Chevrolet Silverado 3500 owners have reported 3 electronic stability control related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common electronic stability control problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's electronic stability control (3 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control problems |
Bought truck new. Bought a brand new fifth wheel trailer to tow. Sometimes while towing the trailer, the truck will "shudder" while driving at highway speed. This has happened maybe 3 or 4 times in the 2 years that I have had the truck and trailer. It "shudders" bad enough that it has nearly caused an accident. When it does this, the stabilitrak, traction control and all my gauges come on. The speedometer and tach reset. All this while driving. Brought to the dealership and all they do is point the finger at the trailer manufacturer. Trailer manufacturer says they are aware of the issue, and it is only happening to chevy trucks this has been an issue since I bought the truck and trailer.
2016 Silverado 3500 equipped with "digital steering assist" this is a known problem. At approximately 11,000 miles steering became extremely loose with about 3-4 inches of free play at the steering wheel. Took to 1st dealer, steering gear box was replaced according to Chevrolet TSB and system worked as designed for approximately 3-4k miles. At that time steering again became loose but not as bad as the first time, about 1-2 inches of free play at the wheel with what feels like too much power steering, very light, dangerously light steering. Vehicle taken to dealer 2, second repair attempt dealer stated system working as designed, at this time the digital steering assist worked as it should from 0 mph to 45 mph about 1-2 inches of free play at the wheel with what feels like too much power steering with very light steering from 46-74 mph, then works as designed from 75 mph on. I went for a test drive with the service manager, he stated "I feel exactly what you are describing tight from 0-45 then light from 46-74 then tight from 75 on but the system is working as designed". In spite of this they changed steering gear box again, 3rd part, with same result. Works as it should from 0 mph to 45 mph about 1-2 inches of free play at the wheel with what feels like too much power steering, very light steering from 46-74 mph, then works as designed from 75 on. Truck is used to pull 9. 000 lbs enclosed trailer. Pulling enclosed trailer at interstate speeds in winds is extremely dangerous and requires exhausting concentration and causes severe fatigue after only 150-200 miles. This is the very thing digital steering assist was supposed to eliminate. Vehicle is dangerous to drive between the speeds of 45-75, and especially dangerous while accelerating or decelerating through the 44-46 mph range while turning due to sudden change in steering pressure from system such as on/off ramps.
While traveling the stabilitrak fault light came on and the right front brake locked up, jerking the vehicle off the road. This happened 2 years ago and I didn't think much of it until it happened to my company vehicle.