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 Feb 16, 2015
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.
12%
of 141 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.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
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 Hummer H2 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
ElectricalInterior & seatsSteering
Filed Feb 16, 2015
Fire reported
I WENT TO CRANK UP MY HUMMER TO WARM IT UP DUE TO THE VERY COLD WEATHER ONCE I CRANKED THE HUMMER I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED A VERY STRONG BURNING ODOR. IT BEGIN TO SMOKE AND MY HUSBAND YELLED IT YOUR TRUCK AND I LOOKED AND SAW THE SMOKE GETTING WORSE AND THICKER. I UNHOOKED MY INFANT SON'S CAR SEAT BELT AND TOOK HIM OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I RAN TO THE BUILDING WE WERE LEAVING TO CALL 911 BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH THE 911 DISPATCHER I SAW THE FIRE START INSIDE THE TRUCK ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD IT THEN IT IMMEDIATELY SPREAD AND BURNED THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE TRUCK WHERE IT IS NOT RECOGNIZABLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND SPRAYED WATER ON IT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE THERE WERE BLUE AND RED SPARKS SHOOTING OUT OF THE TRUCK. THE SPARKS AND FIRE STARTED IN THE STEERING WHEEL AREA WHICH SHOWED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT CAUSED THIS FIRE. I CHECKED OTHER RECALLS AND NOTICED THAT THE ISSUE I SPEAK OF WAS RECALLED INSIDE OF THE 2006 H2 HUMMERS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10683658
Incident
Feb 13, 2015
Mileage
97,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Feb 12, 2015
Crash reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HUMMER H2. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END DROPPED, AND THE VEHICLE SLID INTO A PARKED TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06E010000 (STEERING) WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
NHTSA ID
10683011
Incident
Feb 10, 2015
Mileage
165,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 23, 2009
Crash reported
ON APRIL 22, 2008 MY SON WAS DRIVING MY H2 AND WAS TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO CHANGE LANES QUICKLY DUE TO A CAR MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN IN FRONT OF HIM. WHEN HE TURNED THE STEERING TO THE LEFT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF AND CAUSED HIM TO SLIDE INTO THE CAR MAKING THE RIGHT TURN. I AM THANKFUL IT HAPPENED WHEN HE WAS CHANGING LANES GOING ONLY 10-15 MILES PER HOUR INSTEAD OF IT HAPPENING WHILE CHANGING LANES ON THE FREEWAY DOING 65 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR. WE WROTE TO GMC AS WELL AS OUR WARRANTY PEOPLE AND MY INSURANCE, MERCURY, AND THEY ALL SAID IT WAS NOT A MALFUNCTION IN WAS MY SONS FAULT. WE HAD TO PAY OUT OVER $1800 IN RENTAL CAR FEES AND THEN WHEN WE FOUND OUT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY AND CLAIM IT ON OUR INSURANCE WE DID WITHOUT A CAR FOR OVER 3 MONTHS WHILE THE H2 WAS BEING REPAIRED. WE WERE OUT $2573 IN REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE KNUCKLE AND OTHER STEERING PARTS VIA MARVIN K. BROWN AUTO CENTER. WE FINALLY GOT IT BACK AND NOW ONLY A YEAR LATER IT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING AGAIN. IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN WHEN IT WANTS TO HAVE POWER STEERING OR NOT, IT ALSO TURNS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. I AM VERY AFRAID THAT I OR SOMEONE ELSE DRIVING MY VEHICLE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THESE ECONOMIC TIMES I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10281458
Incident
Apr 22, 2008
Mileage
38,570 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 11, 2008
THE STEERING ON MY 2003 HUMMER H2 STEERING IS HORRIBLE AND SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. I ALSO HAVE NOTICED THAT I HAVE WAY TOO MUCH STEERING AND IT TENDS CAUSE ME TO OVER CORRECT AND GO INTO THE DITCH OR OFF THE ROAD. AND WHEN I AM GOING DOWN A HIGHWAY THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS (WHICH I HAVE TO TRAVEL TO LEAVE MY HOUSE) I CAN BE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND IT WILL JUST VEER OFF INTO ANOTHER LANE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT AND THIS IS NOT A BALANCE OR ALIGNMENT ISSUE WHATSOEVER BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN CHECKED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10248462
Incident
May 10, 2008
Mileage
105,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 18, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HUMMER H2. WHILE DRIVING 1-5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES:HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,992.
NHTSA ID
10212242
Incident
Oct 18, 2007
Mileage
52,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 2, 2007
Crash reported
2003 HUMMER H2 WITH STEERING KNUCKLE FAILURE. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE STEERING KNUCKLE FAILED CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. HIS INSURANCE AND THE MANUFACTURER SAY IT WASN'T A VEHICLE FAILURE AND HE IS AT FAULT. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED DOES NOT WANT VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT WANTS A FULL REFUND TO PURCHASE A 2008 HUMMER H2. *TR
NHTSA ID
10205024
Incident
Aug 23, 2007
Steering
Filed Sep 29, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported
ON AUG 23,07 AT APPROX 4:30 P.M., I PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN IN SAN MATEO, CA. I STOPPED COMPLETELY, MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN, AND PROCEEDED SOUTH AT APPROX 10MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE RIGHT FRONT END OF MY 2003 HUMMER DROPPED ONTO THE GROUND, AND I COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO STEERING, LITTLE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO TRAVEL TO THE RIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING I COULD DO TO PREVENT THIS. I EXITED THE VEHICLE, A PEDESTRIAN APPROACHED ME, AND SAID HE NOTICED THE WHEEL WOBBLING AND SUDDENLY FLY OFF, TURN AROUND, MY VEHICLE DROP, SCREECH AND CONTINUE IN A FORWARD MOTION, AND THE WHEEL TURNED AROUND, CONTINUED MOVING, AND PARKED ITSELF IN A GREEN ZONE, INSIDE OUT, NEXT TO A CURB. I EXITED THE VEHICLE, SHOCKED AND CONFUSED, INSPECTED THE DAMAGED VEHICLE, INSPECTED THE AXLE ASSEMBLY AND WHEEL SITTING NEXT TO THE CURB, GOT MY WITNESS INFO, TOOK PICTURES AND NOTIFIED THE POLICE. I ALSO NOTIFIED MY INSURANCE (AAA). I ACQUIRED A RENTAL VEHICLE AND WAITED TO HEAR THE OUTCOME FROM MY INSURANCE CARRIER. THEY HAVE SINCE NOTIFIED ME THAT IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT I AM 100 PERCENT AT FAULT FOR THIS COLLISION AND PRINCIPALLY AT FAULT FOR A ROLLAWAY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED GMC , WHO ARE ADMITTING NO LIABILITY, (GMC SAID A REP WILL RESPOND IN 30 TO 45 DAYS). I AM APPEALING AAA'S DETERMINATION THAT I AM AT FAULT, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS A STEERING KNUCKLE FAILURE (SAFETY), I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE, THERE WAS NO REASONABLE WAY TO CONTROL AN OUT OF CONTROL VEHICLE, AND IF AAA AND/OR GMC DO NOT WANT TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY I WILL BE FORCED TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION. AS OF THIS LETTER, 36 DAYS LATER, I AM IN A RENTAL VEHICLE, MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN STARTED , AND EVEN IF THEY WERE, AT THIS POINT I DO NOT EVER WANT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE. IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING, I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SCARED OR SO OUT OF CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ID
10204452
Incident
Aug 23, 2007
Mileage
87,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 21, 2006
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. I PULLED INTO MY OFFICE PARKING LOT ON THE MORNING OF 2-20-2006. THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND. I TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT, AND WITH A LITTLE THROTTLE, SPUN AROUND INTO MY PARKING PLACE. I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT BY DOING THAT LITTLE MANEUVER, YOU CAN, AND I DID, SHEAR OFF THE SHAFT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. DISABLING THE POWER ASSIST TO THE STEERING AS WELL AS TO THE BRAKES! RENDERING THE TRUCK ALL BUT UNDRIVEABLE. THIS IS ALSO SITED IN A STORY BY WNBC ABOUT A LADY THAT LIVES IN THE POCONO'S WHO ENCOUNTERED THE SAME SITUATION IN HER H2 ONA SNOW COVERED ROAD. *JB
NHTSA ID
10150722
Incident
Feb 20, 2006
Mileage
50,570 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 21, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported
DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 64 EAST MILE MARKER 261... DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN 03 HUMMER H2 AND WAS CUT OFF. MY SPEED WAS 70, THEIR SPEED WAS 55. SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE AROUND PERSON THAT CUT ME OFF. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES WENT INTO A SKID (I THINK I LOST MY STEERING ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE, STILL SKID MARKS ON ROAD). HELD THE SKID FOR 600 FEET(?) AT WHICH POINT I LOST CONTROL. DROVE INTO DITCH AND ATTEMPTED TO DO A 180 AND BACK INTO THE WOODS BECAUSE I WAS GOING UP A HILL AND THE RAVINE ON EITHER SIDE WAS GETTING VERY DEEP AND THERE WAS A BRIDGE COMING UP. I FLIPPED ONCE BUT KNOCKED BOTH FRONT TIRES OFF. I DRIVE A LOT(150 MILES A DAY ON AVERAGE) AND HAVE NEVER HAD A WRECK. THIS WAS RIDICULOUS, I FEEL LIKE I CLEARLY LOST MY STEERING ON MY FRONT RIGHT(PASSENGER SIDE) AND THE MORE I THINK ABOUT IT THE MORE I FEEL LIKE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. WELL THE TRUCKS TOTALED SO NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX IT... ON THE UP HAND I WALKED AWAY FROM A PRETTY BAD ACCIDENT WITH ONLY ACHES A AND PAINS. *JB
NHTSA ID
10148274
Incident
Jan 13, 2006
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Oct 26, 2005
I BOUGHT A 2003 HUMMER H2 BRAND NEW. SINCE THE DAY I GOT IT HAD MANY PROBLEMS, BOTH ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL. THE STEERING IS VERY HARD AND THE BREAKING IS INEFFECTIVE AT TIMES. I SHOWED THEM A COPY OF THE BULLETIN ON THIS WEBSITE. THEY DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEMS. THE ISSUE STILL PERSISTS. MANY ELECTRICAL ISSUES SEAT MEMORY PROBLEMS, MIRROR DON'T WORK..ETC. EVENTUALLY THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES FIXED. ROOF LEAKING WATER FROM THE READING LIGHT ON TWO OCCASIONS ONCE BECAUSE OF SUNROOF ISSUE AND THE SECOND TIME BECAUSE OF THE OUTSIDE ROOF LIGHT. NOW MOST RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE OIL" LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 5 TO 6 WEEKS AND WAY BEFORE AN OIL CHANGE IS DUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES SO FAR. EVERYTIME THE ENGINE IS MISSING OIL. THE DEALER SAYS THAT HUMMER ALLOWS THE ENGINE TO BURN ONE QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 100 GALS OF FUEL. I SAID WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN THAT LIGHT COMES ON. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID PULL OFF THE ROAD AND CHECK THE OIL. I SAID WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO IF THE OIL IS LOW. HE SAID ADD OIL TO THE ENGINE. I SAID SO I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH A COUPLE OF QUARTS OF OIL IN THE BACK ALL THE TIME? THE LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 5 TO 6 WEEKS. I SAID HOW MANY HUMMERS HAVE YOU SOLD? HE SAID MANY. I SAID HOW MANY YOU KNOW OF DO THAT? HE SAID NONE. I SAID IF NONE DO THAT, WHY DOES MINE DO IT? AND IF THIS NORMAL WHY NONE OF THE OTHERS DO IT? THE DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY LEAK OF OIL OR ANY BURNING OF OIL BY THE ENGINE!!!!!!! *NM
NHTSA ID
10140896
Incident
Sep 30, 2005
Steering
Filed Feb 7, 2005
DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL COLLAPSED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 10 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE.*AK *TC *JB
NHTSA ID
10106864
Incident
Jan 5, 2005
Mileage
12,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 11, 2005
VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND MAKE A THUMPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING KNUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ID
10107185
Incident
Jan 10, 2005
Mileage
3,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 9, 2004
Crash reported
THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF AND THE VEHICLE PULLED RIGHT INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING REPAIRS DONE RIGHT NOW.*AK
NHTSA ID
10102453
Incident
Nov 22, 2004
Steering
Filed Nov 3, 2004
TWO RODS</A> BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. CONSUMER IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A SESSION WITH ARBITRATION. *AK THE CONSUMER IS MEETING WITH OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TC
NHTSA ID
10094120
Incident
Sep 22, 2004
Mileage
25,500 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 20, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE DRIVER'S TIE ROD BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
NHTSA ID
10097306
Incident
Apr 5, 2004
Steering
Filed Sep 1, 2004
I BOUGHT A HUMMER H2 IN APRIL 2004. I WENT OFF ROAD THE NEXT WEEKEND AND WAS GOING ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR UP A MOUNTAIN AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. WE FOUND OUT THE TIE ROD BROKE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I WENT TO ABRITRATION AND WON MY CASE. THIS LAST WEEKEND I WAS CLIMBING A HILL LESS THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR AND THE SAME TIE ROD BROKE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF THAT WHEEL. I TALKED TO A SALES MAN AT THE HUMMER DEALER I BOUGHT MY TRUCK FROM AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE BROKE A TIE ROD AT ONE OF THE HUMMER TEST CENTERS. WHEN I PICKED MY TRUCK UP FROM THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME MY TIE ROD BROKE I SAW ANOTHER HUMMER H2 BEING BROUGHT IN FOR A BROKEN TIE ROD. I TALKED TO THE SERVICE REPAIR TECH AND HE TOLD ME HE COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW SMALL THE TIE RODS ARE. I FEEL VERY LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO TELL YOU THESE STORIES. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO SEE PEOPLE DIE FROM THIS DEFECTIVE TIE ROD. I KNOW GM DOES NOT WANT TO RECALL THIS PART BUT IT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. THANKS FOR YOU HELP, ANTHONY OREFICE 661 510-6523 CELL. *AK
NHTSA ID
10088969
Incident
Aug 28, 2004
Mileage
25,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 20, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE TIE ROD BROKE. *PH *LA
NHTSA ID
10071419
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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