Sometimes loose power steering when turning the wheel then works again

- Meriden, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel shook, the brakes made a scraping noise, and the ABS warning indicator illuminated. While the contact attempted to decelerate and turn the vehicle, the front driver's side wheel detached from the hub. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

- Toney, AL, USA

We had a recall in the past on the steering column rattling. The dealership repaired it and it has started it again and it is worse than ever. The vehicle only has 59000. Miles on it. And we were told by davis Chevrolet in lexington nc that it could not be repaired again. So I wanted to find out what is going to be done about it.

- Lexington, NC, USA

While traveling on the expressway in my 2006 Chevrolet Silverado with 26,000 miles on the odometer, I attempted a transient lane change while taking evasive action in order to avoid a hazardous situation. When coupled with the brakes I noticed longer than usual engagement. As a result, I was forced onto the shoulder and had to use multiple downshifts in concert with the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to a halt. It sounded like a train stopping on rails. I proceeded to drive home with hazards on, U never exceeding third gear. The following morning I noticed clear oil underneath the front end of the vehicle. I believe this is an extremely dangerous vehicle and a less experienced driver would have been killed or extremely injured. Lastly, I have also been noticing inconsistency with steering resistance. Sometimes the steering is considerably looser than at other times. I have dismissed this disconcerting sensation by assuming it is weather/humidity related.

- Chicago, IL, USA

I had issues with steering control, specially on curves at 40 T0 65 miles P/H on the road from beginning of the purchase.I have been to Chevy dealer to complain about safety issue on the road.but dealer finds no physical defect on the car.on mat 15 2015 finally I lost the control of steering wheel and hit the side walk curb and broke front and rear axles.likely no personal injury.I am very concerned about safety of other owners in this regard.I have checked other resources to find if there are similar cases like mine, and surprisingly there are too many of them. Please let me help to save others from loosing their lives. Thanks.

- Glendale, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel seized for a few seconds. Additionally, the front end of the vehicle vibrated severely. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer three times for the replacement of the intermediate drive shaft on three visits. The brake lines, transmission cooling lines and intermediate steering shaft were covered with rust and were replaced by the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 32,800.

- Mcmurray, PA, USA

My 16 yr old son and 12 yr old son were coming home from school on 11/10/2006, my 16 yr old was driving, he took drivers ed and passed the class with an a+. and when he took his driving part of the test he past with a perfect score the first time. He also raced gokarts, so he knew how to control vehicles and prevent wrecks. When the wreck happened, the truck just went up an embankment, and went throw the air and hit a tree and pealed the roof back like it was a tin can. There was no skid marks, the tire tracks went straight up the bank, like the steering wheel was locked. And not one air bag opened. They were less than a 1/4 of a mile from home. I was at the bus stop waiting on my daughter, I heard the wreck and the alarm from the truck was going off. I went to the site and the alarm was still going off, and the steering wheel was locked. My 12yr old died on site, my 16 yr old died 4 days later. I have known something caused the wreck, but not sure what until now. Now I know with all my heart the switch locked the steering and also made the air bags not work.

- Leesville, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 2 mph there was a popping sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic applied lubrication to the steering shaft. The failure continued after the lubrication was applied. The contact stated there was a manufacture recall for the steering but his vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.

- Wheelersburg, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, the steering catch fractured and caused the wheel to fracture. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they advised him that the power steering pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the power steering pump. In addition, the contact mentioned that the front suspension was causing wear to the front tires. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they advised him that the front springs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the front springs. The vehicle manufacturer was later contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 23,800. Updated 5/11/12 the consumer stated the right front frame cushion is riding on the right front lower a arm. The front suspension is not supporting the weight of the vehicle. Also, the steering gear box has a defected bearing in it which causes is it to catch when moving the vehicle. The extended warranty company and atascadero Ford outlet filed chapter 11 bankruptcy. The consumer paid $5,050 for the extended warranty. Updated 6/15/2012

- Nipomo, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel was not aligned correctly and he had to constantly move the steering wheel in order to keep the vehicle straight. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.

- Meraux, LA, USA

My truck has had 2 sets of brakes 4 wheel speed sensors another set of calipers and new tires. The brake locked pulling my boat thank god it was raining outside. The sterring wheel is shaking, I got another alinement that did not help, so I went to see the wheels need balanced and it did not take care of sterring wheel shaking. I really dont like the my water spilling in the drink holer because my truck is shaking. Help me if you see this soon. I see allot of people out there in the world of Chevy that has the same issuses I have had with my truck. Every time I turn around I have to take my truck to get it repair, all out of warrenty 5600 miles. The noise that my steering column makes everyone says not to worry. My rims are so pitted on my truck it looks like poop.you know what I paid $33,000 for this Chevy truck and I dont like noise that is not suspose to be there/one mechencil said he couled fill my column with grease but that would last. Its a joke spending this much money for a bad lemon by Chevy..

- Anderson, IN, USA

About a year and a half ago I started hearing and feeling a light knocking in my steering column when I would make a turn. It took several months for it to get consistent for anyone else to hear it then it began to get a lot worse. I took it by my mechanic and he told me that it was in the steering. He said that they use to just lube them again but now you have to order a kit from the manufacture. He knew what the problem was immediately after driving it through the parking lot because he had the very same problem on his Chevy truck in the past and had seen several others since then. He informed me it was safe to drive for now and I have yet to get it fixed. You can tell it is a lubrication problem because it is not as noticeable in the winter vs. The summer when it is hotter and the lube flows more freely. Now I see the same complaint on here and other web sites regarding this same problem and that it will keep happening over and over. The knocking has become very loud when I make a turn either way now. If this is a known problem with this model then why has it not been recalled? especially if a owner has to continually have it fixed after every 10-20 thousand miles. I am afraid that if it is not fixed soon I may lose control of the steering. I have also noticed a lot of wear on my tires that should not be there after keeping it continually maintained. My truck is five years old but it only has around 25,000 miles on it. Please I urge you to look into this problem before someone does end up hurt.

- Talladega, AL, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 30 mph the contact stated that she hit a bump in the road and the vehicle front end became loose which caused the vehicle to move in another lane. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who advised her to take the vehicle some where else to get a front end alignment. The contact stated that the failure was constant and became progressively worse. In March 2009 the dealer replaced the steering gear. In December 2009 the dealer replaced the intermediate steering shaft, the bearings, bushing and the lower steering shaft. The dealer also repaired a leaky seal on the left and right side of the steering gear which included a gear kit in September 2010. The contact was not experiencing a failure at this time but stated that she had several problems with the steering. The failure mileage was 875 and the current mileage was 70,200.

- Memphis, TN, USA

2006 Chevrolet Silverado. Consumer requests reimbursement the consumer stated he had no steering ability. The dealer informed the consumer a bolt fell out of the intermediate steering shaft.

- Newton, IA, USA

Steering noise from steering column.

- Salem, NY, USA

Clunking noise when turning at low speeds. Dealer says it is a common problem. It is in the intermediate steering shaft and there is no reliable fix for the problem. If you replace the part the problem returns in a short time.

- Princeton, IL, USA

Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) we have a 2006 Silverado Chevrolet truck [xxx]. there has been a squeaking in the steering-wheel column, and the car is becoming increasingly difficult to steer. A mechanic found that the inner tie rods need to be replaced and a part of the steering column needs to be replaced. A local dealership says, "there is no recall" even though there was an earlier recall on Chevrolet-truck steering systems. The manufacturer instructed us to get in touch with you. Please let us know how to proceed. Thank you.

- Port Neches , TX, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving 25 mph and making a right turn the steering wheel locked. The contact was able to slow down and come to a complete stop. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The dealer diagnosed the failure and repaired the steering column but the contact is concerned since the repair didn't correct the failure. The steering wheel has continued to lock while driving. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 2000 and the current mileage was 89397.

- Kelso, WA, USA

Failure of left front wheel bearing on a 2006 1500 Silverado Z71 crew cab. Grinding noise had been coming from the driver's side front wheel intermittently for a few months but not consistently. Truck was taken in to have all four tires changed at 54590 miles. Dayton Ohio grismer auto service technicians informed me that the front left wheel bearing was wore out and needed replaced before they could finish changing the tires and doing the front end alignment. This was a addition expense of $270 for replacement of the bearing hub and labor. Contacted the jeff schmitt Chevy dealer in fairborn Ohio where I bought the truck new to ask about the premature failure of the wheel bearings, the service department said there was no problems with the bearings failing early and they have had no other people ask about this. Looking here I see that there has been several incidents concerning the left front wheel bearing hub and also numerous cases with the right side. When is there going to be a safety recall on this"???" this problem and with the steering column inter-link has been going on forever and nothing has been done with either one. The NHTSA and GM need to get these two items fixed right once and for all. I have the failed wheel bearing hub assembly if anyone wants it to inspect it.

- Dayton , OH, USA

Intermittent steering shaft and column bearing makes clunking noise and gradually becomes harder to steer over time. Even after replacing the column the problem will return about every 10,000 - 20,000 miles! this also gives excessive tire ware. This is an accident waiting to happen!

- Surprise, AZ, USA