Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STEERING
05-02-32-008D06/01/201210044941General motors: diagnosing power steering concerns. in rare cases, customers may comment on a lack of steering assist when stopped or during parking lot type of maneuvers. *js08/06/2012
SB-10-02-33-00106/01/201010036545Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc/oldsmobile and hummer: information on pitman arm shaft seal service kit. do not replace entire steering gear for pitman seal leak. technicians have been replacing entire steering gears due to not being able to03/28/2011
050211800202/01/200510017450Diagnostic trouble code c0455, service rear wheel steering, system jumps from 4-wheel steer to 2-wheel steer. *tt11/08/2005
0310200503/10/200510014845Steering gear whistle noise on turns. *eh05/10/2005
050211800101/01/200510013457Quadrasteer intermittent service 4-wheel steer message. *tt04/19/2005
00023500302/01/2007000235003M10012089Clunking noise under hood and can be felt in steering wheel. *eh updated *eh updated. *kb02/11/2005
30573057D10011757Service 4 wheel steer message with diagnostic trouble code c0455. *eh01/31/2005
32433118J10010873Pop/clunk/click noise on right or left turns. *eh12/15/2004
305701/01/200410009658Intermittent concern of the service 4 wheel steer message being displayed on the dic. *tt10/14/2004
01634A01/01/200410007276Supplement to 00-02-35-003d - clunking noise under hood and can be felt in the steering wheel. *tt06/09/2004
0163401/01/200410007231Intermediate steering shaft service kit. service vme. *tt06/04/2004
0189701/01/200410006428Lack of steering assist or shudder during parking lot type maneuvers. *mr05/03/2004
0173601/01/200410006353Service 4 wheel steer message with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) c0455. sit bulletin 1459978. *tt04/29/2004
0156701/01/200410005407Quadrasteer service update. sit bulletin 1411394. *tt02/25/2004
000235003C04/01/2004000235003D10004716Clunking noise under hood and can be felt in the steering wheel. *tt01/02/2004
STEERING - ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
0186301/01/200410006616Lack of steering assist when stopped or during parking lot type maneuvers. *mr05/07/2004
STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT PITMAN
SB-10-02-33-00106/01/201010036545Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc/oldsmobile and hummer: information on pitman arm shaft seal service kit. do not replace entire steering gear for pitman seal leak. technicians have been replacing entire steering gears due to not being able to03/28/2011
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - POWER STEERING FLUID
00823A01/01/200410007973Power steering fluid leaking at hydraulic brake booster. *tt07/19/2004
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP
05023200807/01/2007050232008B10022671Gear box power steering pump, p/s performance concerns. *nj09/19/2007
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
33863386C10013533Lack of steering assist or shudder during parking lot type maneuvers. *tt04/21/2005
STEERING - LINKAGES - ARM - IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
34993499A10014899Steering idler arm inspection procedure. *tt05/11/2005
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
030234001A10/01/200303023400110004766Inner tie rod released for service. *tt01/06/2004

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
EA04012GENERAL MOTORS CORP.04/30/200402/28/2005HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES05V005000
 Gm is conducting a recall on all subject vehicles build between may 1999 and october 14, 1999.significant changes were incorporated into production in early october 1999, and vehicles built after that date have lower warranty failure rates.the complaint and warranty data appear to support the effectiveness of these changes. gm made additional changes in november 1999, february 2000, may 2001, and february 2004.odi will continue to monitor this problem and will take further action, if warranted, in the future.for further technical details see the attached engineering analysis report.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STEERING
07/29/201190000
 With cruise control on at 70mph, attempted to change from left to right lane. another car sped up the right lane to pass me. turned steering wheel back to left lane and suddenly had no control over steering, braking and the steering wheel started violently shaking. car rolled twice, over metal median and turned 180 degrees facing the opposite direction on the interstate w/ roof crushed in. neither side or front air bags deployed. front and sides smashed in and frame bent. vehicle was deemed to be totalled by state farm. have been driving 40 years and have never had an accident in my life. only good thing was the seatbelt held tight as i was hanging upside down when the car finally stopped. the day before this occurred i noticed that the stability control system would randomly engage during straight driving on a perfectly dry surface. i purchased this vehicle brand new from the dealer in 2004 and the car was meticulously maintained. (it looked brand new).
08/03/200923400101/01/2003
 Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet suburban. while driving approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel required greater effort to turn. there was a low power response when the brake pedal was depressed. in addition, the service brake booster warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. the vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign id number 05v043000 (service brakes, hydraulic), although the failures were identical. the failure and current mileages were 23,400. updated 08/28/09. *lj updated 08/31/09.*jb
09/15/2008450001
 Under warranty, brought car in for loose, vibrating steering wheel in 2006. dealership brought to our attention the need to replace a bolt on the steering shaft, was a warranty repair covered by gm and we did not have to pay (issued as recommended repair only if consumer brought to attention. problem went away. problem recurred in fall 2008 (car now out of warranty) identical symptoms as before. contacted dealership again to complain, they stated, out of warranty have to pay for new part replacement. feel this is a flawed engineered component on vehicle from start, should not have to pay for something that is not safe in the first place. *tr
10/06/20081000001
 The steering column has some flaw in it causing a loose connection on the collapsible shaft. ge is claiming that a corrected or revised shaft is the fix but they are not currently paying for the fix. this is a 2004 chevy. suburban *tr
08/23/200735000209/24/2004
 Terrible knocking in turning steering wheel--repaired under warranty--states shaft, intermediate replace-mileage was 35k now at 55k same problem only louder and wheel seems loose--called dealer--needs to replace shaft again for a cost of $300--i drive my grandchildren to school and take long trips--dealer said car is safe-i am about to make along trip and cannot get the car serviced until my return in a week--this is worrisome when i feel i could lose control of the car if something should break-why would a second drive shaft be faulty as was the first. i have read other complaints about this and my dealer says it is happening to a lot of 2004 suburbans and they expect a recall. *tr
01/18/200644119205/29/2004
 Dt*: the contact stated without warning the speedometer stopped working. the dealership determined the speedometer cluster needed to be replaced. also, while turning the contact felt a knocking in the steering. the dealership determined the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. *nm updated 2/7/2006 - *nm
09/06/2004607/01/2004
 The vehicle lost it's service stability control at 40 miles per hour making it difficult for the driver to maintain control of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair for the fourth time, but there still continues to be a steering problem. *nm there were five repair attempts to repair the system. the brakes would pulse and come on while the vehicle was in motion followed by the service stability light. the vehicle would shake violently as if it were out of control. the transmission would slip at times. a service bulletin was found in re to the clutch. the forward clutch seal/piston diss pump as well as the shift cable. the yaw rate sensor table was replaced and the abs module was reprogrammed. there was popping coming from the left when turning due to the crossmember. static noise was heard under the dash at times when the headlights flickered. both upper shock insulators were squeaking. both shock insulators were removed and replaced by new style insulators. the yaw rate sensor was replaced again with one form a new unit, the steering rotation sensor was replaced and the stability module was reprogrammed. *sc *jb
STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
05/12/200415105/12/2004
 New 2004 suburban has the steering column and shift lever unlocked when vehicle key is put into accesory position with no shift interlock intervention. 1st night home with vehicle in the driveway and examining vehicle features my 2 year sold shifted vehicle into neutral causing vehicle to roll backwards in driveway!!!!*ak
STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT PITMAN
08/23/200735000209/24/2004
 Terrible knocking in turning steering wheel--repaired under warranty--states shaft, intermediate replace-mileage was 35k now at 55k same problem only louder and wheel seems loose--called dealer--needs to replace shaft again for a cost of $300--i drive my grandchildren to school and take long trips--dealer said car is safe-i am about to make along trip and cannot get the car serviced until my return in a week--this is worrisome when i feel i could lose control of the car if something should break-why would a second drive shaft be faulty as was the first. i have read other complaints about this and my dealer says it is happening to a lot of 2004 suburbans and they expect a recall. *tr
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
09/16/200639000105/24/2004
 Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 5 mph, the power steering failed, then both feet were used to stop the vehicle. it was taken to an independent repair shop who determined the power steering and brake booster system failed and both components were replaced.
06/06/20045800211/15/2003
 After taking 90-degree right turn from street into parking lot the ability to steer and brake 2004 chevrolet suburban was lost, although forward motion was still possible (i.e. the vehicle did not stall). after restarting vehicle forward motion was possible but steering and braking were still not working. upon a second restart steering and braking were restored, although some lights on the instrument panel flickered. the vehicle was towed to appleway chevrolet in spokane, wa. the service department at the dealership initially indicated there was no problem with the vehicle because they could not reproduce the defective behavior. subsequently, the service department was instructed to keep the vehicle until the problem is identified and resolved.*ak
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
12/01/2006102/13/2004
 Original date was in 2005 when i complained regarding the clicking noise when steering wheel is being turned to the left. service personnel stated they had lubricated the steering wheel bolts. well after receiving the vehicle back on 12/01/06 for 30k mile inspection the clicking noise is now back, but worse when reversing not only has the clicking noise returned, but when reversing having my steering wheel turn left i can feel the tires sliding. after talking to same personnel in servicing she is being told not to lubricate or loosen the bolts of the steering wheel since it will not improve the situation. according to the service personnel she just received (01/04/06) a notice stating that chevrolet is working on the problem unfortunately they (chevrolet/gmac) will go back to the drawing board to make a part that will fix this problem. i explained to veronica of my fears of driving the vehicle, but she states that the vehicle is safe. i did notify the service personnel as well as the owner of the dealership (where the work is being done and was purchased from) that my fear of having to make an immediate left turn or reversing having the steering wheel turned left what is the guarantee that the tires will not slide maybe hitting something from behind. both service personnel and the owner of the dealership states that chevrolet would not say it was safe for someone to drive when in fact it isn't. nothing can be done regarding this issue since there is no part on the market to fix this problem. my complaint is basically i feel that since there isn't a part currently made to repair the problem making a left turn or reversing that this vehicle is unsafe for me and my five children. *nm