On april 30,2005 while operating the 2001 chevrolet suburban the power steering pump pully shaft failed. The steering assist was immediatly stopped. The vehicle was shut off before the shaft left the housing which could result in the pulley coming off and causing severe damage, including but not limited too, front brake line severing and loss of front braking. Gm notice 05v00500 is suspiciously simular in nature, but gm is accepting no responsibility at this time. File #1-332-115018 to gm is under review. The potentially hazardous nature of the failure has prompted me to contact the federal safety agency.
2001 Chevrolet Suburban steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 29 of 29, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While making a routine turn the power sterring failed creating an unsafe situation. Further invesigation revealed that the pump shaft had broken.
Power steering pump flow control valve actuator or power steering gear valve imbalance causing tire wear and unnecessary alignments. Excessive tire wear in only 2 months since brand new. Vehicle was pulling to the right at all speeds. Two separate alignments and numerous tire rotations (costs to customer) failed to correct. Unique symptom is steering wheel turns to one side when engine is started (pump active) and steering wheel moved easily to one side and high steering effort to other side. Other symptom whine from steering pressure hoses (cavitation). Steering bleed of air did not fix. (http://www.automotiveforums.com/)
Driving on snow covered road. Power sterring pump shaft failed making truck extremely difficult to steer. Power steering shaft failed-replaced power steering pump-old parts are available. We were fortunate to be moving slowly .
My 2001 chevy suburban made a clunking noise in the steering column. I took it to the dealer and they lubed the steering column intermediate shaft for $110.00. When I got home I looked this problem up on the internet and found lots of complaints and there is a service bulletin about this problem and a replacement shaft to correct what appears to be a factory defect. I can not find the service bulletin and would appreciate some help on finding it. I feel that I should be reimbursed for the work done and want my vehicle to get the replacement shaft.
Power assist pump shaft broke leaving me unable to steer or brake. Power assist pump was replaced at my expense and old unit retained by dealer veh had to be taken by tow truck. *nm the consumer received a letter from gm stating that the failure occurred because of lack of maintenance and low on fluid, however the consumer disagreed.
While making a left turn, the power steering failed without warning. As a result the steering became very difficult, however the driver managed to pull the vehicle off the road. The dealer stated the power steering pump shaft had broken. *jb *sc
When the steering wheel was turned or vehicle driven over a pump in the road entire steering wheel and column shook. Vehicle was taken to a dealership, who acknowledged the problem and packed the steering column. The problem recurred a year later. The manufacturer was contacted, but didn't acknowledge the problem.
While driving at 25 MPH consumer heard a popping sound coming from under the hood of the vehicle. Then, the consumer was unable to steer. Consumer was able to spin the steering wheel on the column without turning the tires.
While attempting to depart from picking up out travel trailer, both the power steering and brakes went out on our 2500 4 wheel drive suburban. The only thing that stopped the suburban was the trailer's brakes. Luckly we were still in the parking lot and therefore going slow. Upon exaimination, I pulled the surpinetine belt off and the power steering pully and shaft came off. From what I understand the steering and the brakes are connected. This can also happen when the brake booster goes out. The good thing is that this not only happened in town but not on the freeway going down a grade pulling a 9,000 lbs trailer. I have replaced the power steering pump and am in the process of having the brakes bleed as they don't "feel" right.
My 2001 chevrolet suburban has the power steering brief failure problem I read about in the wall street journal. Usually at lower speeds, the power steering stops working momentarily giving one a brief moment of panic.
Consumer complained about intermidiate steering shaft problem. Consumer was told by the technician that there was a problem with the lubrication of the shaft.
Oil consumption, steering column, side door panels, rear-end, seats cracking, front popping noise, steers to right constantly. This has been an ongoing thing since we bought the vehicle new in 2001. We have complained to the consumer reporting agency here in n.c. And also talked to the dealer and manufacture on numerous occasions. Dealer said they have had several vehicles with oil consumption that they have traded because of it and they just kept telling us it is within manufacture limits. They have tried to fix the oil problem but with no success. Also the steering has been broken down twice because of its problem. The door panels are still not fixed after 2 tries. The rear-end has been worked on 2 times because of differential fluid, the steering wheel still scrubs when turning to the right and the driver's seat is starting to crack. The consumer people in raleigh will not help us after we filled the complaint, they wrote us and told us to hire a lawyer and the manufacture only offered us a $1000.00 owner/loyalty certificate towards a new vehicle. What is our next step without hiring an attorney?
While driving at highway speeds power steering and brakes fail, resulting loss of power steering and brakes simultaneously. This is due to the failure of the power assist and power steering pump. This is the second time these components have been replaced. This was first noticed and replaced in january 2002. The second time occurred in february 2003. On 6/11/2003 the vehicle again showed indications of a problem with the brakes and steering. The brake pedal began to pulsate, and a high-pitched whine could be heard when turning the steering wheel. The vehicle also experiences problems when braking over rough road, such as rumble strips. As this is a third problem with these critical components, the safety of this vehicle is in question. The last visit to the dealer was said to be loose bolts on the power steering gear box. The power assist design is a known problem with this vehicle. I have spoken with service writers, service managers and have read other reports concerning other incidents like I experienced with this vehicle.
I am writing to complain about the second failure of the "power assist" feature on my 2001 chevrolet suburban. The first failure occured during january of 2002, and the power steering pump was replaced at fox chevrolet dealership in laurel, md. In the 2002 event, I experienced a high pitch whining and vibrations in the steering, as well as the brake pedal. In effecting this repair, chevrolet replaced the power steering pump. During the latter part of november 2002, the high pitch whining and vibration returned. I took the vehicle to bill seidle's chevrolet in clermont, fl in november of 2002, and was told that there was nothing wrong with the steering or braking system. Unfortunately, they were wrong. On tuesday evening, 2/4/2003, while driving with my seven year old, the same high pitch whining, and pulsing in the brake pedal returned. This time it resulted in the total loss of power steering and brakes while exiting a local highway system in the orlando area. Fortunately, I was driving as it took quite a bit of strength, to steer and stop the vehicle after the loss of the power assist system. At what point does the failure of such a critical part of this vehicle get labeled as a defect in this system. The failure of this system, could have caused injury to me and my family (son). Had my wife been driving this truck, the result may have been gravely different. I purchased this vehicle because of the reputation for durability in the industry, with the expectation of purchasing a quality vehicle. I am now fearful of putting my family in this vehicle after a second failure of this critical system. I am requesting that I be contacted as soon as possible by someone that can address my concerns. I am concerned about placing my family in a vehicle that has had the power steering/braking system fail twice.
Automatic transmission failed, dealer only "reconditioned" the transmission, I have taken the vehicle back to the dealer for transmission repairs;rubbing , bumping noises from transmission, I hava not trust in this vehicle because of the long history of mechanical problems and defects, I want the manufacturer to replace this vehicle and not wait until a mechanical failure hurt me or my family or innocent people in the road. Please help me . Nlm
This is a life threatening failure!!. No safety defect listed.
Rear end went out on three occasions. Dealer has rebuilt rear end once and replaced ring and pinion wearing and seal. Please provide further information.
Simultaneous failure of brake and power steering system while towing a 25 foot trailer.. Both systems run off same belt. Power steering seized and broke belt.
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