1,524 of the
23,432 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Silverado 1500
are about the steering —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2014.
When I put the pickup in park, I get a message that states "Shift to Park". The pickup is completely stopped, the gear shift indicator is in "P". When I get out of the vehicle I get two loud two-horn alerts indicating that the pickup in not in Park, when in fact it is. Doing some research, I have seen that this is a common problem for GM vehicles. The console shift vehicles are actually involved in a class action lawsuit, while the steering column shift vehicles are not.
NHTSA complaint #11758467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
COMPONENT: Electric power steering (EPS) and electrical/power distribution. Available for inspection. FAILURE: My 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT (5.3L, 4WD) intermittently loses EPS assist during tight low-speed turns; steering becomes suddenly and severely heavy. On one occasion the engine shut off completely while I was turning - steering went heavy immediately before the stall. The same events bring random Service StabiliTrak warnings, Tow/Haul messages I did not request, and loss of stereo audio and turn-signal chime, sometimes together. Shutting off, opening the driver's door, waiting a minute, then remote starting restores normal operation - modules appear to reset when the truck fully powers down. SAFETY RISK: Loss of steering assist plus complete engine shutdown occurred while turning. Losing both in traffic could readily cause a crash. RECALL: NHTSA 18V-586 (GM 18289, EPS Loss of Steering Assist) was completed on this VIN 2018-10-11. Eight years later the vehicle still loses steering assist, now with engine stall. GM's Part 573 report states the remedy only reduces EPS current draw so voltage stays above the 8.8V cutoff; it appears inadequate here. GM TSB 18-NA-161 describes this same symptom set and attributes it to high-resistance battery cable connections, a poor BCM ground at G218, a shorted B+ cable at the starter solenoid, or a faulty battery - a hardware condition never made subject to recall despite causing engine stall and loss of steering assist. INSPECTION: Hotchkiss Auto could not recreate the failure; the vehicle set numerous codes across multiple modules, making the fault impossible to isolate. Not inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance. No crash, injury, or fire. PRIOR REPAIR: Two months ago I cleaned and tightened two grounds (front passenger wheel area, under driver's dash). Symptoms stopped two months, then returned. WARNINGS: StabiliTrak and Tow/Haul messages precede and accompany the failures. First appeared June 2025.
NHTSA complaint #11756917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for an undisclosed repair. The vehicle was picked up and driven for seven minutes down the road, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the following day the vehicle was diagnosed and determined to have a failed steering angle sensor. The vehicle was repaired out of pocket; however, after the repair, the issue reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 216,300.
NHTSA complaint #11756455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
For the past 2 years ive been having issues of losing power steering. Lots of parts and modules have been replaced out of pocket. Still not fixed. When it goes out it can be out for days to weeks and is extremely hard to steer. Its gone out or come back in during a turn which is very problematic and unsafe. I always get the same dash message, "service power steering drive with care". The dealership is aware and has seen the malfunctioning steering. So far the rack and pinion gear box has been replaced at $2700, then it was a terminal resistor that was replaced for $2,100, and several other trips in costing more money just to get the steering fixed but technicians have been unsuccessful so far despite their best efforts.
NHTSA complaint #11756540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving normally OR pulling a camper (same day), power steering seems to "stick" as I exit either a moderate RH or LH corner. I must apply extra effort to the steering wheel to straighten out, and that invariably leads to an over-correction and departure into either the shoulder or the opposite lane. Problem is not sensitive to speed or weather conditions. The symptoms are not necessarily worse when pulling a camper, but the consequences are much more drastic and losing control of the vehicle feels much more imminent than when driving just the truck. Because the problem comes and goes so quickly, I can be applying force to straighten the wheel when suddenly, no force is required and the truck veers either left or right. I see no warning lights, nor do I see any messages displayed. I have not yet had the opportunity to get the truck to a mechanic. I'm not confident that I can safely drive to a repair facility, as the steering is so unpredictable.
NHTSA complaint #11753515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Approximately one week ago I was driving at a safe speed on a two-lane highway. Suddenly, my steering wheel and truck jerked to the right. For 8-10 seconds a warning message was displayed "Power Steering ... Drive Carefully." I took the truck to my local dealership. They scanned for trouble codes. The technician said something about an interruption communicating with the electrical system. My service advisor took the truck on a 15-mile drive and had no problem. They scanned again and there were no trouble codes. The service advisor said they could not fix the problem if they did not know the cause of the problem. I left the dealership. Since then, I have had 4 more incidents. Once the warning message appeared again, but no jerk of the steering wheel or truck; once there was the same warning message and a jerk of the steering wheel and truck; and twice there were sudden jerks of the steering wheel and truck but no warning message. I have reported each of these incidents to the dealership. I also called Chevrolet Customer Assistance. I explained the problem and asked if they would assign a Field Service Engineer to assist the dealership. hey declined my request. Because I momentarily lose control of steering the truck, I fear for my safety and the safety of others.
NHTSA complaint #11752802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was camping at a state park outside of Kenton Ohio. On Sunday July 19 2026 while backing up my travel trailer I lost power steering to my 2019 Silverado 1500. then a message came on my display saying service power steering soon and then a check wiring harness warning. I turned off truck and restarted it and warnings cleared and power steering came back. The following morning July 20th started the truck, no power steering and service engine light was on drove to Kenton and had codes read. Had multiple codes for different control modules. Power steering came back and I was able to drive home. Called my dealer and was able to get appointment on July 24. Tried to start truck and it would crank, start run rough for a few seconds then stall out. Had to have it towed to dealer for repair. End result faulty ground strap from body to frame, loss of electric power steering ability while driving due to a ground cable could have been a very dangerous situation for everyone in the vehicle and on the road
NHTSA complaint #11752809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while turning into a parking space, the steering wheel locked up, and the contact was unable to park the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent dealer where the failure was diagnosed as a corroded ground strap. While diagnosing the vehicle the dealer became aware that the ground strap in the passenger’s side wheel well was damaged from road salt and water. The vehicle was repaired out of pocket. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #11752675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had a complete loss of steering and had to have the truck towed to the dealership. This could have caused a very serious accident. There was no previous warning - it just went out. The dealership charged me $2183 to replace the steering gear. According to the literature, the steering function should last to well past 100K miles (my truck had 66,552 miles on it). In addition, there are multiple reports of steering going out online - perhaps a recall is in order. The literature also states that if diagnostic code C1599 then the steering rack is completely fine mechanically but it has simply lost its electrical connection. That is the code that the dealership saw - it sounds like the fix could have been much simpler and cheaper.
NHTSA complaint #11751362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Without prior warning my power steering went out. This could have been life threatening. I had to have it towed to the dealership (Voss Chevy, Centerville OH). The truck had 66,552 miles on it and the extended warranty that we purchased thru Voss expired on 26 Mar 2026 and although we were under the 75K mileage, they would not honor it (planned obsolescence?) So they replaced the steering gear for $2183. After researching, the literature says that diagnostic code C1599 (which is what Voss saw) indicated that the steering rack is completely fine mechanically but it has simply lost its electrical connection. In addition, literature says that a steering rack should last at least to 100K miles. There are also multiple issues documented on carcomplaints.com regarding the loss of power steering. Perhaps a recall is needed. In addition, I believe we were mislead as to what repairs were needed.
NHTSA complaint #11751271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Over the last week, my truck power has been almost shutting down after the stabilitrac warning appears on the dash while I’m turning or going over uneven pavement. The whole system shut down once already when turning around in a driveway. I have a new battery. Spark plugs are good. ABS is good. There are no recalls I can find, but this must be electrical somehow. Help me pls before it causes an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11745410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 experiences an intermittant, uncommanded mechanical drivetrain lockup and severe binding when accelerating from a complete stop. The vehicle rolls fine in a straight line for several feet, but the exact moment the steering wheel is turned slightly (a couple degrees), the drivetrain violently binds up. This creates resistance in the steering and acceleration, as well as a severe physical and audible metallic clunking slam and massive shockwave vibrations felt directly through the steering wheel, floorboards, brake/gas pedals, and driver’s seat. During the last event, the vehicle threw a "Service 4 Wheel Drive" dash message and refused to shift out of "Auto" mode back into 2WD. Because this is a pure mechanical interference/binding issue, it does not consistently throw active electronic trouble codes. A standard OBD2 code scan will show nothing. After turning the vehicle off for several hours and testing again, the problem persisted. After towing the vehicle to a dealership (6/10/2026) it sat for at least 5 days before dealership service looked at it. By this time, the active warning lights cleared. My initial servicing dealership refused to perform physical hardware or fluid diagnostics under my factory warranty, stating they would not look at the vehicle unless I paid $860 out-of-pocket or until the drivetrain "completely grenaded" on the road. Because this uncommanded lockup restricts my ability to steer the vehicle safely from a stop, it presents an immediate crash hazard. At the direction of General Motors Corporate, I am escalating this issue and moving the vehicle to a secondary certified facility (Feldman Chevrolet of Novi) on June 23, 2026, for a formal physical hardware and fluid tear-down inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11745032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auto wash truck quit, dead would not restart, tow service disconnected battery and reset. Okay after. Visit to dealer service they said nothing wrong. Driving yesterday in the rain quit 4 times on the road driving, it would restart each time. Warning on the dash would flash at times "Hands on the wheel" while driving ? This is a serious safety issue. Intermittent when it gets wet, new truck, 1,800 miles, no alterations. Dealer service no help, it has hard codes, CAN Bus communication issue, water intrusion likely cause, we are afraid to operate on the road, help please.
NHTSA complaint #11743179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sudden loss of power steering, usually upon initial start. May return, may not return during drive. Began around 1 week ago. Sudden loss of power steering when turning either right or left has occurred causing a dangerous situation. Upon loss of power steering, 2 warnings appear. One for loss of power steering and the other for the trailer brake. Have never trailered anything with truck. Check engine light has come on at times, others it has not. Steering failure has occurred approximately 6 times. An internet search found some reference to my vehicle being informally added to the recall affecting other GM Vehicles. Vehicle has not been inspected yet.
NHTSA complaint #11740226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Let's eat come randomly unhook after clicking in.I have an indicator that keeps popping up to check my steering column and my transmission feels like it's slipping when you are trying to accelerate
NHTSA complaint #11740231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Safety Issue Summary: I am filing a complaint regarding critical safety defects with my vehicle. The truck displayed warning messages for traction control service and brake system failure on the instrument panel while parked in my driveway, prior to the vehicle becoming inoperable, I experienced dangerous driving conditions including swerving similar to hydroplaning on two separate occasions. Details: The vehicle was picked up on a flatbed on May 11th, 2026 because it would not start or run. When I drove it before this incident, I experienced the vehicle swerving dangerously similar to hydroplaning on two different occasions 5/1/26 and 5/9/26. Upon inspection, warning messages appeared on the dashboard indicating traction control system service and brake system failure. These are critical safety systems. Chevrolet HE Dealership in Wichita Falls, Texas performed a diagnostic and claimed to find only a dead battery and parasitic draw. They refuse to address the traction control or brake system failures and claim they cannot duplicate the issues. They are pressuring me to accept the vehicle without written confirmation that these safety systems have been repaired. Safety Risk: A vehicle with non-functioning traction control and brake system failures is unsafe to operate. I cannot accept this vehicle until these critical systems are properly diagnosed and repaired.Than you for your help in this matter.
NHTSA complaint #11738322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
in beginning of January of 2026 my vehicle had lifter issues. Brought it to Chevrolet Group 1 in Spring Texas. Three weeks without transportation. Beginning of February the vehicle stopped in the middle of the feeder. Vehicle lights up but goes dark for five seconds and will not start. Had it towed back to the same dealership and told it was the battery cable that needs to be replaced. Three weeks passed no transportation. In the middle of April 16 2026 I was driving on the feeder in the far right lane and the front right wheel came off hanging by only the tie rod. the vehicle slid a good 700 to 900 almost crashing into a muffler shop gate. Upon inspection the muffler shop mechanic notice that the front right upper control arm bolt threads are not damaged and the nut is missing.
NHTSA complaint #11736619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.