RoadVitals

2001 Chevrolet Silverado 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.
16
Latest Dec 15, 2025
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.
3%
of 468 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

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 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 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

BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Dec 15, 2025
Crash reported

ABS locks up because of faulty wheel speed sensors known problem locking up brake pedal resulting in loss of control of vehicle causing collisions and dangerous situations.

NHTSA ID
11705043
Incident
Dec 24, 2024
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed May 27, 2023

Break line and break system has been giving issues and failure has occur. To the point of almost causing an accident. Steering issues several times. Pick-up truck suspension since newer truck has had big issues. Please remediate.

NHTSA ID
11524127
Incident
May 27, 2023
AirbagsBody & structureBrakes+12 more
Filed Oct 11, 2016

EVAPORATED SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID
10915372
Incident
Jun 27, 2016
Steering
Filed Jul 8, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. UPON ENTERING AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND WHILE TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PIN IN THE PITMAN ARM SHEARED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. MA 10/2 UPDATED 11/08/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10732699
Incident
Jul 8, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 13, 2014

WITHOUT WARNING AS I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN AT LOW SPEED JUST AFTER START UP OF THE ENGINE THE POWER STEERING FAILED. VEHICLE THEN REQUIRED BRUTE STRENGTH TURN TURN.WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME AND GET REPAIRED BUT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED TO DAUGHTER OR WIFE THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE BECAUSE OF STRENGTH REQUIRED. MY MECHANIC THAT REPAIRED VEHICLE STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS OCCUR IN GM VANS BEFORE WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IMMEDIATE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING BOX. $362.00 REPAIR WITH LABOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10621945
Incident
Jul 3, 2014
Mileage
98,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSeat belts+1 more
Filed Jul 17, 2014

THE VEHICLE WOULD EITHER STALL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR FAIL TO START. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHICH WAS INACCURATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED, COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT CRANK AT FIRST BUT THEN STARTED, THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME HESITANT TO START. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL PERIODICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE OTHER COMPONENTS, SUCH AS THE RADIO, WERE STILL OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME HESITANT TO START. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL PERIODICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. AUTORIDE SUSPENSION, NOT WORKING. HARSH RIDE WITHOUT SHOCK DAMPERING. FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT FREQUENTLY LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT EXTEND ENOUGH TO SECURE A PERSON. SEAT BELT OFTEN LOCKS UP WHEN PASSENGER IS BELTED IN AND PASSENGER CANNOT MOVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10611266
Incident
Feb 1, 2008
Mileage
120,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Jun 17, 2014
Crash reported2 injuries reported

SOMEONE RAN A RED LIGHT AND CREAMED INTO US AT ABOUT 50-55 MPH. THE IMPACT AREA WAS THE PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AREA AND THE IMPACT WAS SO VIOLENT THAT IT SMASHED EVERYTHING OVER AND INCLUDING THE STARTER... OUR AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I ALWAYS WONDERED IF IT WAS BECAUSE THE CRASH SMASHED THE STARTER AND HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE GM RECALLS NOW. BOTH MY SON AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN THE SAME AFTER THAT CRASH AND NEITHER OF US CAN EVEN SLEEP IN A BED FROM NECK AND BACK PAIN... WE BOTH HAD BRAIN INJURIES AND MINE WAS RATHER SEVERE WHERE I LOST MY SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE AND PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY...AND HAD SEVERE LANGUAGE AND SPEECH PROBLEMS... IT WAS ALMOST LIKE I WAS DYSLEXIC AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN THE SAME. BOTH OUR HEALTH DETERIORATED SINCE... I WAS TOLD 'OUR AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED' IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HARD IMPACT (WHICH IT WAS), SINCE THE MAN'S CAR WAS TOTALED FOR HOW HE HIT US WITHOUT EVER BRAKING OR SLOWING DOWN... SINCE THE IMPACT WAS THE PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AREA AND CORNER BUMPER CLEAR OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE AND EVEN BROKE THE STARTER, I WONDER IF THE IGNITION DID SOMETHING TO MAKE THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOY. I ALWAYS FELT THERE WAS MORE TO THIS ACCIDENT, BUT NO ONE WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR US. NOW WITH ALL THESE GM RECALLS, I WONDER IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THIS ACCIDENT. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF OUR AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WITH SUCH A VIOLENT CRASH AND IF WHEN THE CRASH BROKE THE STARTER IF IT COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING? THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10598990
Incident
Apr 19, 2006
Steering
Filed Nov 7, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN MAKING ANY TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.

NHTSA ID
10483567
Incident
Jul 29, 2012
Mileage
192,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 21, 2012

ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE STEERING GOT HARD STEERING THE INSTRUMENTAL LITES CAME ON WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THEN WENT OFF THREE DIFFERENT TIMES, THEN I WAS BACKING UP AND TURNING FAIRLY SHARP TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE MOTOR DIED. I STARTED THE ENGINE BACK UP AND MY STEERING WAS HARD TO STEER. ALSO EVERY TIME I TURNED TO THE RIGHT THE TIRE SOUND LIKE THE TIRE RUB ON SOMETHING BUT I NEVER SEEN ANY RUB MARKS ANY WHERE. I DO THINK THAT IF I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. I HAVE CHECKED AND SEEN WHERE ALOT OF 2001 CHEVY SUBURBANS HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CHEVY SHOULD DEFINETLY RECALL AND CHECK NO MATTER HOW MANY MILES. *TT

NHTSA ID
10462585
Incident
Jun 14, 2012
Mileage
121,843 mi
Fuel systemSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 18, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE. FUEL IS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THE TIRE RODS AND WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 90,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ID
10188276
Incident
Apr 18, 2007
Mileage
66,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 28, 2006

STEERING COUPLER IN STEERING COLUMN GOES BAD AND CAN BE FELT IN STEERING WHEEL GIVING THE DRIVER A VAGUE HANDLING SENSATION AND NOT A GOOD FEEL FOR THE ROAD SURFACE ESPECIALLY IN TURNS. GM HAS TWELVE TSBS ON THE PROBLEM AND WILL NOT REPAIR FOR NO CHARGE I HAD TO PAY FOR THE LAST ONE AND IN 30K THEY HAVE ALL FAIL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10177210
Incident
Oct 15, 2006
Mileage
120,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 30, 2006

MY 2001 Z71 SILVERADO HAS HAD THE STEERING SECTOR LUBRICATED TWICE BECAUSE OF LOUD BUMPING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10174821
Incident
Nov 29, 2006
Steering
Filed Aug 24, 2006

DRIVING NORMAL, NO WARNING. POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT BROKE AT SPLINES. VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. PUMP SHAFT WAS REPLACED. I DO HAVE THE BROKEN PART. *JB

NHTSA ID
10166401
Incident
Aug 19, 2006
Mileage
76,937 mi
Body & structureBrakesHeating & air conditioning+2 more
Filed Jun 4, 2006

BRAKE ROTORS CORRODED COMPLETELY , EMERGENCY BRAKE RUSTED COMPLETELY , MASSIVE RUST UNDER TRUCK , BRAKE CALIPERS RUSTED , POWER STEERING WENT OUT ,A.C. FAN WENT OUT, SHORT IN WIRING IN DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS, THIS A 2001, 56,000, MILES, LOW MILEAGE TRUCK TO HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD NOT SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, I LOOKED IT UP, THERE IS RUSTING AND TOTAL CORROSION OF THE BRAKE ROTORS IN MANY DIFFERENT STATES, OVER ALONG PERIOD OF TIME, EVEN WHEN THE ROTORS ARE REPLACED THEY ARE RUSTING COMPLETELY AGAIN. CHEVY IS SELLING AN EXPENSIVE TRUCK, AND THEN PROFITING AGAIN ON THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS, AND MAKING A PREMIUM PROFIT ON THAT TOO.! THEY ARE NOT BOTHERING TO FIX A DEFECT THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME. VERY DISGUSTED WITH THE CHEVY SILVERADO, MY FIRST AND LAST CHEVY. *NM

NHTSA ID
10158960
Incident
Jun 4, 2004
Mileage
56,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+6 more
Filed Jan 6, 2005

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FOR 15 FAILURES AND OR PROBLEMS WITH GM 2001 CHEVY TRUCK. *BF THE STEERING ROD ASSEMBLY WOULD POP WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, THE SHIFTER BOOT RIPPED IMMEDIATELY, THE TAILGATE STRAPS BROKE AND BENT THE TAILGATE, THE PCV VALVE WAS USING 4 QUARTS OF OIL AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, THE BATTERY EXPLODED AT 40K MILES, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE ON THE INSIDE HAD WORN DOWN THE METAL, THE LIGHTS ON THE STEREO BURNED OUT, THE LIGHTS HAD BURNED OUT, THE VALVE COVER WERE LEAKING OIL BEFORE 100K MILES, THE FUR WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH HAD BROKEN AT 50K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT AT 1K MILES AND THE DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A PRE-IGNITION KNOCK AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROLS RIPPED AT 60K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETE GONE OUT AT 118K MILES AND THE SEAT BELTS LATCH SYSTEM HAD BECOME DEFECTIVE. *SC

NHTSA ID
10109401
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Steering
Filed Apr 29, 2002

WHILE CONSUMER WAS BACKING UP THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THE DEALER FOUND THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT HAD BROKEN. *YH

NHTSA ID
565490

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .