89 of the
1,453 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Silverado 3500
are about the steering —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2016.
On XXX the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado was taken to Mayse Automotive Group at [XXX] dealership for the complaint of the key getting stuck in the ignition and unable to remove causing a safety and security risk. Service department found that the transmission control in column needed to be replaced. The park switch control was defective and providing incorrect data. Service department confirmed that many vehicles alike have needed same repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11757973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My steering feels loose and truck doesn't sways and wanders. It wasn't that way when I got it and I only put like 20000 miles on it. It shouldn't be having these issues. Other models 23-24 have a recall for this same issue.
NHTSA complaint #11736291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I’ve heard all the horror stories about faulty electrical issues. I’m chasing an issue now on my 2018 with ONLY 87,000 miles after spending a bunch of money on batteries hub assemblies random control modules to try to fix an issue of stabilitrak, traction control, abs, trailer brakes, power steering etc all going off every 3 seconds. Grounds have all been re done to bare metal nothing is fixing the issue. Steering wheel about flew out of my hands going 65mph when the power steering message along with all the others on the dtc while dinging annoying the shit out of me. I’ve bought nothing but gm trucks my whole adult life and I’ll never do it again. Thing is a piece of shit and you all should be doing something to fix it. I’ve seen people have the fix by replacing a tail light bulb speed sensors ecbm abs modules trailer brake modules harnesses the list is endless. Someone is going to die when they crash from some bullshit electrical problem that can’t be chased down because it’s always something different. The money we pay for these trash trucks is insane for the problems like this that you won’t recall. That’s it these trucks suck and I’ll never buy another one. Trash.
NHTSA complaint #11711287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving home from work 7/1/2024 approx 5:15PM Smelled burning smell, no noise or dash lights, thought it was another car. 1 minute later, heard a thump from under hood and "Charging System Failure" came on dash. Decided to take to Chevy dealer, which was 5 minutes away. Within next 2 minutes steering failed. As I came to next intersection, brakes failed, went thorough red light, luckily not hit by another vehicle. Coasted to stop and called tow service.Engine was still running until I turned it off. Had towed to local Chevy dealer. AC compressor had locked up, broken belt. Steering and brakes failed. Dealer agreed both failed, but would not list the brake failure on the invoice. I was originally invoiced 2900.00 to repair, even though truck had only 29244 miles. That was reduced to 1160.00. Was told it was 2 months past 36 month warranty. Engine was still under warranty, but AC, alternator, power steering and brakes, was not,. I had contacted GM which originally told me they would reimburse me for repairs and would mail me a check, I have the email. When check did not arrive after 2 months, I contacted my case worker again via email and phone. Could not get a response after about 6 attempts. When I called and finally got another person, I was informed they had changed their mind.
NHTSA complaint #11631152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased my new 2007 Chevy duramax diesel with an already installed fabtech lift kit. My pitman arm has snapped 3 times since I purchased my truck leaving me with complete steering loss. I have had to replace all steering components several times. My truck is unsafe due to a fabtech lift kit that the dealer installed before I purchased it. Led Schwab was the installer. I have several complaints with nhtsa and vsh.
NHTSA complaint #11631074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The steering is very loose. There are multiple complaints about this. I owned a 2017 GMC 2500 before this and had the same issue. I have not brought this into a shop because I’m not looking forward to the diagnosis & cost. This has been an ongoing issue for years. GM needs to recall something in the steering box. Source: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11588215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was towing my 36 ft 5th wheel home from my storage place when the engine stopped. I had no brakes or power steering. I was coming up to a stop sign when this occurred so fortunately I was only moving about 15 mph. I was able to stop the truck and trailer by using the 5th wheel braking system without any damage to vehicle or other property. Once I regained my composure I tried to start the truck. All the dash lights were on but it would not start. The digital display kept showing Service ECM & Service StabiliTrak. I had the truck towed to the dealer where it is right now. They have been unable to replicate the issue and have no suggested fix at this time. I had no prior warning messages or symptoms of the problem. All of this happened Sunday April 5, 2024. The truck is a 2024 and I bought it new, picked it up November 30, 2023. Current mileage is 3,523. If I would have been towing on the Interstate at 60-65 mph around a curve this could have been catastrophic.
NHTSA complaint #11582079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
With just under 900 miles the Steering wheel is turned to the left. There is a knocking noise when turning corners which the truck is now at the dealership for the 2nd time since I bout it.
NHTSA complaint #11564730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On June 27 2023 we we driving on a two lane highway pulling our travel trailer. We had driven 5 hrs the previous day parked unhooked and drove around the area with no issues. The following morning we left an were just entering the highway speed zone when the truck abruptly crossed the centreline. I managed to correct and stop n the shoulder and noticed 6-8” of play in the steering wheel. I dropped the trailer and slowly drove back to the town to try and see what the issue was. The vehicle continued to move left and right with no input from me. It was determined that the steering box was leaking and when steering was input a thumping could be felt in the tires but not in the steering wheel. The shop determined the box sector shaft adjustment shaft was nearly backed out completely. I contacted the dealership that services my truck about what should be done and they stated “replace the steering box” which we did. Had there been on coming traffic this would have been a fatal or serious collision and it is doubtful this defect would have surfaced as a causal factor.
NHTSA complaint #11534373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There is excessive play in the steering causing the vehicle to wander. Problem is amplified at freeway speeds or while towing 5th-wheel. On some roads truck will pull one direction till change in road slop cause truck to swerve in opposite direction. Like many others have stated this is a dangerous situation. Problem has not been confirmed by service center on this truck, but manufacturer has issued TSB PIT5501E. There are no warnings messages.
NHTSA complaint #11523579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The power steering. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was unable to steer the vehicle properly, this poses obvious risk while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? It has happened to me several times. It has not been reproduced by a third party. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warnings. No known issues.
NHTSA complaint #11432781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERPENTINE BELT BROKE . I HAVE IT AVAILABLE. RECOMMENDED SERVICE IS 150K MILES OR 10 YEARS . IT BROKE AT 55K AND 5 YEARS. LOST BRAKE AND STEERING ASSIST. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP OR TURN VEHICLE. IT IS A DIESEL AND USES HYDRAULIC ASSIST. DEALER REPLACED BELT COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. NO WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #11423931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN OCTOBER 2019. WHILE OUT ON THE TEST DRIVE, I NOTICED 2 TO 3 INCHES OF FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I ASKED THEM TO LOOK INTO IT AND THEY FOUND A BOLT IN THE STEERING BOX HAD BACKED OUT ABOUT A HALF INCH ON IT'S OWN. THEY FOUND A TSB FROM GM SAYING TO USE LOCTITE ON THE BOLT. THEY FIXED IT AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN GOOD FOR TWO MONTHS. I AM NOW STARTING TO FEEL FREE PLAY AGAIN AND THE STEERING ITSELF FEELS VERY LOOSE/ NO STIFFNESS AT ALL WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. I'VE SEEN MANY OWNERS IN MANY DIFFERENT FORUMS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND I FEAR FOR MY FAMILIES SAFETY WHEN TOWING OUR HEAVY CAMPER NEXT YEAR ON VACATION. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #11288545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXCESS PLAY AND SLOPPY STEERING. LOOSE AND WORN PITMAN ARM AND IDLER ARM NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 37,844 MILES. VEHICLE IS LIGHTLY USED AND NOT ABUSED OFF ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #11233402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, SLIGHTLY, YET NOTICEABLY. ANY SPEED. THE SHAKE IS CONSISTENT, FEELS WORSE WHEN TURNING OR(DRIFTING) RIGHT I ON FREEWAY. HAVE HAD STEERING GEAR BOX, PITMAN ARM, AND ROAD FORCE BALANCING PERFORMED, TO NO RELIEF. UPON SELF INSPECTION, LEFT WHEEL SEEMS (TIGHTER) AND NOT AS LOOSE TO HAND MANIPULATION, RIGHT WHEEL IS NOTICEABLY LOOSE WITH SLIGHT NOISE INDICATIVE TO A LOOSE OR WORN TIE ROD. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. IT HAS BEEN TO 5 GM DEALERSHIPS TO ATTEMPT A FIX OF THIS PROBLEM. A LAWSUIT WAS FINALIZED APRIL 2019. GM WAS FORCED TO COMPENSATE OWNER YET NO FIX WAS PERFORMED.
NHTSA complaint #11194479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SLOPPY LOOSE STEERING, SLACK ADJUSTER STUD LOOSENED 3/8 INCH, 3 TO 4 INCH STEERING PLAY. UNSAFE. LOCTITE FIX DOES NOT LAST. NEW RE-ENGINEERED GEAR BOX RECALL NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #11194303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.