Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Fuel system, Steering · 30,000 miles · TX
1997 Chevrolet Silverado steering complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 59, newest first, as owners wrote them.
1997 chevrolet silverado ext. Cab. 1500 series, at low speed I am experencing intermittent loss in my power steering on left turns.
When driving at any speed the steering wheel gets loose. If I'm on a road with a curve and I have pressure on the steering wheel to the right let's say or left the steering wheel would suddenly loosen up and quickly turn in the direction of the pressure I'm applying. As if opening a jar. It gets that loose. I almost hit a couple of parked cars because of this. The only reason we found out about what the problem was is we overheard a chevy owner showing someone the part he had to change. This was after we had the front end done to no avail. This guy had thousands of dollars worth of front end work done at three different chevy dealers to no avail. Our part cost $50 and the labor was $100. I've talked to tahoe owners and rode in their vehicles and they all have the same problem as I did. We had to tell them what the fix was. Pretty lame seeing the dealers don't even know. If chevy would at least tell their mechanics if they won't recall. By the way the part is a evo sensor and it raps around the steering column inside the vehicle right above the brake pedal. We would have changed it ourselves but you have to fool with the airbag, so we paid someone to do it. Also, this problem occurred hundreds of times before we fixed it. There wasn't just one incident date as you made me fill out on your form. Thank-you.
When making a left or right turn, the steering wheel gives and causes temporary steering loss. Ts the vehicle also sustained the following failures, the pcv valve malfunctioned causing the #2 and #3 heat shields in the transmission to crack. This malfunction was repaired and now the 4 low gear is inoperable. Also, the fuel pump, oxygen sensor, air conditioner compressor and pump malfunctioned. Noticeably after purchase, the driver side seat gives when braking.
Auto theft.
While turning steering wheel left or right steering wheel would jerk, causing consumer to lose control. Dealer has been contacted. *ak consumer stated the steering box was the problem.
While traveling around a curve steering wheel would jerk, causing vehicle to travel into other lane. Dealer was contacted, and stated that the eov sensor needed to be replaced. Please provide further information.
I have two gm trucks one a 1997 chevrolet silverado and one a 1997 gmc sierra k-2500 this will be the third replacment of this steering part, it is a danger becuse when you turn the vehicle over steers like you just hit ice. Its a similar feeling to hiting the brakes and the wheel being jerked out of your hand. This would be very hazardest on ice covered roads. Both trucks have only about 42k mi. And have had this problem since about 15k mi. I have replaced three now. The dealers say it is a very common park to replace.
While making a turn by turning steering wheel vehicle traveled like ice was on road, soon after returning to normal travel. Manufacturer has been notified . Please provide further infnormation.
The steering wheel position sensor (swp, mounted on the steering column above the brake pedal) sends an input to the power steering control module (pscm) which in turn then controls power steering pump fluid flow based on vehicle speed and steering wheel position. This electrical steering control system is causing a very serious intermittant steering problem only during a right hand turn. This has twice almost caused an accident as the natural reaction to this failure (which manifests itself as a loss of steering control) is to jerk the steering wheel further to the right to regain steering control. In both near accident situations there was a car on my right side which I came close to hitting. The problem is worse the faster you go and at low speed not much of a concern but at highway speed it is serious. This malfunction occurs at all speeds. Dealer, which has been courteous and helpfull, tells me they have had two trucks in the last two weeks in for the same trouble (swp sensor) and a co-worker also has the same trouble, so this is a common failure affecting other gm vehicles including suburban, tahoe, yukon and sierra. I have not had it repaired at this time but plan to replace the swp sensor myself quite soon as the dealer says my warranty expired at 36,000 miles. Estimated dealer repair cost is 160.00. I feel this is a serious safety concern and is the first time in some 30 years of driving I have encountered a malfunction of this type, when it happens at freeway speed it gets your attention very fast! And has the potential to cause roll over as well should the driver jerk on the wheel to hard to correct it. I feel chevrolet is aware of this trouble and should do something to fix this regardless of warranty coverage as law suites as a result of an accident/s will cost them much much more.
When making a left turn steering wheel slips. Dealer has inspected vehicle.
Streeing on vehicle jerks from one side or other , sometimes it pulls real hard to one side, and sometimes not hard at all. Contacted dealer, and they have tried to fix problem twice already, and problem still occurs.*ak installing a new sensor solved the problem. Drive belt and tensioner replaced because the steering is hard to turn
Steering locks while making a turn and while braking. Nlm
Erratic steering. Dealer has inspected vehicle several times. Manufacturer has been notified.*ak speed dependent steering electronic variable device system failed causing the power steering erratic.
Steering sensor goes out mainly at high speed. Steering gets real tight. Faster consumer goes. When vehicle slows down steering is so loose, it's like being on ice. Problem is intermittent. It's been repaired 10 times for the same problem there is no remedy.*ak the sensor had been replaced five times but the problem still not solved.
Faulty steering sensor; replaced one sensor at 16,000 miles or less, the second sensor failed at 31000 miles and replaced. Dealer notified.
The vehicle pulls to the right while driving due to steering wheel sensor failure. Yh
While driving steering system malfunctioned, causing loss of control which may result in a crash. *ak
While driving out of a parking lot was not able to steer the vehicle. Power steering shaft pump broke internally. Contacted the dealer.
Several times during long sweeping turns the power steering suddenly became more effective and a quick correction was needed to remain in my lane. As it was, the truck becomes slightly unbalanced due to the quick changes and this could be a real problem .
While driving on highway steering gets very loose, and wheel feels as though it is going to come off. Took vehicle to dealer while it was still under warranty for repairs, but they could not find anything wrong. Later, after the warranty had expired, the owner found the cause of the problem on the internet, the steering position sensor. Dealer not willing to make repairs under warranty even though the problem was detected before the warranty expired. Manufacturer aware of the problem, and has designed a modified sensor to correct the problem.
Evo valve that controls power steering sector has failed, causing oversteering when turning corners, or turning steering over 3 inches.
While driving down the road on a right hand curve the steering wheel seems to try to turn right by itself. You have to hold it steady to keep it from going off the road.
When making a slight turn vehicle will jerk. Also, dealer has replaced the electronic steering sensor.
Steering wheel failed because the shaft in steering clolumn was not bolted to the shaft going to power steering pump. Yh
This vehicle has been a nightmare. The brakes have failed, the steering column has gone out, I had to replace all the tires and get a front end alignment, the alternater went out, and the transmission has never worked correctly. It clanks loudly when shifting gears, doesn't idle correctly, and shuts off. I have had it rebuilt on three separate occasions. On one occasion it even caught on fire. The transmission is back in the shop now. *ak( dot number: tire size: 16 inch )
Vehicle experiencing problem with steering wheel locking up whenever the brakes are applied, more so when brakes are applied in an emergency situation. Vehicle been in four different shops, and inspected seven times. But problem still reoccurring.
Driver must apply brakes harder than normal. The anti-lock brakes system activates & the erratic power steering experience failure which results in extended stopping distance. Dealer cannot duplicate defect. *ak
Vehicle experiencing ongoing problem with vehicle wandering to the left when speed reaches 65-70 MPH; also problem appears at 30-35 MPH on wet pavement. Dealer notified and informed consumer that nothing could be found.
While driving down the road the steering wheel did not seem to want to turn but then it would suddnely and violently jerk to which ever direction the turn was in. This was a very serious problem because you never knew when it would jerk and when it would not. It finally became so bad that it did it all the time! This was a very upsetting problem because if you were not carefull you could easily loose control and in oneida tenn. There are some very curvy roads with steep embankment, and there are not guardrails on a lot of there roads. It was very distressing especially because the problem actually started just several miles before the warranty expried I just had not figured out what the problem was since I had never expericenced a problem like this!!
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