2004 Chevrolet Corvette Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 17%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,200miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette, 17% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,200 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While traveling down the freeway at around 80 MPH on a straight flat surface, the Corvette sharply veered to the side as I heard a loud screech from one of the brakes it lasted for about a second. The turn was so abrupt I thought I was going to roll but after fishtailing was able to get things going straight. Immediately a service active handling system message popped up. Happened about a week later going about 60 MPH not quite as abrupt. This condition could have lead to a fatality.”
NHTSA complaint #11404236, filed 2021-03, 115,000 miles“While driving my 2004 Corvette the active handling message come on at the dash and while driving this causes the brakes to pull the car from one side or the other suddenly and this happens very often. I am afraid this could cause the car to have a serious accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10522383, filed 2013-06, 36,000 miles“Takata recall visible gasoline leakage after vehicle hasn't been parked over a period of months. Then I began to take notes of what , when , where this leak was occurring, I would fill the tank, park the auto in the garage . The next time I used the vehicle, a noticeable gas odor, spot on the garage floor was noted. I started to place a cardboard under the front end to more readily be able to observe the substance leaking. The odor was unmistakable. Several occurrences n spotting is evident after having parked in my garage . The auto was parked overnight in my garage. …”
NHTSA complaint #11102924, filed 2018-06, 88,010 miles“The vehicle's electronic column locking system was having intermittent severe failure. When trying to steer the car after ignition and moving down the road the wheel would lock in certain positions and to prevent a crash I would have to stop the car and hope the locking system released. I found that this issue was covered by #04006c product safety recall. When I contacted the service department at nucar Chevrolet; they indicated that the recall was not still open. Thus I was forced to have my mechanic repair this before a serious crash occurred. …”
NHTSA complaint #10898943, filed 2016-08, 61,000 miles“The so-called fix GM has for the 1997-2004 Corvette column lock problem does not fix the problem. It merely puts a band-aid on the problem to protect them from lawsuits. I do not understand how this can be allowed by law. I have had to resort to an aftermarket part to fix the problem and chose to ignore the recall due to this situation. I should not have to do this. Gm should have to fix the problem. And I should be reimbursed for the proper repair I executed to the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10135312, filed 2005-09, 10 milesRelated recalls
- 04V273000Jun 9, 2004On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material…Covers: Chevrolet Corvette 2004, Cadillac CTS 2004, SRX 2004 +1 more
- 04V060000Feb 9, 2004On certain passenger vehicles equipped with electronic column lock systems (ecl), when the ignition switch is turned to "lock," the ecl system prevents…Covers: Chevrolet Corvette 1997–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10245989Oct 5, 2023This Preliminary Information communicates diagnostic information to dealership techs to assist them in diagnosing either a "Service Column Lock" or a "Pull Key, Wait 10 Seconds"…
- 10113436Feb 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 2% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 19 | 7% |
| 2016 | 5 | 5% |
| 2014 | 6 | 10% |
| 2013 | 3 | 4% |
| 2012 | 2 | 4% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 5 | 3% |
| 2008 | 12 | 2% |
| 2007 | 22 | 6% |
| 2006 | 44 | 12% |
| 2005 | 76 | 14% |
| 2004 | 36 | 17% |
| 2003 | 32 | 38% |
| 2002 | 59 | 38% |
| 2001 | 88 | 43% |
| 2000 | 169 | 61% |
| 1999 | 194 | 63% |
| 1998 | 215 | 54% |
| 1997 | 95 | 62% |
| 1996 | 6 | 14% |
| 1993 | 2 | 9% |
| 1989 | 1 | 7% |
| 1988 | 1 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 10% |
| 1985 | 2 | 13% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
| 1981 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
148 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsElectronic stability control
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology