RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Silverado 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.
24
Latest Feb 24, 2013
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.
8%
of 316 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 Silverado submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 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 24, 2013

COMING HOME AFTER A NIGHT OF BOWLING WITH A TRUCK FULL OF KIDS. I COULD FEEL AND HEAR A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY BRAKES UNTIL I GOT BACK INTO TOWN. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES AND MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH I COULD I KNEW IT WASN'T MY BRAKES. I TOOK THE FRONT TIRE OFF THE NEXT DAY AND I COULD WIGGLE THE WHEEL HUB BACK AND FORTH. VERY DANGEROUS. I FEEL LUCKY THAT NOBODY GOT HURT. THE ROAD I TRAVELED HOME WAS HWY 32 AND IT HAS ALOT OF CURVES. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. EVERY CHEVY THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE NOTIFIED. IM A BACK YARD MECHANIC. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE SINGLE MOTHER WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT THIS STUFF. SHE'S GOING TO BE LUCKY IF SHE DOESN'T GET IN AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE YET. KILLED! *TR

NHTSA ID
10499881
Incident
Feb 24, 2013
Mileage
71,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 20, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V018000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR) THAT THE CONTACT BELIEVED WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

NHTSA ID
10489361
Incident
Aug 15, 2012
Mileage
31,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 20, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLANKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ID
10413756
Incident
Mar 1, 2011
Mileage
67,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 26, 2009

CLUNKING NOISE AND VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL ON 2005 CHEVY SILVERADO. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU TURN OR HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. GM STATES THAT THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE, HOWEVER I DISAGREE. ANY UNEXPECTED VIBRATION OR CLUNK IN THE STEERING MECHANISM WHILE DRIVING PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. GM KNOWS THIS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM ON A NUMBER OF VEHICLES, HOWEVER THEY CONTINUE TO TURN A BLIND EYE. APPARENTLY THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IS THE CENTER OF THE PROBLEM AND GM NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PART AT ONCE. SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE AND GM SEEMS TO BE UNWILLING TO WORK WITH ME TO ATTAIN CORRECTIVE ACTION. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THE NHTSA WILL REQUIRE GENERAL MOTORS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10263164
Incident
Mar 26, 2009
Mileage
72,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 7, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S WIFE HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND AND NOTICED A DIFFERENCE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V018000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR). THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; THEREFORE, THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE MADE FOR FREE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,943 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000. UPDATED 1/6/09 *CN UPDATED 01/14/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10244661
Incident
May 19, 2008
Mileage
76,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 28, 2007

GM CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE FACT THAT CERTAIN MODEL VEHICLES HAVE A INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM. IT IS A WELL KNOWN AND FAIRLY COMMON FACT. THEY CURRENTLY HAVE A REPLACEMENT PART THAT WILL REMEDY THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10207255
Incident
Oct 28, 2007
Mileage
23,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Aug 23, 2007

2005 SILVERADO WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT**CC THE CONSUMER STATED APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND REALIZED THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE POWER ASSIST WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALER FOR 2 DAYS TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHERE HE HAD PREVIOUS WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE SUCH AS STEERING, BUT THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10201385
Incident
Jul 26, 2007
Mileage
17,741 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 14, 2007

STEERING PROBLEM FREEPLAY OF 1 1/2" OR BETTER AT THE STEERING WHEEL.A CONSTANT CHALLENGE TO KEEP THIS TRUCK BETWEEN THE LINES IN WINDY WEATHER, AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE CHANGED PART AFTER PART WITH NO CHANGE. NOW SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS IS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE HYDROBOOST STEERING SYSTEM. GM WONT GO PAST WHAT THIS SERVICE MANAGER IS SAYING. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10196368
Incident
Aug 8, 2006
Steering
Filed May 5, 2007

VERY HARD TO STEER AT LOW RPM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10189859
Incident
Apr 30, 2007
Mileage
49,161 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 15, 2007

THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE REPLACEMENT WERE NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHILE TURNING. NO FAILURE JUST HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10182613
Incident
Jan 17, 2007
Mileage
35,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 19, 2007

FRONT STEERING MAKES A CRUNCHING SOUND WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10179183
Incident
Jan 17, 2007
Mileage
21,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 8, 2006

2005 DURAMAX DIESEL, 2500: APPROXIMATELY 10 - 11,000 MILES THE STEERING SHAFT WAS CAUSING PROBLEMS. DEALERSHIP ONLY "LUBE KIT" VS. REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT TOO MANY VEHICLES NEEDED REPLACEMENT THEY STARTED ONLY REPLACING IF VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. ALSO, THE LUBE IS ONLY A BANDAID AND WILL NEED TO BE DONE OVER AND OVER THROUGH OUT TERM OF OPERATION OF VEHICLE. NOT SAFE IF LEFT UNLUBED. THIS TRUCK ALSO HAS STARTED EXCESSIVE VIBRATING [16,500 MILES] WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, DRIVE BUT STOPPED VIA BRAKE; NEUTRAL AND BRAKE APPLIED. BRAKE BEING APPLIED INCREASES THE EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING IT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10175591
Incident
Jun 1, 2006
Steering
Filed Oct 12, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, MADE A WINDING SOUND LIKE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LOW ON FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THE BRAKES SYSTEM RELIES ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 05V455000 FOR THE HOSE THAT GOES BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE COMPONENTS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO VISUAL PROBLEMS PRESENT.

NHTSA ID
10170658
Incident
Oct 11, 2006
Mileage
40,358 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 14, 2006

2005 DURAMAX DIESEL, 13,000 MILES - STEERING SHAFT; I'VE BEEN "SHAFTED". DEALERSHIP ONLY GREASE VS. REPLACEMENT DUE TO COST TO MANUFACTURE. NO MORE CHEVY FOR ME OR MY FAMILY [7 CHILDREN!]. *NM

NHTSA ID
10168251
Incident
Aug 7, 2006
Steering
Filed Sep 8, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE RATTLED, KNOCKED AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHORT SHAFT ON THE STEERING MECHANISM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 02/27/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10167693
Incident
Jan 4, 2006
Mileage
27,842 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 6, 2006

AFTER PURCHASING (AND RETURNING!) A 2005 CHEVY SILVERADO PU I CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THE OFF CENTER STEERING WHEEL. HE ACTED LIKE HE HAD NO IDEA THEY WERE LIKE THAT (AND THEY'VE BEEN FOR YEARS!) SO HE ALLEGEDLY CALLED THE FACTORY TO FIND OUT WHY AND TOLD ME IT'S A SAFETY FEATURE!!! THIS IS SO BOGUS ! IF IT IS A SAFETY FEATURE - WHY AREN'T THE CARS OFF CENTER? WHY DOESN'T FORD AND DODGE MAKE THEIRS LIKE THAT? THIS TRUCK WAS A NIGHTMARE TO DRIVE - SPECIFICS: HORSE TRAILER SWAYED WHEN PULLED W/THIS TRUCK. IT HYDROPLAINED IN THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF WATER. WHEN PULLING ON THE FREEWAY, SEMI'S WOULD LITERALLY BLOW ME TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LANE! I HAVE WITNESSES TO HOW SCARY THIS TRUCK WAS TO DRIVE OR RIDE IN!!! SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS OFF CENTER STEERING WHEEL THING!!! A DODGE DEALER TOLD ME HE THINKS IT'S A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO COVER UP!!! MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN NOTICE IT! IT TOOK ME 3 DAYS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS SO STRANGE ABOUT THAT TRUCK. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO HAVE THINGS FIXED AND THEY HAD IT A WHOLE DAY AND FIXED NOTHING! THERE'S A LOT MORE TO THIS IF YOU 'D LIKE TO CONTACT ME! *NM

NHTSA ID
10159145
Incident
Apr 15, 2005
Steering
Filed Jun 5, 2006

I NOTICED AT ABOUT 29,500 MILES THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT FUNCTIONING NORMALLY AT PARK OR LOW IDLE SPEEDS. ALSO THERE IS A CLUNKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHILE TURNING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10159011
Incident
May 28, 2006
Mileage
29,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 18, 2006

I SPECIAL ORDERED A 2005 CHEVY 4X4 TRUCK BECAUSE I WANTED A SINGLE CAB. WHEN I FIRST GOT IT, SOMETHING DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT ABOUT IT AND ABOUT THE 3RD DAY I REALIZED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF CENTER. I TOOK IT BACK TO GUS PAULOS CHEVROLET IN SLC UTAH AND THEY WERE SEEMINGLY STUNNED ALSO. THE SALESMAN ACTUALLY WENT AROUND THE LOT LOOKING TO SEE IF OTHER TRUCKS WERE OFF CENTER ALSO. THEY WERE. THERE WAS A FACTORY REP THERE , HAVING SOME 30 YRS WITH GMC AND IT TOOK HIM A LONG TIME TO SEE WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT ALSO. SALESMAN SAID HE'D CALL BACK TO THE FACTORY AND FIND OUT WHY THEY WERE LIKE THAT. CALLED ME A COUPLE DAYS LATER AND SAID IT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. WHAT?!?!?! A SAFETY FEATURE FOR HOW MANY YEARS AND YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT??? AND HOW COME THE TRUCKS ARE OFF CENTER AND THE CARS ARE NOT??? HOW COME FORD AND DODGE AREN'T OFF CENTERING THEIRS!??? IT WAS SCARY DRIVING THIS TRUCK IN THE RAIN AS I FELT I HAD NO CONTROL. LIKE DRIVING ON ICE! I USED IT TO PULL MY HORSE TRAILER (MINI 6 HORSE SLANT) AND MY TRAILER SWAYED ON THIS TRUCK! I HAVE BEEN PULLING HORSE TRAILERS ALL OVER THE US SINCE THE EARLY 70S AND HAVE NEVER HAD A TRAILER SWAY ON ME BEFORE! NOT EVER! ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN A SEMI WOULD PASS , THEY WOULD LITERALLY BLOW ME (WITH THE TRAILER) TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LANE!!! WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL, IT WOULD ACCELERATE ON THE LEVEL/FLAT AND NOT ON HILLS!!! I LIVE AT THE END OF A DIRT ROAD AND WHEN IT GOT WASHBOARDY THAT TRUCK WOULD PRACTICALLY JUMP OFF THE ROAD! MY TOYOTA RIDES IT LIKE IT'S JUST SLIGHTLY BUMPY! THIS TRUCK WAS A LEMON! A DANGER TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD! OTHER PEOPLE THAT RODE IN THE TRUCK WITH ME COULD TELL/FEEL THE INSECURITY OF IT! MY VET (HORSE) TOLD ME HE ONCE (AND NEVER WILL AGAIN) OWNED A CHEVY TRUCK AND WITH THE VET BOX ON THE BACK, HIS TRUCK SWAYED ALSO! HE AGREED IT WAS LIKE DRIVING ON ICE. IF YOU NEED MORE DETAILS, I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SUPPLY YOU WITH THEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10155631
Incident
Mar 31, 2005
Steering
Filed Apr 17, 2006

VEHICLE STEERING SHAKES WHEN TURNING OR BREAKING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10155491
Incident
Apr 15, 2006
Mileage
19,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Mar 15, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS INOPERABLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM; HOWEVER THE STEERING SHAFT WAS LUBRICATED. ADDITIONALLY, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE STEERING BOX WAS LOOSE.

NHTSA ID
10152749
Incident
Mar 13, 2006
Mileage
15,561 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 1, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING COLUMN KNOCKED AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALERSHIP GREASED THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THERE WERE NO REPAIRS AVAILABLE AND THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD BE GREASED AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
10151545
Incident
Mar 1, 2006
Mileage
23,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 21, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING COLUMN MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. THIS WAS MORE FREQUENT WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS GREASED. THIS REPAIR WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME. HOWEVER, THE STEERING COLUMN AGAIN MAKES THE CLUNKING NOISE.

NHTSA ID
10150763
Incident
Feb 21, 2006
Mileage
10,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 14, 2006

THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING AT LOW SPEED OR PARKED. I HAVE CONTACTED GM SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING THIS AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO FIX AT THIS TIME. DEALERSHIP HAS WITNESSED AND DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT GETS WORSE..IE. MAKE COMMON, EVERY DAY.

NHTSA ID
10150207
Incident
Aug 15, 2005
Mileage
1,500 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 18, 2005

THE 2005 CHEVY SILVERADO CREW CAB, JUST STARTED WITHOUT NOTICE GETTING VERY HARD TO STEER FROM A STOP OR SLOW SPEED, NOTICED A "GRABBING" OF THE WHEEL WHEN SLOWED TO MAKE A TURN. DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT, NO FURTHER DETAILS WERE GIVEN, AND THE PART WAS REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID
10133269
Incident
Aug 16, 2005
Mileage
9,750 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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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .