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Chevrolet Silverado power steering loss problems

72 of the 8,746 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Silverado describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 2001 model year.

owner complaints
72
worst model year
2001
typical mileage
43,000
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2017
    1
  • 2016
    1
  • 2015
    4
  • 2014
    4
  • 2013
    2
  • 2010
    3
  • 2007
    1
  • 2006
    1
  • 2004
    4
  • 2003
    7
  • 2002
    4
  • 2001
    14
  • 2000
    9
  • 1999
    9
  • 1998
    3
  • 1997
    3
  • 1994
    1
  • 1991
    1

What owners say

Filed Jan 10, 2025 · Steering · 10,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH the "loss of power steering" warning illuminated. The contact felt the steering wheel was hard to turn to the left or right. The contact was able to stop the vehicle and turn the vehicle off, when he turned the vehicle on the power steering was engaged, however, the failure was reoccurring. The contact stated that failure was also occurring at any speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V586000 (Steering), however the vehicle was not part of the VIN selection. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

Filed Jul 31, 2023 · Steering · 91,000 miles · MT

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

Filed Oct 12, 2021 · Steering · 82,100 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle inadvertently lost power steering and stopped on the side of the road by a curb. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the failure had been reoccurring while driving, almost causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who did not diagnose the vehicle and advised the contact that his VIN was not included in the recall for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V414000 (STEERING). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 82,100.

Filed Mar 12, 2016 · Steering · 78,000 miles · OR

I bought this used 2013 truck in late nov 2015. When making (usually) a right turn at low speed, especially from a stop like entering traffic from an inclined access driveway, occasionally (maybe 3 times per month) there is a sudden and total failure of power assist in steering, making the turn extremely difficult and unable to keep from drifting out of the intended lane of travel. Collisions were avoided several times by (thankfully) oncoming traffic veering out of the way. This sudden loss of steering control particularly at this unexpected time while accelerating to negotiate a traffic entry is extremely dangerous. This one-ton truck is not like a subcompact that is easy to turn 90 degrees without power steering, believe me. If my wife were driving, the truck would surely go completely across all lanes of oncoming traffic. After completing the turn, the power steering returns to normal, however the power assist steering on this 2013 truck has always been far less effective than my previous identical model, but 8 years older chevy diesel one-ton truck.

Filed Feb 24, 2016 · Steering · 312 miles · NY

I purchased a 2016 silverado 1500 4wd ltz crew on february 08, 2016. On february 20, 2016 with just 312 new miles driven on the new vehicle, the electric power steering stopped working while driving 60 miles per hour going west on the southern state parkway middle lane in nassau county new york. With no power steering on a six thousand pound truck, I had to struggle with turning the steering wheel away from other vehicle on the parkway and exit the parkway without causing an accident. I immediately call for road side serviced and the truck was towed and return to the dealer for service. During the investigation, the chevrolet service department located in valley stream, ny stated on february 24, 2016 that the entire electric rack opinion for the power steering was defected when it was installed during the assembly by the manufacture. The 2016 silverado 1500 truck was purchased new on 2/08/2016, and I have concerns that other mechanical parts in the vehicle may be defected and the vehicle may be unsafe to drive.

Filed Feb 19, 2016 · Airbags, Brakes · 14,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

I was involved in an accident on 1/15/16 in which I was sideswiped by another vehicle. Upon impact, I had no brakes and no steering control. This caused me to rear end another vehicle and hit a tree head on. The airbags never deployed. I was unable to stop the vehicle or control it. I could have been killed or killed someone else. I am very concerned. I have had the truck in the shop on several occasions with electrical issues, yet the dealership could not find anything or it was minor corrections. I have been very concerned with the electronics of this vehicle since I bought the truck in august 2015. The insurance company totaled the truck.

Filed Nov 23, 2015 · Steering · 43,000 miles · WA

Electric power steering failed while driving. Truck towed to a dealer. After replacing the electric power steering motor, electrical loom and the battery, was informed that the steering rack failed - possibly due to water penetration into the rack and pinion drive. Suspect a faulty or badly designed seal which may be the cause for thie failures on the 2014 silverado trucks

Filed Oct 13, 2015 · Steering · NH

After parking and removing key steering wheel disconnects from front wheels , makes a rattling noise as if some metallic part is loose and then then jams, making it difficult to rotate ignition key to start truck again. Other times power steering assist is lost and truck is difficult to steer.

Filed Sep 24, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 37,000 miles · CA

Use this truck for commercial purposes to haul trailers. Truck has turned off while driving 4 times. Three while driving with trailer when it hits rough road or under construction road and takes hard jolt to front end. First you are driving, then you hit bump or dip in road and you notice you have no steering, when you look down you notice whole display is shut down ( like it was never on) with no warning lights displayed. You have to put truck into neutral while driving and restart. Last time it happened had 30 foot trailer on truck and were in a downhill position with a turn and no steering capability ( no antilock or trailer brakes because they need electricity to operate)and 300 ft from going off embankment and then dropping 100ft into a gully. The trucks whole electrical system turns off shutting down everything in the truck. Own 7 trucks and have owned 20 plus trucks over the years. I have had design flaw issues and just fluke issues that just happen to that one truck. This really seems more like a design flaw, either in ignition with their new keys ( have a 2012, this ignition is defiantly different) or the electrical system, or maybe they added some sensor that shuts truck off if in a front end impact. If I am right this will kill someone, the truck gives you no warning before turning off and most people are unaware they can shift a car into neutral and restart while driving and since it has happened while pulling trailers this is very dangerous not just for the driver and passages of the vehicle but every other car or truck on the roadway with it. Example of this, the last time when we could not steer and could not go with the turn of the road, there was a car in the second lane and the trailer went into that lane, the car had to make evasive manuviers to avoid impact with trailer.

Filed Sep 4, 2015 · Airbags, Brakes · 100,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power and failed to accelerate. The ABS, check engine, and passenger side air bag lights remained illuminated. In addition, the power steering failed. The failures recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, but a failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Related recalls

Steering: electric power assist systemReported November 10, 2014 · 679 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and Yukon XL vehicles, equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Due to a problem with the EPS module, the affected vehicles may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist during vehicle operation.
Risk
An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering assist motor kit, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14743.

Recall number 14V719000 · Recall details

Steering: linkages: tie rod assemblyReported May 14, 2014 · 477 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado vehicles manufactured May 23, 2013, through March 25, 2014, 2014 GMC Sierra vehicles manufactured May 25, 2013, through March 31, 2014, and 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles manufactured January 29, 2014, through March 27, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the tie rod threaded attachment may not be properly tightened to the steering gear rack.
Risk
An improperly tightened tie rod attachment may allow the tie rod to separate from the steering rack, resulting in a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
GM notified all owners, and dealers will inspect the inner tie rods to make sure that they are correctly tightened, replacing the steering gear, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14204. NOTE: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been inspected and repaired. Owners should contact GM to have their vehicles towed to the dealership.

Recall number 14V246000 · Recall details

Steering: linkagesReported June 28, 2011 · 739 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Gm is recalling certain model year 2011cadillac escalade, escalade esv; chevrolet silverado hd, silverado ld, suburban, tahoe; and gmc sierra hd, sierra ld, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft attaching bolts may not have been tightened to the proper specification.
Risk
This could allow the joints to separate, and the driver could experience loss of steering increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Gm dealers will inspect and ensure that the intermediate steering shaft bolts are tightened to the proper specification. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 13, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑800‑458‑8006, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.

Recall number 11V339000 · Recall details

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connectionsReported October 5, 2005 · 123,592 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose may fracture and leak fluid.
Risk
If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increased braking effort would be required. If the power steering fluid spray were to spray onto hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727, or hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493.

Recall number 05V455000 · Recall details

Steering: gear box: shaft sectorReported January 21, 2005 · 3,344 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks, the bolt that attaches the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear may not meet specification. The bolt may fracture resulting in the loss of steering.
Risk
If this happens while the vehicle is moving, a crash could occur without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the intermediate steering shaft bolt free of charge. The recall began on january 24, 2005. Owners may contact gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463 and chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438.

Recall number 05V018000 · Recall details

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)Reported October 6, 1998 · 8,367 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: extended cab 4-wheel drive pickup trucks. Some of these vehicles have a lower than specified torque on all three of the steering gear to frame attachment bolts. The bolts can loosen over time allowing the steering gear to move. This loosening can result in some unresponsive steering feel and some noise to the driver.
Risk
If this condition is ignored, the steering gear to frame can wear and/or fatigue the attaching bolts to the point of breakage or the bolts backing out. If all the bolts break or back out, the steering gear would separate from the frame resulting in a loss of steering control.
Remedy
Dealers will retorque the steering gear to frame bolts to proper specifications.

Recall number 98V242000 · Recall details

Questions about the Chevrolet Silverado power steering loss

Which Chevrolet Silverado years have loss of power steering problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2001 (14 complaints), 1999 (9 complaints) and 2000 (9 complaints).

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