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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,979 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe steering problems

steering problem

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1997 Chevrolet Tahoe Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #46

May 202005

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering on my 97 Tahoe has for many years 'twitched' when driving at a slow right turn such as on ramp to freeway or slow curve in the road. It never does it on left turns, only right. The steering wheel suddenly pops to the right and only for a second. It then repeats that if the turn on the road is continually to the right. If anyone other than me drives the Tahoe, it will surprise them and cause and accident. Ive read about this problem in many forums online as well as here at the NHTSA site. GM should be recalling this dangerous steering problem immediately.

- Brainerd, MN, USA

problem #45

Jun 232004

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles
The steering assist on the Tahoe suddenly goes away and the steering goes completly loose, and then suddenly it gets firm again. This causes erratic steering and over/under adjustment which can lead to a serious crash. I took it in 2 times and the problem still comes and goes, esspecially while in a turn. This should be a recall because of the seriousness of the problem. If the pwer steering fails it should fail to a firm steering condition not a total loss of steering!!

- Grand Terrace , CA, USA

problem #44

Sep 202002

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
When turning wheel either left or right, a momentary loss of control causes the vehicle to oversteer. Feels like the steering wheel has become disconnected or the power steering has surged.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #43

Jan 012003

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is to confirm that EA99011 concerning the steering on the 1997 Tahoe, 350 5.7 assembled in Mexico. The jurking in the steering is not a constant problem. I T does not happen all the time. However, there have been instances where the vehicle was travelling at high speed and this uncommanded imput was enough to induce the vehicle to lurch to the next lane.this sever action only happened once, however as the vehicle ages, the severity seems to get worse when it does happen. Yje vehicle has done this since I purchased it new in 1997. I also have confirmed this same thing with a friend who owned a 1997 saburban, he sold the vehicle as a result of this condition.

- Moriarty , NM, USA

problem #42

Dec 282000

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,050 miles
Loss of steering control in cold weather conditions on snow and ice covered roads on my 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. The variable assist steeriing would make a rapid and unexpected over adjustment when making small steering corrections. I lost control and started a "fish tail" when traveling in New York. I live in Virginia and found this to be a minor problem in this climate, however, it is unsafe on slippery roads.

- Williamsburg, VA, USA

problem #41

Dec 232002

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When making a slight right 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. I contacted the dealer and asked about a recall on this. The person in the service department said it was only a problem with the 1997 models. This problem needs to be checked out before someone gets killed. Please contact me with reply

- Warner Robins , GA, USA

problem #40

Jul 011998

Tahoe 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Fuel pump has failed 4 times previously. Fixed it myself this time after Chevrolet refused to pay for it. No problems since. Power steering assist is very jerky. Goes in and out without warning. Saw other complaints and decided I should report this one as well.

- Westwood, NJ, USA

problem #39

Dec 012001

Tahoe 4WD

  • miles
Erratic power steering assist while driving, see NHTSA action number: EA99011.

- Raymond, WA, USA

problem #38

Jan 062002

(reported on)

Tahoe 4WD

  • miles
When you start turning it will pull you real fast in that direction everyone I talk to has the same problem with this model veh. It is very dangerous.

- Batesville, AR, USA

problem #37

Apr 122001

Tahoe 4WD

  • miles
Second time to replaced fuel pump&module, steering gives out on corners with no warning.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #36

Jun 272001

(reported on)

Tahoe 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering becomes spastic at times. It felt like I was driving on ice. The steering has also become unusually loose making driving difficult.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #35

May 182001

(reported on)

Tahoe

  • miles
Steering becomes over sensitive causing vehicle to over steer. Vehicles with the same problems are as follows. 1997-1999 Chevrolet Tahoe, 1997-1999 GMC Yukon, 1997-1999 Chevrolet 1500 trucks, 1997-1999 GMC trucks. Any GM vehicle with at V8 gasoline powered engine will have this failure. There are 1000S of complaints in your database and this adds to them only now you are aware that additional models are affected as well. If there is a fatality resulting from this defect then all corporations and agencies aware of the defect time of the death will be liable for civil damages. It is in the best interest of the consumer to see this defect is repaired before someone is killed due to bureaucratic red tape.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #34

Jun 011997

Tahoe 4WD

  • miles
Car has erratic steering responsiveness, especially when changing lanes or negotiating a curve. It feels like the steering wheel skips. It could easily cause an accident.

- Farmington, UT, USA

problem #33

Jan 172001

(reported on)

Tahoe 4WD

  • miles
My problem seems to be summarized by NHTSA action number: EA99011. The resistance on steering wheel is erratic, especially at highway speeds.

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

problem #32

Jan 172001

(reported on)

Tahoe 4WD

  • miles
My problem seems to be summarized by NHTSA action number: EA99011. The resistance on steering wheel is erratic, especially at highway speeds.

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

problem #31

Jun 152000

Tahoe 4WD

  • miles
Steering jerks left or right without warning -intermittent problem. Seems to be worse going around corners, but can happen going straight.

- Fairbanks, AK, USA

problem #30

Nov 292000

Tahoe 4WD

  • miles
Erratic power steering operation. Becomes extremely loose while driving.shutting off the truck and restarting will resolve the problem for a short period. Feels like the slightest touch to the steering wheel could turn the vehicle over. Also has begun an erratic "twitch".

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #29

Nov 132000

(reported on)

Tahoe

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When making a turn power steering boosts the turn, causing the turn to be further that expected. Dealer has inspected vehicle, and the manufacturer has been notified. The cause for power steering boosting is found to be failure in electronic varialbe orifice system (evo).

- Brandon, MS, USA

problem #28

Jun 152000

Tahoe 4WD

  • miles
Both times the steering sensor failed was at highway speeds. The first time I was switching lanes and all of a sudden it over corrected and almost sent me into the ditch at 65 mph. The second time my wife was traveling on the interstate at 65 mph and turned the wheel a little and it sent her into the next lane cutting off another vehicle. The first time I had it fixed the guy said "oh yeah we have been having problems with these." The next time I had it fixed I figured they would just replace it since they know there is a problem with them, but they charged my $150 parts and labor. I am going to contact the manufacturer next. It was very dangerous and I cannot believe something like this isn't being corrected.

- Green Bay, WI, USA

problem #27

Jun 292000

(reported on)

Tahoe 4WD

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

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