The famous C-5 column lock problem?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,123
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
The famous C-5 column lock problem?
I was wondering if anybody knew just how many C-5's were affected by this safety recall- column lock problem? Seems GM is closing the recall program on friday. My car never had the problem, but it seems to me a safety recall is a safety recall and should stay in place till all of the units affected are dealt with? What do you think?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 184
Likes: 8
From: Berkeley Heights New Jersey
Damn, I didn't know they were ending the program. Anyway, the dealer said my car has been in but I definitely think it should be extended to ALL affected C5s no matter how long the problem takes to show itself. If they can't build them right, the least they can do is offer service after the thing breaks. Nice going GM. Besides my Vette our family has owned 4 Chevys a Pontiac and a Buick. But now, except for the Vette, we're ready to close the book on GM cars.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem Pennsyvania
They might be ending the recall but I'll bet if there is a major injury or loss of life because of this defect they will have a huge lawsuit on there hands. Jurys are always ruling in favor of individuals over big corporations.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,333
Likes: 6
From: Louisville Kentucky
First of all, what good is a recall that doesn't fully address the issue?
Secondly, if you have a Vette that is affected by the column lock issue and you KNOW about this issue but you haven't bothered to order the cheap cable from COH and install it yourself, then I have no pity on you WHEN your stuff locks up. People, its not a question of IF, its question WHEN this is going to affect you. Instead of complaining about what GM should do and waiting until someone dies, just fix it yourself and be done with it. This is a well documented problem and if you have been a member here for 10 days or longer, you more than know that this is a serious issue because of threads like this popping up every week.
The last thing I want to see is a thread from your significant other talking about how you loved this place and will no longer be signing on because your column locked up at 65Mph on a mountain curve.
Enough already. Get it fixed.
Secondly, if you have a Vette that is affected by the column lock issue and you KNOW about this issue but you haven't bothered to order the cheap cable from COH and install it yourself, then I have no pity on you WHEN your stuff locks up. People, its not a question of IF, its question WHEN this is going to affect you. Instead of complaining about what GM should do and waiting until someone dies, just fix it yourself and be done with it. This is a well documented problem and if you have been a member here for 10 days or longer, you more than know that this is a serious issue because of threads like this popping up every week.
The last thing I want to see is a thread from your significant other talking about how you loved this place and will no longer be signing on because your column locked up at 65Mph on a mountain curve.
Enough already. Get it fixed.
Last edited by Junkman2008; Feb 28, 2008 at 08:46 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 631
Likes: 3
From: Joppa AL
First of all, what good is a recall that doesn't fully address the issue?
Secondly, if you have a Vette that is affected by the column lock issue and you KNOW about this issue but you haven't bothered to order the cheap cable from COH and install it yourself, then I have no pity on you WHEN your stuff locks up. People, its not a question of IF, its question WHEN this is going to affect you. Instead of complaining about what GM should do and waiting until someone dies, just fix it yourself and be done with it. This is a well documented problem and if you have been a member here for 10 days or longer, you more than know that this is a serious issue because of threads like this popping up every week.
The last thing I want to see is a thread from your significant other talking about how you loved this place and will no longer be signing on because your column locked up at 65Mph on a mountain curve.
Enough already. Get it fixed.
Secondly, if you have a Vette that is affected by the column lock issue and you KNOW about this issue but you haven't bothered to order the cheap cable from COH and install it yourself, then I have no pity on you WHEN your stuff locks up. People, its not a question of IF, its question WHEN this is going to affect you. Instead of complaining about what GM should do and waiting until someone dies, just fix it yourself and be done with it. This is a well documented problem and if you have been a member here for 10 days or longer, you more than know that this is a serious issue because of threads like this popping up every week.
The last thing I want to see is a thread from your significant other talking about how you loved this place and will no longer be signing on because your column locked up at 65Mph on a mountain curve.
Enough already. Get it fixed.
Everything I've read on CF, and thats a lot, tells me the GM fix is just trading one poorly made/designed part for another. That's why I have a CLB on mine. Everyone is free to do as they wish with their car, but for me, I wouldn't drive around the block w/o a CLB.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 11
From: Aliso Viejo So. Cal.
Just received my CLB from Covettes of Houston yesterday and plan on installing it this W/E. Looks like it's pretty simple to install. There are also great instructions with pics on LS1Howto.com. If you havent ordered one yet, just do it.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 3
From: Fort St John B.C
Good move....Very easy to install, take ya 20 mins. (got mine from CoH too)
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I don't think this was a SAFETY recall, I think it was a manufacturer's recall. If you can't drive your car, I see no safety issues.
There were reports of the column locking up while driving, but I don't think any of these reports were validated or proven.
GM will continue to fix them, just not for free. It has been 4 years since the last C5 was made. GM mailed out several recalls to all those affected. If you can't take it in in at least 4 years, shame on you.
That said, I have a COH CLB installed on mine since GM never got their fix right.
There were reports of the column locking up while driving, but I don't think any of these reports were validated or proven.
GM will continue to fix them, just not for free. It has been 4 years since the last C5 was made. GM mailed out several recalls to all those affected. If you can't take it in in at least 4 years, shame on you.
That said, I have a COH CLB installed on mine since GM never got their fix right.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
First of all, what good is a recall that doesn't fully address the issue?
Secondly, if you have a Vette that is affected by the column lock issue and you KNOW about this issue but you haven't bothered to order the cheap cable from COH and install it yourself, then I have no pity on you WHEN your stuff locks up. People, its not a question of IF, its question WHEN this is going to affect you. Instead of complaining about what GM should do and waiting until someone dies, just fix it yourself and be done with it. This is a well documented problem and if you have been a member here for 10 days or longer, you more than know that this is a serious issue because of threads like this popping up every week.
The last thing I want to see is a thread from your significant other talking about how you loved this place and will no longer be signing on because your column locked up at 65Mph on a mountain curve.
Enough already. Get it fixed.
Secondly, if you have a Vette that is affected by the column lock issue and you KNOW about this issue but you haven't bothered to order the cheap cable from COH and install it yourself, then I have no pity on you WHEN your stuff locks up. People, its not a question of IF, its question WHEN this is going to affect you. Instead of complaining about what GM should do and waiting until someone dies, just fix it yourself and be done with it. This is a well documented problem and if you have been a member here for 10 days or longer, you more than know that this is a serious issue because of threads like this popping up every week.
The last thing I want to see is a thread from your significant other talking about how you loved this place and will no longer be signing on because your column locked up at 65Mph on a mountain curve.
Enough already. Get it fixed.
Buy the CLB - Install it - Be done with it - Enjoy your C5
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 20
From: Florida, Hell's Doorstep
I was wondering if anybody knew just how many C-5's were affected by this safety recall- column lock problem? Seems GM is closing the recall program on friday. My car never had the problem, but it seems to me a safety recall is a safety recall and should stay in place till all of the units affected are dealt with? What do you think?
get the point) its not a matter of "IF" but "WHEN"--- DO IT NOW
---STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED and those of you that don't heed these words of wisdom, well all i can say is you will remember these words in some parking lot somewhere someday 
Hope your not far from HOME So it has been SAID SO IT SHALL BE WRITTEN
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,333
Likes: 6
From: Louisville Kentucky
I think anyone out there that is aware of this problem and hasn't gotten a column lock bypass by now (especially since the recall is ending) is asking for the worst to happen someday (buy it now or pay later BIG TIME-Towing -Repair -Out of town hotel get the point) its not a matter of "IF" but "WHEN"--- DO IT NOW ---STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED and those of you that don't heed these words of wisdom, well all i can say is you will remember these words in some parking lot somewhere someday Hope your not far from HOME So it has been SAID SO IT SHALL BE WRITTEN
get the point) its not a matter of "IF" but "WHEN"--- DO IT NOW ---STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED and those of you that don't heed these words of wisdom, well all i can say is you will remember these words in some parking lot somewhere someday Hope your not far from HOME So it has been SAID SO IT SHALL BE WRITTEN I could understand if the fix cost a couple of hundred dollars, but that cable is less than what, $50? My daughter could install that thing with the instructions available. If the cost of this cable is holding people up from buying it (cause it can't be the installation), then these people are living beyond their means.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,420
Likes: 8
From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
The more scary date is the day the last Column Lock Bypass has been sold leaving the folks who still want/think GM will or should come to their aid scrambling to make their home made CLB.
PS. 2 minutes left to get to the GM dealer for the "fix".
PS. 2 minutes left to get to the GM dealer for the "fix".
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 20
From: Florida, Hell's Doorstep
Ya think?!
I could understand if the fix cost a couple of hundred dollars, but that cable is less than what, $50? My daughter could install that thing with the instructions available. If the cost of this cable is holding people up from buying it (cause it can't be the installation), then these people are living beyond their means.
I could understand if the fix cost a couple of hundred dollars, but that cable is less than what, $50? My daughter could install that thing with the instructions available. If the cost of this cable is holding people up from buying it (cause it can't be the installation), then these people are living beyond their means.
