GMC Sierra 1500 steering noise problems

Filed Aug 21, 2026 · Suspension · MD

Several months ago while having my truck serviced, I asked the repair shop to inspect the ball joints on the passenger side because they would make a popping noise when turning the wheel. The shop inspected them and said that was a normal sound due tot he factory lift. Recently I was driving home and about to turn into my lane when the front passenger wheel assembly collapsed under the truck due to the a upper ball joint failure separating the brake line and loss of steering. At the time, I was only going about 25mph and the truck slid to a stop on its own. The truck has 65,000 miles on it and if this had happen at highway speeds personal injury to myself and others would have been likely. The repair cost were $7,500. Fortunately I purchased an extended warranty which covered all but $1,700 of the repair.

Filed Feb 11, 2026 · Steering · IL

This letter serves as a formal notice of concern and demand for accountability regarding the 2009 GMC Sierra LD, VIN [XXX] , owned by [XXX] . There are numerous documented complaints and safety investigations concerning premature tie rod failure in 2009 GMC Sierra models. While the 2009 model year may not have been subject to a sweeping, industry-wide recall specific to tie rods in the 1500 series, it is undeniably and consistently associated with premature steering component failure — including both inner and outer tie rods. The refusal to proactively address this defect, assign a broader recall, or take ownership of the recurring issue reflects a troubling disregard for consumer safety. Documented and Reported Issues Include: • Premature Wear: Tie rods becoming loose or failing between 50,000–100,000 miles, resulting in steering wander and excessive play in the steering wheel. • Clunking/Knocking Noises: Audible front-end knocking at low speeds, a well-known symptom of failing tie rod joints. • Severe Safety Risk: Instances where tie rods have separated or become dangerously compromised, directly affecting steering control. • Uneven Tire Wear: Excessive inner or outer tire edge wear caused by steering instability. • Recall 14V-246000: A related recall acknowledging improper tightening of tie rods where they thread into the steering gear rack — a defect that could cause separation and loss of steering control. The common symptoms — steering vibration, looseness, clunking when turning, and vehicle pulling due to misalignment — are not minor inconveniences. They represent serious safety hazards that endanger drivers, passengers, and the public. It is unacceptable for GMAC and General Motors to minimize or compartmentalize this issue when patterns clearly demonstrate a systemic steering component weakness in this model year. The presence of Recall 14V-246000 further demonstrates that the manufacturer was aware of tie rod-related risks ! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5

Filed Oct 29, 2025 · Engine · TX

Rod bearings spun and engine locked up while driving 70mph on the freeway. I was in traffic, and had to work my way over and off to the shoulder of the road. The engine was diagnosed and replaced by Hiley GMC at a cost of nearly $5,000 out of my pocket. This was at approximately 63,000 miles. Just out of warranty. No loaner vehicle provided. I was without my truck for 2 months. There were no warnings at all. No lights or noises of any kind. Rod bearings spun again on the replacement engine approximately 35,000 mile later. It happened same as before. Driving on the freeway at 70mph, and the engine seized. No power steering, no warning noises or lights. I had to coast across lanes through traffic and onto the shoulder. Diagnosed and replaced by Jerry's GMC. They replaced the motor at no charge except I had to provide the new radiator because it was on backorder. They had the truck for over 3 months and I had no loaner vehicle. With approximately 65,000 miles on the latest engine, a lifter went out. I put it in the shop to have all the lifters replaced, and motor mounts replaced at a cost of $6500. Upon taking the truck for a test drive, the engine seized in traffic under an overpass and blocked one lane of traffic. The shop dropped the oil pan to check it out, and, lo and behold, this engine has spun rod bearings again. There is definitely a serious and dangerous problem with the L87 6.2L. Being a 2020, it is not currently included in the recall, but it needs to be included. I spun bearings the first time in August of 2021. I was hoping it was just bad luck. I hadn't heard of all the instances at the time. I've never had a major engine failure prior to this model, and this one has failed 3 times in the same truck with meticulous maintenance.

Filed Jan 21, 2025 · Airbags, Steering · CA

Subject: Safety Complaint Regarding Steering Airbag Trim and Steering Axle Issues (the federal safety agency), I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding serious safety issues with my GMC vehicle. Specifically: 1.The steering airbag trim has begun to crack, which raises concerns about its structural integrity and potential interference with airbag deployment in the event of a collision. 2.The steering axle is making unusual noises due to loose bolts and worn bushings, posing a potential risk to steering control and overall vehicle safety. I recently took the vehicle to an authorized GMC dealership for inspection and repair. However, the dealership refused to address these issues despite their clear impact on safety and their apparent connection to manufacturing defects. Given the critical nature of these problems, I urge the federal safety agency to investigate this matter thoroughly. These defects not only compromise the safety of the vehicle but also endanger the lives of the driver, passengers, and others on the road. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am happy to provide any additional information or documentation required for your investigation.

Filed Oct 2, 2024 · Brakes, Steering · LA

Truck showed check engine light and popup message to Service ESC, vehicle disable traction control. Before being able to have the vehicle scanned for error codes (after sitting parked turned off for a while, all errors cleared. Several days later when turning vehicle on traction control warning light, parking break warning light, and stability control warning light all turned on, service ESC message popped up again, PRNDL position indicator light turned off and vehicle began to have a clicking noise in the steering column when break was pressed. There is a multiple year long thread on this topic on the silveradosierra forum entitled "service-esc-and-service-power-steering" it appears that dealer and GM help are limited and the issue often goes away and recurs.

Filed Apr 12, 2024 · Transmission · NC · crash · 1 injury

Hard changes with transmission like a car has hit you from behind. It has had a hit in the transmission changing gears since 15,000 miles but it has progressively gotten worse and at 67k it’s enough to knock you to change steering direction.

Filed Jun 10, 2023 · Brakes, Fuel system · MD

Severe gas smell. Brakes hardly stop truck. Service stabilitrac. Paint peel. Steering clunking. Antifreeze leaking

Filed Apr 14, 2021 · Steering · 95,000 miles · NC

The vehicle was in motion and when traveling (in motioni) at a low speed turning left with a sharp left turn there is a popping noise in the steering column section that you can both hear and feel. In fact, there has been occasion when it appeared to me that the steering wheel appeared to somewhat stick or briefly freeze, again in this left a hard left turn at a slow speed. I took this vehicle to the local gm dealer today, the service manager evidenced the same issue; although, he did not know what is causing the problem suggesting that I return the vehicle for their service and review over a day when I can leave the vehicle with them.

Filed Aug 19, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 82,500 miles · IA

My vehicle turned completely off and it put my breaks to the floor at 26 MPH. My steering locked also as if I turned it off. Prior to this happening 3 months my steering column has a popping feeling. Not noise. Feeling. When I took it to the shop, they read the code and it said something along the lines of communication error. Dealership couldn't find anything wrong, took apart steering column nothing was loose and popping stopped also had battery replaced 7 months prior and no bad connections. Received my truck back, was good until a week ago the popping feeling, is back.

Filed Sep 24, 2019 · Steering · 45,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that there was a slight clicking noise in the steering wheel when it was turned left to right. Expressway chevrolet buick gmc (4000 in-62, mt vernon, in 47620, (812) 307-9993) diagnosed that the steering rack failed and would cost $2,000 to repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 45,000. *tr the consumer stated the battery was replaced and the clicking steering rack noise was no longer heard.