RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Mar 6, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 129 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesSteering
Filed Mar 6, 2020

SO THE HYDRABOOST IS FAILING AND MY TRUCK IS POURING AN INSANE AMOUNT OF POWER STEERING FLUID FROM HYDRABOOST SYSTEM. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM FOR MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL THE HYDRABOOST RECALL POPS UP BUT WHEN CALLING CHEVROLET THEY WANT TO DO NOTHING. WHEN ITS APPARENT MY TRUCK IS AFFECTED BY TRASH PARTS. IT ONLY HAS 149000 MILES ON IT AND THE HYDRABOOST SYSTEM IS GONE. I'M TIRED OF ADDING 2 QUARTS OF POWER STEERING FLUID A WEEK, AND CANT EVEN DRIVE MY FAMILY AROUND BECAUSE I WAITING ON BRAKES TO SPORADICALLY FAIL DUE TO THE SYSTEM BEING COMPROMISED.

NHTSA ID
11316505
Incident
Feb 20, 2019
Mileage
134,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 16, 2010

RATTLING IN STEERING COLUMN...HAVE HAD GREASED 3 TIMES AND IT STOPS FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. 2 FRIENDS DRIVE 3/4 TON CHEVROLET PICKUPS AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10370870
Incident
Nov 23, 2006
Mileage
20,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 7, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE WAS DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND MADE A CLICKING AND GRINDING NOISE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES FOR THE VEHICLE OR RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED TWICE BY THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUE TO OCCUR SINCE NO REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED ON JULY 25, 2007 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,574. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED ON JULY 7, 2009 WHEN THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,494 AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE PARTS. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SAME PARTS EVERY 2 YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39574 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,600.

NHTSA ID
10298549
Incident
Mar 25, 2007
Mileage
39,574 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 21, 2009

VEHICLE MADE KNOCKING NOISE IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THEY HAD TO GREASE THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE GONE, BUT RE-APPEARED MONTHS LATER. HAVE LIVED WITH THIS KNOCKING NOISE NOW FOR (4) YEARS. CALLED DEALER AND ASKED IF THEY COULD FIX THIS PROBLEM AGAIN FOR ME (VEHICLE NOW NOT UNDER WARRANTY). WAS TOLD THEY NEVER PERFORMED THIS REPAIR FOR ME ON MY VEHICLE, BUT IF I WANTED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT GREASED THEY WOULD CHARGE ME $135.00 DOLLARS. HAD ENTIRE FRONT END OF VEHICLE GREASED BY LOCAL AUTO STORE WITH PROBLEM NOT BEING SOLVED. NOISE IS VERY DISTURBING AND CAUSES CONCERN FOR FUTURE ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10266315
Incident
Jun 15, 2005
Mileage
5,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 9, 2008

RATTLE AND BUMPING NOISE TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10251187
Incident
Mar 23, 2008
Mileage
78,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 16, 2008

STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT BUT I HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10224689
Incident
Apr 16, 2008
Mileage
50,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 7, 2008

I AM EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE NOTED IN SERVICE BULLETIN #050235003. SINCE MY VEHICLE IS OVER THE 36,000 MILES I NOW HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR. IT IS IN THE STEERING AND I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10214024
Incident
Jan 2, 2008
Steering
Filed Sep 13, 2007

CLUNKING SOUND AND CLUNKING FEEL FELT IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING IT. IT HAS HAPPENED ON AND OFF FROM TRUCK NEW UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN IT IS ALL THE TIME AT 58,000 MILES. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TESTED TRUCK AND NEW EXACTLY WHAT PROBLEM WAS. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT SINCE 2003 AND HAS ISSUED SEVERAL FIXES FOR IT FROM GREASING SHAFT, NEW TYPES OF GREASE, ETC. AND NOW HAS FINALLY CAME UP WITH A NEW TYPE OF SHAFT TO REPLACE THE OLD ONE. PROBLEM IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE NEW SHAFT. IT IS GOING TO COST ME ABOUT $300 TO FIX. SINCE GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR SO LONG, THEY SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL AND FIX IT FOR FREE. SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT, SO MAY JUST LET IT GO, THEREFORE LEADING TO A MAJOR STEERING ISSUE AND AN ACCIDENT. GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL IMMEDIATLY AND CORRECT THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON VEHICLES IT EFFECTS.

NHTSA ID
10202943
Incident
Oct 15, 2005
Mileage
500 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 18, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING CHAMBER WAS MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER EIGHT TIMES, THE STEERING SHAFT WAS CHANGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING CHAMBER WAS SHAKING WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. HE ALSO EXPERIENCED TIRE VIBRATION WITH THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES, IN ADDITION TO HUGE VIBRATIONS FROM THE EXHAUST, WHICH FLOW THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 35,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250.

NHTSA ID
10196697
Incident
Apr 4, 2005
Mileage
250 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 29, 2006

GM HAS HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS THAT LOOSEN AND RATTLE IN THEIR AVALANCHE MODELS. THIS MAY ALSO APPLY TO THE 1500 SERIES PICKUPS AS WELL BUT I'M NOT SURE SINCE I HAVEN'T KEPT IN TUNE TO THOSE OWNERS AS I HAVE AVALANCHE OWNERS. THE DEALER REMEDIES THE SITUATION, BASED UPON GM'S SERVICE BULLETINS, BY SHOOTING THE SHAFT FULL OF GREASE TO TAKE OUT ANY PLAY IN THE STEERING. HOWEVER, THIS LASTS ANYWHERE FROM 5K - 15K MILES. I HAVE HAD TWO AVALANCHE'S AND BOTH HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO KNOW NUMEROUS OTHER AVALANCHE OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW OF ANY FAILURES BUT I'M ALSO NOT HAPPY WITH GM'S LACK OF A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM AND I'M AFRAID AN ACCIDENT IS MORE SOONER TO HAPPEN THAN A SATISFACTORY FIX FROM THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ID
10177305
Incident
Jun 3, 2006
Mileage
15,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 30, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING OVER A BUMP OR WHILE TURNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE BUSHINGS FOR THE TIE ROD WERE NOT INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THE BUSHINGS WERE INSTALLED AT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP THAT DETERMINED THE BUSHINGS WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. THEY WERE INSTALLED A SECOND TIME, AND THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AGAIN. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10172184
Incident
Oct 30, 2006
Mileage
7,666 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSteering+2 more
Filed Aug 6, 2005

ON JUNE 12TH, 2005, I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY AVALANCHE FOR MY WIFE FROM BILL HEARD CHEVROLET IN SANFORD, FLORIDA. THE MORNING AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF UNIT, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP/BRAKE PROPERLY, THE TIRES WERE RUBBING INTO THE FRONT FENDERS AND THE FRONT END WANDERED AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT DAY AND SPOKE WITH THE SALESMAN. IT TOOK THE DEALERSHIP ALMOST THREE WEEKS TO GET MY VEHICLE INTO THEIR REPAIR FACILITY. THEY HAD ADDRESSED THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX THE VEHICLE. I THEN RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP A WEEK LATER STATING MY CONCERNS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE SERVICE MANAGER VERIFIED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ON THIS VISIT NOTHING WAS FIXED AGAIN. A WEEK AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THIS DEALERSHIP STATED AND VERIFIED THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE PROBLEMS, BUT THERE WAS NO FIX FOR IT. THIS DEALERSHIP ALSO STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE LAST FIVE MONTHS, AND STATED THE SELLING DEALERSHIP NEVER FIXED THE RECALL. AGAIN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE PROBLEMS, BUT THE RECALL WAS NOW COMPLETED BY THIS DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THE SELLING DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, THE SALES MANAGER, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER, THE SALESMAN AS WELL AS OTHERS TO TRY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED OR HAD THE PURCHASE VOIDED TO RECEIVE MY MONEY BACK. NO ONE IN THIS DEALERSHIP WILL HELP ME. I THEN CALLED GENERAL MOTORS (CORPORATE) AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. TODAY I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, AND NOW WITH YOUR AGENCY. I AM SEEKING HELP BECAUSE I FEEL THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR MY FAMILY TO BE IN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10131820
Incident
Jun 13, 2005
Mileage
569 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .