1997 Corvette steering wheel locks up periodically. Previously had been able to release it. Last week it occurred whil car was moving. Had to have car towed and repaired at dealership. Chevrolet customer service rep refused to acknowledge that there is a problem in 1997 model year, just later (supposedly a recall exists). She said that I "should keep my receipt" in case GM decides to recognize it as a problem. I'm out $550 and worried that their denying the problem in 1997S is going to cost lives. My business partner also has a '97 and has experienced the same problem.

- Joliet, IL, USA

On my 1997 Corvette the column lock failed in the locked position. There is a recall on the 1998 and up. The 1997 is the same as the later models and should be covered by the recall.

- Jackson, TN, USA

My 1997 C-5 Corvette has a problem with the steering wheel locking up. The first time it happen when my wife had it at work, when she went to leave she started out but could not steer. The dashboard reader display said "column failure". when checking the owners manual we found "column failure" and it said to have vehicle towed to repair shop for service. The vehicle was repaired at my expense because General Motors would not admit to a problem. There is an active recall for 1998-2002 C-5 Corvettes for steering column lockup, but they said that mine was caused by a different part and they would not honor the recall. On Tuesday 10 June the steering column locked up again this time while my wife was driving. She had just pulled into traffic and heard a click at which time the steering locked up. Fortunately she was able to stop without incident. The car had to sit part way in the road until a wrecker was dispatched to tow it in again. The service dealer has had the car since that time and we still don't know when or if it will be fixed. Ref. In EA02-031

- Yakima, WA, USA

In August 2002, upon starting the vehicle, the steering column locked up and would not move. A message was received indicating steering column lock. I was forced to call a tow truck to take me to the dealer. Because of the parked position of the vehicle and the inability to move the wheel in any direction, the only option available for us to load the vehicle was to back it into an active roadway. I had the part replaced by mail. Chevrolet dealer who indicated that they had seen this problem before, but it had not been the subject of a recall. A search of the web indicated that this has been a problem on other Corvette's. I subsequently contacted General Motors seeking compensation for the repair costs. They have been non-responsive to two letters. I am greatly concerned that this steering column lock up could occur at speed and would constitute a serious risk. ---dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis---769752. Ref. In EA02-031

- Port Clinton, OH, USA

Steering column locked while driving at approximately 5 mph in parking lot. This is the third time it has locked although the first two times the car was stationary. Ref. In EA02-031

- Baker, LA, USA

Last summer, while backing out of a parking spot, my column lock failed to release and nearly caused a collision w/2 other cars. I called the local chev. Dealer and they informed me that my Corvette didn't fall within certain VIN numbers for that recall for that very same problem and that it shouldn't have that problem. Well, it does have this potentially dangerous problem, but GM wont fix their faulty design/parts and want to charge me $500 minimum to fix! so I had the car towed home, ate the $100 flat bed tow bill, and called other GM dealers-all deny the problem on my particular car. Can anybody help me? if I were backing onto a busy road, it could have been disastrous. My car is a 1997 C5 Corvette VIN# [xxx] w/approx only 30,000 miles. Thanks, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Caledonia, WI, USA

After reading all the information available on the internet on the service column lock problems, there should definetly be a recall on this! did not count in numbers due to owner not experiencing himself.

- Benton, AR, USA

My steering wheel column locked when my car was parked. It had to be towed to the nearest dealer bay Chevrolet to be fix. When it locked the computer or (dic) read service column locked. I was unable to move my car. The car started but I could not use my steering wheel to guide the car. Lucky for me I was parked at home. If I was on the road and this happen, I hate to even think about the loss of my life and the others on our highways. This problem came without warning. The dealer said that an actuator failed. Some reports on the net has indocated that this locked steering unit fail S even whilel driving the car. This is a danger and a hazard. Please to demanded that GM recall this safety defect before someone loss their life needlessly. Ref. In EA02-031

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

Steering wheel lock is activated by the on-board computer causing the steering wheel to lock up while driving. Nlm

- Livermore, CA, USA

My 97 coupe, 16K, had its steering column lock troubles while being valet parked during vacation in SC. Ref. In EA02-031

- Edison, NJ, USA

Column lock could fail when car is moving. This is a safety hazard. Ref. In EA02-031

- Jackson, MS, USA

Steering wheel is locked due to steering lock motor open circuit failure. Yh ref. In EA02-031

- Plantation, FL, USA

Steering wheel lock is activated by the on-board computer causing the steering wheel to lock up while driving. Nlm ref. In EA02-031 cjs

- Livermore, CA, USA