Chevrolet Corvette Steering Problems
Owners have filed 1,094 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Chevrolet Corvette across 23 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (215). The words owners use most often: “steering column” (46% of reports).
- 1,094steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 38mention a crash
- 16mention an injury
- 6related recalls
- $880typical repair cost reported by owners
- 26%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering column: mentioned in 504 of 1,094 complaints (46%)
- EA02 cjs: mentioned in 226 of 1,094 complaints (21%)
- Wheel locked: mentioned in 136 of 1,094 complaints (12%)
- Active handling: mentioned in 108 of 1,094 complaints (10%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Chevrolet Corvette at $880, and half of them between $630 and $1,150.
Based on 47 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2001–2021), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 639 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,094 complaints, 38 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 16 an injury.
Chevrolet Corvette steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Corvette | 3 | 2% | 1,000 |
| 2018 Corvette | 1 | 2% | 8,686 |
| 2017 Corvette | 18 | 7% | 8,000 |
| 2016 Corvette | 5 | 5% | 900 |
| 2014 Corvette | 6 | 10% | 328 |
| 2013 Corvette | 3 | 4% | 1,095 |
| 2012 Corvette | 2 | 4% | 60,000 |
| 2011 Corvette | 2 | 2% | 13,350 |
| 2010 Corvette | 1 | 1% | 6,000 |
| 2009 Corvette | 5 | 3% | 30,000 |
| 2008 Corvette | 12 | 2% | 27,500 |
| 2007 Corvette | 22 | 6% | 38,125 |
| 2006 Corvette | 44 | 12% | 33,321 |
| 2005 Corvette | 76 | 14% | 46,000 |
| 2004 Corvette | 36 | 17% | 33,200 |
| 2003 Corvette | 32 | 38% | 35,000 |
| 2002 Corvette | 59 | 38% | 31,820 |
| 2001 Corvette | 88 | 43% | 37,400 |
| 2000 Corvette | 169 | 61% | 36,600 |
| 1999 Corvette | 194 | 63% | 42,610 |
| 1998 Corvette | 215 | 54% | 46,526 |
| 1997 Corvette | 95 | 62% | 40,500 |
| 1996 Corvette | 6 | 14% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (6)
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2017, 2018
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2017
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. GM' number for this recall is N182182760.
Steering:column
Model years: 2005, 2006
Problem: 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. If this occurs, the message, "service active handling system" will appear in the driver information center, and one or more of the brakes may apply, possibly causing the vehicle to pull to the right or left.
Risk: If the driver does not respond to the change in vehicle movement, a crash could occur.
Fix: 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 www.gmownercenter.com.
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Model years: 2005, 2006
Problem: 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.
Risk: If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increased braking effort would be required. If the power steering fluid spray were to spray onto hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
Steering:linkages
Model years: 2004
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material. The washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, reducing clamp load. Separation of the control arm ball stud and steering knuckle, due to disengagement of the tapered attachment and retaining nut, is possible.
Risk: If the control arm separates from the knuckle, the affected corner of the vehicle will drop and the control arm would be forced downward, contacting the wheel. The affected wheel could tilt outward and create a dragging action that would tend to slow the vehicle and create a tendency for the vehicle to turn in the direction of the affected wheel. In extreme situations, the affected wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle. Separation of the wheel assembly would also sever that wheel;s hydraulic brake hose and result in diminished braking performance of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the ball stud joints and measure the torque of the nut for all front lower control arms in all models affected as well as the rear lower control arms on the xlr and corvette. If the torque is not at specification, the dealers will replace the ball stud, the knuckle, and the nut. If the torque is at specification, the dealers will replace the nut/washer assembly only. The recall will begin on august 25, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
Steering:column locking:anti-theft device
Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Problem: 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. The vehicle is designed so that if the column fails to unlock when the vehicle is started and the customer tries to drive, the fuel supply will be shut off so that the vehicle cannot move when the vehicle cannot be steered. If voltage at the powertrain control module is low or interrupted, however, the fuel shut off may not occur and the vehicle can be accelerated while the steering system is locked. Also when the control system shows that the ecl is unlocked and the vehicle is being driven, the lock pin location can vary. Depending on the location of the lock plate relative to the switch transition point, there could then be contact between the lock plate and pin causing the steering to lock while driving .
Risk: If this occurs, a crash could occur without warning.
Fix: On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, the dealer will disable the steering column lock by removing the column lock plate. When the ignition key is removed, the transmission shifter will lock but the steering column will not lock. On vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, the dealer will reprogram the powertrain control module, perform a dimensional check of the column lock and, if necessary, replace the lock plate. The steering column on these vehicles will continue to lock when the key is removed. Owner notification to owners of 1997 vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions began on april 26, 2004. Owners of 1998 through 2004 vehicles (except 1997-1998 manual transmission vehicles) will be notified beginning on august 2, 2004. The remaining owners (1997-1998 manual transmission vehicles) will be notified later in 2004, when parts are available. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My Corvette was inspected as part of the initial steering lock recall and I was told it was okay, no action was needed. Subsequently, my steering column lock has frozen and the vehicle cannot be moved under its own power. Does the original recall still apply? From what I have seen on the Corvette…
I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the steering column of my 2000 Chevrolet Corvette, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission. The vehicle displays âSERVICE COLUMN LOCK.â The engine will start, but the steering wheel remains physically locked and the…
The system that was affected was the power steering. As I was driving home doing residential speeds, I noticed a message pop up in my heads up display âPower Steering, Drive with Cautionâ as I selected okay, the steering wheel became very stiff. Luckily I was 5 minutes away from home and was…
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while reversing from the driveway, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who replaced the…
I am reporting a safety issue involving the Active Handling/Stability Control system on my 2012 Chevrolet Corvette. After a routine oil change at Grossman Chevrolet in [XXX] on XXX, the âService Active Handling Systemâ warning appeared. I called the dealership and was told to cycle the ignition…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Corvettes have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,094 owner complaints about steering for the Chevrolet Corvette. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Corvette steering?
Yes: 6 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Chevrolet Corvette?
Owners report a typical cost of $880 (half paid between $630 and $1,150), from 47 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Chevrolet Corvette?
The most frequent phrase is “steering column”, in 504 of 1,094 complaints, followed by “ea02 cjs” (226).
Other Chevrolet Corvette problems
See all Chevrolet Corvette problems.