Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
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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 2500 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.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT. THE POWER STEERING IS BAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN I BRAKE, I GOT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS CHANGED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED
WHILE TOWING A 7000 LB 5TH WHEEL TRAILER THE ELECTRICAL PLUG BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND TRAILER BECAME PARTIALLY DISLODGED AND AFFECTED THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH MADE THE GAUGE NEEDLES GO HAYWIRE INCLUDING THE TACHOMETER. ENGINE STALLED WITH RESULTANT LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO PARKING LOT AND STOP USING TRAILER BRAKES. REINSERTED PLUG FULLY INTO SOCKET AND HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE. *TR
BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN ACCIDENT DUE TO RUSTED STEEL LINE AND LOOSE (STRETCHED) PARKING BRAKE CABLE. RESIDENTIAL DRIVING UNDER 25 MILES AN HOUR I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. APPLIED PRESSURE TO BRAKE WITH ABOUT 100 FEET FROM LIGHT. BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. IMMEDIATELY I APPLIED PARKING BRAKE. VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO BOTH ACTIONS. THE TRUCK ROLLED THROUGH THE STOP LIGHT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. MAIN LINE FEEDING REAR BRAKES ABRUPTLY FAILED CAUSING PERSONAL AND PROPERTY DAMAGES. AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES SERVICED AND FIXED, AND THINKING THAT THE TRUCK WAS SAFE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. BOTH STEERING AND BRAKING WERE NON RESPONSIVE. HAD I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, THE HIGHWAY GAVE ME AMPLE TIME TO SLOW DOWN AND GET MY FAMILY TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED AND DIAGNOSED. A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP WAS PUT IN. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE TRUCK WITH MY FAMILY IN IT. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO BRAKE NEXT. *TR
THE TRUCK WAS HOOKED TO A 25' GOOSENECK TRAILER LOADED WITH HAY. THE ENGINE WAS THE DURAMAX DIESEL WITH ALLISON TRANSMISSION. THE INTENT WAS TO HAUL HAY FROM EASTERN WASHINGTON TO WESTERN WASHINGTON. THE POWER STEERING PUMP BROKE A SHAFT INSIDE THE PUMP MAKING THE POWER STEERING UNUSABLE. AS IT TURNS OUT THE POWER STEERING PUMP ALSO SERVES AS THE POWER BRAKE ASSIST. AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 3 MPH, IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO BRAKE THE TRUCK BUT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEELS. IT WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS HAPPENED IN THE FARMERS FIELD AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE PUMP QUIT WORKING, THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE GONE OFF OF THE ROADWAY, MOST LIKELY OVER A STEEP CLIFF BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO STEER THE TRUCK OR STOP IT DUE TO THE SINGLE PUMP FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE LOAD OF HAY WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE TRUCK TO PICK UP SPEED IF IT WAS GOING DOWN HILL. *TR
ON JULY 23 2008, I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND I LOST ALL STEERING, THE PITMAN ARM SHEARED OFF. I HAD INSTALLED THE FAB-TECH PITMAN ARM, IDLER ARM, TIE ROD ENDS, AND STEERING STABILIZER KIT. I FOUND OUT LATER THAT THE PITMAN ARM, AND IDLER ARM, HAD A RECALL. I CONTACTED FABTECH VIA EMAIL AND THEY TOLD ME WHO TO CONTACT ABOUT THE RECALL. I LATER GOT TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER GUY AT FABTECH. HE SENT ME INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO GO ABOUT THE RECALL TO GET REFUNDED THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE AND GET A CHECK FOR THE INSTALLATION AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND THEY ARE ALSO SUPPOSE TO SEND THE NEW IDLER ARM AND PITMAN ARM. FABTECH ASKED THAT I BOX AND SHIP THE OLD PARTS TO THEM AND THEY WOULD THEN INSPECT THEM AND SEND THE CHECK AND PARTS. I SENT THE PARTS IN AND THEN THEY DECIDED THEY WERE NOT GOING TO HONOR THE RECALL. I HAD COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE, LUCKILY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT HAPPENED. JUST HOURS BEFORE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. A RECALL IS A RECALL AND THEY NEED TO HONOR IT FOR ME AS WELL. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE DIES OUT, AND QUITS RUNNING. IT THEN BECOMES HARD TO STEER AND STOP. IT TAKES ABOUT 2 TO 5 MINUTES BEFORE STARTING BACK UP, SOMETIMES MAYBE EVEN LONGER. IT DIES OUT ANY WHERE FROM 2 TO 3 TIMES A DAY, DEPENDING ON HOW LONG AND FAR I AM DRIVING. THE SPEED VARIES FROM 10 MPH UP TO 75 MPH. *TT
ALL BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINES ARE RUSTED, ALL FUEL SUPPLY LINES ARE RUSTED, EXCESSIVE RUST ON FRAME AND OTHER UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS, BRAKE ROTORS, CALIPERS ALL COVERED WITH EXCESSIVE. RUST. THESE DEFECTS HAVE SERIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS OR OTHERS. GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE ALL MAJOR CORRODED BRAKE COMPONENTS WITH NON CORROSIVE METALS, BRAKE FLUID LINES, FUEL LINES, RUSTED FRAMES AND ANY OTHER COMPONENTS. MANY ACCIDENTS WILL BE OCCURRING BECAUSE OF BRAKING FAILURES AND FRAME FAILURE. THIS RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ANY OTHER FAILURES OCCUR. THESE GM TRUCKS ALSO HAVE DEFECTIVE STEERING BOXES THAT FEEL LOOSE WHEN ROUNDING CORNERS. I HAVE HAD A 1995, 2001, 2002 CHEVY AND GMC WITH SAME PROBLEM THEY NEVER STOOD BEHIND THIS PROBLEM OTHER THAN TO PUT SOME GREASE IN WHICH WAS A TEMPORARY FIX. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500 HD TRUCK WITH 80,000 MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL 'PLAY' HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY MORE SLOPPY SINCE I PURCHASED THE NEW TRUCK. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SAFELY REMAIN IN MY DESIGNATED LANE WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE IS ABOUT 6-8 DEGREES OF STEERING WHEEL TRAVEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE BEFORE THE FRONT WHEELS TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, STEERING SHAFT, AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAKE CLUNKING NOISES WHILE GOING OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP IN THE ROAD, AND WHILE TURNING. THE VIBRATION IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED IT, AND GROWN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. MY LOCAL DEALER COULD NOT INITIALLY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM (WHILE UNDER WARRANTY). I'VE DISCOVERED A CHEVY SERVICE BULLETIN 02-02-35-006A, WHICH HAS HAD MIXED SUCCESS. ADDITIONALLY, MANY OTHER OWNERS I'VE SPOKEN WITH HAVE HAD IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. (CHEVY SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 00-02-35-003K *JB IDENTIFIES SEVEN DIFFERENT MODELS THAT HAVE THE SAME MECHANICAL PROBLEM.). I AM MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND HAS NOT YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.
2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD 4WD. STEERING BOX FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS HAD A "CLUNKING" NOISE IN THE GEAR BOX SINCE NEW, WITH THE STEERING OFF CENTER TO THE 2 O'CLOCK POSITION. DEALER HAS REMEDIED SEVERAL TIMES BY GREASING THE BOX. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE ON SAME PROBLEM. DEALER FOUND THE STEERING BOX WAS BROKEN AND APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN SINCE NEW. GREASE WAS FULL OF RUST. DEALER REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. CHARGED ME TO REMOVE AFTER MARKET PLOW EQUIPMENT. ANTI LOCK BRAKE FAILURE. 2ND OCCASION. BRAKES FAILURE AT LOW SPEED. DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. PER GM THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 05V379000 & IS A "SERVICE" ITEM. COST OVER $300 TO CLEAN. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500 HD TRUCK. THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, STEERING SHAFT. AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAKE CLUNKING NOISES WHILE TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT AND IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. CHEVY'S FIX IS TO REMOVE THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND LUBRICATE IT, THEN RE-ASSEMBLE THE STEERING SHAFT. THIS PROBLEM FIRST HAPPENED TO ME 6/04 WITH ONLY 19,748 MILES ON MY TRUCK UNDER WARRANTY NOW ITS HAPPENED AGAIN 2/07 WITH 36,100 MILES ON MY TRUCK. AGAIN, THERE FIX IS PER THERE SERVICE BULLETIN 02-02-35-006A,REMOVE SHAFT AND LUBRICATE THEN RE-ASSEMBLE, NOW IT COST ME NOT WARRANTY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK. WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON"T SPEND THE MONEY AND GET IT RE-LUBED EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS. WILL THE SPINES WEAR- OUT OR BRAKE, THEN POSSIBLE CAUSING STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING???? THIS PROBLEM MAY BE ABLE TO BE RESOLVED BY INSTALLING A GREASE FITTING ON THE SHAFT. I FELL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL TO BE FIXED BY CHEVY. CHEVY HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT SHOWS SEVEN DIFFERENT MODELS THAT HAVE THE SAME MECHANICAL PROBLEM. BULLETIN NO. 00-02-35-003K *JB
DT: WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND THE CONSUMER STOPPED TO PERFORM A TURN. AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING, NO PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES. THE CONSUMER SELF DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE CONSUMER TOOK APART THE POWER STEERING PUMP, AND THE DRIVESHAFT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS BROKEN . THE CONSUMER FELT THIS MAY BE DUE TO POOR CASTING OR UNDERSIZED IN DESIGN. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT REPLACED THIS AT THIS TIME. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED BOTH THE GM DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK THE CONSUMER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. *NM
THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT HAS FAILED. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES FAILED AND STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
THE TIE ROD HAS BROKEN TWICE IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS. THE MOST RECENT WAS ON 7/19/2003. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. *AK
THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED CAUSING THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKE SYSTEMS TO FAIL AT THE SAME TIME. THE GARAGE STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT BROKE. THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE GARAGE SAID THAT THEY HAVE REPAIRED SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM AND ARE STARTING TO SEE MORE OF THESE FAILURES. THE GARAGE DID A FINE JOB ON THE REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THIS COULD BE POTENTIALLY BE A VERY, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THOUGHT YOU SHOULD BE MADE AWARE. SINCERELY, [XXX] DT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
STEERING WHEEL PREVENTS CONSUMER FROM SEEING FOG LIGHT BUTTON. THERE IS A DOME OVER RIDE BUTTON. ALSO, HEADLIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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