Problems · by component

1999 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems

193 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette cite steering, 63% of all 308 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
193
63% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) in 2019. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Service - Steering Column Lock" was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who informed the contact that he needed to pay for a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 37,300.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2024SteeringODI 11574197
“Something is wrong where it will stall out when you start driving. Soon as I put the car in gear and start rolling forward it dies. And I’ve looked online and it’s quite common.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2023Steering, Electrical systemODI 11541907
“Still having a problem with the steering column locking on my 1999 Corvette after the first recall was performed. Chevrolet issued a second recall but I never received a notification. the dealer indicated both recalls were closed and I had to pay $600+ to fix the problem. I contacted GM Customer Care for assistance but pretty much got the same feedback that the recall was closed and that there was no financial assistance they would provide, 100% of the cost would be my responsibility. I don't understand how a safety recall can be closed until it is repaired? I'm not sure why consumers have to pay for a design issue that has the potential of causing an accident due to the potential of the steering column locking up while driving! I had no choice but to direct the dealer to perform the repairs so I can drive the car with confidents it won't lockup in the future. Not expecting anything to happen as it seems these types of reported issues fall in favor of businesses and no longer the consumers. Just wanted to post this complaint out of frustration!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2021SteeringODI 11434762
“AFTER PARKING AND TRYING TO RESTART THE ENGINE THE MESSAGE "STEERING COLUMN MAINTAINANCE NEEDED" THE ENGINE STARTED BUT WHEN I PUT IT IN GEAR THE ENGINE STOPPED. AFTER TRYING TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND AGAIN THE SAME RESULT. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUEL AND FOUND NO SUCH ITEM. AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES THE CAT DID START AND I GOT HOME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2020Steering, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11342425
“THE CAR WAS IN THE CHEVROLET DEALERS FOR REAR BRAKE LIGHTS THE WERE NOT WORKING. THEY CALLED AND SAID THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKED AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED ORIGINALLY THE COST WAS $230 NOW IT'S OVER $1100”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 5, 2018SteeringODI 11156068
“I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS CAR AND IT HAS 24,500 ORIGINAL MILES. AT 19,000 (4/19/2004) THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THEN IN 2006 IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT EVEN THOSE INITIAL RECALL REPAIRS WERE FAILING AND IT WAS SUGGESTED TO HAVE THE LOCKING PIN REMOVED ALTOGETHER WHICH NEVER WAS DONE TO MY CAR. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS A LOCKED PIN AND THE DEALER SAYS THEY WILL NOT DO THE REPAIR OR REMOVE THE PIN FOR FREE UNLESS I FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTA.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2018SteeringODI 11139068

Showing 6 of 193 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Steering: anti-theft device

Free remedy

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 .

SteeringReported Feb 9, 2004NHTSA 04V060000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 1999 Corvette problem areas