Column lock recall question...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Nevada City CA
Column lock recall question...
Just got the "not a recall" letter from GM. I have a 04 M6 coupe, 24,000 miles NO column lock failures. Should I wait for it to fail, or just take it in now?
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
not a recall
I believe the letter says they will warranty it till 2008 but you have to experience a failure to have it done. Does anyone know if the dealer can thell by the computor if you have had a failure. I'd rather get it fixed than wait to get stuck somewhere. I have an 04 m6 and was going to go the clb way untill I heard about the recall. Now that its not a recall I guess I'll so the clb after all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
The letter on my 2004 Z06 clearly says to make an appointment and the "dealer will disable the column lock". It is still a mystery how GM determined which letter each person receives. 
Whether you fix it before it fails depends on if you want to take a chance on where you get stranded.
I removed the lockplate and installed the Harness K kit on my car a couple of years ago. The same solution GM is now offering. I submitted a request to be reimbursed for the repair, and GM paid, so I am set.
Whether you fix it before it fails depends on if you want to take a chance on where you get stranded.
I removed the lockplate and installed the Harness K kit on my car a couple of years ago. The same solution GM is now offering. I submitted a request to be reimbursed for the repair, and GM paid, so I am set.
Yellow C3/C5
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
My letter says:
General Motors is very interested in your saftey and continued satisfaction with your vehicle. Our records show that although your 2003 model year Chevrolet Corvette vehicle is subject to an important saftey recall, the necessary repairs have not been made. Therefore, we are sending an additional notification of this important saftey recall. Please follow the instructions below to address this important matter.
In addition, we'd like to take this opportunity to tell you that we have changed the repair procedure. To insure that you will not experience a failure of the steering column to unlock when you start you car, we will disable the steering column lock.
I have an appointment this next wednesday with the dealer. Not sure why there are so many different letters.
SAFTEY RECALL REMINDER
General Motors is very interested in your saftey and continued satisfaction with your vehicle. Our records show that although your 2003 model year Chevrolet Corvette vehicle is subject to an important saftey recall, the necessary repairs have not been made. Therefore, we are sending an additional notification of this important saftey recall. Please follow the instructions below to address this important matter.
In addition, we'd like to take this opportunity to tell you that we have changed the repair procedure. To insure that you will not experience a failure of the steering column to unlock when you start you car, we will disable the steering column lock.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 29,775
Likes: 11
I put the bypass on by 2000 Coupe about a year after I got it. I get the recall notice about every 4 months. I used to check off the box "this recall has already been completed", and send it back, but they never took me off of the mailing list.
If you haven't had a problem, or have put the bypass on, I would leave it at that. A friend of mine had the bypass, but wanted to sell his coupe so he took the bypass off and took it to the dealer for the recall work to be done.
They shorted out his electrical system and kept the car for about 2 months to fix it, and he had to drive around in a Saturn or something like that.
Worst part is that he missed the car so much while it was in the shop that he ended up keeping it.
If you haven't had a problem, or have put the bypass on, I would leave it at that. A friend of mine had the bypass, but wanted to sell his coupe so he took the bypass off and took it to the dealer for the recall work to be done.
They shorted out his electrical system and kept the car for about 2 months to fix it, and he had to drive around in a Saturn or something like that.
Worst part is that he missed the car so much while it was in the shop that he ended up keeping it.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 70,522
Likes: 4
From: Half-drunk. Will travel.
I got my recall notice about a week ago. I don't need the hassle, and I don't want to trust my Vette to a Chebby dealer, but I've already had column-lock failure twice (only on starting the car, never while moving), so I guess I have to bite the bullet and get it done.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by scottydog
Just got the "not a recall" letter from GM. I have a 04 M6 coupe, 24,000 miles NO column lock failures. Should I wait for it to fail, or just take it in now?
Do not wait for the column lock monster to bite you. You have 2 options. They are:
1. Take the car to the dealer for the recall fix. (It works, I had it done to my '98 A4 over 3 years ago. Zero problems in that time frame).
2. Install the CLB.
Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas 2005 National Champs in Football and Baseball.
Originally Posted by VolFan615
My letter says:
I have an appointment this next wednesday with the dealer. Not sure why there are so many different letters.
I have an appointment this next wednesday with the dealer. Not sure why there are so many different letters.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 6
From: Arroyo Grande CA
Originally Posted by Walford
I got my recall notice about a week ago. I don't need the hassle, and I don't want to trust my Vette to a Chebby dealer, but I've already had column-lock failure twice (only on starting the car, never while moving), so I guess I have to bite the bullet and get it done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by VinnieR
This might be the earlier software fix for the column bypass. They didn't send letters on that to my knowledge, but the dealer did it when they replaced a tire sensor under warranty. If you didn't have the software update done, maybe they'll do the new fix instead of the software fix.
The new recall basically does the same thing for the 6 speed vehicles as they did with the autos previously.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 1
From: atlantic city new jersey
Originally Posted by WWK888
CLB
get it put it on and your done.Why get stuck,or let the dealer touch your car.Its a no brainer.Idid mine and im no expert the hard part is getting UNDER the steering wheel. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,457
Likes: 0
From: bolckow missouri
get the clb . and i wonder if your notice is one way or the other depending on whether they already tried to fix it . just a thought mine has been in and my letter says if i have trouble make an appointment . but i'm not worried i got the clb .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I got the letter yesterday. I think I have until 2007 to have it repaired. The odd part is that I thought they fixed it two years ago when I had it re-ringed. It hasnt locked up before or after.
Parrothead
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 48,231
Likes: 289
From: Margaritaville Embassy
St. Jude Donor '08-'09,'13, '14
you can check the maintenance and such at www.mygmlink.com
in my case my car was not online, but from now on everything does go online, from routine maintenace to repairs to recalls
in my case my car was not online, but from now on everything does go online, from routine maintenace to repairs to recalls