2001 Chevrolet Suburban: loss of power steering

Filed Nov 6, 2008 · Engine · 139,000 miles · TX

Car stalled suddenly at 40 MPH, losing power steering in traffic. After a few minutes the car restarted. Intermittently stalls. While gm has recalled 2001 suburbans for crank position failures in this year model, my particular VIN number was not covered by the recall. I purchased replacement part and corrected the problem. Gm refused to reimburse. Very dangerous situation. No wonder gm is in decline with the lack of response to a very strange and dangerous engine stall with absolutely no warning.

Filed Jun 23, 2008 · Steering · 88,180 miles · MD

While driving the power steering failed making the vehicle nearly impossible to steer. After towing it to a chevy dealer, they informed us that the shaft in the power steering pump had broken. There is a the federal safety agency recall on gm/chevy trucks for this problem. Gm does not acknowledge any recall for power steering pumps.

Filed Oct 4, 2004 · Seat belts · 15,000 miles · NJ

1)front passenger seat belt locks up. No one would wear seat belt due to problem. Mechanism replaced by dealer 4 times, still not working. Dealer aded an extension to seat belt and that prevents it from locking. *ak 2)parking brake never held vehicle, started to go all the way to the floor. Dealer states thats normal. Took in at 15,000 and 25,000 miles with same problem. At 37,000 miles they want to charge me $800.00 to replace rear rotors and brake pads. Refused to pay them for repair, took it to a tire repair shop and paid $630.00. Rotors were falling apart. This is a very dangerous situation it seems the parking brake stays on even when release. 3) sudden loss of power steering and all lights on dash go on while driving at any speed. Headlights also dim off and on. Alternator wiring replaced. Two months later same thing, wiring replaced. Leave dealer and happens agian on the way home. Now alternator and wiring replaced.

Filed Aug 12, 2004 · Steering · 34,000 miles · MD

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

Filed Jun 14, 2003 · Brakes, Steering · 58,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Feb 13, 2003 · Brakes, Steering · 58,821 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jul 26, 2001 · Electrical · CA

Driving down the highway at 70 MPH the vehicle ceased to operate. Luckily we were on a straight-away and able to coast to a stop on the shoulder. However our routes usually take us through the mountains and when the vehicle lost all control,ie; no brakes no steering, at any posted speed limit that could be dangerous.the dealer informs me that the main computer went out. There was absolutely no warning what so ever. The component just failed. The dealer advises me that the replacement part is of the same "grade" no updates for this part exist. This is not a comforting thought.