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Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pulling problems

66 of the 18,180 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 describe pulls to one side, most of them for the 1997 model year.

owner complaints
66
worst model year
1997
typical mileage
48,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2021
    2
  • 2020
    3
  • 2019
    5
  • 2018
    2
  • 2017
    5
  • 2016
    2
  • 2015
    3
  • 2014
    2
  • 2007
    2
  • 2005
    2
  • 2004
    2
  • 2003
    3
  • 2000
    3
  • 1999
    3
  • 1998
    11
  • 1997
    16

What owners say

Filed Apr 29, 2026 · Brakes · AL

Interstate driving when I was required to brake quickly. Truck aggressively pulled to the right nearly colliding with another vehicle. There was a recall out for the very same thing on later model Z71 Chevy trucks. It seems I bought one that has quirks from earlier and later model vehicles. Owner manuals are not much help in these areas. Perhaps you can shed some light on this problem.

Filed Nov 1, 2025 · Suspension · MI

Truck pulls to one side unexpectedly. Stabilitrack, 4WD and engine light sensors come on when this happens. Door locks activate when this happens as well. Truck pulls more when going through pot holes and it brakes unexpectedly when pulling. Ongoing since the summer.

Filed Oct 6, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 123,400 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle started pulling to the left, requiring the contact to manually return the steering wheel to the center. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V761000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Service Brakes, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); the VIN was included, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,400.

Filed Mar 3, 2025 · Brakes, Tires · VA

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was pulling to the right and the sensor light was illuminated while purchasing the vehicle. The contact stated that the failures were temporary. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle pulled to the right and the rear end of the vehicle felt as though the rear was dragging. The contact stated that there was a metal dragging sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicle but found no visible failures. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that smoke was coming from the passenger’s side front wheel. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the brake caliper had seized, and the brake line had collapsed. The contact was informed that the caliper and three sensors on the wheels needed to be replaced. Additionally, there was also a leak in the oil line. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

Filed Nov 18, 2024 · Brakes · 67,000 miles · NE

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, started shuddering, and was pulling to the left and to the right. The contact stated that upon pulling to the side of the road, the parking brake, the ESC, the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened while driving, and the vehicle had become undrivable. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contacted related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V055000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

Filed Aug 12, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 175,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 45-50 MPH and then attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle started pulling to the left, indicating the passenger’s side brake caliper had seized. The ABS warning light, and Stability Control failure warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Mavis Tires and Brakes body shop where brake pads and rotors were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was returned to Mavis Tires and Brakes, and the two calipers, rotors, and brake pads were replaced. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving approximately 41-60 MPH and hauling a trailer and attempting to stop at a stop light. The contact stated that the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The contact used an excessive amount of pressure to depress the brake pedal. The vehicle began pulling to the right and eventually coasted to a stop. The contact pulled into a nearby parking space where the brakes began smoking, the vehicle overheated, and the radiator fractured. The contact waited for the brakes to cool down and the smoke to dissipate before slowly driving to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the water pump had failed. The contact stated that the radiator had fractured, and 8 valves were damaged. The dealer linked the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V761000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Service Brakes, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure where it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 175,000.

Filed Apr 3, 2024 · Steering, Suspension · TX

When driving the truck it has a continus pull to the right side

Filed Feb 27, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · GA

The following Recalls were found on Kelly bluebook, that matched the issues I have been having with my vehicle perfectly. When calling the recall center, they stated my vehicle year 2018 Chevy Silverado and serial number were not listed for this but it's the exact diagnosis of what I'm experiencing. The Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash. As the vacuum level drops, the brake assists decrease, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The brakes inflate on their own as if someone is pressing them down while driving. The vehicle begins to jerk horribly causing the inability to steer or maintain control of the vehicle or the ability to stop. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This is very dangerous. I have no control over the speed of the vehicle or if the brakes will fail, or if the brakes will burn up due to fighting with the accelerator while driving. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, the manufacturer inspected it and stated they could fix the issues, paid but then the same malfunction kept happening even after payment and supposedly being fixed. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? None related to the issues, Stabilitrak warning and then random hill assist to inflate the brake vacuum

Filed Dec 14, 2023 · Brakes, Steering · FL

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, and the steering wheel pulled to the left. The EPS, ABS, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the EPS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 7, 2023 · Suspension · WA

Today while driving , the upper ball joint separated from the control arm, causing the truck to pull hard to the right. I was able to keep from wrecking the truck. While doing research it seems that this is a common occurrence with the Silverado Trail Boss and the Sierra AT4. I read a safety recall report on these vehicles, 21V‑718, after reading this, it's exactly what happened with my truck. Ball joints is rusting and corroded. Vehicle is able to be inspected upon request. If I had been on the freeway traveling, it would have caused a severe single or multiple car accident as I lost control to steer. No symptoms leading up to the situation.

Related recalls

Steering: electric power assist systemReported September 7, 2018 · 1,015,918 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
Risk
If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 18289.

Recall number 18V586000 · Recall details

Steering: electric power assist systemReported June 29, 2017 · 690,685 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have a temporary loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist, especially during low-speed turning maneuvers.
Risk
If EPS assist is lost and then returns, the driver might lose temporary control of the steering wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began on August 10, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑432‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 17276.

Recall number 17V414000 · Recall details

Questions about the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pulling

Which Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years have pulls to one side problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1997 (16 complaints), 1998 (11 complaints) and 2017 (5 complaints).

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