This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
When turning onto an on-ramp (usually right) the vehicle will momentarily lose power steering and the steering wheel will jerk right. This jerking motion also happens intermittently while driving at highway speeds with no turning involved. Even though there is more jerking motion on a turn both are extremely dangerous situations. This has been happening for several years.
Power steering input/effort had became erratic causing increased effort or worse, oversteering midway through turns. First noticed this problem last fall at winter tire changeover. I initially blamed it on icy roads but then noticed it on obviously non icy roads as well. Occurred just occasionally at first. I kept blaming tires but this spring when I changed back over to my summer tires the problem did not go away. Dealership had indicated some worn front end parts needing replacement so I had that done along with a front end alignment following. Didn't help. Found many discussions with similar experiences on the internet and most indicated replacing the steering evo sensor as the cure. I replaced that part and it seems to have fixed the problem. The sensation of the loss of steering midcorner is at the least a little disconcerting and at the most could lead to an over-reaction and a severe crash! with as many complaints online as I found I don't understand how this could have been let go and not called to my attention by the company. The company knows about this problem as the parts clerk told me they even have a retro kit available to replace this assisted steering system period!
Noticed erratic steering during right turn. Became more severe over time, to the point it was difficult to maintain control of vehicle. Had vehicle inspected by local mechanic. Failed evo (electronic variable orifice) sensor in steering was replaced.
While driving vehicle steering wheel suddenly slips or jerks to the right. This problem is intermittent, but has increased over time. On January 28, 2003 the vehicle was taken in for this problem, and the dealership replaced the steering sensor. The problem has recurred 22 months later, causing driver to lose control of the vehicle at 35 mph. This resulted in lose of control of this vehicle and accident followed. Chevrolet customer care service was contacted and said that they would pay for inspection of said vehicle. They responded that if no problem was detected during inpsection, that customer would have to pay for repair. Inspection is still pending.
While turning the steering wheel, the consumer noticed that the steering wheel jumped. The technician serviced the vehicle and a replaced the sensor. This problem occurred many times over the past three years and would fail while turning at low, medium and high speeds.
- Oregon, WI, USA
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Steering briefly and suddenly goes "light" in sweeping right turns at 40+ mph. Feels like you hit a patch of ice. Sounds related to other complaints on your site I found while researching possible causes. Have not taken to dealer yet - appointment next week.
1997 Chevrolet Tahoe steering at 83,000 miles. At 45-55 mph when turning left steering has a momentarily twitch/hang-up/resistance/jerk. After many attempts I finally found a dealership to diagnose that the steering wheel position sensor was failing & needed replacing. After searching the NHTSA I see several complaints of the same problem. It is hard to believe with a serious problem that impacts steering ability for Chevrolet Tahoe owners & others driving safety that there has not been a recall. Hopefully something is done before there are injuries/accidents/fatalities.
1997 Chevrolet Tahoe steering problem in curves. Very dangerous. When making a turn in a curve or a lane change you experience a temporary loss of steering followed by a release causing a oversteer condition a very hazzardous situation.
Steering wheel jerks to left or right on cold days when driving at moderate to high speeds. After reading the number of complaints for same exact problem it appears the gvt is waiting for a fatality before taking action. NHTSA action number ea 99011 was closed 02/27/2001 with no action taken.
Steering is erratic at medium speeds. You will be going around the corner and then the wheel will give and the truck pulls very quickly, as if you oversteered, but then it will stop.
1997 Chevy Tahoe - after making a U-turn, power steering failed. In addition, while driving curved roads, an abrupt jerking would occur in the steering.
Vehicle steering loses control. I have complained about this several times to the dealer while it was in warranty and nothing was done about it. I see that others had the same problem. I told the dealer this is a serious safety issue that could cause serious injuries and even fatalities. Note: I took it to the dealer and this is what they said vehicle experienced a tsb (76-30-01) failure of the electronic variable orifice (evo) system as a result of low voltage condition of the steering wheel position sensor, which resulted in accident due to loss of control.
Consumer states that while driving and no warning they will have erratic steering control and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. Dealer notified
Vehicle is very difficult to steer, it wanders all over the road, dealer replaced tires, serpentine belt and tensioner and performed front end alignment, this did not remedy problem.
When turning left or right steering wheel will jerk in that direction and cause vehicle to turn more than intended, like someone is jerking it out of consumer's hand. Consumer stated this wa svery dangerous. Dealer said it was a sensor that needed to be reeplaced.
Steering position sensor failed, causing the power steering system to lose resistance at speed. Incident occurred while driving on a sweeping left hand turn. I was applying constant light left hand pressure on the steering wheel when the power steering system lost resistance and the wheel turned freely and quickly to the left. Before I regained control I had moved 1/2 lane to the left. The problem was very intermittent at first but grew increasingly more regular. The steering would seem to twitch and cause momentary loss of feel. I finally replaced the steering position sensor and the problem was fixed. When I purchased the replacement part at the Chevrolet dealership, the parts counterman new exactly what I was talking about and commented that it must be a big problem because they had a whole bin of steering position sensors. It is my contention that this should be a recall item. The sudden loss of steering control can be very un-nerving.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fargo, ND, USA