RoadVitals

2002 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.
25
Latest Feb 15, 2018
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.
5%
of 509 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 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 25 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

Steering
Filed Feb 15, 2018

THE IGNITION IS NOT WORKING RIGHT

NHTSA ID
11072997
Incident
May 24, 2017
Steering
Filed Oct 10, 2017

AT LOW SPEEDS MY 2002 CHEVY 4WD WILL NOT TURN TO THE RIGHT. LEFT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AFFECTED. I HAVE REPLACED THE BELT, AND THE BELT TENSIONER, AND THE IDLER PULLY WITH NO CHANGE TO THE STEERING. I ALSO HAVE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FLUID ON A REGULAR BASIS (50,000 MILES BETWEEN). I WAS ABOUT TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHEN I FOUND THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE RACK AND PINION. I AM HOPING THIS REPORT WILL CONVINCE GM TO ISSUE A RECALL. TRUCK HAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID
11032746
Incident
Oct 2, 2017
Mileage
107,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 22, 2013

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 TRUCK, AND HAD A NEW SET OF TIRES (OEM SIZE), A NEW NAPA HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY AND A NEW NAPA INNER TIE ROD. THIS WORK WAS PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED ASE MECHANIC AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP ON JULY 3, 2013. THE TIE ROD FAILED ON JULY 29, 2013. THE HUB BEARING AND THE INNER TIE ROD WERE REPLACED DUE TO NORMAL WEAR. THANKFULLY - THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT LAST WEEKEND DOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY IN MY TRUCK. FAILURE OF THIS PART ON THE HIGHWAY COULD HAVE COST ME MY LIFE, MY FAMILY'S LIVES AND THE LIVES OF EVERYONE ELSE IN MY UNINTENDED PATH. VEHICLE WAS "REPAIRED" BY THE LOCAL SHOP IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THEY SHOWED UP WITH A REPLACEMENT NAPA INNER TIE ROD. I SEE ON THE BOX THAT THIS PART IS MANUFACTURED IN CHINA. I DID NOT WANT THAT PART ON MY VEHICLE AND TOLD THEM THEY COULD INSTALL IT FOR A ONE-TIME TRIP TO THE SHOP BUT THEN I WANT IT CHANGED TO ANOTHER BRAND. THEY OBLIGED AND FOUND ANOTHER MANUFACTURER. THE NAPA PART IS ES3478 - INNER TIE ROD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10536666
Incident
Jul 29, 2013
Body & structureBrakesSteering
Filed Dec 14, 2012

TOOK TRUCK IN FOR STATE INSPECTION, TRUCK FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES, POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING , DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE $1228.43 TO $1420.99 TO JUST FIXED THE BRAKE LINES ALL LINES NEEDED REPLACED AND CALIPERS SCREWS. POWER STEERING PUMP COST 535.00 TO REPLACE. POOR QUALITY ,HIGH COST TO FIX AND LACK OF SAFETY ON GM PART FOR NOT COVERING RUBBER COATING OR USING STAINLESS STEEL LINES TO PROTECT OUR FAMILY VERY DISCOURAGED WITH SERVICE TECH SAID THESE ARE THE PRICES. WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR SAFETY. BRAKE LINES AND GAS LINES SHOULD NOT BE MADE OF STEEL THAT CAN CORRODE AND RUST OUT AND BREAK. POWER STEERING PUMP WITH THESE FEW MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT. MY 1988 CHEVY TRUCK NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10488844
Incident
Dec 7, 2012
Mileage
82,457 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 5, 2012

STEERING SHAFT MAKES NOISES ON TURNS AND BUMPY ROADS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10450283
Incident
Mar 5, 2012
Mileage
111,230 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 26, 2012

WHEN I TURN OR HIT A BUMP IT MAKES A CLUNK, AND YOU CAN HEAR IT AND FEEL IT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, NOW HAVE 119000 MILES ON IT. I AM CONSURNED IT MY BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10449362
Incident
Feb 1, 2011
Mileage
98,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 2, 2012

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER REGARDING THIS ISSUE AT 35000 MILES, IN 2004. THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM INVOLVING ONLY THE 2002 MODEL. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM, JUST AN ANNOYANCE I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH. I STILL OWN THIS VEHICLE NOW IN 2012 AND STILL SEE MANY COMPLAINTS, INEFFECTIVE REPAIRS REPORTED, AND PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY GM HAS NOT DONE A RECALL, OR ISSUED ANY BULLETINS. WHY IS IT ONLY THE 2002 MODEL HAD THIS PROBLEM ? I HESITATE LETTING ANYONE ELSE DRIVE THE TRUCK DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10442058
Incident
Jan 5, 2004
Mileage
35,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 18, 2011

THIS MODEL PICKUP HAD A NOISY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT REPLACED IN MID 2004 AND THE REPLACEMENT MADE THE SAME CLUCKING NOISE SHORTLY AFTER AND WE WERE TOLD TO WAIT UNTIL A FIX THAT WOULD LAST WAS ENGINEERED. WE LATER FOUND GM HAD A FIX BUT OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY IN DEC 2007 WAS OVER AND THE SERVICE BULLETIN THAT WOULD FIX THIS COULD NOT BE DONE FREE. THIS NOISE WAS COMMON AND IT IS LOUD ENOUGH TO MASK OTHER NOISES THAT COULD CAUSE A WRECK OR LOSS OF CONTROL. GM SHOULD HAVE A RECALL SO THEY CAN FIX A FAILED COMPONENT THAT FINALLY THEY GOT RIGHT. FAILED COMPONENT WAS INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT LOOSE AND NOISY. YES, I AM I CERTIFIED MECHANIC SINCE 1958. BAD SPELLING BUT A GOOD MECHANIC.

NHTSA ID
10383845
Incident
Jun 15, 2004
Mileage
20,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 23, 2010

2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500. CONSUMER STATES DEFECTIVE PART IN STEERING COLUMN *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE 2002 THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAS BEEN REPAIRED FIVE TIMES, TO ELIMINATE THE RATTLE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL OR WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THE CONSUMER STATED HE LOCATED A GM SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10340052
Incident
Jun 23, 2010
Steering
Filed Nov 14, 2009

THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS A CLUNKING/KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING WHEELS AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10292165
Incident
Oct 15, 2009
Mileage
19,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 20, 2009

STEERING COLUMN RATTLING AND VIBRATING EXCESSIVELY ON MY 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER REPORTED THAT THE COLUMN JUST NEEDED TO BE GREASED. THREE DAYS LATER, THE NOISE WAS BACK. SAME THING WAS DONE WHEN THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PICK UP. THE VIBRATION FROM THE COLUMN IS ENOUGH TO PUT YOUR HANDS TO SLEEP AND THE NOISE IS EXTREMELY ANNOYING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10274430
Incident
Nov 15, 2003
BrakesSteeringVisibility
Filed May 8, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK). THE DEALER CLEANED THE SPEED SENSOR, BUT DID NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED AND THE BRAKES STICK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS. ON THE FOURTH TRIP TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NO FAILURES COULD BE FOUND. SHE IS UNSURE IF THE DEALER WILL REPLACE OR CLEAN THE SENSOR, BUT SHE REQUESTED THAT IT BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED PART IN JULY OF 2005 AT 18,031 MILES. IN NOVEMBER OF 2006, AT 29,650 MILES, THE STEERING SHAFT WAS LUBED. IN APRIL OF 2008, AT 43,194 MILES, THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME. CURRENTLY, AT 56,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE IS STILL EXPERIENCING ISSUES. THE DEALER MUST CHECK AND REPLACE THE SHAFT FAILURES EVERY 25,000 MILES. LASTLY, THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED FOUR TIMES AND ALL OF THE WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER TO HAVE ALL OF THE ISSUES REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,031. UPDATED 07/02/09. *LJ

NHTSA ID
10268182
Incident
Jul 16, 2005
Mileage
18,031 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 11, 2009

WHEN MAKING A TURN I HEAR A THUMPING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10265004
Incident
Dec 28, 2008
Mileage
96,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 20, 2009

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO THE STEERING BOX WAS REPLACE AT 31,166 MILES AND AT 48,000 MILES ITS DOING THE SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN YOU CAN NOT PARK THE TRUCK AND IF YOU ARE AT A STOP TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL IS HARD AND A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING BOX THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO PAY 200.00 THIS TIME LOOKING TO IT I FEEL I SHOULD TO PAY NOTHING AT ALL AND THOUSANDS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM I READ THIS ON A WEB SITE AND THIS IS A STEERING PROBLEM THAT COULD FAIL AND PEOPLE COULD GET KILLED OR KILL SOMEBODY WOULD YOU PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT IS TO LATE AND MAKE GM RECALL THE STEERING GEAR BOX THANK YOU ROGER SANSON *TR

NHTSA ID
10255627
Incident
Jan 20, 2009
Mileage
31,166 mi
Steering
Filed May 29, 2008

THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WENT BAD ON IT I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK OVER THE TRUCKS FRONT END THINKING THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. THAT WASN'T THE CASE HIS DAD HAS AN 04 SILVERADO THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED MY LOCAL CHEVROLET GARAGE IN INDIANA AND THEY ACTED LIKE THEY NEVER HEARD OF IT. SO I CALLED THE LOCAL GMC DEALERSHIP AND ITS GETTING FIXED NEXT WEEK. SENSE ITS A 2002 THERE IS NO WARRANTY SO ITS GOING TO COST AROUND 200 DOLLARS. IT MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE. IT ALSO MAKES A WEIRD GRINDING NOISE SO I HOPE THIS FIXES MY PROBLEM!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10229235
Incident
May 29, 2008
Mileage
71,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 25, 2008

STEERING COLUMN RATTLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10222322
Incident
Jan 1, 2003
Mileage
10,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 17, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BOUNCED. THE NOISE INTENSIFIED WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE DEALER GREASED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 03-05-08 *BF

NHTSA ID
10212089
Incident
Aug 5, 2003
Mileage
35,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 4, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING AND GRINDING NOISE. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN AND APPEARED TO ORIGINATE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID
10210834
Incident
Nov 1, 2007
Mileage
49,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 21, 2007

STEERING WHEEL KNOCKS, MAKES NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10209670
Incident
Aug 16, 2007
Mileage
75,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 17, 2007

INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IN 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO RATTLES SINCE NEW. TEMPORARY FIX HAS BEEN TO GREASE THE SHAFT EVERY FEW MONTHS. NOW GM SAYS DON'T GREASE THE SHAFT, REPLACE IT WITH NEW DESIGN, BUT OF COURSE, THERE ISN'T ANY WARRANTY NOW. *JB

NHTSA ID
10206153
Incident
Nov 1, 2002
Mileage
5,000 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 29, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING FROM VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #05V379000 WHICH PERTAINS TO THE HYDRAULIC ANTI-LOCK SERVICE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE PCV VALVE AND FUEL FILTER WERE REPLACED. THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED, THE ROTORS WERE EVENTUALLY REPLACED, THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS DRY. UPDATED 01/09/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10174659
Incident
Nov 21, 2006
SteeringTires & wheels
Filed Nov 8, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE PRESENTED PERMANENT TO WORSENING CONDITIONS OF THE STEERING COLUMN. PRIOR WARNINGS INCLUDED WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLICKING SOUND AND VIBRATION WOULD OCCUR. THE STEERING COLUMN GRADUALLY BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME REPAIRS CONCERNING THE STEERING. UPON EXAMINATION, THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED LUBRICATION AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED LUBRICATION MAINTENANCE EVERY 4,000 MILES. ALSO, THE INTERIOR SHAFT WAS WORN AND THE BELT WAS BROKEN. THE DEALER REPLACED MOUNT CUSHIONS, REPAIRED THE BUSHING AND STEERING GEAR, AND PROVIDED STEERING SHAFT WITH A LUBE KIT. PRIOR EXAMINATIONS MADE BY THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A BROKEN BELT. UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10172955
Incident
Nov 7, 2006
Mileage
52,400 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 27, 2006

MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO IN THE FALL OF 2002. IN THE FALL OF 2004, WE NOTICED A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN WE WOULD MAKE TURNS. WE HAD IT CHECKED OUT TO FIND THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS WORN. AFTER WAITING 6 MONTHS TO FINALLY RECEIVE A PHONE CALL FROM THE BILL JACOBS DEALERSHIP IN JOLIET, I CALLED AND FOUND OUT THAT THE PART HAD BEEN THERE AND WE PROCEEDED TO HAVE THE REPLACEMENT MADE. I CALLED THE CHEVROLET CORPORATION AND FILED MY COMPLAINT. FOURTEEN MONTHS AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE "NEW GM PART" HAS WORN OUT! I WAS TOLD BY THE CHEV. CORP. THAT I WOULD HAVE TO SCHEDULE FOR ANOTHER TEST AND THEN THEY WOULD PROCEED AFTER I CONTACTED THEM WITH THE RESULTS FROM THE TEST. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE US, THE CONSUMERS, $105.00 TO CHECK IT OUT. WE DO NOT FEEL WE SHOULD PAY OUT THIS MONEY WHEN WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. WHY SHOULD WE PAY FOR A FAULTY PART? THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PART. *NM

NHTSA ID
10169467
Incident
Jul 26, 2006
Steering
Filed May 6, 2005

AFTER STRIKING A BUMP WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND THE STEERING SHAFT WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.*AK REPLACE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. *BF *NM

NHTSA ID
10115910
Incident
Apr 11, 2005
Mileage
38,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 22, 2003

THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. *AK THE DEALER FOUND AN INTERNAL FAILURE WITH THE POWER STEERING RACK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10027220
Incident
Jul 14, 2003
Mileage
37,200 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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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .