Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||||
| 030236002 | 08/01/2003 | 10012577 | Revised steering wheel position sensor or steering shaft lower bearing replacement procedure and steering wheel position sensor centering procedure. *eh | 03/07/2005 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||
| EA99011 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 05/12/1999 | 02/27/2001 | ERRATIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIV | ||
| Alleged that a fault within the steering wheel speed sensor sends false signals to the variable effort steering (ves) control electronics, causing unanticipated steering wheel movement at moderate to high speeds. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 06/27/2010 | 57000 | ||
| I purchased my 1999 suburban in march 2010 with 56,000 original miles. it currently has 60,000 original miles. the steering wheel will randomly jerk/pull when going around a curve. it does not happen every time but it happens often enough that it is a concern of mine. after a thorough check of fluids and steering components there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. it does not matter if i am driving at a lower speed or a higher speed just that i am going around a bend or curve in the road. i have grazed a curb once. i also have lots of problems with the locks/latches and doors opening. | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 1 | ||
| Letter from congressman smith on behalf of constituent re loss of steering control in his 1999 chevy suburban *tgw the consumers mechanic determined the problem was caused by the high speed steering control located on the steering column. the mechanic disconnected the control from the electrical plug. the consumer stated the loss of steering has ceased. *jb | |||
| 12/01/2006 | 60000 | 200 | 11/10/2005 |
| When making any slight turn, steering will seem to loose pressure where the steering wheel will jerk 2-3 inches. the driver must pay close attention at all times to correct this oversteer or the vehicle will end up in another lane or off the road. this is a very dangerous situation. all of the evidence and complaints exist for a safety recall but 7 years later....nothing has been done to correct this problem. this problem is very sporadic and may not occur for weeks at a time and then suddenly it will occur constantly for hundreds of miles. i ran into an interstate median about 4 months ago, while traveling 70 mph, trying to correct a steering jerk. this could have cost me my life all because a safety recall was never issued even after a defect investigation recognized that there is a problem. *nm | |||
| 11/15/2005 | 101575 | 1 | |
| 1999 suburban steering which locked up causing vehicle to run into the guard rail. *ts the steering gear was replaced. *jb | |||
| 09/01/2004 | 68000 | 1 | 08/07/2004 |
| While driving slowly at different times in cooler weather(not noticible in hot months), and not every single time, turning to the right around a curve or turning a corner the steering holds the turn and then all of a sudden lets go of that hold (tension is lost). i can correct for it by returning the steering wheel to the left slightly and then back into the turn. sometimes it holds the second time and sometimes it lets go again. this is repeated until the end of the curve or turn. *nm | |||
| 03/11/2004 | 95377 | 1 | 02/28/2004 |
| I purchased a 1999 suburban on feb. 28, 2004. when we test drove the vehicle it did not seem to have any problems. on the way home it started wandering all over the road and the steering wheel would jerk. we thought maybe it needed power steering fluid or perhaps tires. on march 11, 2004(two weeks later) i was was driving down the highway and glanced down at my clock. when i looked back up the vehicle had veered into the wrong lane. when i tried to get back into my lane the steering wheel jerked to the right, way over correcting itsself. i tried to straighten it back out but it overcorrected again and caused me to go into the ditch and roll.*ak | |||
| 05/09/2004 | 3 | ||
| When driving 40 mph vehicle accelrated and the steering wheel locked up. consumer was able to stop the vehicle, and consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection. mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. *ak | |||
| 08/15/2003 | 115000 | ||
| I purchased the used vehicle from glendale car connection at on 8/28/03. i noticed on the day of purchase it seemed hard to steer the vehicle so i mentioned it to the sales person as well as the office manager. it was scheduled to be repaired. i drove the vechicle home that night i begin to notice a hard turn made the vehicle make a noise i too the vehicle back to glendale car connection were the mechanic told me the power steering pump was going out and he change it i also asked about the brakes squealing and he said the vehicle needed brake fluid which he put in. i took the vehicle home and begin to drive it i noticed it was getting hard to turn and it would swerve while driving it, i contacted the dealer again. the office manager kathy baggett told me it was not covered under my warranty and the company would not fix it so i had to pay to get it fix, at this time the brakes still squeal and i have used tires on the vehicle that are different sizes. katy stated at the time of purchase for $100 more she would supply the vehicle with new tires. i feel i was sold an unsafe vehicle and when i brought it to their attention the company did not care. | |||
| 05/06/2001 | 56000 | 1 | |
| Experienced intermittent losse of power steering when making left turn, especially at low speed. i have discussed this issue with other people and they had a similar type problem. *ak | |||
| 01/20/2004 | 1 | 03/08/2001 | |
| I purchased my suburban in march of 2001, i have had 3 new sets of tires put on it. and 4 front end aliments. each set of tires have split down the middle on the right front side. if my tire pressure get just a little low it is very hard to steer. i have complained to chriswell chevrolet several time. they tell me they can't find a problem.(if they even look) or they just do a front end aliment or put more air in the tire. i have even had my tow end checked twice. my truck is very hard to drive and it is pulling harder to the right all the time. i love my truck, but something is wrong with it. i still have over 5,000 mile more on my warrenty. i hope i can get chriswell to fix the problem. *ak | |||
| 09/01/2002 | 95000 | 150 | 08/15/2002 |
| While driving slowly or fast, at different times, and not every single time, turning to the right around a curve or turning a corner the steering holds the turn and then all of a sudden lets go of that hold. i can correct it by slightly turning the steering wheel left and then back into the turn. sometimes it holds the second time and sometimes it lets go again. this is repeated until the end of the curve or turn. steering gear, pitman arm, steering pump all replaced and problem still is present. *la | |||
| 07/25/2003 | 1 | ||
| Consumer was having steering problems. it felt as though steering was going to give away. then, vehicle jerked, especially when going around curves. he took it to the mechanic to have it checked, and ended up having it repaired out of his pocket because it was not a recall.*ak | |||
| 2 | |||
| Consumer noticed while traveling 35 mph and without any indication vehicle lost steering and was serviced. consumer states after a year and a half has passed problem has returned. *ak | |||
| 75000 | 1 | ||
| During a left hand turn, at approx. 45 mph, the steering wheel becomes loose, then stiff and is very difficult to control. the fluid level of the power steering pump is a t it's proper level and the belts have been replaced. i have had it at (2) separate shops and neither have reported any problems with the front end at all. *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****770103 | |||
| 04/15/2003 | |||
| While driving 65 mph the driver lost steering control. the dealer inspected the vehicle but could not duplicated or correct the problem. *nlm | |||
| 10/15/2002 | 33984 | 50 | |
| Steering box leaked and pinion seal leaking. also the vehicles steeing was erractic and the steering feels loose at times at speeds above 25mph. steering box and pinion seal were fixed. the steering sensor was checked by dealer and they said there was not a problem. car continues to drive erractic for the last 2 months, occuring daily. | |||
| 07/09/2002 | |||
| Consumer states that traveling on the road and when trying to turn into the steering wheel the steering wheel will get a really bad tension. dealer was notified and stated that the speed tension control had problems. mr | |||
| 04/29/1999 | 9 | 05/01/2098 | |
| Steering is erratic. vhicle bounds about as it travel and wanders excessively on the highway driver must fight the wheelandwill unexpectedly pull or veer to the left or right when this occurs, the steering sensor has been repleace 5 or 6 times ,bearings 4 gear box 3 adjust bearing 1 total times to machanic cevrolet 9 times same problem and today again same steering this will be io times dates.4/29/99 5/17/99 7/10/00 9/7/00 2/11/02 5/12/02 5/24/02 5/27/02 5/29/02 5/30/02 something must to be done it is very dangerous it is not safety we have almost hit cars ,cement barrier or this problem will stop un till the truck kill my family and more innocet people please provide any further information .it is outrageous that these problems are occurring on a new vhicle . | |||
| 03/05/2002 | |||
| Steering become hard whenever making a turn. dealer notified, and informed consumer that speed sensor needed to be replaced. feel free to provide any further information. *ak | |||
| 3 | 04/01/1998 | ||
| Would be driving and vehicle would be hard to control. steering is erratic. feels as if vehicle hit a patch of ice. would turn steering wheel and nothing would happen. then, suddenly would whip around like it was free wheeling. problem was steadily getting worse after taken it to dealership.*ak consumer states happens mainly when turning to the right, it is not that the tires don't turn, but it feels like it is in the steering wheel that it jerks. *jb | |||
| 03/10/1999 | 3 | 11/01/1998 | |
| Steering seems loose and sloppy, vehicle wanders, same amount of input produces differrent results at different time. almost like tie rod ends are bad. 3 trips to dealer - once said it was just speed sensitive steering; once @ 38,510 miles replaced evo sensor; again @ 39,846 miles aligned and removed knockout saying that should fix. still wanders, feels sloppy, and makes me wonder if i'm in full control of the vehicle.*ak | |||
| 03/10/1999 | 1 | ||
| Radiator was replaced. also, brake master cylinder was replaced. transmission was leaking, and steering wheel rotation sensor (evo) was replaced, fuel tank sender pump unit was replaced, and the alternator was repaired. *ak middle seat belt buckle won't lock. *yh | |||
| 10/01/1998 | |||
| While driving at highway speeds and when hitting a bump, steering will jump to the right and begin to drift. dealer has been contacted as has aligned and adjusted steering with new tires, problem still exists. *ak *ml | |||
| 05/01/1998 | |||
| When making a gradual right hand turn at highway speeds steering will oversteer, feeling a loss of steering capability usually lasting for 1 second. dealer cannot determine cause. replaced steering sensor, problem temporarily solved. *ak *ml | |||
| 07/14/1999 | 1 | 06/01/1998 | |
| Steering is erratic.vehicle bounds about as it travels the highway.driver must fight the wheel at all times.very tiring to drive.returned to dealer twice with no improvement.this is the worst handling machine i have ever driven.i have several years driving 18 wheelers,and several autos as well as three or four suburbans.i believe the machine is unsafe and am waiting for an accident to happen. *ak | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE | |||
| 07/19/2003 | 60000 | 100 | 04/10/2003 |
| Dt: 1999 chevrolet suburban. while driving the vehicle there was a lot of a play in the steering wheel, it is very hard to drive. when the road iwasuneven it was very hard to keep vehicle on the road. consumer had tto urn it to the left and then to the right all the time. it has been aligned at least 3 to 4 times. no one knew what the problem was. mechanic said every thing looked fine. this happened every time i consumer drive and at any speed. *ak | |||
| 25 | 10/01/2099 | ||
| Apparently there is a common problem with this vechicle which involves a failure of the pathlock system. when car is started security system shuts the vehicle down by cutting the gas supply off. apparently it is part of the security system. the key has to be left in the ignition for 15 to 30 min until the security light goes off and the vehicle can then be started. this is a serious problem for my wife as she is often left stranded for 20 to 30 min with 5 children waiting to be able to start the vehicle. *ak | |||
| STEERING - ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 04/22/2005 | 96500 | 1 | 07/30/1999 |
| Streering began to act eratically and felt as if i hit a patch of ice with a rapid release of turning force while making a right hand turn. on the first occasion when this occurred i was exiting a freeway cloverleaf in wet conditions and the eratic movement caused the rear of the truck to lose traction and a near loss of control. i was able to recover the the slide without an accident but found it to be an unnerving event. after researching auto forums on the web i have found numerous postings on this subject and it is related to a failure of the steering wheel sensor located at on near the base of the steering column in the passenger compartment. i replaced this sensor on 05-04-05 and the condition is now corrected. i purchased the gm part #26064468 at a dealer and did the labor myself. this is an extremely hazardous defect which will inevitable cause a serious accident, especially in adverse weather conditions. | |||
| 01/23/2005 | 80000 | 2 | |
| While driving the electronic module for the steering failed. as a result, the steering wheel became playful, and driver almost lost control. *ak | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | |||
| 09/01/2002 | 95000 | 150 | 08/15/2002 |
| While driving slowly or fast, at different times, and not every single time, turning to the right around a curve or turning a corner the steering holds the turn and then all of a sudden lets go of that hold. i can correct it by slightly turning the steering wheel left and then back into the turn. sometimes it holds the second time and sometimes it lets go again. this is repeated until the end of the curve or turn. steering gear, pitman arm, steering pump all replaced and problem still is present. *la | |||
| 10/15/2002 | 33984 | 50 | |
| Steering box leaked and pinion seal leaking. also the vehicles steeing was erractic and the steering feels loose at times at speeds above 25mph. steering box and pinion seal were fixed. the steering sensor was checked by dealer and they said there was not a problem. car continues to drive erractic for the last 2 months, occuring daily. | |||
| 04/29/1999 | 9 | 05/01/2098 | |
| Steering is erratic. vhicle bounds about as it travel and wanders excessively on the highway driver must fight the wheelandwill unexpectedly pull or veer to the left or right when this occurs, the steering sensor has been repleace 5 or 6 times ,bearings 4 gear box 3 adjust bearing 1 total times to machanic cevrolet 9 times same problem and today again same steering this will be io times dates.4/29/99 5/17/99 7/10/00 9/7/00 2/11/02 5/12/02 5/24/02 5/27/02 5/29/02 5/30/02 something must to be done it is very dangerous it is not safety we have almost hit cars ,cement barrier or this problem will stop un till the truck kill my family and more innocet people please provide any further information .it is outrageous that these problems are occurring on a new vhicle . | |||
| While driving at any speed and activating the brake system vehicle will pull to left or right unexpectedly. dealership has examined vehicle numerous times, and has been unable to remedy the problem by replacing brake rotors/ steering box, and brake calipers. please provide any additional information / documentation. *ak | |||
| 07/08/1999 | 2 | 12/01/1998 | |
| Vehicle has had several major component failures since time of purchase, the electrical system failed whereas it left us stranded twice with a no start condition, then the brakes started to excessively squeek and pull, then the brake wore out prematurely, then the vehicle started to pull to the right excessively and drift, eventually pulling to the right when brakes applied, then the power steering system had gone out while driving, it has been outrageous that these problems are occurring on a new vehicle. | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT PITMAN | |||
| 09/01/2002 | 95000 | 150 | 08/15/2002 |
| While driving slowly or fast, at different times, and not every single time, turning to the right around a curve or turning a corner the steering holds the turn and then all of a sudden lets go of that hold. i can correct it by slightly turning the steering wheel left and then back into the turn. sometimes it holds the second time and sometimes it lets go again. this is repeated until the end of the curve or turn. steering gear, pitman arm, steering pump all replaced and problem still is present. *la | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 04/25/1999 | |||
| Ea99011, erratic power steering assist while driving. when taking off from a stop or making at right or left turn, there is vibration and a moaning sound coming from the steering. dealer has been told about the problem more than once. power steering pump has been replaced twice, but the problem continues. please provide any further information. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 10/28/2004 | 55000 | 1 | |
| When turning there was no resistance. when the consumer made a sharp turn, the steering later became very soft. the consumer contacted the manufacturer who was not engaging in the defect of the steering column. provide further details. *jb | |||
| 09/01/2002 | 95000 | 150 | 08/15/2002 |
| While driving slowly or fast, at different times, and not every single time, turning to the right around a curve or turning a corner the steering holds the turn and then all of a sudden lets go of that hold. i can correct it by slightly turning the steering wheel left and then back into the turn. sometimes it holds the second time and sometimes it lets go again. this is repeated until the end of the curve or turn. steering gear, pitman arm, steering pump all replaced and problem still is present. *la | |||
| 1000 | 07/01/2098 | ||
| Sub died on the road. alternator replaced 3 times in 60k miles. steering jerks while turning over correcting could cause crash. front disc brakes replaced annually. replaced front left caliper and rotor. too many problems with this peice of junk bought new. local dealers no help. just milk me for more money. now transmission is leaking at 67,000. dt | |||
| While driving vehicle completely shuted down which led to loss of steering. also, brakes malfunctioned vehicle pulled to the right very hard. please provide any further information. *ak | |||
| 07/15/2001 | 05/01/1998 | ||
| No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak | |||
| 10/29/2001 | 100 | 10/01/2001 | |
| Finally at the end of this form i get to describe the problem. the nhtsa, however, has already received several othercomplaints on this matter and opened an investigation and completed it. i simply wanted to find out the results of the investigation that was conducted. the problem concerns the severe erratic steering on my 1999 chevy suburban. these vehicles are dangerous and i hope something was done to draw attention and solve the problem.. i have the same problem as the many other consumers had that complained. how do i find out what to do or how to repair the problem???no safety defect listed. *ak | |||
| 04/22/2001 | 20 | 04/01/1998 | |
| Erratic steering - vehicle wanders in lane and has no tactile feedback to tell you that you moving left or right. steering sensor has been replaced once and has been tested several times. problem is very intermittent. on last occurence simply stopping the vehicle and shutting off the engine and restarting it returned the steering to normal. no one seems to have a solution for this problem. *ak | |||
| 11/01/2000 | 1 | ||
| Consumers are being ripped off and in danger due to these vehicles. no safety defect. *ak | |||
| 03/17/2001 | 1 | 04/01/2000 | |
| Lost all power steering after making a left hand turn - could not turn the wheel.there were seven people in the suburban. we had just come out of the smokey mountains in to pigeon forge tenn when this happened. *ak | |||
| 11/01/2000 | 1 | 06/01/1999 | |
| The steering grabs when turning right, very dangerous. transmission failed at same time. gmc has failed on this model . *ak | |||
| 03/01/2000 | |||
| Erratic power steering, difficult to control vehicle, wanders, clunk in steering gear. dealer refuses to repair under warranty. *ak | |||
| 08/08/2000 | 1 | 06/01/1999 | |
| Driving freeway speeds with cruise control on. vehicle started to drift right w/o turning wheel. vehicle swerved rapidly back and forth. hit left median barrier & shot across 4 lanes. crashed into right cement barrier headon. suv totaled. *ak | |||
| 05/17/2000 | 2 | 03/01/2000 | |
| Erratic steering behavior. vehicle wanders excessively on the highway and will unexpectedly pull or veer to the right side of the road. when this occurs, considerable corrective steering effort is required to resume and maintain a straight course. dealer has been contacted twice regarding this problem. *ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES | |||
| 10/25/2002 | 25000 | 10 | 09/25/2002 |
| 1999 chevrolet suburban. as of 4/28/04 with only 47k miles, a/c compressor defective & dealer will not replace in spite of several attempts to repair before warranty expired, as soon as 3 months after purchase in october of 2002. replaced brakes 3 times at our expense. dealer (bob neill pontiac in winston-salem, nc refused to repair under warranty), steering problems, attempted repair, again at our expense. replaced door locks and window mechanism's at our cost. total piece of junk. will never buy from bob neill pontiac in winston-salem, nc again & will never buy another gm product. just bought entire fleet (6 trucks) from chevy. dealer n kernersville, nc). waiting with baited breath for the entire lot to break down. completely disgusted with gm. | |||
| When pulling into driveway at 5-10 mph there was movement in steering wheel, steering wheel moving from left to right, and no movement of the wheels. vehicle was at a stand still. consumer has contacted t dealer, dealer stated problem was due to a nut which fell off from pitman arm, causing the steering rack and pinion to fall off track, parts replaced. please provide any further details. ea-99-011. *ak | |||
| At highway speeds steering wheel slightly giggles back and forth. dealer has replaced the pitman arm. dealer has inspected vehicle three times, and was not able to correct the problem. *ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 03/10/1999 | 3 | 11/01/1998 | |
| Steering seems loose and sloppy, vehicle wanders, same amount of input produces differrent results at different time. almost like tie rod ends are bad. 3 trips to dealer - once said it was just speed sensitive steering; once @ 38,510 miles replaced evo sensor; again @ 39,846 miles aligned and removed knockout saying that should fix. still wanders, feels sloppy, and makes me wonder if i'm in full control of the vehicle.*ak | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| When pulling into driveway at 5-10 mph there was movement in steering wheel, steering wheel moving from left to right, and no movement of the wheels. vehicle was at a stand still. consumer has contacted t dealer, dealer stated problem was due to a nut which fell off from pitman arm, causing the steering rack and pinion to fall off track, parts replaced. please provide any further details. ea-99-011. *ak | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 11/20/2002 | 1 | 01/01/2000 | |
| While driving straight at 25 mph on residential street. the steering wheel locked and brakes were then applied. speed reduced. brake pedal would not depress on 2nd pump of brake pedal and experienced loss of brakes. used emergency brake pedal to bring vehicle to complete stop. engine is still running. check gage lamp is on. steering wheel is still locked. had to turn off engine and restart engine to unlock steering wheel and regain use of brakes. this system lock up would have resulted in a major accident if this occured at highway speed or if a turn was needed or while a turn was been executed. dt | |||
| 3 | 11/01/1999 | ||
| Moisture develops in brake drums which causes one of the brakes to grab extremely hard . *ak while raining or in very damp conditions, brakes grab and in one case it caused 2 people to bump their heads together, dealer stated this was normal braking and suggested that the consumer drag the brake each morning for 125 feet, after many calls and an incident where a horse was injured with a ruptured stomach, it could not be determined as to what caused the rupture, but consumer states the abrupt jerking from the brakes was not pleasant for the horse, dealer is supposed to be ordering a new 2001 suburban for consumer because these have different braking systems. *slc | |||
| 4 | 06/06/1999 | ||
| When brakes are applied front pulls to left, and sometimes to right. this also happens when a bump in road is hit. dealer has worked on this vehicle a number of times, but problem has not been solved. *ak consumer also complains of soft pedal, steering wheel also pulsates when braking, dealer has switched rotors from side to side, replaced out of round rotors, replaced front brake pads twice, and resurfaced rotors and drums, dealer rotated tires and vehicle still pulled. steering wheel found off center. center seat recliner handle broke, dealer replaced handle. vehicle experienced oil leak. driver door power switch loose in door. reverse low planetary gear was broken causing a grinding noise at low gear, valve body and gear were scored due to metal in transmission. air pump replaced due to being very noisy. *slc | |||
| At highway speeds steering wheel slightly giggles back and forth. dealer has replaced the pitman arm. dealer has inspected vehicle three times, and was not able to correct the problem. *ak | |||