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 2002 Chevrolet Corvette owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while driving 5-10 MPH, the steering wheel locked-up, and the vehicle continued to drive in a circle. The steering column warning light was illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering), and the dealer determined that the electronic steering column lock replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The contact was referred to the dealer for financial assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 51,491.
Backing up from a private parking place I almost crashed due to the steering column locked on me. I tried to free it but it wouldn't release. The car computer indicated I should remove key for 10 seconds and reinsert to free the locked steering wheel, no success. Had car towed to the Chevy dealer for a fix. Dealer said their was a recall on this defect back in 2004. Dealer records indicate that I took the vehicle in for a recall but I don't remember what the recall was for. Nonetheless, I have no records explaining what was specifically done at that time on the recall. The dealer also has no specific records on that recall. I am the original owner. The dealer here in pahrump nv fixed the problem and said that the problem was a computer defect causing the anti theft plate to lock the steering plate. …
I took my car in for a steering colum lock recall, the car was running fine before I took it in. Once I got the car back to my house, two days later the steering wheel locked while in gear and has not unlocked to this day. I called the dealership (which was penske Chevrolet) and spoke to john who told me "well we already did the recall so it must've been a part or something else". I was furious and explained that I'm not going to pay for some part for the same thing that should've been fixed. I could see if maybe they found some part unrelatable that needed to be replaced, but not the exact same thing that was for the recall!! What if the wheel locked up on me with my son in the car on the freeway or something? …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 04V060000 (steering). After the repair, the steering wheel seized without warning and a warning message appeared, indicating to remove the key after ten seconds. The recall repair was performed by pape Chevrolet Geo (370 oakwood rd, huntington station, ny, [phone]), but was no longer in business. The vehicle was taken to robert Chevrolet (236 s broadway, hicksville, ny 11801, [phone]) where it was determined that the remedy failed to provide a permanent solution. The dealer replaced the steering column lock and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer indicated that the recall repair 15 years ago should have provided a permanent remedy. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA action number: ea02031 (steering); however, the vehicle exhibited the same failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while driving approximately 17 MPH, the steering wheel seized as the service steering column, pull key, and wait 10 seconds warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lock plate needed to be taken out of the steering column for an electronic bypass harness to be installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,472.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the service column lock warning indicator illuminated. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V060000 (steering); however, the contact experienced a failure related to the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure to determine if a dealer could repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 07/18/17 the consumer said the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. Updated 08/15/2017
Steering wheel is locked after parking it after work. The recall on all other vehicles my year that has been fixed by the factory has a wire ran to the PCM are computer not sure what they are calling it. But the fix will not let the steering wheel lock. And I have watched a lot of youtube videos on this in all of the factory fixed recalls the steering wheel doesn't lock. From what I see it tells me that the fix is complete. It is a 2002 with only 68000 miles. Any help please?
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the service column lock and service active handling warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the service column lock and service active handling failed. The vehicle was repaired prior to the contact owning the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
I have received several notices from auto nation Chevrolet doral florida to bring my car in for recall GM 04006. When I took my car to them for the recall, I was told "the parts required for the recall are no longer made". I just received another notice from them. They should either make the parts or come to another resolution . I meanwhile can't drive the car because the steering wheel locks up. Help!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. When the contact shifted from park to drive, the steering wheel failed to unlock. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was repaired previously per NHTSA campaign number: 04V060000 (steering); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,500.
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
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 2002 Chevrolet Corvette?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette, 38% of the model year's 157 complaints. The component named most often is column locking › anti-theft device (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 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 2002 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 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.