FaultScore

Chevrolet Express steering problems

38 of the 856 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Express are about the steering — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.

38

Complaints

4%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

Steering complaints by model year

1996 Express 3 7.9%
1997 Express 1 2.6%
1999 Express 5 13.2%

Median failure at 85,297 miles

2000 Express 5 13.2%

Median failure at 42,439 miles

2001 Express 4 10.5%
2002 Express 4 10.5%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

2003 Express 4 10.5%
2004 Express 2 5.3%

Median failure at 83,950 miles

2005 Express 1 2.6%

Median failure at 2,700 miles

2006 Express 1 2.6%

Median failure at 258 miles

2011 Express 1 2.6%
2012 Express 2 5.3%

Median failure at 47,000 miles

2014 Express 1 2.6%

Median failure at 7,000 miles

2017 Express 1 2.6%

Median failure at 16 miles

2018 Express 1 2.6%
2021 Express 1 2.6%

Median failure at 23 miles

2023 Express 1 2.6%

Median failure at 29,047 miles

What owners said

2023 Chevrolet Express at 29,047 miles Columbus, IN

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that while pulling into the driveway, the front driver's side wheel turned sideways. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the outer tie rod had failed, and the tie rod nut was bent. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact repaired the vehicle himself. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 29,047.

NHTSA complaint #11662549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Chevrolet Express Slingerlands, NY

STEERING

when the vehicle approaches 45-50 mph on the highway, the car begins to shake violently, where it feels like the body/frame of the vehicle is going to separate from the car. the only way to resolve/reset this is to bring the vehicle to an almost complete stop and then re-accelerate. when this happens on the highway everyone violently shakes in the vehicle, and it is difficult to quickly bring the car to a halt as other cars are traveling at highway speeds behind the vehicle. this has been taken to the dealership multiple times over the years with no resolution.

NHTSA complaint #11595186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Chevrolet Express Bedford, IN Crash 2 killed

STEERING

UNKNOWN...THE VEHICLE VEARED OFF ROAD AN INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. Did not seam like steering was working properly. The final out come there were 2 deceased operators. In 2 different vehicles. I'm not sure if the recalls were ever repaired.

NHTSA complaint #11538233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Chevrolet Express at 23 miles Fairburn, GA

STEERING

The contact rented a 2021 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was slowed to 10 MPH for the contact to regain control of the steering wheel. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering gears were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23.

NHTSA complaint #11497723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Chevrolet Express Louisville, KY

STEERING

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO STOP THE BRAKE PEDDLE VIBRATES AND THE CAR SHIFTS FORWARD A LITTLE AND THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES A WINDING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #11286632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Chevrolet Express at 16 miles Aurora, IN

STEERING

MY COMPANY JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED DOZENS OF 2017 CHEVY EXPRESS VANS. ONE OF THESE NEW VANS (16 MILES ON ODOMETER) EXPERIENCED A FAULTY BRAKE BOOSTER MECHANICAL ISSUE WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER INTEGRATION WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS POTENTIALLY FATAL DESIGN FLAW IF YOU MANUFACTURE A VEHICLE THAT WOULD ENGAGE THE BRAKES JUST BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA complaint #11031985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Chevrolet Express at 7,000 miles Surprise, AZ

STEERING

DRIVING DOWN A HILL AT 30 MPH ON A ONE LANE CURVE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY QUIT. I STRUGGLED TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT HAD 3/4 TANK OF FUEL AND ONLY 7,000 MILES ON IT. IT WOULD NOT START. CALLED AND GOT A TOW TO CHEVY DEALER WHERE IT WAS BOUGHT. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. HAVE RECEIPT AND INFO FROM THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10970911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Chevrolet Express at 47,000 miles Danville, WV

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND RELEASED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STABILITRAK ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AFTER BEING TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA complaint #10725751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Express Columbiaville, MI

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW BUT UNBEKNOWNST TO ME WAS MADE IN CANADA (SOMETHING WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTABLE TO ME HAD I BEEN TOLD). UPON POSSESSION THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING CAME OFF ON THE RIDE HOME. THE DRIVER SIDE TIEROD END WENT AT 12,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 24,000 MILES BECAUSE UPON INSPECTION THE BALL JOINTS WERE NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE BOLTS ON THE TRANSMISSION WERE FOUND BY THE DEALER TO HAVE BEEN NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE SIDEDOOR HINGE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600 BECAUSE IT FROZE UP AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE POWER STEERING UNIT RUSTED OUT AT 12,000 MILES AND STARTED LEAKING FLUID AND, WHAT I FIND MOST IMPORTANT, I AM NOT SURE IF I HAVE AIRBAGS BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON BUT IS NOTED TO GO OFF WHEN THE KEY IS PARTIALLY TURNED HOWEVER THE KEY CANNOT STAY IN THIS POSITION AND MUST BE TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE. FUEL EXPECTATION WAS NEVER NEAR WHAT I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AND TAILPIPE CONSISTENTLY SHOWED EVIDENCE OF BEING BLACKENED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FUEL BURNING. THE POOR BACKDOOR DESIGN MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW AND IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT BY ALMOST EVERY VAN OF THIS TYPE HAVING A DENTED BUMPER DUE TO THIS BLINDSPOT IN DESIGN. I HAVE NOT BEGUN TO LIST ALL THE THINGS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT I WILL CHALK THEM UP TO DOWNRIGHT LYING AND JUST INFERIOR PARTS AND CRAFTSMENSHIP. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE.

NHTSA complaint #10588771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Express at 118,000 miles Peabody, MA

STEERING

VEHICLE HAS CONTINUED TO EVIDENCE PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO WHAT'S DESCRIBED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 04V452000. POWER STEERING PUMP AND BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND GM DEALER PERFORMED HYDRO BOOST INSPECTION TEST AND IT PASSED; SAID NO FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED. BUS HAS AGAIN LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES TO CAUSE A DANGEROUS CONDITION. DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT A VEHICLE THAT RECALL APPLIES TO.

NHTSA complaint #10455608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Chevrolet Express at 108,000 miles Rehoboth Beach, DE

STEERING

2002 CHEVY 2500 EXPRESS VAN. FAILURE OF POWER BOOSTER, LOST BOTH BRAKE POWER AS WELL AS STEERING POWER. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL CAR. REPLACED ONCE, FAILED AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER. REPLACED AGAIN. FAILED AGAIN THIS YEAR. I AM NOW ON MY FORTH POWER BOOSTER, FAILURE IS VERY DANGEROUS AS YOU LOSE BOTH STEERING AND BRAKES AT SAME TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10313423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Express at 2,700 miles Highland, NY

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

2005 CHEVROLET EXPRESS SHOCK TOWER FAILURE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SHOCK TOWER CRACKED IN HALF. WAS REPAIRED. SHE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A SHIMMY AFTER THE REPAIR. *KB WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP FOR THE SHIMMY, SHE WAS INFORMED THE TIE RODS HAD WORN OUT AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT EXCESSIVE WEIGHT AND THE WRONG WHEEL/TIRE SIZE CAUSED ADDITIONAL STRESS AND WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE. THE ABS LIGHT FLICKERED.

NHTSA complaint #10212794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Chevrolet Express at 258 miles Puyallup, WA Crash

STEERING

I WAS LEAVING A MILITARY HOSPITAL AFTER DROPPING OFF MILITARY PEOPLE AND TURNED LEFT AND DROVE ABOUT 200 YARDS WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE STEERING AND I COULDN'T STEER THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WENT TO THE RIGHT HITTING A ROAD SIDE LIGHT POLE. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS BLOWN ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL. I CAN'T SAY THAT IT HAD BLOWN BEFORE OR AFTER THE CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #10157947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Express North Salem, NY

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

THE RACK AND PINION UNIT HAS LOTS OF PLAY IN THE CENTER. (APPROX 50K) THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN REVERSE FROM DAY ONE. THE GAS PEDAL SHIFT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ABOUT 3 INCHES. (APPROX 40K) THIS VAN HAS ABOUT 50 REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS VAN IS USED BY MY WIFE AND 4 KIDS.

NHTSA complaint #10153267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Express North Salem, NY

STEERING

THE RACK AND PINION UNIT HAS LOTS OF PLAY IN THE CENTER. (APPROX 50K) THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN REVERSE FROM DAY ONE. THE GAS PEDAL SHIFT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ABOUT 3 INCHES. (APPROX 40K) THIS VAN HAS ABOUT 50 REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS VAN IS USED BY MY WIFE AND 4 KIDS.

NHTSA complaint #10153267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Chevrolet Express at 93,595 miles Henderson, KY

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

DT : THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT BROKE INSIDE THE PUMP ON JULY 14, 2000, THE DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2005 IT BROKE AGAIN, TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AGAIN, AND THEY DID REPLACE IT. HOWEVER, THEY CHARGED THE CONSUMER $636.00. THE STEERING LOCKED AND THAT WAS HOW CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THIS HAPPENED ON A DRY PAVED ROAD AND IN WARM WEATHER. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10137980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Chevrolet Express at 77,000 miles Newcastle, IN

STEERING

DT: 1999 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE SHAFT ON THE POWER STEERING UNIT BROKE. THE CONSUMER STATES THE POWER STEERING INSTANTLY QUIT WORKING ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC DID NOT TELL HIM WHY THE SHAFT BROKE.

NHTSA complaint #10128567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Chevrolet Express at 28,128 miles Elkhorn, WI

STEERING:COLUMN

2000 CHEVORLET VAN W/28128 MILES HAD POWER STEARING COLUMN BREAK CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE TOWED BECAUSE OF BEING UNABLE TO STEER IT. COST TO US $733.78. GM WAS NOTIFIED WITH NO SATISFACTION. COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL . WANT TO KNOW IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. GM SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS.

NHTSA complaint #10127436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Express at 49,900 miles Clayton, OH

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

LEFT FRONT WHEEL DISENGAGED FROM VAN AT 55 MILES PER HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO A NUT FALLING OFF OF THE SPINDLE. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS AND COSTLY SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10127002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Chevrolet Express Allen, TX

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. RECALL 00V085000 CONCERNING POWER ASSIST HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS WAS ISSUED. SOME VEHICLES WERE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. HE CALLED CHEVROLET, AND WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE SEPARATED FROM THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FLUID FLOW SWITCH ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA complaint #10121955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Chevrolet Express problems