RoadVitals

1997 GMC Yukon 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.
53
Latest Oct 15, 2007
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.
40%
of 133 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 1997 GMC Yukon submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 53 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

The 25 most recent of 53, in the owner's own words

BrakesSteering
Filed Oct 15, 2007

VEHICLE KEEPS PULLING TO EITHER SIDE OF TURN ON SPEEDS ABOVE 25MHP, WAS TOLD IS THE STEERING SENSOR BUT HAVE NOT REPLACE IT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE ABOUT 128K. BRAKE PEDAL IS SPONGY EVEN AFTER NEEDED ADJUSTMENTS WERE PERFORMED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10205712
Incident
Oct 15, 2007
Mileage
128,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 9, 2004

AT SPEED, 20+MPH, THE STEERING WILL GO OUT FOR A SECOND OR 2 AS IF IT IS ON ICE. I HAVE NOTICED A RECALL ON 98 GMC YUKONS,(#97V142000), BUT NOT ON 97'S. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT COULD BE MY STEERING BOX. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION. STEERING WILL BE LOST IF STEERING BOX FAILS COMPLETELY, WHICH IN TURN CAUSES ACCIDENTS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10093873
Incident
May 20, 2004
Mileage
87,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 23, 2004

INTERMITTEN DROP IN STEERING TO THE RIGHT, MOSTLY DURING CORNERS. ABOUT A QUARTER TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WAS TOLD TO ME BY A MECHANIC THAT GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS AND THERE IS ONLY ONE PART FROM THE DEALER DEALING WITH IT. NO AFTERMARKET ITEM. IT WAS TOLD TO ME THAT IT IS A SPEED SENSOR ON THE STEERING COLUMN THAT GOVERNS THE SPEED SENSOR FOR THE POWER STEERING. DURNING A TURN AT ALMOST ANY SPEED, THE STEERING DROPS OUT A QUARTER OF A TURN. QUITE A SHOCK TO SOMEONE DOING 60 MILES PER HOUR ON A BUSY FREEWAY.

NHTSA ID
10088374
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Steering
Filed Jan 14, 2004

I HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERINGI IN MY 1997 GMC YUKON WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON 10/24/2003 (TROUBLE NOT FOUND). I TOOK IT IN AGAIN ON 10/31/2003 AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING EVO SENSOR ($213.60). STILL HAVE TROUBLE. AGAIN I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE ON 11/19/2003 WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED ($648.50). THE VEHICLE STILL NG. TOOK IT IN ON 12/1/2003,CAN'T ISOLATE TROUBLE. AGAIN ON 12/10/2003, THIS TIME THEY CHANGED THE POWER STEERING BOX? SO FAR THE TROUBLE SEEMS TO BE FIXED. THEN I SAW AN ARTICLE SHOWING THE EXACT SAME TROUBLE I'D BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH OTHER GMC VEHICLES. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE WASN'T LISTED AS ONE OF THE MODELS THEY WERE LOOKING AT. THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10053236
Incident
Oct 20, 2003
Mileage
64,100 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 12, 2004

STEERING WHEEL AND CAR SHAKE VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 20 MPH- 55 MPH. PROBLEM STARTED AT 100,000 MILES. HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND REPAIR BUSINESSES AND ONE TIRE BUSINESS WITH NO RESOLUTION. *LA

NHTSA ID
10052936
Incident
Aug 1, 2003
Mileage
100,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 24, 2003

STEERING FAILS ERRATICALLY AND AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. "PLAY" IN STEERING BECOMES SO LARGE THAT THE WHEEL CAN BE TURNED WITH NO DEFLECTION OF THE TIRES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10051072
Incident
Dec 23, 1997
Steering
Filed Jul 9, 2003

STEERING WILL SUDDENLY JERK SLIGHTLY TO LEFT OR RIGHT AFTER TURNING OFF HIGHWAY EXIT. STEERING WILL ALSO BECOMES HARD OR SOFT FOR BRIEF MOMENT. MY TIRE INFLATION IS GOOD AND THE FRONT END HAS BEEN ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO AFFECT TO STEERING PERFORMANCE. *AKPROBLEM IS CURRENTLY AN IRRIRTANT BUT COULD POSE A SAFETY ISSUE IF STEERING JERKED INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID
10025720
Incident
Jul 6, 2003
Mileage
60,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 7, 2003

STEERING GOES "SOFT" AND MAKES CONTROL OF VEHICLE DIFFICULT FOR A BRIEF TIME. *JB

NHTSA ID
10014075
Incident
Apr 6, 2003
Mileage
92,300 mi
Steering
Filed May 6, 2002

INTERMITTENTLY STEERING WOULD LOSE CONTROL WHEN TURNING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8009299
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Steering
Filed May 2, 2002

THE FIRST TIME THE POWER STEERING UNIT WENT INTO A HYPER-SUPER-SQUIRRELY(ONLY MOMETARY) MODE WAS AT 5000 MI. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP EVERY TIME, COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE EVO SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM MANIFESTED ONCE AGAIN AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MILES. STEERING HAS GONE "HYPER" AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH, TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT, AS WELL AS ON STRAIGHT SECTIONS OF ROADWAY. IT IS A VERY FRIGHTENING FEELING TO LOSE CONTROL OF SEVERAL THOUSAND POUNDS OF STEEL TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. LUCKILY I HAVE ALWAYS MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL BEFORE GOING OFF OF THE ROAD, I HOPE MY LUCK CONTINUES. I SUSPECT GMC WILL NOT REMEDY THIS SITUATION UNLESS NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE KILLED FIRST.*JB

NHTSA ID
761459
Incident
May 1, 1997
Steering
Filed Dec 7, 2001

POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY LEAKED. CERTIFIED MECHANICS HAVE REPLACED ASSEMBLY 4 TIMES NOW. IT IS THOUGHT THAT THE SEAL AREA BETWEEN THE PUMP ASSEMBLY AND FLUID RESEVOIR WAS WARPED. RESEVOIR REPLACE THIS LAST VISIT. AM REALLY INTERESTED IN KNOWING IF THIS PROBLME HAS BEEN COMMON TO YUKONS.*AK

NHTSA ID
755391
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 30, 2001

ERRATIC STEERING, INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, WAS TOLD THERE IS NO DEFECT. ALSO REAR AXLE LEAKS AND INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS, DUE TO A GASKET DEFECTIVE INSTALLED.

NHTSA ID
9003575
Steering
Filed May 16, 2001

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN STEERING WHEEL WILL SLIP. DELAER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
888390
SteeringVisibility
Filed May 9, 2001

WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT TIHS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH GMDC VEHICLES. STEERING CENTERING DEVICE MAKE VEHICLE STEERING ERRATIC .THIS IS ALSO AN ONGOING PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
745098
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
Steering
Filed Jan 28, 2001

POWER ASSIST SEEMS TO PULL ON ITS OWN, FOR NO REASON TO THE LEFT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, KINDA SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS. I WOULD THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. *AK

NHTSA ID
740040
Steering
Filed Jan 8, 2001

ERRATIC STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
877637
Steering
Filed Dec 24, 2000

PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ! IT'S VERY DANGEROUS!! MAKE GMC DO SOMETHING !! MY DEALER MADE ME BUY THE NEW EVO STEERING SENSOR FOR $40. *AK

NHTSA ID
738228
Incident
Oct 6, 2000
Steering
Filed Nov 28, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
736965
Steering
Filed Oct 30, 2000

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE ERRATIC STEERING WHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH OR MORE. HARD TO STEER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THIS TIME. BUT DEALER WAS CONTACTD VIA PHONE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
874199
Incident
Aug 15, 2000
Steering
Filed Oct 30, 2000

STEERING GIVES WAY WHEN TURNING RIGHT CORNERS. ALSO THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY WHEN DRIVING 30-40 MPH IN THE STEERING. *AK

NHTSA ID
735426
BrakesSteering
Filed Oct 14, 2000

THE STEERING WOULD JERK THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE IN A TURN CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. STEERING BOX WAS REPLACED BEFORE. FINALLY THE EVO SENSOR WAS REPLACED. ABS ALSO HAVE NEVER WORKED FELT GOOD, THE PEDAL GOES TO LOW BEFORE THE BRAKES SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THIS HAS BEEN A COMPLAINT SINCE THE TRUCK WAS NEW. THE RETAILER SEEMS NOT VERY CONCERNED WITH MY COMPLAINTS. ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT I AM AN AUTOMOBILE TECHNICIAN THEY FEEL I WILL LET THE PROBLEM GO. THEIR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN UNSATISFACTORY FROM THE BEGINNING. I HAVE HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT PROBLEMS MANY TIMES BEFORE, FINALLY THE PROBLEMS ARE FIXED. WITH THE STEERING PROBLEM I HAD TO CONTACT ANOTHER DEALER TECH I KNEW AND ASK HIM THE PROBLEM WHICH HE KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG IMMEDIATELY. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE ALL THESE TRUCKS WITH THIS STEERING AND BRAKE PROBLEM. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****734335

NHTSA ID
10009849
Incident
Oct 27, 1999
Mileage
34,132 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Oct 14, 2000

THE STEERING WOULD JERK THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE IN A TURN CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. STEERING BOX WAS REPLACED BEFORE FINALLY THE EVO SENSOR WAS REPLACED. ABS BRAKES ALSO HAVE NEVER FELT GOOD. THE PEDAL GOES TO LOW BEFORE THE BRAKES SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THIS HAS BEEN A COMPLAINT SENCE THE TRUCK WAS NEW. THE RETAILER SEEMS NOT VERY CONCERNED WITH MY COMPLAINTS. ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT I AM AN AUTOMOBILE TECHNICIAN THEY FEEL I WILL LET THE PROBLEM GO THEIR REPAIRS HAVED BEEN UNSATISFACTORY FROM THE BEGINING. I HAVE HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT PROBLEMS MANY TIMES BEFORE FINALLY THE PREBLEMS ARE FIXED. WITH THE STEERING PROBLEM I HAAD TO CONTACT ANOTHER DEALER TECH I KNEW AND ASK HIM THE PROBLEM WHICH HE KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG IMEDIATELY. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE ALL THESE TRUCKS WITH THIS STEERING AND BRAKE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
734335
Incident
Oct 27, 1999
ElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 4, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
726683
Steering
Filed Jul 23, 2000

LOST CONTROL OF TRUCK MOMENTARILY WHILE MAKING A SLOW TURN. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE INTERMITENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
725838
Incident
Jul 5, 2000
Steering
Filed Jul 7, 2000

STEERING SPEED SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACE TWICE BUT VEHICLE STILL OCCASIONALLY VEERS RAPIDLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, SOMETIMES INTO ONCOMMING TRAFFIC, WHEN SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS. *AK

NHTSA ID
725087

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 .