Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet Corvette owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would seize as the vehicle would stall and an error message would illuminate on the instrument panel to remove the key. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where they informed him that they could not service his vehicle. The contact then took the vehicle to Cumming Chevrolet (Mile of Cars, 2301 National City Blvd, National City, CA 91950) where they informed him of NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact then ordered the part to have the vehicle repaired; however, the dealer refused to service the vehicle since the part was an aftermarket part. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. …
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while reversing, the steering wheel became firm. The contact turned off the vehicle and moved the steering wheel side to side at the same time while restarting the vehicle, and the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) and referred the contact the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted a case was filed, and the manufacturer also stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 58,000.
The contact owned a 2000 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized, with the steering column warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and became aware that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the steering column lock bypass needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
The Electronic Column Lock System (ECLS) failed. Car was recalled for this problem twice (2004 and 2006) My car was only included in 2004 recall, not the 2006 recall My car currently has 15,524 miles for an average of 675miles per year At time of 2004 recall my car had approx 2700 miles At time of 2006 recall my car had approx 4050 miles The failure of the ECLS is a prevalent problem in the 2000 Corvette I never had a problem until June 2023 I was told by Chevrolet that this could happen again I am under the understanding from my research the ECLS could fail while driving I want My car properly repaired to avoid a possible future catastrophe and to be reimbursed for towing and repairs
I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the steering column of my 2000 Chevrolet Corvette, VIN [redacted]. The vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission. The vehicle displays "SERVICE COLUMN LOCK." The engine will start, but the steering wheel remains physically locked and the vehicle cannot be safely driven. This vehicle was previously subject to GM Safety Recall N040006 concerning the electronic steering column lock. GM's records show that Recall N040006 was completed on [redacted], with the description: "Install Harness Kit, Reprogram and Perform Functional Test." I contacted a Chevrolet dealer to determine what work was actually performed under the recall. The dealer stated that they could not identify the specific work that was performed. …
My 2000 Chevrolet Corvette has approximately 57,500 original miles on it. Recall #04006 was completed on my vehicle by dealer code 20385 back in 2004. I did see they released recall's #04006b and 04006c as well. I started my car on 7/30/2019 and I was sitting in the garage when I saw the "steering column lock" message on the dashboard. The car was started and now the steering wheel is locked and can not be turned. I reached out to two local san diego Chevrolet dealerships; bob stall Chevrolet and jimmie johnson Chevrolet, corporate GM, corporate Chevrolet and the ntsb. They all told me the recall was completed and there is nothing they can do, they said I will have to repair the issue. This is unsatisfactory! I could have taken the car out for a drive and had the steering wheel lock up as im driving. …
The ebcm traction control module , ABS control modules and the steering wheel position sensor for the c5 corvettes made from 1997 thru 2000 are no longer manufactured by general motors or licensed to an after market manufacturer for production as an after market replacement. When these modules go bad there is a risk for accidents or death while driving as the ABS system that works in conjunction with these modules will lock up one or more of the brakes causing the driver to swerve into other lanes. This happened to me when my steering wheel position sensor failed. We Corvette owners are forced to drive with the traction control off because we cannot find new replacement ebcm modules, ABS modules of steering wheel position sensors . …
I experienced loss of control by skidding and almost leaving the road toward a dropoff while applying the brake since the ABS, active handling, traction control systems have been malfunctioning at 35mph on a mountain road applying the brake as I was going around a sharp curve I believe the cause of this malfunction of the ABS/ah system is a faulty ebcm which is known by countless members of the Corvette owners community as a safety issue that should have been recalled a long time ago. If I would have known about this issue without an active recall I would not have bought the car. Several times this has happened in varied situations and I cannot rely on these safety features to save my life if something occurs that would send me out of control into another vehicle or over a steep cliff like in the close call I mentioned earlier in this text. …
I read in the newspaper today that the government is taking action against general motors for the ignition key problem. I experienced a similar problem with my Corvette. The engine will shut off while in gear and in motion, disabling power steering, brakes and the ability to move the car out of the way. A message "service steering column lock" appears. The car has been recalled for this problem and has been repaired several times. This has been done long after the warranty expired at no cost to me. Last year the problem occurred again in melbourne near the vette doctor Corvette repair shop. The dealer I bought the car from, fischer in titusville was not a Chevrolet dealer anymore. The car was repaired for about $800 and I contacted GM and was told to make a claim at the bob steele dealership in cocoa. The claim was rejected. …
Related recalls
Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device
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.
Remedy: On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, the dealer will disable the steering column lock by removing the column lock plate.
NHTSA investigations
Steering column lockup
See resume in repository.
Steering column lockup
In 2001, general motors (GM) issued customer service campaigns 1044 and 1044a to address a condition where the steering column would fail to unlock during the initial key-in and start-up in certain my 1998-2000 corvette vehicles.however, odi continued to receive complaints concerning steering column lockup on corvette vehicles.as a result, pe02-054 was opened and later upgraded to ea02-031 for my 1997-2001 subject…
Steering complaints in other Corvette years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Corvette?
NHTSA has 169 complaints about the steering of the 2000 Chevrolet Corvette, 61% of the model year's 278 complaints. The component named most often is column locking › anti-theft device (72 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-060 (anti-theft device, Feb 9, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.