general problems of the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban - part 1

Erratic power steering assist while driving resulting in erratic control at highway speeds. Started in 2006 and ended in 2009. Vehicle was taken to dealer numerous times to no avail.

Power steering surges, uncontrollable.

Extreme over steering at speeds over 45 mph. Nearly caused a freeway accident with car full of kids. Previously owned a 93 Suburban with no complaints. Have only owned this one 4 months and I am scared to drive it because the steering is so erratic. Also travel frequently with horse trailer and worry that the over steering will cause the trailer to swerve, consequences would be catastrophic.

I bought a used Suburban and since I have owned it I have been having trouble with the steering. While driving down the road the steering wheel jerks suddenly to the right. I really have to keep a tight grip on the steering wheel while driving, especially when on a road with alot of twists and turns because it jerkes hard and is very dangerous. I worry that with the steering wheel jerking it is going to cause a wreck because it sometimes has sent me towards the lane next to me or off the road completly, this could be a serious problem. This is not something that just happens every once in awhile, it happens everytime I am driving. I have seen other complaints listed on this site for the exact same thing. I just wonder if there is a recall or what will remedy this problem.

When driving steering wheel feels loose. It moves very easily up or down without using the adjustment lever.

The vehicle experienced erratic steering ability, which made the vehicle difficult to control.

Steering wheel unexpectedly turns during turning maneuvers at slow to moderate speeds. Feels like a quick tug on steering wheel and then returns back to original position.

Vehicle would oversteer while making a turn . Dealer stated evo sensor needed to be replaced.

During normal operation of vehicle the handling is like "driving on ice. " dealership has examined vehicle and replaced steering sensor twice. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

Steering wheel position sensor was faulty, causing steering to float feeling like a momentary loss of steering for a second. Consumer wrote Chevrolet a letter.

Please note there seems to be a problem in steering that allows steering pressures to change while turning wheel, it is an odd feel that is noticed at low speeds.

Sterering wheel rotation sensor failed causing the steering wheel to jerk while driving. This family has three Suburbans all the same year/model and they where all repaired for the same problem. Nlm.

Ongoing / erratic problem with power steering system causing momentary loss of steering control. Dealer notified, and replaced steering sensor. Year later problem reoccurred. Please feel free to provide any further details.

While driving 45-50 mph steering went out/vehicle veered to right, and no accident. Steering sensor was replaced. On 27 June 2001 consumer was driving 50 mph when steering went out, vehicle veered to right again. No accident, dealer replaced steering sensor. Dealer stated he has replaced lots of sensors.

Subject vehicle has pulled, severely, to the right since purchase. The saleman said an alignment would fix the problem. The vehicle has been realigned three or four times, the steering wheel sensor has been replaced and the castor adjusted. The service department doesn't seem to know what else to do. The vehicle steering continues to pull dangerously to the right, especially when driving on a road (interstate or local) which has been sloped in that direction. The steering wheel constantly pulls in a clockwise direction. When driving in town or on the interstate, if the steering wheel were to slip out of your hand or you were to let go of the steering wheel for a second, the vehicle would run off the road. The steering also feels unstable and vague when driving on the interstate.

The failure manifested itself by means of oversteering to the point of loosing traction and skidding on rh or lh front wheel depending in which direction I was turning. It usually happened at approx. 30 mph. It is like the vehicle is "taking over" the steering. This occured many times until I had the "steering wheel position sensor" replaced. According to Chevrolet's customer service they are looking in to the problem, but at this time do not feel that it is a safety problem. I feel othervise since I almost lost control of the vehicle the first couple of times it happened.

When driving at any speed the steering wheel is going to the left or to the right or wherever the steering takes the vehicle. Dealer replaced steering wheel sensor.

While driving and turning right the steering releases pressure and the steering wheel moves to the right about three inches, and then the pressure gets restored. Please provide any futher information.

As consumer turns the steering wheel she sometimes reaches a spot like a( black hole) where she loses control momentarily. There is an open investigation at this time.

At speeds of over 10 miles per hour, the steering wheel jerks left and right intermittently. I then have to correct and/or oversteer to keep the truck on the road. This first began in 1999, at approx 30,000 miles on the vehicle.

The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Suburban. When the vehicle is fully loaded, the contact notices that the vehicle becomes difficult to steer. He has taken the vehicle to a mechanic 15 times and they have made numerous repairs, including various components of the steering unit, steering sensors, actuator, and also additions to the springs of the suspension system. All of the repairs have not adequately repaired the failures. The contact called the manufacturer and was referred back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 8,464 and current mileage was 86,000. Updated 10/08/08. Updated 10/10/08.

Steering sensor replaced several times due to steering jerking and directional problems, not able to rectify, finally consumer had the steering sensor taken out to remedy problem (design).

While driving at approx 55 mph steering lost power for about 3 seconds to 10 seconds. During this time consumer cannot control vehicle, it begins to wander from side to side, in order to gain control, needs to apply brakes. Eventually power comes back. Took vehicle to dealership 2nd time, dealer changed steering sensor. 1st time, dealer claimed could not find problem.

Steering pulling from side to side.

Variable effort steering kicks in/out, causing a significant reduction in the back pressure of the steering wheel. The effect involves momentary oversteer as if someone has grapped the steering wheel and moved it 4-5 inches toward insid eof curve. If driven on icy roads, could lead to loss of control.

My steering jumps to the left unexpectily as if someone grabs the wheel and turns it fast . Nlm.

New electronic variable orifice steering system does not function well due to a design flaw. There is a lack of road feel at most speeds, and more importantly, lack of normal steering return to center after steering.

Steering wheel over compensates when making a turn. Dealer has replaced sensor several times. However, problem still exists. Please provide additional information.

Vehicle wanders when speed is in excess of 45 mph.

New electronic variable orifice steering system has a design problem, it demonstrates lack of road feel at most speeds, and more importantly a lack of normal steering return to center after a turn.

While traveling at any speed vehicle traveled out of control due to steering sensor. Please provide further information.

While traveling and when going around a bend vehicle lost steering. Dealer stated evo sensor needed to be replaced. Please provide further information.

Intrmittently when turning wheel slightly vehicle oversteers. Dealer is inspecting vehicle.

While traveling and without any indication vehicle would travel from left or right without steering wheel being turned, sensor was gone. Please provide further information.

While driving steering resistance holds, resulting in dangerous oversteer. Dealer has been contacted.