Check a VIN

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe steering problems

52 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 37,000. 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints
52
of this car's complaints
10%
typical mileage
37,000
crashes
4
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Column
    8
  • Gear box: shaft sector
    7
  • Linkages
    5
  • Rack and pinion: pinion shaft
    1
  • Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Tahoe steering problems in other years

19931995200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe steering

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Steering noise 10

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 1, 2017 · Steering · 146,000 miles · MO

When making a right turn vehicle loses power steering. Doesn't happen all the time comes and goes. If you give vehicle a little gas it will start working again but that's not always an option. I notice it most if my vehicle is moving at a slow rate of speed or stopped. This is a very dangerous issue and no one can seem to offer any ideas on fixing it.

Filed Jan 22, 2016 · Steering · 170,678 miles · LA

Steering goes out when braking and making a right turn or when trying to maneuver into a parking place , to hard to turn the wheel with no steering power very dangerous. In traffic. No one seems to know why or how to fix the problem.

Filed Nov 18, 2014 · Fuel system, Seats · 105,000 miles · TX

When I turn there is a popping noise that can also be felt in the steering wheel also when I am driving and feel a bump. The fuel will at times show a full tank then all of a sudden go to 1/4 tank it changes all the time and is not accurate, I cannot depend on it because I never really know how much fuel it actually has. The driver seat heater got extremely hot and we will not use because are scared it might burn thru the seat since it already left a small burn mark. The problem with the steering wheel on this particular vehicle also did the same on another chevrolet we had and have researched online and it seems is a big issue with chevrolet vehicles.

Filed Sep 24, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 166,514 miles · WA

Yesterday was driving home from work and came to a round about, slowed down and vehicle died (alternator gauge went below 14, oil pressure dropped below 40, and battery light came on). I lost all steering and brake pedal was stiff. Now vehicle continuously idles rough and will stall out if not on the throttle, idles 500 and lower. I have replaced mass air flow sensor, air filter, plugs, wires, o2 sensors, fuel filter, evap canister, alternator, and had throttle body cleaned. See there are many complaints filed of the same issues and wondering if anyone at gm has found a solution. Also have noticed gm has recalled the intake gasket but I have not received anything on this recall.

Filed Jun 3, 2013 · Steering · 63,000 miles · NC

My 2003 tahoe z71 has always made popping noises when turning and you are able to feel it in the steering wheel also. I have researched online and it is very apparent that this is experienced by almost everyone. Today I was backing into the driveway with a trailer of mulch attached and when I cut the wheel, the steering was lost. There is fluid in the power steering reservoir and there was no leaks or fluid anywhere. I looked underneath the tahoe and there does not appear to be any broken sway-bars or steering shaft. I am not sure if it is the pump which would be strange in the manner that it gave out but reading all of the issues others have had, I can't believe that gm is not fixing the situation. Someone is going to cause a serious accident trying to turn and it is going to give out like mine (& everyone else's) did and cause a head on collision. I called gm & although there are 9 tsb #'s associated with this issue, there is still no recall or help on the resolution of the problem. I think it is time to sell the tahoe that I bought brand new btw and move on to a new ford truck as they seem to have really good trucks now. It is sad because I have loved my tahoe z71 and never thought I would get rid of it. The steering has never been right on this tahoe since day 1 and gm knows it but buries their head in the sand about it rather than do the right thing and fix the issue. Mine still looks brand new but the popping noises when turning has always irritated me & now that it gave out, I am done with it. I am thankful that mine occurred when it did and not when I was traveling down the road with 6 yards of mulch in a dump trailer and making a turn that could have killed me and someone else coming the other way. Fix your known issue gm, before someone innocent dies because of your negligence!!!

Filed Jul 15, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 106,500 miles · OK

While making a right hand turn down a hill out of a parking lot I heard a noise that sounded like something broke on my vehicle. Went home about 6 blocks away looked to see if anything was wrong. I only looked at the front end; didn't see anything. A few days later while pulling up to my driveway in a different vehicle I noticed something hanging under the rear end of my tahoe. Proceeded to check it out and found that my sway bar is completely broke where it's mounted on a bracket. I researched this and have found that this is a common issue with my make, year.

Filed Nov 12, 2009 · Body, Steering · 42,000 miles · OK

Popping noise from under hood, mainly when turning left (has now started when turning right). Almost sounds like the wheels are going to fall off. It can also be felt in the steering wheel. Feels very unstable, like front-end could fall apart at any minute. Gm is aware of this problem and has been since 2001 (the federal safety agency item #10009991, #10010873, #10000950, #10004991, #1004239, #10005172, #10004723, and finally their "fix" #10025148) . However, they act as though they have never heard of this problem. I have researched this online (edmunds.com, yahoo...just search for I-shaft assembly) and this is a wide-spread problem on numerous gm/chevy/cadillac vehicles and gm should be forced to remedy this situation. This situation is as-much, if not worse than the electrical system/dashboard panel problems, that gm has recalled. Please, help the masses who have been sold this defect. Before someone is seriously hurt.

Filed Mar 2, 2009 · Steering, Suspension · 65,000 miles · CA

There a noticable shaking when it coming to a stop and sometimes it will turn off. It also turns off when making a right / left turn and sometimes even when truck is running. There a click noise then turning. Also window's will get stuck and will not go up completely and now the left side windows are completely dead (do not go up or down).

Filed Jan 24, 2009 · Steering · 148,000 miles · CO

Jan 24, 09 vehicle was traveling n on co 145, preparing to turn left onto co 184. Driver heard a "pop" in the steering column. When she began the turn, the steering wheel would not turn. She then performed an emergency stop and came to rest near a guardrail in an oncoming traffic lane. She backed the vehicle out of the opposing lane and turned the steering wheel to the right. The steering wheel then released and she was able to turn onto 184 and exit the roadway. The steering wheel anti-theft lock no longer operates, and it appears that this device has failed. It also appears that pieces from this device became lodged in rotating parts of the steering system.

Filed Aug 20, 2008 · Steering · 200,000 miles · FL

Had knocking in front end fixed at dealer. One year later returned. Something in the steering when backing out of driveway. Told it was not unsafe to drive. With all the complaints, I am surprised gm is doing nothing about this.

Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe steering

Does the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe have steering problems?

Owners have filed 52 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe, 10% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe steering problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 37,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe steering?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Chevrolet Tahoe have bad steering?

The Chevrolet Tahoe model years with the most steering complaints are 1997 (105 complaints), 2015 (70 complaints) and 2003 (52 complaints).

Other 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

Electrical 193Brakes 113Fuel system 36Engine 29Acceleration 27Airbags 19Seats 19Transmission 19Visibility 18Suspension 14Tires 14Body 13Seat belts 10Lights 9Locks 6Driver assistance 2Wheels 2

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history