A dull thumping noise was heard starting a couple months ago. It occurred any time the steering wheel was turned, even the slightest. Very annoying! As it got worse I took it to my local chevrolet dealer and was told it needed a "supplemental steering shaft" (part #88963611/shaft). That part is on national back order and I was told by the dealer's service dept that it may take four weeks to get it.
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe steering complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 52 of 52, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Steering column rattles/knocks.
While driving, the steering wheel vibrated uncontrollably. The consumer drove to the dealer to have it inspected and the mechanic informed the consumer that the steering rack and pinion shaft needed to be replaced. Please fill in additional information.
The steering wheel shakes and feels like it going to separate from the column and fall off. This is due to a design flaw in the immediate steering shaft that the manufacturer is aware off. The manufacturer's remedy for the problem is to lubricate and tighten the steering. This fixes only last 5000 miles. The immediate shaft was replaced, but the problem recurred.
Steering loose/wobbly since buying vehicle. In for repair numerous times. At first told something was leaking, then replaced steering shaft thing, then told it was just the way the tahoe drives. This week was told they "tweaked" the alignment and were going to push it beyond what chevrolet normally recommends. Picked vehicle up and they had put two new tires on rear of vehicle in addition to alignment. I don't trust the steering and since they still say that is just the way it drives, not sure why they keep repairing things if that "is just the way the tahoe drives".
Popping sound in steering. Chevorlet tried to fix the problem by lubrication on two occasions, but symptoms returned *ak.
Steering wheel feels loose. Thumping noise from stering wheel. Also loud cracking noise from front suspension when turning in driveway. Loud cracking noise from lower front windshield especially at freeway speeds.
The consumer was informed the passenger air bag sensor wouldn't activate the air bags for 80 pounds or less, but it did when their 62 pound child was in the seat. *ph other problem are as followed: driver's door experienced intermittent rattles, steering vibrations/grinding when turned to left, sunroof leaked heavily when it rained or when going through the car wash, dash lights were inoperative, headlights were inoperative, vehicle did not shift when in 4 wheel drive, window molding was loose, stereo lights flickered, seat memory in the driver's seat would not move to preset memory positions and would not move forward when the ignition key was removed, and the front power window along with the rear passenger window were inoperative.
When I had my 2003 tahoe for only 6 months, my tahoe stalled in the road and had to be towed to the dealer. Well, they fixed it and they said it was a defective fuel pump. I would like to know if this has happened with other similar vehicles. Also, I had to bring back my tahoe to the dealer last week because of a thumping noise in the steering wheel and they said that the steering wheel shaft just needed some lubrication. My concern is that I only had this vehicle for 14 months with 15700 miles on it and I already have problems. Could my vehicle be a lemon? Please research about other 2003 tahoe's if they have had similar problems.
When vehicle is traveling straight or in a turn there is a slight bump in the steering wheel almost like the steering wheel is lose.
Intermediate steering shaft play. This problem causes shaking in the steering wheel. Dealer lubricates the steering shaft and this is only a temporary fix. The problem will resurface and you will have to return to the dealer again. This is very inconvenient and you should consider this when purchasing this vehicle. This has also occured with my other vehicle a 2003 gmv sierra. I have heard this from several other owners of the same type of vehicle and I feel general motors should fix this problem instead of putting a bandade on it.
The owner heard a "clunking" sound when backing out of driveway. While traveling on freeway, the owner noticed some play in the steering wheel and tried to pull over. The truck failed to respond to the turning of the steering wheel. The truck was looked at by a mechanic who stated that the steering linkage had failed. *mr *jg
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