Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 10/28/2009 | 36000 | 1 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet k1500. while driving only 35 to 45 mph the steering wheel acts as if it is going to lock and it only happens at those speeds. he was forced to pull the steering wheel to the left and right; however, it the vehicle failed to drive in the desired direction. the dealer told him that they have repaired the ecm in the steering column for several chevrolet k1500 vehicles. the dealer gave the contact an estimate of $70 to replace the ecm; however, do not have the part since the vehicle is 12 years old. the vehicle will be repaired. the failure mileage was 36,000 and current mileage was 38,400. updated 12/17/09 *bf the consumer was told to unplug the connection to the steering pump to determine if the cause of the hard spot in the steering. the consumer did so and the condition stopped. the problem happened while making a turn at about 35-45 mph. the consumer would experience a hard spot and extra force was needed to turn the steering wheel. the dealership stated it was either the sending unit in the steering column or the power steering pump. updated 12/21/09 | |||
| 10/01/1999 | 25000 | 100 | 10/15/1997 |
| While driving along a curve, the steering wheel will jerk and cause the vehicle to swerve. this happens with slight to moderate curves, as well as severe curves. the problem began to occur within the first couple of years after we purchased the vehicle when it was new. the problem seems to worsen during cold weather. we have tried to correct the problem in several ways, but nothing has been effective. *nm | |||
| 12/26/2003 | 108000 | 3 | 05/19/1997 |
| Vehicle abruptly steers independent of driver action causing whell to pull from the driver's hands. numerous near accidents have occured due to defect. *ak | |||
| 12/08/2002 | 70000 | 50 | 01/09/1997 |
| Steering has mind of its own. its like that feeling when you are sitting on a chair and just about ready to go over, you catch yourself... it happens in cold weather most oftn. when you turn the wheel slightly, it justs seems for a brief second the wheel is attached to nothing. dealer said nothing is wrong. i think i will hit a truck next winter........... *ak | |||
| 11/18/2001 | 60000 | 100 | 12/01/1999 |
| At just about any speed, when steering to left or right, steering jerks. so far, hasn't caused an accident but have had a few close calls. will not let my wife drive this vehicle in fear of her safety and our son! problem started intermittently about 2 years ago and has progressively gotten worse. can't count the number of failures. it happens at least 2-3 times a day while driving. after talking with many other owners, i realized my situation was not unique. *nlm | |||
| 03/01/2000 | 1 | ||
| Steering control sensor failed. *slc | |||
| 02/01/1999 | 10 | 05/02/1997 | |
| The vehicle has experienced continued intermittent steering problems, which pulls the vehicle unexpectedly, unable to remedy the problem. *mjs | |||
| 3 | |||
| When making a right turn steering wheel will actually turn more, which may cause a crash. steering sensor has been replaced three times in april 1998/ aug 1998, and april1999. sensor was starting to go again. please provide any further information. *ak | |||
| 05/01/1998 | 0 | 06/15/1998 | |
| When turning steering wheel it jumped, causing driver to lose control temporarily. took vehicle to dealer and they put a pinion rod on, but that was not the problem. *ak | |||
| 04/14/1999 | 1 | 06/01/1997 | |
| While driving at 50 mph steering wheel is very loose, causing erratic power steering or loss steering control. consumer feels this is very scary, and avoids driving vehicle. also, anti-lock brake system has poor braking performance. *ak | |||
| 11/01/1999 | 0 | ||
| When turning a corner left or rightsteering wheel jerked in the direction that vehicle wasgoing. if it was sharper it could probably cause an accident. took to dealer, and dealer replaced the steering sensor. *ak | |||
| 03/01/1999 | 1 | 07/01/1997 | |
| Steering speed sensor replaced to fix oversteer problem; abs regularly fail to keep wheels from locking up during emergency braking; electronic 4wd transfer case continues to stick in 4high for several minutes after disengaged with button. *ak | |||
| 05/30/1999 | 1 | 11/01/1996 | |
| How many people must die before gm issues a recall on defective steering speed sensors? this is a well-know problem in 1997 and 1998 chevrolet pickup trucks. the dealer calls this a 6.624 steering sensor failure; part number 26064468. this failure causes the vehicle to abruptly change lanes when cornering. i think it is deplorable for gm to ignore this problem as it is truely a life-threatening component failure. *ak | |||
| 04/19/1999 | |||
| When driving and slightly moving steering wheel, vehicle steers by itself, will change lanes, when wheel is turned 1/4 inch. dealer contacted and is aware, but no recalls or knowledge of problem. problem still exists. provide further information. *ak | |||
| 01/02/1997 | |||
| Intermittently while driving the truck at highway speed the steering seems unpredictable. the driver has very little steering control. the dealer is aware of the problem. a number of parts have been replaced. owner continues to experience steering problems, steering is very loose. *ak | |||
| 09/01/1997 | 1 | 10/05/1996 | |
| Looseness in steering made the vehicle hard to turn, new steering gear has helped, however problem not solved. | |||
| While driving vehicle unknown pressure builds up in steering wheel. problem seems to occur at low driving speeds. *ak | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | |||
| 10/01/2001 | |||
| When vehicle has been driven over a period of time, and when making a right or a left hand turn, front end was making loud noises. consumer has contacted dealer,, they determined that steering gear box was loose causing the problem.*ak | |||
| 03/01/2000 | 01/01/2000 | ||
| Steering consistency varies when cornering esp. to the right.*ak | |||
| 1 | 06/14/1997 | ||
| Steering box gear stripped out. nlm | |||
| 07/10/1998 | 02/01/1997 | ||
| The steering lacks the self straighting feature. was told that it was caused by not having adaquate alignemet adjustability, it makes the truck hard to control. *ak | |||
| 3 | |||
| Upon starting up experienced power steering assist failure, can only turn one revelation before steering binds, and becomes extremely difficult to turn wheel. also, while driving at approx. 40mph, experienced power steering assist failure, required excessive effort to control vehicle, dealer's also replaced power steering pump twice, and power steering gear box once, problem persists. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 3 | |||
| Upon starting up experienced power steering assist failure, can only turn one revelation before steering binds, and becomes extremely difficult to turn wheel. also, while driving at approx. 40mph, experienced power steering assist failure, required excessive effort to control vehicle, dealer's also replaced power steering pump twice, and power steering gear box once, problem persists. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 04/02/2004 | 80000 | 1 | 01/31/2000 |
| Power steering sensor causing the steering to over steer in curves. it's my understanding a service bulletin has been issued by gm, however no recall, even though this appears to create a safety concern. *jb | |||
| 03/18/2004 | 98000 | 1 | 08/08/2000 |
| The power steering grabs, sort of like it over assists when making turns and then lets go suddenly causing a person to over steer trying to correct what seems like the vehicle is going to turn too far. this happens with both left & right turns. the turns can be gradual and if long, like freeway exits, it does this phenomenon repeatedly during the turn. it has been doing this since i bought it used in aug. 2000 and i heard on a local radio station that gm was going to notify owners in feb, 2004 of this problem and fix it for free. i have not been notified as yet.*ak | |||
| 03/08/2004 | 2 | ||
| I would like to make this complaint very clear and to the point. i have been viewing the complaints located on your website and feel that there is a significant pupose for recalling these vehicles. i purchased a 1997 chevy k20 approx 1 1/2 years ago. everything seemed to work fine until a few months later. i started to experience some steering problems. it does not matter if i am driving around a corner or straight but the steering will become very loose and veer into one direction all on its own. that is just one of the significant problems i have experienced with owning this vehicle. i now have come to find that there is even a greater threat to my safety and that of my family because i have now been informed that my fuel gauge and fuel pump wires, inside the gas tank, melted insulation and burnt the connector. this could have been a deadly experience for myself and that of anyone that could have been in the vehicle with me if it would have caught fire prior to my knowledge of this information. i feel that the first sign of this problem is that the gas gauge will start to malfunction, which leaves you guessing at the amount of gas in the tank. i feel this matter needs immediate attention due to the fact that owners/drivers of vehicles are required to carry auto insurance, however, this is something that none of us has any controll over. if we wait until someone becomes involved in an accident, that would seem senseless that possibly someones life would have to end before this situation be taken seriously. i have to demand that some action be taken before it is too late for someone. *ak | |||
| 06/16/2002 | 50 | 07/14/1997 | |
| My speed sensitive steering sensor keeps going out. i had it replace in july of 2002 and here it is 1 year later and it's doing it again. it keeps oversteering a low speeds turning right. why hasn't gm recalled this.*ak | |||
| 07/01/2097 | |||
| Sporatic erratic steering. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| The steering control sensor failed causing sudden jerking to the right while driving. nlm | |||
| 02/01/2001 | 2 | 11/01/2000 | |
| Power steering grabs , when vehicle is turning steering wheel will jump. mechanic noticed parts within steering system were not machined smoothly, some parts have deep grooves. *ak | |||
| 07/30/1997 | 1000 | 07/01/1997 | |
| Steering has been a problem since the truck was new. dealer hasn't fixed it. when turning slightly to the right the steering wheel jerks to the right causing temporary loss of control. | |||
| 1 | |||
| While driving and making right hand turns the speed sensitive steering changes between high an low speed mode. nlm | |||
| 05/04/1999 | |||
| Intermittently power steering goes out at 25mph and lower. dealer has duplicated the problem, but has not been able to correct the problem. *ak | |||
| 1 | 05/01/1997 | ||
| Truck steers erractically when taking (navigating curves) a mild right turn at moderate speeds (20-50mph). this does not occur on left turns and seems to manifest itself by giving more assist to steering effort than needed. when steering into a curve, with a static, steady grip and force on the steering wheel, the power assist mechanism suddenly makes it easier to steer, hence causing oversteer. one dealer claims that a steering position sensor has gone defective. this is definitely a safety issue and it was brought to the forefront when today, driving at 30mph, i nearly oversteered into a young woman and her baby on the sidewalk when negotiating a very mild right curve. i'm getting this fixed at the next oil change ... | |||
| 08/11/1999 | 4 | 03/01/1997 | |
| Power steering intermittently experiences over sensitivity resulting in unpredicatable steering control. | |||
| 07/24/1999 | 2 | 12/01/1997 | |
| Intermittent and unpredictable steering loss. vehicle darts. dealer has replaced sensor 3 times. problem still exists, dealer refuses further repairs. | |||
| 4 | 08/01/1996 | ||
| Power steering intermittently experiences over sensitivity resulting in unpredicatable steering control. | |||
| 03/30/1997 | |||
| While driving at highway speeds the power assist will go to full assist when turning, causing temporary loss of steering. extremely dangerous when highway is snow covered. *ak | |||
| 3 | |||
| Upon starting up experienced power steering assist failure, can only turn one revelation before steering binds, and becomes extremely difficult to turn wheel. also, while driving at approx. 40mph, experienced power steering assist failure, required excessive effort to control vehicle, dealer's also replaced power steering pump twice, and power steering gear box once, problem persists. *ak | |||
| When making a right turn at any speed, the vehicle loses its power steering. cause unknown. *ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES | |||
| 07/01/1999 | 1 | 10/01/1997 | |
| I have had numerous problems with my chevrolet truck. at 31,000, miles the rear leaf springs went bad. at 41,000 miles the brake master cylender and pittman arm and idler arm assemblies needed to be replaced. being that it was over the warranty period, i did not take it to a cheverolet dealer incurring the cost myself. at 49,000 miles the rear u joint needed repair. at this point, i started to believe that there was more to this problem with the truck as these parts do not usually need repair at such low milage. to top it off, at 51,000 the transmission has failed. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - ARM - IDLER AND ATTACHMENT | |||
| 07/01/1999 | 1 | 10/01/1997 | |
| I have had numerous problems with my chevrolet truck. at 31,000, miles the rear leaf springs went bad. at 41,000 miles the brake master cylender and pittman arm and idler arm assemblies needed to be replaced. being that it was over the warranty period, i did not take it to a cheverolet dealer incurring the cost myself. at 49,000 miles the rear u joint needed repair. at this point, i started to believe that there was more to this problem with the truck as these parts do not usually need repair at such low milage. to top it off, at 51,000 the transmission has failed. | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 11/01/1997 | |||
| Steering wheel has alot of play when turning or driving straight. dealer checked system for play. test drove vehicle and found no bulletins. problem has to be duplicated to be rectified. problem is intermittent.*ak | |||
| 3 | 06/01/1997 | ||
| No summary | |||
| 08/06/1997 | 1 | 05/02/1997 | |
| The steering wheel of the vehicle pulls feeling like hitting an ice patch. yh | |||
| Steering wheel would slip & then jerk out of driver's hand while driving. this happens at various speeds & is intermittent. taking vehicle to dealer to have mechanic check it & repair it. *ak | |||
| 02/01/1998 | 11/05/1996 | ||
| Cannot turn the steering more than 2 inches either left or right when vehicle is in motion. *ak | |||
| 2 | 10/15/1996 | ||
| Steering wheel locks up when turned to its travel limit in either direction. *ak | |||
| 03/24/1997 | 1 | 11/01/1996 | |
| Steering wheel off center. | |||