Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet silverado 3500. While driving, the contact noticed that the steering wheel became different and had to be turned a few inches before the vehicle would respond and turn. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to laramie gm auto center (3600 grand ave, laramie, wy 82070 (307) 460-4761) where it was diagnosed that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 39,500.
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 15 of 15, newest first, as owners wrote them.
At 2000 miles on my new truck, the steering became very loose. Dealer replaced steering box. I have now had it in 3 more times with loose steering. Very scarey to drive on the freeway with loose steering. You feel it more at higher speeds than you do at lower speeds
2016 silverado 3500 equipped with "digital steering assist" this is a known problem. At approximately 11,000 miles steering became extremely loose with about 3-4 inches of free play at the steering wheel. Took to 1st dealer, steering gear box was replaced according to chevrolet tsb and system worked as designed for approximately 3-4k miles. At that time steering again became loose but not as bad as the first time, about 1-2 inches of free play at the wheel with what feels like too much power steering, very light, dangerously light steering. Vehicle taken to dealer 2, second repair attempt dealer stated system working as designed, at this time the digital steering assist worked as it should from 0 MPH to 45 MPH about 1-2 inches of free play at the wheel with what feels like too much power steering with very light steering from 46-74 MPH, then works as designed from 75 MPH on. I went for a test drive with the service manager, he stated "I feel exactly what you are describing tight from 0-45 then light from 46-74 then tight from 75 on but the system is working as designed". In spite of this they changed steering gear box again, 3rd part, with same result. Works as it should from 0 MPH to 45 MPH about 1-2 inches of free play at the wheel with what feels like too much power steering, very light steering from 46-74 MPH, then works as designed from 75 on. Truck is used to pull 9.000 lbs enclosed trailer. Pulling enclosed trailer at interstate speeds in winds is extremely dangerous and requires exhausting concentration and causes severe fatigue after only 150-200 miles. This is the very thing digital steering assist was supposed to eliminate. Vehicle is dangerous to drive between the speeds of 45-75, and especially dangerous while accelerating or decelerating through the 44-46 MPH range while turning due to sudden change in steering pressure from system such as on/off ramps
The safety concern on this issue is the significantly elevated potential for loss of vehicular steering control. After the truck was driven to 1,700 total miles on the odometer, the truck's steering control became sloppy in 70mph + interstate highway driving resulting in highway wander similar to driving in wind gusts of 60 mpg+ (where at times it is difficult to maintain position in your highway lane). Subsequent examination of the steering box showed that the steering gear pitman arm lash adjustment screw on the steering box had backed off approximately 3/8", the steering had excessive play and the steering box was leaking power steering fluid. The steering system on this truck is a digital steering assist system. The truck was returned to the dealer and unsuccessfully (no change in functionality) repaired under gm tsb #pit5501c (replacement of the steering box) and subsequently successfully repaired (to date) under gm tsb #pit5501d (replacement of the steering gear pitman arm shaft with an updated design gm p/n 84240812. Currently have approximately 5,500 total odometer miles on the truck.
New truck had lose steering when I took delivery, requiring over correction. With just 4529 in mileage on it I took it back to my dealer. Was told they already had made repairs to four other trucks with the same issue. They replaced the hydraulic recirculating ball steering gear. Steering gear adjuster way too far out, leaking at shaft seals. Replaced gear and the new one was bad as well, with steering sticking and then slipping. Replaced with second new gear and vehicle checked out and was returned to me. This is a major safety issue in my opinion for a truck designed to tow heavy vehicles.
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