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.
17
Latest Jul 12, 2021
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.
4%
of 449 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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
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 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 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 Jul 12, 2021
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to become hard to maneuver. The contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the hydro boost area when the brake pedal or accelerator pedal were depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the intermediate shaft was faulty. The intermediate shaft was replaced however, the failure recurred. The contact requested the dealer to replace the power steering pump but the dealer informed the contact that the failure was caused by the power steering pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 115,000.
NHTSA ID
11424383
Incident
Jul 12, 2016
Mileage
115,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Jul 16, 2019
I BOUGHT A 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD 15 YEARS AGO AND GAVE IT TO MY 16 YEAR OLD SON. RECENTLY WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES AND STEERING WAS ACTING FUNNY AND MAKING A NOISE, SO WE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSES. THE PROBLEM ONLY STARTED GETTING WORSE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND AN OLD RECALL OR NOTICE RELATED TO THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE THAT WAS DEFECTED BECAUSE OF O-RING FAILURE. JUST SEARCHING THE VEHICLE WILL SHOW SEVERAL SITES REVEALING THE PROBLEM. THE NADA SITE GOES INTO MORE DETAIL ON THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE PARKED THE TRUCK UNTIL A DECISION IS MADE. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE WHEN STEERING AND LOOSES BRAKING.
NHTSA ID
11232522
Incident
Jun 6, 2019
Mileage
208,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 14, 2017
4 RUGGED TERRAIN T/A LT265/75R-16 PURCHASED AT ODOMETER 91681. TIRES ROTATED AT 100955. FOLLOWING HAPPENED WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING. ON 8/19/2015, ODOMETER 109831, VEHICLE VIBRATING, FOUND BUBBLE (TREAD SEPARATION) ON LEFT REAR TIRE. TIRE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 8/4/2017, ODOMETER 121840, VEHICLE VIBRATING, FOUND BUBBLE (TREAD SEPARATION) ON RIGHT REAR TIRE. HAVE NOT TAKEN TIRE TO DEALER YET. FRONT TIRES SEEM TO BE "SINGING" WITH A "RHYTHM" (BEST I CAN EXPLAIN). I'M HAVING ALL CHECKED OUT TODAY. I DON'T TRUST THESE TIRES ANYMORE.
NHTSA ID
11015039
Incident
Aug 4, 2017
Mileage
109,831 mi
AirbagsEngineSteering
Filed Feb 23, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT MADE A LEFT TURN AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED NERVE PAIN IN THE BACK AND LEGS FROM THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.
NHTSA ID
10837778
Incident
Feb 23, 2016
Mileage
196,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Feb 2, 2015
IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS UP OCCASIONALLY AND MAKES THE ABS SERVICE BRAKE LIGHT COME ON. *TR
NHTSA ID
10680670
Incident
Mar 29, 2007
Mileage
62,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 9, 2014
WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM A 2 WEEK VACATION (30 MILES FROM HOME) SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON A CITY STREET IN WOODLAND, CA, THE TRUCK JUST SHUT DOWN, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES, NO ENGINE, TOTAL ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. IT WAS EVERYTHING I COULD DO TO MAKE THE TURN AND PULL TO THE RIGHT. AT THE TIME I WAS PULLING MY 2009 BIGHORN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. IT WAS A SCARY TIME. I FINALLY STOPPED, LUCKY THERE WAS NO CARS PARKED ON THE RIGHT NEAR THE CURB. I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THEN WE CONTINUED THE TRIP HOME TO WINTERS, CA. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO IMLER DIESEL IN SACRAMENTO TO CHECK THE ENGINE OUT. THEY REPLACED THE INJECTORS WHICH WE HAD AGREED TO DO PRIOR TO MAKING THE TWO WEEK TRIP. THE NEXT TRIP WAS TO BODEGA BAY ON JANUARY 14, 2014. WE TRAVELED ABOUT 100 MILES. AGAIN WE WERE PULLING OUR FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. SLOWING DOWN FROM 55 MPH TO 15 MPH, PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN IN DORAN BEACH PARK AT BODEGA BAY, THE TRUCK SHUT DOWN AGAIN.I CAME SO CLOSE TO HITTING A TREE. ONCOMING TRAFFIC STOPPED JUST IN TIME AS THE SPEED LIMIT AT 55 MPH SEEMED TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING GIVING ME TIME TO RESTART AND MOVE OFF THE HIGHWAY. MY WIFE AND I WERE BOTH SHAKEN UP A BIT, BUT ALSO FEELING VERY LUCKY NOT HAVING A CRASH. WE CONTINUED HOME 4 DAYS LATER. WE PARKED THE TRUCK.THE MILEAGE WAS 143579 AT THE START OF THE TRIP AND 143819 AT END. I HAVE NOT USED THE TRUCK SINCE. I DO NOT FEEL IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS LUCKY TWICE, DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO RISK A THIRD TRY. LOOKING BACK, THE SHUTDOWN DID HAPPEN TWO OTHER TIMES BUT I WAS NOT PULLING THE FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE DATES. CHEVROLET LT 2500 HD 4X4 DIESEL 2003 TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ID
10568064
Incident
Jul 1, 2013
Mileage
143,416 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Feb 23, 2014
STARTED THE TRUCK AND PUT INTO REVERSE. THERE WAS NO BRAKE AND NO STEERING CONTROL. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ALL FLUIDS WERE TOPPED OFF AS NORMAL AND I REGULARLY MAINTAIN THIS VEHICLE. AFTER REVIEWING THIS ISSUE IN THE DIESEL FORUM NUMEROUS DURAMAX OWNERS HAVE ENDURED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SOME ENDING IN CRASHES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!!!!!!!!!!! SIMULTANEOUS BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURE. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? WOW! I TRIED CHATTING WITH GM AND WAS DUMPED DURING THE CHAT. NO HELP THERE! I'LL TRY AGAIN! *TR
NHTSA ID
10565489
Incident
Feb 22, 2014
Mileage
94,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 8, 2013
THE STEERING COLUMN RATTLES TO THE POINT YOU THINK IT IS COMING UNDONE, TURNING, DRIVING STRAIGHT, IT DOESN'T MATTER. VERY UNSAFE IN OUR OPINION IN OUR COMPANY TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ID
10547268
Incident
Dec 11, 2012
Mileage
81,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 10, 2009
STEERING IN 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO ..INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. TERRIBLE NOISE AND VIBRATIONS CAN BE HEARD AND FELT THRU THE FLOORBOARD. HAD FIXED AFTER SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO NUMEROUS GM DEALERS. NO ONE WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THEY SAY ITS A PROBLEM, ALL CHEVY'S HAVE IT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SITUATION EVEN IF ITS ONLY BECAUSE OF THE PRICE WE PAY FOR THE VEHICLES!!! *TR
NHTSA ID
10291791
Incident
Nov 10, 2009
Mileage
5,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 24, 2009
STEERING COLUMN IS BAD DEFINITELY IS A SAFETY ISSUE CHEVROLET HAS NO RECALL ON THIS BUT WANTS TO CHARGE 300 TO FIX THIS WHY ISN'T IT A RECALL I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10266584
Incident
Feb 6, 2009
SteeringSuspensionTransmission
Filed Jun 15, 2008
MY 2003 CHEVROLET 2500HD TRUCK HAS HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP GO OUT THREE TIMES. WHEN IT GOES OUT THE STEERING AND BRAKES FAIL AND MAKE IT VERY HAZARDOUS TO CONTINUE REQUIRING ME TO STOP AND HAVE SOME ONE PICK UP MY TRUCK AND HAUL IT HOME. I'VE ALSO HAD MY AIR CONDITIONING GO OUT TWICE AND IS NEARING FAILURE AGAIN. THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY HAS ALSO GONE OUT TWICE ON THIS TRUCK. ONCE THE REPAIR WAS MADE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10231046
Incident
Apr 10, 2005
Mileage
80,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 22, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHEN DRIVING IN REVERSE OR MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUD CRACKLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO GARAGE. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND THE COLUMN FLEX COUPLING, IN WHICH THE MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,804. UPDATED 06/25/08 *BF
NHTSA ID
10228685
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Mileage
46,000 mi
BrakesElectricalInterior & seats+1 more
Filed Feb 11, 2007
I HAVE A 2003 CHEV. 2500 4X4 EST. CAB LONG BOX. IT HAS 18000 MILES ON IT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS AT 18000 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A TRUCK OF THIS TYPE. (HEAVY DUTY). I ALSO HAD A DIM BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH, WHICH I HAD CHECKED OUT AT THE DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS IN THE DASH BOARD AND WOULD COST 400.00+ TO FIX. THE DEALER ALSO SAID THE STEERING WAS LOOSE AND THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE FACTORY WHEN INSTALLED, 250.00+ TO FIX. WHAT KIND OF PRODUCT ARE THEY MAKING? *NM
NHTSA ID
10182266
Incident
Jan 25, 2007
Mileage
17,992 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 6, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE IN THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER PREVIOUSLY GREASED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. AFTER THE SERVICE, THE RATTLING SOUND RETURNED. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE STEERING SHAFT WILL NEED TO BE GREASED EVERY 10000 MILES TO KEEP THE RATTLING SOUND AWAY. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER LONG TERM DAMAGE TO THE STEERING SHAFT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ID
10172791
Incident
Nov 6, 2006
Mileage
22,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Oct 23, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND BRAKING BECAME HARDER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND POWER STEERING FLUID WAS REPLACED, BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED, THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS A COLLAPSED HOSE. THE HOSE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V045000, REGARDING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA ID
10171607
Incident
Oct 23, 2006
Mileage
200,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 20, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE WAS A VIBRATION AND A RATTLING NOISE WITHIN THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM RETURNED AND THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AGAIN BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE STEERING COLUMN DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT GREASED TO DECREASE THE RATTLING NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS STARTING TO MAKE NOISE AGAIN. UPDATED 11/03/06. *JB
NHTSA ID
10160238
Incident
Jun 20, 2006
Mileage
12,527 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+8 more
Filed Jun 12, 2006
CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON 2003 SILVERADO. *TS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BURNT, THE REVERSE GEAR WAS INOPERABLE AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WAS LOOSE. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW. FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE GEAR BOX. THE FRONT SEAL ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS WORN AND LEAKING, AS WELL AS THE LOWER HOSE. THE WATER PUMP GASKET AND LOWER RADIATOR HOSE WAS LEAKING. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE. THE A/C WOULD ONLY BLOW OUT AIR FROM THE DEFROST VENTS. THE A/C HEATER MODE DOOR ACTUATOR WAS WORN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. THE PANEL ON THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS WARPED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER MONTHS LATER ONE OF THE TIRES DEVELOPED A SLOW LEAK, DUE TO A PIN HOLE LOCATED IN THE SIDEWALL. THE REAR PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS WERE REPLACED. THE TAIL GATE SUPPORT CABLES WERE REPLACED. THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE SECOND ROW SEAT BELT WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB
NHTSA ID
10160513
Incident
Jan 15, 2005
Mileage
54,385 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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
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