially hazardous situations e.g., late night in parking lot, and compromised anti-theft feature. Possibly relevant: When parked but steering failed to lock, continuous battery draw is 4 amps, which might contribute to the "dead battery syndrome" that 2005 M6 Corvettes are known for. Hard to separate the two issues since either way the starter will not engage. Problem has existed since new (2005) but has gotten progressively worse. GM nonresponsive to multiple owner complaints. Aftermarket "Column Lock Bypass" work-arounds have been sold for this problem, but they are potentially dangerous since they simply spoof the BCM into thinking that the lock is fully released when it is simply unpowered and can easily move into a partially locked position with vibration and time. This is what I recently observed that motivated this safety complaint. GM finally issued a recall in 2018 (13 years after MY) for this problem, but for some reason did not include manual transmission cars in the recall, possible because production was small compared with automatics. But from internet forums, it is clear that this problem affects all 2005 M6 Corvettes.

- Nipomo, CA, USA

problem #69

Nov 012021

Corvette

  • 27,400 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle felt as if the passenger-??s side front brakes had seized. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V172000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 27,400.

- Dyersburg, TN, USA

problem #68

Apr 102021

Corvette

  • 32,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The steering column lock is on and car shuts off when driving, car was in drive leaving driveway. Seems a recall was issued on these vehicles, my car being a 05 does not seem the VIN was captured for this issue.

- Manteca, CA, USA

problem #67

Jun 142020

Corvette

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the service access handling warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10V172000 (steering). The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle drifted to the right after the brakes independently activated without warning. Bob mccosh Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac (1 business loop 70 w, columbia, mo 65203, (573) 442-6156) were contacted but was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 160,000.

- Columbia, MO, USA

problem #66

Dec 022019

Corvette

  • miles
NHTSA campaing number 10V172000. My car is presenting this problem, it is completely unsafe to drive and I am afraid to have an accident to weight that there is evidence of the GM dealers problem do not want to attend under its responsibility

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #65

Oct 112019

Corvette

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car stopped at stop sign turning right into traffic, steering became shakier and brakes started locking up and traction control service light came on. Top speed was 20mph

- Burlington, KY, USA

problem #64

May 112019

Corvette

  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the steering wheel seized and could not be turned in either direction and the engine could not be immediately restarted. After the vehicle was finally restarted, the message 'steering locked' had displayed. The vehicle was towed the local dealer grabiak Chevrolet (8282 rt. 22 new alexandria, pa.) the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 52,000.

- Apollo, PA, USA

problem #63

Apr 202019

Corvette

  • 110,000 miles
Making a U-turn or any extreme position of steering wheel rotation causes ABS and service traction control lights to engage and forces a seizure if the brakes, locking them and preventing any kind of movement. The only solution to unlocking brakes through my experience is to shut off and restart the vehicle.

- Montebello, CA, USA

problem #62

Jan 062019

Corvette

  • 63,030 miles
I was driving my vehicle at approximately 68 mph in a straight line on the highway. The road conditions were dry and cold. I was driving straight and did not hit any bumps in the road when suddenly I felt the steering pulling my car about 1/4 turn to the left and about a 1/2 turn to the right and brakes were applied, not by me. I then heard a chiming noise and saw an error code on my dash saying "service active handling system". I gained control of my vehicle and exited the highway. I read on many forums that other C6 owners, especially years '05-'06 have had this issue and that the defect may lie in the steering wheel position sensor connector. My vehicle is equipped with a telescoping steering wheel where this issue seems to arise.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #61

Dec 052018

Corvette

  • 63,104 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My question is; I own a 2005 corvette C6 and have been having problems with my steering column which is the tilt and telescoping. Such as not being able to start it. I am lucky that my brakes haven't locked up on me yet. During my research I found that you had began a safety recall on April 30, 2010, NHTSA 10V172000, regarding the tilt and telescoping steering wheel on my year and model of vehicle. I contacted my Chevrolet dealership yesterday about this and scheduling to have them put in the bypass to column lock. I mentioned the safety recall and he told me that there was only one recall on my vehicle, lights. Why isn't my car approved for the safety recall of 2010, when she meets all of the criteria?

- University Place, WA, USA

problem #60

Oct 052018

Corvette

  • 56,700 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. When the engine was started, the steering wheel became permanently locked. The contact was unable to unlock the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic steering lock failed. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V060000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 56,700.

- Troutville, VA, USA

problem #59

Mar 192018

Corvette

  • 53,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. On two different occasions, while attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to crank. The contact stated that the electronic signal malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to wally edgar Chevrolet Inc (3805 S lapeer rd, lake orion, mi 48360), but no diagnostic failure codes were found and the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to jefferson Chevrolet (2130 E jefferson ave, detroit, mi 48207) where the dealer confirmed that no recalls were associated with the VIN. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 04V060000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 8-1941692497. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

- Rochester, MI, USA

problem #58

Dec 172017

Corvette

  • 33,100 miles
I received a message on the information screen on the dash, it says service active handling system. Is there a recall for this. What may happen, what do you recommend I do, I belong to a Corvette forum here is the web address for the forum nhthqnwws111.ODI.NHTSA.dot.go, https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/C6-tech-performance-101/ https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/C6-tech-performance/2336065-service-active-handling-consumer-action.html, , I was just driving down the road at 45 mph

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #57

Jul 052016

Corvette

  • 130,640 miles
Keep showing " service active handling." I called my local Chevy dealer and they said all of the recalls has been done but it seems like they didn't do a good job fixing it. I bought 2 years ago, and it's very dangerous to drive when its slippery or raining. I almost got rear ended because the wheels locked up.

- Campbell, CA, USA

problem #56

Oct 042017

Corvette

  • 48,000 miles
Tried to start my Corvette which is stored in the garage and dash screen stated "service column lock" and vehicle will not start. After researching online I found this is a known issue for 2005 manual transmission Corvettes and lots of people are having the same problem. Called GM to see if my VIN would be covered since this is a known issue with a faulty part, and was told it was not. GM should do the right thing for their customers and recall this known problem to fix or reimburse those who have already paid for this very inconvenient and dangerous issue.

- Morgan Hill, CA, USA

problem #55

Aug 262017

Corvette

  • 65,000 miles
The active handling appears while driving on a city street and it seems the wheel brake is applied causing me to lose control of the car.

- Southfield, MI, USA

problem #54

May 302017

Corvette

  • 21,162 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and upon attempting to start the vehicle, a warning message was displayed of 'steering column locked". the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 21,162.

- Oley, PW, USA

problem #53

May 022017

Corvette

  • 71,183 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the "vehicle service column locked" sensor illuminated, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V060000 (steering). The manufacturer provided the contact with case number: 8-2959654851. The contact stated that the failure occurred a year prior and the system was reset; however, the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 71,183.

- Chatham, NJ, USA

problem #52

Jan 012011

Corvette

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. While braking and turning in either direction, the vehicle braked independently and pulled to one side. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column failed and the wiring needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V172000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Macon, GA, USA

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