1997 Chevrolet Silverado: jerking or lurching

Filed Feb 8, 2004 · Steering · 50,000 miles · WI

In january 2004 the news reported a recall on chevrolet cars with the exact probblem I have been having since 2000. The power steering will over-assist causing the steering wheel to jerk and hence the vehicle to suddenly steer right or left. It feels like the steering has a mind of its own. This will happen when on a curve or when driving in a straight line. This problem is unpredictable and has caused some near misses and scary moments, particularly when driving on slippery snow covered streets. The failure occurs frequently and lasts for a day or a week at a time then goes away for an undeterminable period. Before I purchased this vehicle I had the same problem while test driving other 1997 pickups. Since there is currently a recall for this problem on chevrolet cars I feel it should be extended to the c/k, silverado pickups as well. It is only a matter of time before an accident will occur.

Filed Jan 23, 2004 · Steering · 169,000 miles · OK

While driving, the steering wheel jerk to the left and right.

Filed Jan 3, 2004 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · OK

Shifts hard and makes a loud sound and jerks the veh. I talked to many transmission shops. And they say that it is very common with the 97 models it cost around $300.00 dollars to fix. Something to do with shifting tube that has to be drilled out because of fluid pressure. This is also true with every veh with the same transmission. Now you now the truth so fix the problem gm. Your getting as bad as f.o.r.d.

Filed Mar 19, 2002 · Steering · PA

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.

Filed Nov 16, 2001 · Steering · AL

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.

Filed Jun 29, 2001 · Steering · WA

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.

Filed May 20, 2001 · Steering · CA

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.

Filed Mar 8, 2001 · Steering · KY

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

Filed Feb 10, 2000 · Steering, Suspension · OK

When making a slight turn vehicle will jerk. Also, dealer has replaced the electronic steering sensor.

Filed Oct 29, 1999 · Steering · TN

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!!

Filed Sep 21, 1999 · Steering · TX

The power steering wheel would lose tension. Would jerk before this happens. Speed is not a factor. Not noticeable at low speed, but at higher speeds. Been to dealer 8 times for problem. Mechanic informed owner it's 4-wheel front steering sensor & repaired it. Problem still exists.