Of the 48 steering complaints filed for the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
2 (66.7%)
25-50k
1 (33.3%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 10 model years of Chevrolet Corvette in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
All 2 active steering recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
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)
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.
Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification
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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service Bulletin17-NA-087Nov 2023
This service bulletin provides information on Characteristics of Wide Low Aspect Ratio Tires, Vehicle Pulls Left or Right, Wanders, Follows Depressions in Road Surface, Tramlining.
This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone calls. Technician will need to determine what type of call the customer is having that is unwanted. The vehicle may receive an incoming call just like any other phone. Typically the customer will hear the phone ringing in the vehicle. This scenario also includes incoming Bluetooth calls. One type of unwanted call can be made if the key pad is faulty the OnStar system will try to make a blue button call for shorted voltage in the circuits. The OnStar module could have an internal fault and produce a ″Phone Unavaila
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Corvette's steering system has two critical problem areas.
The power steering high-pressure line uses a canvas-reinforced rubber hose segment that develops multiple leaks along the outer perimeter where it bends. Leak rate increases with engine RPM, and the pressurized fluid sprays onto hot exhaust and engine parts, creating fire hazard. The replacement hose has been redesigned as a longer steel line with two straight rubber sections, suggesting the original design was inherently flawed. Owners report the original hose is difficult to locate during early failure stages because corrugated plastic tubing diverts the leaks.
The Service Active Handling system is far worse. Owners describe sudden, violent unintended brake engagement on one or both sides, steering wheel jerking, rear wheels locking up, and fishtailing into adjacent lanes—all triggered while driving at speeds from 5 mph to 80 mph. The warning light illuminates intermittently or continuously. Multiple owners report loss of vehicle control, with some nearly hitting pedestrians or other vehicles. Restart or clutch cycling temporarily restores control. Dealerships are unable to diagnose failures or reproduce them consistently. A 2010 recall (10V172000) issued a plastic clip remedy widely acknowledged as useless. Many owners' VINs fall outside the recall despite experiencing identical failures, and replacements or repairs (steering wheel position sensor, steering column plug, or steering angle sensor) cost $130–$800 with mixed or no success. GM has refused assistance outside warranty, despite the problem being recognized as widespread.
Same Chevrolet Corvette steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering high-pressure hose leaks
Canvas-reinforced rubber segment of the power steering high-pressure line develops multiple leaks along the outer (stretched) perimeter, particularly where the hose bends. Leak rate increases with RPM. Fluid sprays onto hot engine and exhaust components, creating fire hazard. Replacement design uses longer steel line with two straight rubber sections requiring rerouting.
When: Post-purchase on used vehicle; mileage not specified at onset
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid spray on engine and exhaust; Fluid loss increases with engine RPM; Leaks visible along curved hose perimeter
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement high-pressure line is longer, redesigned unit with two straight rubber sections requiring rerouting. Owner reports original hose design was flawed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 05V455000 (10/5/2005) exists but owner's VIN excluded despite vehicle built 09/05. Dealership insists VIN not affected despite active failure.
Service Active Handling system malfunctions with brake/steering engagement
Service Active Handling warning light illuminates while driving at various speeds (5–80 mph), often accompanied by unintended brake engagement and uncontrolled steering inputs. Vehicle pulls, swerves, or jerks violently to left or right; in severe cases rear wheels lock up, fishtailing or causing violent lane changes. Some incidents involve independent engagement of one brake caliper. Multiple owners report loss of vehicle control requiring restart or clutch cycling to restore normal operation.
When: Various mileages: 8,000–110,000 miles; failures occur intermittently and randomly
Symptoms owners cite: Service Active Handling warning light illumination; Unintended brake engagement on one or both sides; Violent steering wheel jerking left or right; Rear wheel lock-up and fishtailing; Vehicle swerving into adjacent lanes; Loss of steering control requiring restart; Rear-end swaying at highway speeds; ABS and traction control lights activation; Harsh unstable maneuvering at low speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to diagnose or reproduce failures. 2010 recall repair (plastic clip installation) failed to resolve issue. Some owners had steering wheel position sensor replacement ($800 reported) with mixed results. One owner replaced steering angle sensor ($400 cost after manufacturer contribution); recurrence began. Another had signal interruption repair performed but failure persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 10V172000 (2010, Steering Column) applies to affected vehicles but many owners' VINs excluded despite identical failures. Initial recall remedy (plastic clip) widely acknowledged as ineffective. Manufacturer refused further assistance or warranty coverage despite widespread known problem. Some dealerships charged owners for repairs outside recall scope.
Steering column electrical signal interruption
Steering column signal interruption causes Service Active Handling warnings and loss of steering wheel position detection, triggering unintended brake and steering interventions. Related to connector issues; some narratives reference wire connector defects rather than sensor failure.
When: Various mileages 13,600–61,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service Active Handling warning intermittently or continuously; Signal interruption within steering column; Loss of steering position feedback
Repairs/costs cited: Plug in steering column replacement performed; failure persisted in at least one case. Dealers identified wire connector as defective rather than sensor.
Harmonic damper failure causing loss of power steering
Harmonic damper on LS2 engine fails, causing power steering drive belt to come off pulley and resulting in sudden loss of power steering assist. High steering effort nearly caused crash. Issue documented in internet forums; owner believes it is widespread and should be recalled.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Harmonic damper failure; Power steering drive belt comes off pulley; Loss of power steering assist; High steering effort required
Repairs/costs cited: No repair details provided by owner.
Steering wheel vibration
Vibration in steering wheel occurring at low speeds (0–20 mph) or while reversing. One narrative reports vibration at 20 mph or during reversing; another describes steering feeling like rear wheels are sliding with no traction or steering themselves at all speeds.
When: One case at low speed (0–20 mph); another ongoing at all speeds; one case starting 7/12/17
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibration at low speeds or while reversing; Rear-wheel self-steering sensation; Vehicle feels as though rear wheels have no traction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to determine cause in at least one case.
Steering return-to-center failure
After turning the steering wheel fully left, vehicle does not return to center; steering locks or sticks in turned position. Service Active Handling warning may accompany this. ABS light also noted.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Steering does not return to center after full turn; Service Active Handling warning; ABS light illumination
Synthesized from 48 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
3 most recent
steering · 8,700 mi
· filed 12/27/2016
In 2010, there was a recall on my vehicle for "steering wheel position sensor." the issue was the "service active handling" warning notice was intermittently appearing in the driver information center. The remedy was to install a plastic clip. This remedy did not fix the issue and I was told I needed a new "steering wheel position sensor" and that it was not covered by the recall and it would…
steering · 20,000 mi
· filed 12/26/2012
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet corvette. While driving approximately 80 MPH, the rear end of the vehicle suddenly began swaying from left to right abnormally. The contact was able to control the vehicle and continued driving however, the failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 10v172000 (steering:column) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not…
steering · 47,075 mi
· filed 12/23/2015
Driving on the freeway at approx. 65 MPH. , the steering wheel on my car " took control of itself and jerked to the left: on the dash pod it stated " service active handling system" . I pulled the car over as soon as I could do so safely and shut the car off. After restarting it the warning went away and the steering returned to normal.
Had steering trouble with your 2006 Chevrolet Corvette?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette?
It's a meaningful issue. 48 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 42 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 19,680 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,680; a quarter make it past 65,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chevrolet/Corvette.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.