Steering lock engaging while driving

[VSTrev]

Hi All,

I know its been a long while since i have been on here - but if i can make some spare time i promise i will return.

Have experienced a small problem with my VE Commodore. Without going into the full details what happened was that the steering lock engaged while i was driving. I obviously lost all steering and all control. I hit the brakes but it ended up hitting the gutter.

Luckily i guess that it just ended up in the gutter and not killing people by mounting the kerp or entering oncoming traffic.

Holden have said that they could not replicate the issue so hence there is no issue. So they arn't willing to take it further or even repair the damage under warranty. This i find is just downright scarry as i'm affraid of it occuring again.
I am in the process of speaking to spcialist automotive engineers and locksmiths about it and am going to try and take it furhter.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar?

 

[RayLamp]

If Holden don't take it seriously, assuming your car is under warranty, I would be thinking legal...

Steering is quite an important part of your car. Kind of a safety issue, one thinks!

 

[acarmody]

Damn that would suck. Though I feel I must ask, you didn't take the key out of the ignition did you?

In my experience with Holden, they seem to have 'issues' with replicating problems.

 

[flyjoe180]

I would think such a safety-critical event would warrant a full investigation by Holden, if it can happen to one VE it could happen to all the others too. Lucky you weren't hurt, or anyone else for that matter.

 

[zmr]

Are you sure it was not a power steering issue?? Lack of power assist can make the steering wheel feel extremely heavy and very difficult to turn.

 

[Trayner]

Are you sure it was not a power steering issue?? Lack of power assist can make the steering wheel feel extremely heavy and very difficult to turn.

true but have you ever driven a non power steering ecuiped car ? once they start moving they are easy to control and drive

 

[VSTrev]

...Kind of a safety issue, one thinks!

Indeed

you didn't take the key out of the ignition did you?!

After i hit the gutter and stopped and got out of the car - yes. NRMA advice line indicated that was probably a bad idea. I should have left the car where it was with the key exactly where it was and got it towed to holden. In hindsight they are probably right.

I would think such a safety-critical event would warrant a full investigation by Holden, if it can happen to one VE it could happen to all the others too. Lucky you weren't hurt, or anyone else for that matter.

Well that is what i thought also - however holden (as all car manufacturers) have been the victim of idoits and scamers which is where their replication policy comes in. It's basically my word against theirs and their word carries more weight.
So after talking to NRMA advisors, Automotive conultants, Forensic locksmith, and an Automotive locksmith all i can really do is push this issue higher and higher through holden, and continue onto GM if I have to.

Are you sure it was not a power steering issue??

100%. I have been victim to power steering failure in my old VS, I am familiar with this. plus, even without power steering you can still turn the wheel, like you said its just heavier. I even tested this by switching off the engine but leaving the key in accessories (or whatever its called). You can still successfully turn the wheel from full lock to full lock. It is heavy but its not too difficult.
This was locked. Just like when you park and lock the wheel. There was something physically there stopping me from turning the wheel. Plus when i started the car again, i had to jiggle the wheel to release the lock. It was locked.

 

[zmr]

I believe you.


Shivers.....

 

[TinSnips]

Geez! That's a dangerous one! I totally understand the replication policy and that it's there to protect Holden from low-lifes - however, I do hope and trust that their testing was extremely stringent - and that they didn't take the Toyota approach! It sounds like you're tackling it the right way, I just hope that all the smart-nuts examining your car can come to the conclusion that it is in fact a warranty fix.

Good luck!

 

[VSTrev]

Just to give you guys an update - The car is going into holden tomorrow where she will be fitted with a brand new barrel lock and I will be fitted with a brand new key. I will be picking up the cost for this one

Basically my reasoning is that trying to fight this legally is going to take a very very long time, lots and lots of money for probably no outcome. Trev vs GM - not tough to figure who is going to win that one. So doing this is a quick fix and will be cheaper in the long run and will also provide me with peace of mind whilst driving and also make it safer for all you guys on the road as well.