2001 Chevrolet Tahoe: harsh or hard shifting

9 of the 512 complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 9
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 60,532
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 37 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2026
1
2025
1
2023
2
2022
3
2021
14
2020
2
2019
2
2018
1
2017
4
2016
2
2015
2
2013
1
2011
1
2008
1
2007
2
2006
3
2005
2
2004
5
2003
5
2002
9
2001
9
2000
1
1999
7
1998
3
1997
4
1996
2
1995
2

What owners say

Filed Oct 18, 2009 · Steering · 80 miles · VA

Loose steering and loose clunking coming from steering column. Coming out of turn I hear a noise not normal after turning and the steering feels loose/floaty. I have had the noise for a couple of years but never thought anything of it. Had the front end checked out and the steering looked at about a year ago and it all checked out ok. I still had the clunking and looseness. I recently had a steering fluid flush and check and all turned out well but the noise is still there. It feels as if the steering shaft is floating and snaps back into place after the turn.

Filed Oct 11, 2009 · Steering · 75,000 miles · MN

Steering feels loose when turning and hitting slight bumps at normal speeds. Soft clunking sounds comes from steering column area under dashboard when turning steering wheel and moving.

Filed Oct 2, 2007 · Steering · 63,000 miles · SC

Steering shaft - clunking noise and can feel vibrations in the steering wheel. Have to keep paying for mechanics to pack with grease rather then fix the problem. Have been told that is will eventually go completely out and will have to be totally replaced. I have a 2001 tahoe and a 2003 gmc sierra. Problem on both vehicles. I feel this should be recalled and manufacturer should replace and fix the problem.

Filed Apr 28, 2007 · Steering · 60,532 miles · WA

Total loss of steering in my 2001 tahoe. This was preceded by a clunking noise that could be heard under the hood and felt through the steering wheel. Fortunately, the loss of steering happened at a low speed and no accident resulted. In my owner's manual, it states that in the event of power assist loss on the steering, you can still drive the vehicle, it will just be more difficult to steer. This is not the case. The vehicle cannot be safely driven at any speed due to the amount of strength required to turn the wheel. This is a dangerous defect in the steering mechanism.

Filed Oct 3, 2006 · Steering · SC

I have a 2001 chevy tahoe & a 2003 gmc sierra. Both vehicles make a clunking noise with lots and lots of vibration in the front end when turning corners or moving slowly over bumpy areas. I was told that the steering shafts are bad. The gmc has already had the steering shaft replaced and the problem is back. The tahoe I purchased used and the previous owner told me about the problem and said he has taken it in for service and they pack the steering shaft with grease. My father in law has a chevy truck and is having the same problem. I don't understand with such a huge problem on a variety of years that this is not recalled. If you can check into this problem and if there is any solution other than continually re-greasing the steering shaft which is a very expensive and time consuming job. Talking with others with the same problem, I have heard that the steering shaft will eventually wear out and I don't know if this could be dangerous as far as causing an accident if something happened while driving. I have two young children that I drive around constantly and I am somewhat worried about this problem. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Filed Oct 2, 2004 · Steering · 18,000 miles · AR

Clunking under hood that can be felt in steering wheel. The steering gear is defective and needs to be replaced.

Filed Feb 22, 2003 · Brakes, Transmission · 34,500 miles · MI

Immediately after application of the anti-loch brakes at low speeds in 2 wheel high mode, the vehicle seems to "lock up" the wheels as if it were in 4 wheel drive. We get severe wheel hop and when we stop the vehicle, then restart it there is a very loud clunking sound. After that the vehicle preforms normally. The problem also goes away if the vehicle is turned off. The vehicle goes into 4 wheel auto, 4 wheel low and 2 wheel high normally at all other times. Again, the problem only happens when the antilock brakes are activated at low speeds (no problem from high speed stops) and it has happened twice in the past 5 minths.

Filed Oct 17, 2002 · Steering · CA

While traveling on the highway there is a clunking noise coming from underneath the vehicle. Also the pittman arms broke from underneath the vehicle without prior warning. The dealership is aware of the problem. Ts

Filed Jun 18, 2002 · Acceleration, Engine · CA

The consumer stated that the transmission had shifted from drive to 3rd and back again while the vehicle was in motion. Also, the trasmission clunks when put into reverse and the engine revved up and down while shifting.