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 2005 Chevrolet Corvette owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle felt as if the passenger's side front brakes had seized. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V172000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 27,400.
2005 Corvette coupe, manual trans, Z51. Intermittent problem: Electronic steering column will not unlock when attempting to start or will not lock on shutdown. Vehicle inoperable, sometimes in potentially hazardous situations e.g., late night in parking lot, and compromised anti-theft feature. Possibly relevant: When parked but steering failed to lock, continuous battery draw is 4 amps, which might contribute to the "dead battery syndrome" that 2005 M6 Corvettes are known for. Hard to separate the two issues since either way the starter will not engage. Problem has existed since new (2005) but has gotten progressively worse. GM nonresponsive to multiple owner complaints. …
steering wheel lock car cannot start and this can happen while driving and could cause a accident chevy knows of problem and has been recalled but has not solved the problem knowed as steering wheel lock
Prior to the incident I experienced the service traction light would come on maybe a handful of times a month. Until the incident I had to actual issues and figured that my exhaust being as loud as it is caused something to set it off. On February 8th the service traction light came on once again however I had to issues that day. It wasn't till the next day that as I was driving normal speeds about 35mph approaching a stop sign before I would enter the feeder road to enter the highway. The road I was on had a very slight curve to the left and the ground was completely dry/ all conditions were normal. Out of no where I felt my vehicle being forced hard to the left as if I was hydroplanning and had lost the ability to control the braking of my car. My vehicle crossed the next lane over and with absolutely no control what so ever I was forced over a curb and into a street sign. …
I was nearly involved in 2 accidents in the past week and I no longer feel safe driving my car. I have a 2005 Chevy Corvette which has very low mileage on it (~42,000) for how old it is. The problem I am experiencing exactly matches a recall listed for 2005 Chevy corvettes however because my VIN number does not list that recall Chevy refuses to honor it. This recall: http://www-odi.NHTSA.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/relateddefectssummary.cfm?rcl_id=10V172000&defectidlist=ea09002&moduletype=vehicles&type=vehicle below are brief summaries of the near accidents that occurred: 1. I was switching lanes in the city and the car locked the steering wheel, applied the breaks, did does not let me accelerate such that I was stuck in the middle of two lane and a car in the lane I was trying to change into nearly hit me and had to swerve around me. 2. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. On two different occasions, while attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to crank. The contact stated that the electronic signal malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to wally edgar Chevrolet inc (3805 s lapeer rd, lake orion, mi 48360), but no diagnostic failure codes were found and the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to jefferson Chevrolet (2130 e jefferson ave, detroit, mi 48207) where the dealer confirmed that no recalls were associated with the VIN. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 04V060000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 8-1941692497. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
02/13/2007 2005 Corvette car was completely dead. Would not start or lock. Left us stranded after dinner. Car was towed to home that night and towed to dealer on 02/14/07. 02/14/2007 invoice# cvcs117440 #1 customer states vehicle will not start - battery leaking acid, necessary to replace battery, clean acid spill. Clean cables - check alt 145 amp output diodes good the consumer stated she was in an accident as well as her son and on both occasions, when the brakes were applied, it felt as if the brakes locked up. Also. The service active handling system light illuminated. The dealer had to rework the connection to secure and prevent the tilt telescope steering wheel from pulling the vehicle to the right. Updated ivoq 10/08/10
I just entered the freeway and traffic was slow 40 to 45 MPH. I moved from far right to center lane then from center to left lane. When I moved from center to left I was traveling between 45 and 50 MPH when the rear of the car began to slide out of control. When I but did not understand why as the roads where dry and clear. As I tried to regain control the car did not respond and continued to slide completely out of control 180 degree and slid sideways into a wall of plowed ice and snow in the left shoulder and flip on its roof. The loss of understanding of how this happened has given me much anguish as I know I had the traction control handling on, until I found out about a recall having to do with the steering and handling a few months later.
I was driving my vehicle at approximately 68 MPH in a straight line on the highway. The road conditions were dry and cold. I was driving straight and did not hit any bumps in the road when suddenly I felt the steering pulling my car about 1/4 turn to the left and about a 1/2 turn to the right and brakes were applied, not by me. I then heard a chiming noise and saw an error code on my dash saying "service active handling system". I gained control of my vehicle and exited the highway. I read on many forums that other c6 owners, especially years '05-'06 have had this issue and that the defect May lie in the steering wheel position sensor connector. My vehicle is equipped with a telescoping steering wheel where this issue seems to arise.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the wheels seized, the brakes applied independently, and the vehicle failed to accelerate. During the failure, the service active handling system warning indicator illuminated. The failure had occurred approximately 3 times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the movement of the steering column caused a signal interruption within the column and a part in steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V172000 (steering). The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
Related recalls
Steering › Column
GM is recalling certain model year 2005 and 2006 Chevrolet corvette passenger cars manufactured between March 2004 and January 2006 equipped with a tilt and telescoping steering column (rpo n37). In rare cases, repeated movement of the steering column May cause a signal interruption within the column.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on April 30, 2010. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463 or at the owner center at…
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Certain passenger vehicles May have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose May fracture and leak fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on October 14, 2005.
Steering complaints in other Corvette years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette, 14% of the model year's 532 complaints. The component named most often is column (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-172 (column, Apr 26, 2010); NHTSA recall 05V-455 (hose, piping, and connections, Oct 5, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Corvette steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury 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.