Steering column lock recall

[rmeier]

My '98s column lock failed in August 2002, (as I was heading to Carlisle for the Corvette show).
I heard about the recall in February...e-mailed Chevy. The response was there's no recall for your VIN, but you may hear
from us in April.
I e-mailed again in early July, response... No recall for your VIN. I called Chevy who informed me the recall was ONLY FOR 1997 vehicles.
I quoted the NHTSA bulletin, (#04V060000), which said it covered
1997-2004 Corvettes. The reply, after a 15 minute wait,... send them all my original service receipts, proof of payment & proof of ownership. When they receive all this then they would "try to get me a partial reimbursment"
Towing and repairs cost me over $700.00. The customer service rep quoted me the exact figure when she called up the service records. (so why do I have to send her all my originals?)
As far as I'm concerned Chevy/GM is doing its best not to honor the NHTSA recall. I informed NHTSA of this. Now I'm tellin you guys and will also post on the Corvette Forum.
I'll never buy another Chevy and I'm considering dumping the 'vette for an RX8. The only cars I've owned which were less reliable than this 'vette were a 60's vintage Jaguar & MG

[Rick and Arleen Ball]

Those RX-8s are Really nice. But are you really unhappy with the Vette or just the fact that your out the $700 bucks and your not getting any satisfaction from GM.

[rmeier]

Well I must admit that the car’s a blast to drive, but I’ve spent so much on
maintenance. When I bought it in 2001 I took it to Bryner, had it inspected & all the fluids changed, over $1,000. A couple weeks later it threw the serpentine belt on the NJ turnpike, faulty belt tensioner. ($$) Some months later it ran out of gas on the AC expressway in sight of my planned fuel stop. The car indicated 1/8 tank fuel with a 65 mile range, no reserve indication. Faulty fuel sensors. ($$) Year 2, replaced a cracked leather seat and numerous plastic bits that had broken, ($$). I added the euro headlamps to give me proper road lighting. Then in August the steering lock goes south, ($$).
Year 3, one exhaust pipe drops due to a cracked weld on the flange. Replaced OEM with
Corsa mufflers. I only put about 3000 miles a year on the car, which makes the upkeep /
mile outrageous. I keep wondering, have I got it all fixed and what’s gonna go next?
Add to this the inherent faults, water leaks in the drivers widow, open the hatch with water on it, dumps it into the car over the speakers, water puddles on the doorsills, & a key fob that won’t work when the car is below ~35 degrees. Minor annoyances, yes
but still uncalled for in a $45,000 car. I guess I’ve been spoiled from driving Hondas
and Subarus for the last 15 years. I’m sure I’ll hang onto the Vette for a while.
They haven’t put a turbo in the RX8 yet.

[Bill Burkholder]

I'm sorry to hear this... I have a 2000 with 12K and other than a gas gauge that has been wacky 3 or 4 times , I've had no problems (knock on wood).... I know that there are some issues with the C-5 like poor lighting..gas gauge problems..but for the $$$$ it's still a good car. yes they are fun to drive ;bt

[92RAGTOP]

Sorry to hear about all the problems Rich. You just never know what you can end up with. I've been listening for years to Honda owners rave about the car. In 97 I bought one new, at 50,000 the motor developed a knock the dealer said w'eve seen this before you need a motor replacement warranty just expired. In 93 I bought a Honda Harmony lawn mower suposed to be the best on the market paid over $700 for it 5 years later it throws a rod (yes it had rods) trashed. 2 years ago I bought a Honda power washer from Home Depot 60 days later the pump frezzes up (in the summer). However I have my 90 Vette 172,000 miles and going strong. I would'nt have another Honda product if you gave it to me. You just never know.

[Rick and Arleen Ball]

Thanks Guys :D
You just helped me make up my mind about buying Arleen a C-5 convt. :rolleyes: Might buy one if the price is right for resale. But as for KEEPERS, I'll stick with the oldies but Goodies. C-1s & C-2s ;) I've got better things to do with my time than spend it going back and forth to some THIEVEN dealer

[hcvone]

I had 4 C5's, not one warranty issue. :)

[vettecaster]

The General can be very alienating when we need help as customers. Fortunately, we have a great support system within a rich fan base of owners and enthusiasts and that's what keeps me in the craft.

Still...why can't they be nice?? ;cc

[VetBoyZR1]

We just got a recall notice in the mail today. They sent a form for us to claim the cost of repairs we had done last year when the steering locked up, plus now they are authorizing us to take the car to the dealer to have the column lock disabled. We spent $279 last year, so hopefully we'll get that money back. I've been waiting for this since February when I first heard about the recall. Our form letter says 98 Corvettes, but I believe it is for more model years than that.

[Bill Burkholder]

I got mine also...in the letter they sent is a Customer Reimbursment Claim Form . You may want to see if you get the recall notice and fill out the reimbursement form. I have a 2000.... Good luck