1999 Chevrolet Suburban: jerking or lurching

Filed Jun 28, 2010 · Locks, Steering · 57,000 miles · TX

I purchased my 1999 suburban in march 2010 with 56,000 original miles. It currently has 60,000 original miles. The steering wheel will randomly jerk/pull when going around a curve. It does not happen every time but it happens often enough that it is a concern of mine. After a thorough check of fluids and steering components there is nothing "wrong" with the vehicle. It does not matter if I am driving at a lower speed or a higher speed just that I am going around a bend or curve in the road. I have grazed a curb once. I also have lots of problems with the locks/latches and doors opening.

Filed Feb 8, 2007 · Steering · 60,000 miles · AR

When making any slight turn, steering will seem to loose pressure where the steering wheel will jerk 2-3 inches. The driver must pay close attention at all times to correct this oversteer or the vehicle will end up in another lane or off the road. This is a very dangerous situation. All of the evidence and complaints exist for a safety recall but 7 years later....nothing has been done to correct this problem. This problem is very sporadic and may not occur for weeks at a time and then suddenly it will occur constantly for hundreds of miles. I ran into an interstate median about 4 months ago, while traveling 70 MPH, trying to correct a steering "jerk." this could have cost me my life all because a safety recall was never issued even after a defect investigation recognized that there is a problem.

Filed Jan 17, 2006 · Brakes · 97,000 miles · MN

Dt*: the consumer stated when she applied the brakes, the vehicle jerked, throwing the occupants forward. This occurred at various speeds, but was more apparent when the roads were wet. This has been a problem since purchase. The dealership was unable to duplicate the problem. The dealership checked the brake pads and shoes. *jb updated 2/13/2006 -

Filed Jul 7, 2004 · Steering · 95,377 miles · KS · crash · 1 injury

I purchased a 1999 suburban on feb. 28, 2004. When we test drove the vehicle it did not seem to have any problems. On the way home it started wandering all over the road and the steering wheel would jerk. We thought maybe it needed power steering fluid or perhaps tires. On march 11, 2004(two weeks later) I was was driving down the highway and glanced down at my clock. When I looked back up the vehicle had veered into the wrong lane. When I tried to get back into my lane the steering wheel jerked to the right, way over correcting itsself. I tried to straighten it back out but it overcorrected again and caused me to go into the ditch and roll.

Filed Jul 25, 2003 · Steering · FL

Consumer was having steering problems. It felt as though steering was going to give away. Then, vehicle jerked, especially when going around curves. He took it to the mechanic to have it checked, and ended up having it repaired out of his pocket because it was not a recall.

Filed May 11, 2003 · Brakes · 67,000 miles · OH

The service brakes have serious issues. Being in the auto service business for years I think I can safely say this problem stems from the proportioning valve in the brake system. Too much proportioned to the front brakes causes warpage and sudden vehicle jerk. A problem occurring in the brake system is as serious as it gets. A recall is in order! The slight cost of replacing above mentioned component is nominal compared to just 1 life (I.e. 1 consumer). I sincerely hope gm takes a hard look at this problem that has existed for nearly half a decade.

Filed Dec 9, 2002 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

Sub died on the road. Alternator replaced 3 times in 60k miles. Steering jerks while turning over correcting could cause crash. Front disc brakes replaced annually. Replaced front left caliper and rotor. Too many problems with this peice of junk bought new. Local dealers no help. Just milk me for more money. Now transmission is leaking at 67,000. Dt

Filed Jul 15, 2002 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

We have had problems with three systems. At about 30,000 miles, a front and rear brake repair was done which cost over 600.00, claimed to be normal wear and tear and not warranty. We have had to replace tail light circuit boards twice. We are on our third battery. The initial battery leaked acid on itself and other car parts and my garage floor. The second battery would not stay hooked up to the wiring harness and caused numerous failure to start problems(when the car was only two years old). The most distressing problem was the recent replacement of transmission at only 70,000 miles. The car jerked between second and third gears, made noises and rattles. Red liquid was leaking onto my garage floor. The car was towed to capitol chevrolet dealership in austin. I reviewed my problem and told them I thought I had a transmission problem. They decided it was an engine coolant seal problem and performed a 600.00 repair. I picked the car up and drove one block and the same problem occurred. The car was driven back to the dealership, and we were then told our transmission was "burned up". I think it is ridiculous that a car would need a new transmission after 70,000 miles. The car is in top condition, stored in a garage and serviced as required. After reading customer complaints about this year model, in particular battery acid leaking onto brake lines and transmission problems, I felt I should report my problems.

Filed Apr 7, 2002 · Transmission · GA

The planetary gears failed in the transmission while driving in normal conditions with no load. The vehicle had been reported to the manufactures dealer while under warranty as having a violent hard shift after kickdown to pass another vehcile. The solution offered by the dealer was to disconnect the battery and reset the computer. This removed the initial problem for some time and then the shifting of the transmission from 1st to 2nd was very hard and jerky. The dealer would do nothing about it . Tricounty transmission showed me numerous parts from other suburbans and tahoes which have the same original manufacturer failure. Gm will not accept responsibilty for this as they never do. They have a latent defect in the hardiness of the gear inside the transmission which causes teeth failure of the planetary gears. This could cause an accident if I had been driving in atlanta I-285 and the gears had failed in traffic. The transmission shop said this same problems applies to all 1998 thru 2002 transmissions for the chevy suburbans and tahoes. Can you provide me with information on this matter. Thanks.

Filed Aug 14, 2001 · Seats · TX

Seat failure-the driver side seat support broke causing the seat to lurch forward and backward upon stopping and starting of the vehicle accompanied by a loud popping noise. Dealer is replacing supports on both the driver and passenger seat since the passenger seat was also loose or cracking. Engine-the original engine in the truck failed. The crankshaft rod bearings were badly worn. The trouble was detected by a slight knock in the lower part of the engine. The new engine started to produce a "tapping noise" upon cold start up. The dealer said this was a normal noise due to loose pistons (slap). The noise subsides after about 4 minutes of warm-up. If this is piston slap, the engine will wear faster causing premature failure. I called gm and they were not interested in the discussing or helping with latter problem.

Filed May 4, 2001 · Steering · FL

Would be driving and vehicle would be hard to control. Steering is erratic. Feels as if vehicle hit a patch of ice. Would turn steering wheel and nothing would happen. Then, suddenly would whip around like it was free wheeling. Problem was steadily getting worse after taken it to dealership.*ak consumer states happens mainly when turning to the right, it is not that the tires don't turn, but it feels like it is in the steering wheel that it jerks.

Filed Apr 13, 2001 · Brakes, Steering · MI

Moisture develops in brake drums which causes one of the brakes to grab extremely hard . *ak while raining or in very damp conditions, brakes grab and in one case it caused 2 people to bump their heads together, dealer stated this was normal braking and suggested that the consumer drag the brake each morning for 125 feet, after many calls and an incident where a horse was injured with a ruptured stomach, it could not be determined as to what caused the rupture, but consumer states the abrupt jerking from the brakes was not pleasant for the horse, dealer is supposed to be ordering a new 2001 suburban for consumer because these have different braking systems.