38 problems related to hydraulic power assist steering system have been reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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.
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!!.
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.
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 ts.
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.
Erratic power steering assist while driving, see NHTSA action number: ea99011.
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.
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".
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.
Steering jerks left or right without warning -intermittent problem. Seems to be worse going around corners,but can happen going straight.
Vehicle will oversteer when changing lanes to the left or turning left, steering will pull to left.
At highway speeds, steering wheel jerks left on its own. Without a strong grip on the wheel could cause loss of control.
Problem with steering. . Momentary loss of steering,seems to slip then catch. Service dept advised known problem with speed sensor. No factory recall. Cost $250. 00 to replace.
Ea99oii/erratic power steering operation: vehicle would jerk while traveling at highway speed . Dealer/maanufcturer were not contacted at this time.
Erratic power steering assist while driving . Nhtsa action number ea99011. I have been expereincing this same problem with my Tahoe. Any suggestions on how I may approach my local Chevrolet dealer with this problem. Do you know if Chevrolet is addressing this problem? any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated. I can be contacted at bandgmay@hotmail. Com thank you!.
The speed sensor for the power steering was defective; causing eratic steering responsiveness. . . . Quite dangerous.
While driving along a road at about 25 mph my power steering failed and never returned. The dealer indicated that a sensor became loose and caused the power steering pump to fail. They suggested that I call the gm hot line. Gm was not very nice or helpful. They asked how much mileage. They indicated that anything that they would do would be under their good will program. They then asked me how much I was willing to pay. When I indicated gm=80% and me 20% of a $462 repair bill they asked me to hold on and then came back and said that they were not willing to pay anything. I asked them why they even bothered to ask me how much I would be willing to pay--and they indicated that the truck had a lot of mileage and that I should have taken the extended waranty program. I feel the dealer was trying to inform me that this power steering pump should not have gone in the mileage that I had. I believe that a bad accident could have resulted had I been driving on a curvey road. Gm appears to be disinterested in my welfare. I thought that beonka jones was very rude in handling the matter.
The steering occasional appears to be very light, like it was floating in the air. And the steering appears to over compensate during the steering pulls by itself. Dealer replaced the idler arm , and did front wheel alignment but the problem did not go away.
Steering is real loose. It fells as though consumer is driving over oil when making a left or right turn. When consumer contacted dealer about the problem, consumer was told that the problem was with the steering assist sensor. The problem has not been corrected. Please provide any further information. Report given by husband, robert wisemore.
The steering problem felt like I was driving on ice. It seems to slide for a second and then the steering comes back. The problem happened last week and I just had the truck back to a chevy dealership to change the sensor as warranty work. I got the truck back yesterday and did not notice the sliding action any more, but it has been just one day. I'm sending this complaint because I heard about the investigation and wanted to submit my information.
No summary.
Power steering operats intermittently. Consumer contacted dealer and manufacturer.
The steering develops play and feels loose after the vehicle warms up. The steering problem is especially noticeable at 30 mph, but the steering is also feels loose at higher speeds . The vehicle was at the dealer, wilton motors 6 times for the steering problem. Another dealer also had it 1 time for this problem. The problem is not resolved. The trailer hitch receiver bent during normal trailer towing. The trailer being towed is 5475 lbs. Dry. The vehicle is rated to tow 6500lbs. The hitch receiver has a rating of 1000 tongue wt. And 10,000 lbs. Trailer wt. For an equalized hitch. This receiver is bent or twisted up, causing the ball mount and ball to rise approximately 1 inch. The receiver was installed on the new vehicle as part of the trailer towing package. The trailer or the Tahoe may have a design flaw that causes this problem.
Steering problem at all speeds will not drive straight.
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.
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).
Erratic power steering assist while driving - this is already being investigated by you.
Power assist seems to be erratic - happens often at various speeds.
While driving the steering occasionally pulls to the right without warning. I read in USA today a recall was being considered and was wondering about the status.
Steering erratic at all speeds when turning or changing lanes, feels like lose control of steering. This was reported several times to jack wilson Chevrolet in st augustine FL, who told me there was no problem. I.
When driving the speed sensitive steering has full boost at all times which makes the steering very sensitive and dangerous, overstear and lane changes happens everyday.
I experience a very noticable twitching in the steering in a turn at high speeds greater than 50 mph while towing a small trailer. This is noticable only when the vehicle has downshifted into 2nd going up a steep grade.
Power steering failed caused loss of control of the vehicle. Yh.
The variable effort steering intermittently and very sporadically goes from normal steering effort to almost zero steering effort causing an oversteer and near loss of control situation. This usually occurs (but not always and not the only situation) during a long continued turn such as found on entrance and exit ramps of a freeway or highway. Sometimes the opposite problem occurs where instead of an oversteer situation, it is difficult to get back out of a turn. This is a tremendous safety problem especially at highway speeds where a normal lane change can suddenly turn into a s-turn. This is difficult to duplicate on a test drive since it is sporadic and comes suddenly without notice.
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.