We were driving full speed down the highway and the vehicle completely shut down steering wheel locked and we were stranded for six hours. Turns out the dealer said it was just the battery and they fixed the grounding of the battery. I’m sorry but I’m not satisfied with this response. I’m scared to drive this vehicle.
Chevrolet Tahoe steering lock-up problems
44 of the 10,079 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Tahoe describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2015 model year.
- owner complaints
- 44
- worst model year
- 2015
- typical mileage
- 80,000
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 9Power steering loss 3Headlights 3Check engine light 3Warning lights 2Stalling 2Loss of power 2Ball joint 2
What owners say
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH in sand, the vehicle stalled, and the steering wheel seized. The contact turned off the vehicle, jiggled the steering wheel, and waited approximately 10 minutes before restarting the vehicle to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
Steering wheel locked - Available for Inspection - Can not Steer the vehicle - Diagnostic by independent service center - Unknown (Inspection by Manufacturer) - Massage (Power Steering Assist- Drive with care)
I backed out of my driveway put it in drive stepped on the gas and the car hesitated and just shut down. Steering wheel locked up I had no time to even stair it out of the road. Try to start it and would not start but the dash and radio would come on. Tried to get in neutral to get it out of the road but everything is electronic so we could not do it. We had to have the car towed to the closet dealership. It took them two weeks to even diagnose the problem working along side GM service. Two weeks could have been saved with GM knowing they had a bulleting and problem with the LZO 3.0 Duramax diesel motors. It is not week 5 I still do not have a car and they have not even started putting the new motor in. GM has not been helpful AT ALL! It has been a miserable 5 weeks. They told me I could rent a car myself with a cap of $44 per day with all taxes and fees included and I MAY be reimbursed. So I have to put the money out of my pocket first and they may reimburse me. At this point I would be already out $1540.00 which is not in my budget. I purchased a brank new 2025 Chevy Tahoe 3.0 Duramax diesel motor car and it only has 8k miles on it and the motor is blown. I also paid for the car in full. I have asked GM numerous times to tell me where I went wrong and they have no answers as usual. It has been a horrible experience to this point and I have no idea when it is going to end. The dealership is trying to tell me that my car would not have dies going at higher speeds. I am so luck it happened in my neighborhood and not while on the highway. I could have been killed!
Since 15,394 miles vehicle has experience multiple system failures upon vehicle startup. 2/24, 2/25, 12/25, 1/26. In all of these 4 instances the brakes become spongy/hard, steering wheel locks, and I am not able to control vehicle. Dash lights up; "Brake system failure - 43mph top speed", "Fwd collision system unavailable", "Service traction control", "Service ESC", "Service steering column lock", "Service brake pad monitor". Dealership has replaced, Telematic control module, Electronic brake control module (EBCM), Serial data gateway module, Park assist module and most recently they replaced the battery and cleared the codes to "fix" the same intermittent but recurring condition. In 11/24 Recall N242447990 was performed, reprogramming of Brake system control module and Serial Data Gateway Module, the exact same issue happened before and after the recall.
Steering wheel locked driving hazard lights on dashboard on power steering light on stranded on road with my kids took it to riverside chevrolet almost 2 months in dealership 2 technician could not give me a diagnostic on the truck they could not repair the vehicle vehicle not drivable
The car presented steering lock column issues with repair lights on at 50 miles. Since then, they have repaired the system numerous times and replaced that system fully twice. They also replaced the manual start system and six other pieces of the car over 18 visits to two different Chevy dealerships. The car still reduces speed and stops acceleration, has electric issues in the windows, lights and gate etc.
At low speeds the steering wheel locks up and become very difficult to turn. This has been an issue for a few years and only happens randomly. Reviewing N212333901 it is the same symptoms but for some reason my VIN is not covered in the recall while is the same year as affected vehicles (2021 Tahoe Z71)
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was able to restart and was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving, and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to veer over to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle failed to restart as intended and was towed to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuse box and the battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred immediately after the contact drove off the dealer's parking lot. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal metallic sound coming from under the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 18,500.
My truck Keeps Shutting off and steering locks up
Related recalls
Steering: steering control module
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
- Risk
- Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020; Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006; or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.
Recall number 21V455000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
- Risk
- If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 18289.
Recall number 18V586000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and Yukon XL vehicles, equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Due to a problem with the EPS module, the affected vehicles may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist during vehicle operation.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering assist motor kit, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14743.
Recall number 14V719000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado vehicles manufactured May 23, 2013, through March 25, 2014, 2014 GMC Sierra vehicles manufactured May 25, 2013, through March 31, 2014, and 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles manufactured January 29, 2014, through March 27, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the tie rod threaded attachment may not be properly tightened to the steering gear rack.
- Risk
- An improperly tightened tie rod attachment may allow the tie rod to separate from the steering rack, resulting in a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- GM notified all owners, and dealers will inspect the inner tie rods to make sure that they are correctly tightened, replacing the steering gear, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14204. NOTE: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been inspected and repaired. Owners should contact GM to have their vehicles towed to the dealership.
Recall number 14V246000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling certain model year 2011cadillac escalade, escalade esv; chevrolet silverado hd, silverado ld, suburban, tahoe; and gmc sierra hd, sierra ld, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft attaching bolts may not have been tightened to the proper specification.
- Risk
- This could allow the joints to separate, and the driver could experience loss of steering increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Gm dealers will inspect and ensure that the intermediate steering shaft bolts are tightened to the proper specification. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 13, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑800‑458‑8006, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 11V339000 · Recall details
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose may fracture and leak fluid.
- Risk
- If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increased braking effort would be required. If the power steering fluid spray were to spray onto hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727, or hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493.
Recall number 05V455000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty extended-cab pickup trucks and 4-door utility trucks. The lower steering shaft to steering gear pinch bolt is "finger loose" or missing allowing the bolt to loosen and fall out. The steering shaft yoke can wear causing an off center steering wheel.
- Risk
- Relative movement between the chassis and cab can cause the steering shaft to separate from the steering gear. This condition can result in a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers are arranging to have the vehicles involved towed to the dealership and alternate transportation is being arranged for owners. Dealers will then inspect the vehicle for the presence of a pinch bolt and torque this bolt to proper specifications.
Recall number 97V142000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Tahoe steering lock-up
Which Chevrolet Tahoe years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2015 (15 complaints), 2005 (5 complaints) and 2002 (4 complaints).
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