2004 Chevrolet Corvette

Recall:

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NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 04V060000

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 04V273

Potential Number of Units Affected: 126,624

Potential Number of Units Affected: 41,928

Summary: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with electronic column lock systems (ECL), when the ignition switch is turned to LOCK the ECL 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. If this occurs, a crash could occur without warning.

Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, the washers in the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies 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. 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.

Remedy: On vehicles equipped with an Automatic Trnasmission, 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. The steering column on these vehicles will continue to lock when the key is removed. Owner notification is expected to begin during the second quarter of 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

Remedy: 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 manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during August or September 2004. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

Dates of Manufacture: January - April 2004

Manufacturer Recall No.: 04006

Manufacturer Recall No.: 04043

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