The Contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The steering wheel locked when driving at low speeds, the steering wheel also locked when attempting to park the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light before during or after the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Chevrolet Silverado steering lock-up problems
26 of the 8,746 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Silverado describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 26
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical mileage
- 19,000
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20152
- 20143
- 20132
- 20121
- 20111
- 20061
- 20042
- 20033
- 20022
- 20011
- 19991
- 19975
- 19951
- 19911
Often reported together
Engine failure 3Power steering loss 2No deployment 2ABS 2Steering noise 1Stalling 1Loss of power 1Jerking 1
What owners say
Was driving to physical therapy. Pulled up to a stop light and "stabilitrack failure" poped up. Was pulling into the doctors office not 8 min l8r came up again but this time steering wheel locked up then un locked then locked up multiple times while I was trying to pull into a parking space. Thankfully I was going at an extremely low speed and I could control the vehicle between it locking and unlocking. When I left the doctors office I noticed my settings reset. Ex dashboard display showed the radio station instead of the fuel economy. I simply changed it and noticed the computer erased my previous fuel economy. I'm assuming theirs some malfunction between the computer and these systems. And from the looks of it my vehicle isn't the only vehicle with this issue. Now my check engine light is on and I'll be taking this back to the dealer and it will be fixed and never happen again or I won't purchase another gm vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized. In addition, the vehicle stalled. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to restart and the steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the anti- theft module and the steer-assist needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000. Updated 04/08/16
Ignition switch and key came out of steering column while driving. When I pulled off road and parked, the ignition switch internals and key came off in my hand. Not able to shut engine off. Called onstar, they could not shut off engine. Truck was flatbedded to dealer while still running. Risk of steering wheel locking causing loss of control. Steering wheel makes clattering noise not connected to wheels at times. Instruments dimming and flashing when turning wheel at times
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,800.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet silverado. While driving at a low speed and making a right turn, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on numerous occasions who diagnosed that the power steering pump and brake boost pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000.
While driving down the highway a stabilization control light came on briefly, then went away. Approximately 5 miles later after exiting the highway, and going down a side street, the truck died and the steering wheel locked when I slowed and started to make a right hand turn into a parking lot. This has since occurred once more under similar conditions while slowing, braking and turning at low speeds and not under throttle.
Traveling at 55 MPH steering locked up and was unable to steer the vehicle. 15 minutes later did the same thing at 45 MPH during busy traffic and again approximately 10 minutes later at 45 MPH.
Traveling 70 MPH on freeway, naturally veering left to right went to correct to the right and steering wheel locked up. I could turn to the left more but could not correct back to the right. Had to slow down to about 35 MPH nearly causing someone to rear-end me, then it finally broke loose. The entire ordeal lasted aprox. 12 seconds before it was corrected.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet silverado. While driving 25 MPH and making a right turn the steering wheel locked. The contact was able to slow down and come to a complete stop. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The dealer diagnosed the failure and repaired the steering column but the contact is concerned since the repair didn't correct the failure. The steering wheel has continued to lock while driving. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 2000 and the current mileage was 89397.
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- 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 assembly
- 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: linkages
- 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 connections
- 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 sector
- 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)
- 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 steering lock-up
Which Chevrolet Silverado years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (5 complaints), 2003 (3 complaints) and 2014 (3 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Chevrolet Silverado?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history