Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 04/26/2006 | 60000 | 1000 | 03/10/2004 |
| My 1997 chevy 1500 pickup has a steering problem that is very dangerous. the wheel will jerk to the right or left as your entering a turn causing the truck to cross the center line of the road. to date i have not been able to fix this problem. mechanics offer suggestions ranging from the steering box to steering sensors. i have since found that this is not an isolated problem to this truck, many other owners of this same year model are reporting the same problem. i guess gm will wait until someone gets killed before they decide recall this year model and fix the problem. *jb | |||
| 07/02/2004 | 32000 | 10 | 06/08/1999 |
| Steering slippage primarily when making left turns or going around curves to left hand side. steering is tight and then slips causing oversteering at times.*ak | |||
| 01/01/2002 | 47000 | 0 | 08/20/1997 |
| I own a 1997 chevy pickup truck and have had several problems with my steering. the problem has been really hard to fix because it comes and goes and it does several different things. the first problem started about 1 1/2 to 2 years ago and i have not been able to resolve to problem yet. the problem is that when you go into a turn to the left, you can actually let go of the steering wheel and the wheel will not return to center. the truck will actually go around the turn by itself if you let go of the wheel. the second problem is that when you go into a turn it feels like the steering wheel has been pulled by something. the second problem is the one that has me concerned because at times it will over steer without you actually turning the steering wheel. i have two friends with the same year model and make of truck and all three trucks have the same problem. there has not been an accident at this time and i have talked with gm about the problem with no help from them what's so ever. i am not sure what it would take to get help with this problem other than a accident, possibly with a fatality. really what i would like is for someone to just help with finding a fix without changing out part and hoping for a fix with no telling how many $$$$ later. at this time i have changed my steering box and the power steering pump without fixing the problem. i did change these out from a wrecked truck hoping to find the problem before going and buying a new part that i could not return. up untill this point every thing that has been changed on this truck was factory gm parts. that includes normal wear parts such as brake pads, oil filters, brake rotors, altenators (3), windsheild wiper motors (before the recall), radiator tank, door pins and bushings, door handle, intake manifold leaking. i know all of that is not normal wear part but once i started i just could not hardly quit. | |||
| 01/14/2004 | 2 | 12/01/2002 | |
| Consumer saw a recall notice on tv concerning power steering. although she did not think this vehicle was included in the recall, the vehicle manifested a similar failure. when making a left hand turn vehicle cut off. consumer noticed this problem around lost steering. the consumer noticed the problem around december 2002 right after she purchased the vehicle. consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told that the problem was a power steering pump accelerator. the consumer had this part put on the vehicle, but the vehicle still continued to lose power and pull to the left. *ak *jb | |||
| 10/03/2003 | 70000 | 50 | 08/20/2001 |
| The steering of the 1997 chevy suburban gives an almost ticking, or pulsating movement as it goes through a steady wide sweeping curve. other times it feels that the steering wheel gets locked into a position. it | |||
| 02/01/2003 | 25000 | ||
| While driving vehicle straight forward, the steering wheel will turn to the left or right intermittently. ph | |||
| 10/01/2002 | |||
| When turning the steering wheel to the left, the steering wheel will turn quick and hard to the left. consumer feels there is a problem with the gear box. please provide any further information. ph | |||
| 07/01/1999 | 1 | 12/04/1996 | |
| While driving down the road power steering is not constant, causing vehicle to pull from one side to another intermittently. contacted dealer, and was told that the sensor on power steering unit was defective. *ak | |||
| 08/10/1997 | 08/10/1997 | ||
| Check steering wander at hwy speeds, replaced steering evo sensor assembly | |||
| 02/02/2000 | 1 | ||
| Evo sensor assembly failure causing the vehicle to wander. yh | |||
| 09/22/1999 | |||
| While driving steering wheel feels like it is being jerked right out of driver's hand, erratic power steering. contacted the dealer, and was told that the steering sensor is bad. *ak | |||
| 06/01/1999 | |||
| When driving at any speed if steering wheel is moved vehicle will go into the next lane. *ak | |||
| 1 | 10/16/1997 | ||
| Vehicle continuously has trouble with the front end slipping while driving, causing the vehicle to sometimes go into the other lane of traffic. | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE | |||
| 05/23/1997 | 1 | 02/01/1997 | |
| Anti-theft alarm failed. | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT SECTOR | |||
| 06/02/2004 | 30000 | 1 | |
| Consumer stated that steering gear box malfunctioned. when turning the vehicle left or right it felt like someone was jerking the steering wheel. it made driving very difficult. the evo steering sensor was defective. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 05/24/2006 | 51000 | 1 | 08/12/2005 |
| My son was turning into a driveway when the power assist was lost. this made the truck almost undriveable and very difficult to maneuver. i have removed the pump and found the internal shaft had broken. i am an automotive technician with over 20 years experience as well as a manager for a local government fleet. i network with a large group of experienced technicians including independent repair shops. this appears to be a common failure on these trucks. *nm | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 117000 | 1 | ||
| While driving the vehicle lost power steering. the steering wheel would tighten then suddenly release. this is due to a failure in the evo senor. this is a common problem with this model year. *nm | |||
| 71000 | 1 | ||
| When turning left vehicle lost power steering. *ak | |||
| 12/16/2003 | 65000 | 20 | 09/01/1997 |
| 1997 chevrolet 1500 extended cab pickup 2wd when turning slightly towards the right the power assist boost increases causing the truck to quickly turn towards the right. i have noticed for many years and haven't known who to report this to. it happens quickly and i have to grab the steering wheel to keep the truck under control. i noticed the recall notice on the 1996 and 1997 cars but have had this identical over assist problem on my truck. *la | |||
| 06/01/2002 | 70000 | 12 | |
| Power steering on 1997 chevy 1500 has moments of free floating sensation while turning.....especially right hand turns. this causes over correction and danger to all on the road. *jb | |||
| 09/05/2002 | |||
| While driving steering will become inoperable when trying to make a right turn. contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak | |||
| 02/01/1997 | |||
| Truck has had continual problems with major components other than wear and tear. it is not used for normal driving conditions.no safety defect listed. *ak | |||
| 03/30/2001 | 1 | 03/14/1997 | |
| Transmission went out on consumer while they were driving.*ak bearing splintered, causing metal pieces into transmission oil, the reaction carrier, overrunning clutch, clutch support, over clutch race, and torque converter all failed. left rear door panel bad, rattle in side door, rear side door repaired, right side doors trim panels become loose, door panles replaced, side door panel rattles. vehicle having electrical problems, rear tail lights not at same height, left window switch replaced, doors locked with keys in vehicle, interior lights come on while driving, battery failed five times, antitheft light on radio causing it not to work. air conditioner was blowing hot air and vent would not adjust from side to side. windows kept getting stuck. air bag light illuminated. power steering was noisy, dealer repaired power steering, power steering became noisy again. rear shoes were replaced. service engine soon light illuminated. *slc | |||
| 01/01/1999 | 1000 | 01/01/1998 | |
| No summary. | |||
| 06/30/1999 | |||
| While driving at 5mph power steering went out without prior warning. *ak | |||
| 03/01/1998 | 2 | 02/28/1997 | |
| Continuous problems with steering jerking/pulling vehicle. the steering module and three steering sensors have been replaced to rectify this problem, however the problem still remains unsolved. | |||
| 10/14/1998 | |||
| While making turns the steering system malfunction, causing the steering system to be inoperative and almost caused loss of control. dealer said it was a defective steering sensor. please provide details. *ak | |||
| 12/01/1997 | 12 | ||
| About 500 miles the power steering will activate unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to sway from right to left, resulting in a minor accident. dealer replaced sensor, but problem still occurring. *ak | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 07/14/1997 | 1 | 02/01/1997 | |
| Pinion seal leaking. | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 09/06/2000 | 0 | ||
| While making a turn steering wheel feels loose, and pulls to the right. technician said that problem was with ava center.*ak | |||
| 11/01/1999 | 4 | 04/01/1997 | |
| Driving vehicle & trying to maintain it on the road when the steering jerked away from driver's hand. took vehicle to mechanic & informed consumer that a spool valve in power steering box caused problem. did not allow fluid to flow through to steering, steering by itself. an intermittent problem. manufacturer has been notified.*ak *ml | |||
| At highway speeds steering wheel will either turn to the right or left. the dealer has not been notified. *ak | |||
| 01/05/1998 | 3 | 09/01/1997 | |
| There have been several close calls when the steering and brakes have gone out. we tow a 2000 pound trailer and we are worried this will happen while we are towing help what can we do? *ak | |||