6.6

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$190
Average Mileage:
37,200 miles
Total Complaints:
38 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (18 reports)
  2. replaced steering shaft (8 reports)
  3. chevy has re-designed the intermediate steering shaft (4 reports)
  4. grease needs to be repacked in the steeering column (3 reports)
  5. look at steering box and steering shaft (3 reports)
  6. repaced bearings (1 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #38

Jun 062011

Silverado 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

I replaced this by myself using the borgenson steering shaft replacement. it was pretty easy and has fixed the problem for over a year now. worked great! dont take it to a dealer! do it yourself! This website showed me how to do it!!! enjoy

http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarticles/drivetrain/129_0806_gm_steering_column_repair/index.html

- agco787, Newton, KS, US

problem #37

Mar 072012

Silverado 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

to all you people out there that swear there life is in danger from a little noise from a part that would take an act of god to make fail...your life and your loved ones lives are gonna be ok!!!!

and for all you cheap asses out there that dont have 20 min, $32 dollars and a 15mm socket to make a little noise (all be it that it is a little annoying) go away...not saying i think its rite that this problem happeneds, but hey....you have other parts that wear out like shocks brakes oil tires....a truck or any car for that matter is a machine!!!! and like all machines, they need maintinace...not the end of the world...if you want a vheicle that doesnt need maintinace then i dont know what to tell you....thats never going to happen....sorry to be the bearer of bad news but thats life!!!!

quit your bitchin and moanin pry open your tight wallet, grab one socket, and roll up your sleeves....it will only take ya 20 min and you can go back to being lazy...my kid could do this job

dont pay a shop for something you can do yourself!!!!

- andyj, Winter Park, FL, US

problem #36

Apr 012006

Silverado 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles

Loud clunking noise and vibration feels like its coming from steering column or front end. I have since sold this truck, i bought new in '05 and am driving a Sierra from the same era now. The same issue is currently occurring now in the sierra as well. Also had a '04 Monte Carlo SS Supercharged that did the same thing at 17K miles and a '00 Silverado that did it at around 76k miles. Obviously I like my GM's butthis is more than a coincidence I assume. More annoying than disruptive as far as driving goes, but definitely something that should be fixed by dealerships, too bad when I reported on each vehicle the dealers "couldn't find anything". Disappointing for those of us who are loyal to a brand.

- Adam D., Chittenengo, NY, US

problem #35

May 012006

Silverado LS 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

there was the clunking from the steering. was so tired of taking truck into shop.And they kept saying on it was just a simple problem.

- chewey23, Victoria,tx, TX, US

problem #34

Nov 172006

Silverado LS 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,200 miles

I bought a used 2005 Silverado from City Chevrolet, a Dealership that's now closed down in Oklahoma City. I drove it a while before I really started noticing that it had a little rattle in the steering column. Then the rattle was getting worse and worse. I started doing some research to find a recall on the problem seeing that I started hearing more and more about the same problem with others. I called the dealerships and none of them would even try to help push the issue that it should be a Factory Recall on this problem, that's the main reason I have waited so long to have it fixed. Now, I'm to the point that I'm ready to argue and push the issue to the top myself. Why should we have to pay our hard earned money for something that so many people are having trouble with when the Muti Billion Dollar Company does nothing about it. This is not right, and GM should make it right for everyone who has paid to have the repairs done. I am waiting on a phone call from a rep for GM and if nothing comes from it, I will take it to the next level of getting to the top of the chain. If GM doesn't care enough to do something about it, maybe they will when enough people start making a choice to buy a FORD or DODGE on their next vehicle purchase. I will spread the word around as much as I can to tell everyone of the bad service that GM has done for so many individuals that should have had a recall on their vehicles. I'll try to get on every GM complaint site and every other site I can to complain about them. I've looked at every recall and even the silent recall's that I could find and I'm being told that a recall isn't warranted unless it's a Safety issue, well I disagree and I think there's a lot of others out there that do to. How do we know it's not a Safety issue, most of us aren't mechanics, and why does it have to be a Safety issue when they have thousands if not millions of these problems that we are having to pay for, it's just B.S. and putting money in the pockets of GM and their Dealerships to do the repairs. I will keep trying until I get something done and I'll keep calling GM and Jim Moloney who is the General Director over the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center 1-800-222-1020, GM Customer Assistance Center 1-800-204-0261. I will write letters to Chevrolet, P.O. Box 909989, Milwaukee, WI. 53209-9989 I'll report back with my results.

- Arthur F., Oklahoma City, OK, US

problem #33

Jun 152009

Silverado LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,623 miles

BNO OUGHT TRUCK JUNE2009 TOOK TEST DRIVE IMMEDIATELY NOTICE CLUNKING NOISE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT NEXT DAY NOISE WAS GONE BUT IT REAPEAR THREE WKS LATER FOUND OUT THEY JUST GREASE IT WENT TODAY TO DEALER THEY INFORM ME THEY WOULD PAY 10 PERCENT ON THE SHAFT BIG WOW TOTAL COST 339.00 I REFUSE THAT DEAL MY DEALER IS LOUNSBURY IN MONCTON NEW BRUNSWICK CANADA

- J.P B., Memramcook, N.B, canada

problem #32

Jan 012010

Silverado Z41 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

This knocking in the steering column started at about 26,000 miles. It got progressively worse over the next 16 months until it was very annoying. Had mechanic work on it and he told me he took the entire steering column apart and greased it heavily. He doesn't think this will reoccur, but has seen it frequently on Silverados.

- romaney, Steamboat Springs, CO, US

problem #31

Oct 152005

Silverado 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

I had a 2003 Silverado and it had this noise rattle from the front end that I could not pinpoint. I asked my mechanic and he could not hear it at the time. It only got worse as time went on. I eventually traded in for a 2005 and within 6 months I would start hearing a faint rattle that only got louder with time. Because of the economy I still have the 2005. I was glad I found this site because I was about to take it into a front end shop and they were going to tear into the front end for the tune of $600-$1000. Overall this has been a good truck for me but this noise is very annoying. Now I know what to do. I will either tell my mechanic what to do or do it myself. I quit taking cars into the dealer about 20 years ago. I learned the hard way. Jerry K

- Jerry K., Bothell, WA, US

problem #30

Jan 012005

Silverado LT Duramax Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

Bought a 2005 2500HD duramax to pull my RV, bought it with 22000 miles on it. Like brand new...The day I signed the papers it had that once in awhile klunk in the steering...well now I have 50000 on it and it absolutely frickin annoying, I wont pull the RV, cause I am afraid coming down these california grades ,Damn thing might come apart..The only thing good about this truck is the engine and that allison tranny, Isuzu should divorce GM and marry up to ford, that drivetrain there would make a hell of a combo....(in a real Truck) GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM>>>>I payed a arm and a leg for this truck, and we still had to bail them out, wheres my refund, I need a new leg...........Dan..P.S. Maybe its going to take someone getting killed in a accident.. to fix this problemmmmmmmm

- dcombs, Hanford, CA, US

problem #29

Dec 182010

Silverado LS 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

This problem has been on going for a while. The cranking noise like to drove me crazy. Then the steering joint came out almost killing my wife and daughter. GM needs to step up to the plate an address this issure and fix my truck. I saw a recall ID 05v013000 on the internet dealing with steering and the dealer told me it didn't affect my truck,but it said 2005 silverados.That is what i got.I'm mad as hell!!!!!!!!!!!!

- jwelch, Sylacauga, AL, US

problem #28

Mar 212008

Silverado V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

Clunking in the steering column. Paid the dealer 250.00. Left dealer and called the chevy complaint number. I advised the rep that they were going to pay for their defect. Within 20 minutes I had the money back on my card.

Unfortunately, the same problem has been going on for about 6 mo's now again. It is not bad enough yet that I will take it back to the dealer. "They have no idea what is wrong." Imagine.

- maryct, Conn, CT, US

problem #27

May 012009

Silverado 2500 HD Duramax

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

This truck was purchased brand new, the knocking in the front end started at 25K miles and is getting worse, taking the truck into the dealership this coming week, to see what they say. I believe it's going to be the idler or pitman arm. I have enjoyed this truck so far but the front end shouldn't start knocking at 25K miles. GM knows about this problem, it's very common and they still will not recall and fix them. This will be the last Chevy I buy. We have 3 Fords 250's & a 350, they started knocking around 225-250K miles, and with minor repairs still working good. BUYING FORD FROM NOW ON.

- Michele B., LOUISVILLE, AL, US

problem #26

Nov 182009

Silverado 1500 5.3L V8

  • Manual transmission
  • 50,000 miles

My truck started with a small bumping noise in the steering every time you hit the brakes. After a few weeks it graduated to hitting the brakes and bumps in the road. Now it has gotten louder and I can really feel it in the steering now. I'm going to have to try and get it fixed because it's driven me nuts now. It never fails! The problem started 2 weeks after I paid it off. GO........... FIGURE. Truck only has 50,000 miles on it. I bought it new in 2005 and have not had any real problems with it until now. With that being said, I've taken really good care of it too.

I will never buy a new vehicle again. They coast way too much and I trust a new truck as much as I do and older model truck. My Dad use to say, " You don't want a truck to brake down? Don't wash it or pay it off." I'm starting to believe it.

- big o, Dublin, CA, US

problem #25

Feb 012009

Silverado 1500 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,205 miles

My steering clunks when I turn. When I hit bumps it's awful !!!! Chevy really should do something about this before someone gets killed!!!! Does anyone even know if its dangerous, can it cause an accident ?? I've only had this truck a little over a year and its been doing this since I bought it. I have no warranty & to top it off my fans quit working. No one can find the problem it's driving me nuts!!! I'm female and don't know my ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to these things. Can anyone help me or give me advice or should I just sell my truck ???

- trouse, Homosassa, FL, US

problem #24

Jan 142008

Silverado 1500 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

i bought my truck used in 07,almost immediately after it started the infamous knocking sound in the steering column.i had it fixed once under warranty,now my warranty is up and im not even gonna bother with it again.truck's 4 years old now and feels like sh*t to drive,also has a distinct bang when shifting gears 20to30mph.my buddy has an06,same steering shaft issue! please recall GM...owned a 98 f150 for 5 years,never had these problems,thinkinbout going back.

- Charles T., Quincy, MA, US

problem #23

Oct 112006

Silverado 1500 Crew 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

Intermediate Steering Shaft has been replaced under warranty 4 times at 20K, 30K, 36K, 40K and is making the noise still and again. I have been listening to it for a long time now and have 70K now and they tell me it's tie rod ends for $900. I don't believe them and won't have them replace anything if it costs me. I'll take it to an independent shop and have it done much cheaper. This seems to be a chronic problem with the 05 models and some others too.

- Kerry K., San Antonio, TX, US

problem #22

Aug 272009

Silverado LS 6.0L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

My 90 Silverado never had the issue, the 99 did and dealer replaced the shaft under warranty. The 2005 just started the steering shaft clunk noise for bumps at 45,000 miles. It really annoys me that GM has hasn't addressed the issue for all of these years. In another year its trade-in time. Time to start investigating other manufacturers on what they have to offer since the quality isn't there for GM anymore.

Update from Sep 30, 2009: Contacted the dealer today - no issues no hassles they are going to fix it at no cost to me. To say the least I was very surprised. This truck isn't covered under any warranty. I don't know if I can mention the dealer by name so they are the only Chevy dealer Nashua NH. I have never had any issues with my truck other then normal maintenance but they stepped right up to the plate to resolve my issue even though its out of warranty.

- William D., Merrimack, NH, US

problem #21

Aug 012006

Silverado LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,500 miles

The mid shaft steering column had a redesign/recall. Had the column repacked 3 times still afterwards. Problem continues.

- ksinhou, Webster, TX, US

problem #20

May 012008

Silverado 1500 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

It started clunking sometimes when i turned and wasn't that big of a deal. Ive driven it another 20k and it got a lot worse almost unbearable to listen to when im going straight down the road. It just feels like the truck is falling apart because it got loader and more annoying.

- stud_boy68, Buckley, MI, US

problem #19

Mar 142007

Silverado 1500 Z71 EXT SB 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,826 miles

I have the same problem here: The clunking noise whenever vehicle is making a turn. It started a bit less noticeable (about 2 years ago but they said it was fine). It has become more obvious now. I only have close to 12,000 miles on it but unfortunately it is now out of warranty. I think they should recall this.

- Huy N., San Jose, CA, US

Read the next 18 complaints »