Northeast Connecticut | Delaware | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Martyrdom | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Vermont | West Virginia

Steering wheel locked while driving

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 17, 2005 | 03:25 PM
  #1  
LI Vett's Avatar
LI Vett
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Hauppauge New York
Default Steering wheel locked while driving

Just had my steering wheel lock on me while driving after recall was done. Everyone might want to make sure that they (Chevy) do the correct job on your vett. I ended up hitting a curb. Luckly I was not on the highway doing 55 - 60.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2005 | 04:38 PM
  #2  
dan1home's Avatar
dan1home
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by LI Vett
Just had my steering wheel lock on me while driving after recall was done. Everyone might want to make sure that they (Chevy) do the correct job on your vett. I ended up hitting a curb. Luckly I was not on the highway doing 55 - 60.
I would seek legal action against the dealership if I were you.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2005 | 04:54 PM
  #3  
LI Vett's Avatar
LI Vett
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Hauppauge New York
Default

I am, but it seems that no one wants to touch this at all. A fe people have stated that I should just have them fix it and then sell it. GM Chevy has also been giving the round around. At this ime there is no dealer near me that will take it due to what just happened. GM chevy told me to keep the car home and they will call me back in two business days. They did not even pay for the toll. I had my insurance pay for the tow to the dealer only to have them reject the car. I then had to pay out of pocket to get it back home. I have such a bad taste from the dealer and GM Chevy.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2005 | 06:48 PM
  #4  
Icemanskis's Avatar
Icemanskis
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: New York NY
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

wow this is one of the first cases i have heard about it locking up while driving. glad you are alright. chevy should take care of the damages.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2005 | 07:46 PM
  #5  
LI Vett's Avatar
LI Vett
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Hauppauge New York
Default

They should and the towing. But they have not. My car has to now sit at home until I hear back from GM Chevy in the next two business days. I even informed the dealer that did the work as to what had happened and they just said sorry, we would never give a car back that is not safe. I wounder if his wife was driving the car or another family memeber, would he be thinking the same way?? hummm
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2005 | 10:48 PM
  #6  
F.J.B.'s Avatar
F.J.B.
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,216
Likes: 1
From: Vette Doctors Performance RX450 - 466RWHP !!!
Default

Originally Posted by dan1home
I would seek legal action against the dealership if I were you.

Why??/

If the car is a 6 speed...and the dealer did the recall, then why would you sue them???? All the recall does is cut the gas from flowing. This way the car will stall and it cant be driven. The wheel is still locking and the recall does nothing to stop this. On an Automatic....they actually remove the Plate in the steering column , thereby removing the thing that locks the wheel. It is also an anti-theft device that is being removed.

At least you didnt get hurt LI Vett...and I guess when you get the wheel moving it might be time for a CLB. Good Luck!!
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2005 | 07:38 AM
  #7  
GS GUY's Avatar
GS GUY
Race Director
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 17,995
Likes: 1
From: The Artist formally known as Pleasure Pig
Default

how fast were you going and did you just start out from a stop?
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2005 | 08:05 AM
  #8  
LI Vett's Avatar
LI Vett
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Hauppauge New York
Default

I have an auto.. They were suppose have taken out the plate, but when I had it towed to another dealer, they found out that the plate was not removed. So, therefore they would not touch my car. At this point I had to file a report with GM because I got my insurance involved. GM was no help until I told them that my insurance company had to wo my car since GS and the first dealer would not pay for the tow. I was doing about 30 mph. I have the recall manual from the second dealer and it clearly states that on the auto, you must remove the retaining ring and lock plate and discard. If this was done I should have not had my steering wheel loack while driving. I'm also able to lock the steering wheel while tha car is parked and off. I belive I should not be able to do so if the ring and lock plate was removed.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 18, 2005 | 08:37 AM
  #9  
Rattler71's Avatar
Rattler71
Pro
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 673
Likes: 1
From: Pembroke Pines Florida
Default

Originally Posted by F.J.B.
Why??/

If the car is a 6 speed...and the dealer did the recall, then why would you sue them???? All the recall does is cut the gas from flowing. This way the car will stall and it cant be driven. The wheel is still locking and the recall does nothing to stop this. On an Automatic....they actually remove the Plate in the steering column , thereby removing the thing that locks the wheel. It is also an anti-theft device that is being removed.

At least you didnt get hurt LI Vett...and I guess when you get the wheel moving it might be time for a CLB. Good Luck!!
The CLB doesn't work with all the C5's. On mine, with 3 different CLBs the water temp guage pegs out everytime it is installed. I think if I were driving a car and the wheel locked up I would never drive the car again for several reasons.
1. It is plain unsafe for yourself
2. It is unsafe for any one driving around you.
3. If you knowingly keep driving a car that the wheel locks and you hit someone/something, you can be sued.

I would make them remove the locking plate and if they won't, I would sue G.M. and make them take the car back and then go buy a Lexus.


Scott

Last edited by Rattler71; Jun 18, 2005 at 08:42 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2005 | 08:48 AM
  #10  
LI Vett's Avatar
LI Vett
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Hauppauge New York
Default

At this point I do not want the car this car anymore. The vette is a 98 and I'm not sure what GM would do. I do feel that the recall job was not done correctly. I do not know how far this can be pushed. I might have to get ride of the car on my own and take a beating on it. I still can not believe that I have to sit with the car until GM calls me back. I wonder what they are going to tell me. Thank god I het a curb and not something or someone at 55 - 60.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2005 | 09:07 AM
  #11  
GS GUY's Avatar
GS GUY
Race Director
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 17,995
Likes: 1
From: The Artist formally known as Pleasure Pig
Default

I'll ask again

how fast were you going and did you just start out from a stop?
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2005 | 09:17 AM
  #12  
Rattler71's Avatar
Rattler71
Pro
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 673
Likes: 1
From: Pembroke Pines Florida
Default

Originally Posted by LI Vett
At this point I do not want the car this car anymore. The vette is a 98 and I'm not sure what GM would do. I do feel that the recall job was not done correctly. I do not know how far this can be pushed. I might have to get ride of the car on my own and take a beating on it. I still can not believe that I have to sit with the car until GM calls me back. I wonder what they are going to tell me. Thank god I het a curb and not something or someone at 55 - 60.

Call an attorney, I am sure they would love to take a case like this. If for no other reason, just to show G.M. you are serious.

Scott
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2005 | 09:18 AM
  #13  
BiggieBoy's Avatar
BiggieBoy
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Default

Looks like the first dealer did the recall for the 6 speed and not the auto. What a total bunch of a$$holes....I'd be on the phone w/ GM customer service asap, and then, my attorney. Glad you are OK.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2005 | 09:43 AM
  #14  
LI Vett's Avatar
LI Vett
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Hauppauge New York
Default

I was going about 30 MPH. I was in motion at that time and not coming from a stop. I was coming to a light and had to make a right. The street had a bend in and when I went to turn, the steering wheel was locked. So I hit the curb.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2005 | 09:53 AM
  #15  
LI Vett's Avatar
LI Vett
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Hauppauge New York
Default

I have contacted several attorneys and no one wants to touch this. So I'm doing this on my own at this time. I think I have gotten GM's attention. They have now considered this a minor accident and they had to take a report. I still feel that the dealership did not do the proper work that was required and that GM did not help out in this matter and still hasn't. I have my car sitting here at home that can not be driven because the steering wheel will lock; waiting for the next two businees days to hear back from GM as to what they are going to do. I made it clear to GM that I do not want the car at all anymore.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2005 | 10:32 AM
  #16  
FRCWEETIE's Avatar
FRCWEETIE
Safety Car
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,700
Likes: 0
From: Knocked up in NH
Default

Originally Posted by LI Vett
Just had my steering wheel lock on me while driving after recall was done. Everyone might want to make sure that they (Chevy) do the correct job on your vett. I ended up hitting a curb. Luckly I was not on the highway doing 55 - 60.
holy chit!! I went to get an oil change today and they told me about the recall, i was going to say yes do it, but they didn't have the corvette tech in on saturdays, so i said no i'll come back.

what the hell are you supposed to do when it locks and you are on the highway? now i am paraniod about the whole thing

In Mid America, I see a Bypass your Steering Coulmn Lock kit for $89.99. Would installing this help???????

ah ha, found a sticky thread in C5 Tech...

Last edited by Queen Bee; Jun 18, 2005 at 01:29 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2005 | 10:36 AM
  #17  
CTYANK2's Avatar
CTYANK2
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,187
Likes: 309
From: SIMSBURY CT
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '25
Default

If this happened yesterday sometime then you are less than 24 hours into this frustrating event. Be persistent with GM and particularly the dealer that did the work. I would guess that within a few days GM and/or the dealer will make this right. Be thankful no one was hurt and there wasn't major damage to your vehicle or others.

If this is not resolved by the end of next week send everyone involved (your insurance company, and all the appropriate consumer agencies) certified letters requesting they make this right within 10 days. If it is still not resolved I would try calling more lawyers until you find one that will take this on. If you don't find a lawyer, then pay a lawyer for a hours work to shoot some letters out.

If that doesn't work, post the name of the dealer here and he'll probably wind up paying a lot more in lost business than it would cost him to make this right.

Good luck!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Steering wheel locked while driving

Old Jun 18, 2005 | 11:02 AM
  #18  
LI Vett's Avatar
LI Vett
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Hauppauge New York
Default

I will stay on GM. I have spoken to the dealer twice since the accident. I waiting on GM to tell me what they are going to do. I am having my company lawyer send out a letter to GM and the dealer. I just want to know what was done and what wasn't done on my car. It's just hard to believe that I got a car back after a major recall on steering locking and still got the car back unsafe...
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2005 | 11:25 AM
  #19  
65Z01's Avatar
65Z01
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

That really sucks.

Eveyone makes mistakes but to not own up to it is inexcusable.

I would post that dealer's name here in any case as they should have addressed the issue immediately and corrected it, as well as eating the tow.

Since they do not seem to be reputable, posting their name may save someone else from a bad experience with them.

BTW, I wouldn't toss the car just because of this incident but would insist that the front end be gone over thoroughly. Maybe take the car to a Corvette specialist on this one. If there is damage from the curb it needs to be addressed properly; then your Vette will be fine and ready for many hours of driving pleasure.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2005 | 11:45 AM
  #20  
LI Vett's Avatar
LI Vett
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Hauppauge New York
Default

if the dealership holds up to their end I will not post their name. If they don't then I will. I will have to think about keep this car. If I do get rid of it I will for sure purchase another vett.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:54 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE