6.9

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$250
Average Mileage:
52,050 miles
Total Complaints:
19 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. lubed steering shaft (8 reports)
  2. not sure (7 reports)
  3. replaced drive shaft (3 reports)
  4. replace nut in steering column (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #19

Aug 222007

Suburban LS 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

This is a problem that I been having since 2007, I didn't know what was causing the noise, it was like something from the alignment was doing it, I took the suburban about 4 times for alignment hoping that they could tell what the problem was, I took it to the dealership, and they told me that the steering and suspension parts only had 12,000 miles coverage. Tired of the nonsense, I just stop spending money on the same bull sh*t with no solution. I just let it go and learned to leave with the freaking noise and the sensation that something was loose. I checked the steering components several times, they were all tight, I checked the bearing assembly hub, they were tight until last week, I changed the passenger side and I thought that the freaking noise was going to go away. Wrong! Same sh*t, until I decided to go for the idler, idler arm and pitman arm, it was until then that I found out that the knocking problem was caused by the f*cking steering gear box. It has a small play enough not to take your vehicle off the road, but every time I turn either was it will make the noise. I mean, I've been checking and looking for the cause of the noise since 2007, with mechanics, Chevrolet technicians, they couldn't figure it out. When I removed the main link I was trying to remove the pitman arm and notice the small play, then I understood where the problem was. Now I have to replace it, I was looking for a recall on this issue because I use my suburban strictly for pleasure, so there's no way that it was caused by rough driving, it must have been a defective part. Also, there is a freaking noise in the back axle, that it sounds like the bearings are bad, I checked the and it seems like they're ok but the noise is there. Some people say that is caused by the positive traction, I think is bull sh*t but o well. Let me know if there was indeed a recall on the steering gear box, I know there was one for the bearing assembly hub, but I replaced it myself. Thanks!

- blessedhand, Port Arthur, TX, US

problem #18

Mar 222010

Suburban Z71 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

wish they would have fixed this before releasing from factory hear this is a problem in several GM vehicles.

- Terry G., Crawford, TN, US

problem #17

Aug 052008

Suburban LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Dealer says this is a $350 repair job, but there is nothing wrong functionally, just noisy clunking sound when you turn and hit any slight bump at the same time.

Just another CHRONIC PROBLEM of this generation of Suburbans!!!

- kfg1969, Omaha, NE, US

problem #16

Jan 012007

Suburban 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles

From what I've read , this should be a dealer fix paid for by chevy. I'm getting a Cherokee.

- sdickinson, Brick, NJ, US

problem #15

Jun 012009

Suburban

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

Mechanic says they are replacing them on lots of vehicles. It's a defective part from the supplier and they routinely fail. It's only the fourth major service issue. The next vehicle is a Honda. We're done with GM and Dodge.

- Mike V., Angola, IN, US

problem #14

Dec 012008

Suburban LT 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

Clunk or popping noise and feel when turning and going over small bumps. Dealer says $200 - $300 to fix. I definitely feel should be a recall or dealer fix. Appears a very common problem. And they want us tax payers to keep bailing them out? Good grief.

- chamberlins, Bakersfield, CA, US

problem #13

Oct 152008

Suburban 1500 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

This has been really annoying. I'm also noticing a "pull" on my vehicle to the right. Been told these are unrelated. W

- Chris D., Wilton, NY, US

problem #12

Aug 222005

Suburban LS V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

Besides all the other problems that I have taken the time to write about on this website, the last of the problems thus far, would be something that my wife just reported to me last night. This problem has re-occurred in the past and it is now happening again. We have the knocking noise when driving and turning the steering wheel. I have read other complaints and wanted to confirm to everyone reading these, that our 04 Suburban is doing the same thing and apparently the dealer has fixed this temporarily in the past and will have to fix it again...temporarily. It is disappointing to me that GM does not fix these problems under warranty and would go a long way with customer loyalty if they did. I am not sure if I ever want to own another American Made product again :(

- Michael G., Lodi, CA, US

problem #11

Dec 112007

Suburban LS 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

Your Chevrolet dealer knows all about the concern, USUALLY it can be taken care of by lubricating/grease.

- jet pilot, Sugar Grove, IL, US

problem #10

Nov 212006

Suburban Z 71 5.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

The knocking in the front end gives me a constant feeling that the vehicle is unsafe. The problem is back and of course out of warranty now.

- Charles H., Tampa, FL, US

problem #9

Nov 072005

Suburban 1500 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,811 miles

Spent a lot of money on this vehicle. Shouldn't be having a problem like this so early. Spoke with dealer and he said it was common on this vehicle. Said he has had probably a 100 complaints for the same problem. It is the intermediate steering shaft. Cant be fixed by greasing shaft. They do have a replacement shaft that is supposed to eliminate this problem. To my understanding its around 150 to 200 bucks to have shaft replaced. Apparently Chevy won't recall it because its not a safety issue. What a bunch of chicken Sh ts. A multi billion dollar company makes something thats defective and because its not a safety issue they won't make it right. Pretty piss poor way to treat your customers. I do like Chevys and have not had problems with very many of them. But when I have had problems, The GM chevy people have been the biggest pain in the ass to deal with. EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM HERE, THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO MAKE IT RIGHT. I think if I was GM I would be replacing that $150 part for my customers. THEY KNOW IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. SURE WOULD HATE TO LOOSE A SALE OF A 30+ THOUSAND DOLLAR VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS TO MUCH OF A CHICKEN SH T TO DO WHATS RIGHT. Think next vehicle we by will be a Toyota. They make some nice Suvs and trucks. Had a Camry a few years back and never had a many issues with it. When we did it was minor and the Toyota people did back flips to make it right. 200,000 miles and pretty much all we did is change the oil and timing belts when specified. Besides Toyota is really the only vehicle manufactured in America. Every one else like Gm and Ford are having their stuff built in Canada and Mexico.

- rsala, Crescent City, CA, US

problem #8

Nov 072005

Suburban 1500 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,611 miles

When you spend 26+ thousand dollars on a vehicle you don't expect to have problems this soon. Spoke with mechanic about this and they said it was a common problem. Said lots of vehicles like mine having the same problem. Said GM won't fix on a recall because its not a safety issue.

- rsala, Crescent City, CA, US

problem #7

Jan 122007

Suburban 1500 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

Third time for same problem. haven't taken it back this time yet. I think after this go around, I will sale this vehicle and buy from another manufacture.

- rsala, Crescent City, CA, US

problem #6

Apr 072006

Suburban 1500 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,064 miles

This is second time for same issue. Chevy still has not stepped up and did the right thing.

- rsala, Crescent City, CA, US

problem #5

Oct 102006

Suburban Z71

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

First time lubed steering column to fix under warranty - now at 58,000 and not under warranty had to replace to steering column to fix an obvious design flaw. GM needs to get on it and recall for this problem.

- Gordonhall@alum.Mit. H., Sugar Land, TX, US

problem #4

Aug 252007

(reported on)

Suburban 1500 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

KNOCKING ON TURNING OF WHEEL AT 25,000-REPLACED DRIVE SHAFT UNDER WARRANTY NOW AT 55,000 MILES SAME PROBLEM--REPLACED DRIVE SHAFT AGAIN SAME DEALER STATES MANY OF THIS OCCURRING IN THIS MODEL--COST CLOSE TO $400--DEALER EXPECTS THIS TO BE A RECALL SOON.

- Mary C., Wallops Island, VA, US

problem #3

Sep 212007

(reported on)

Suburban

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

knocking when you turn the wheel.

- Debbie N., Salmon, ID, US

problem #2

Jul 032007

(reported on)

Suburban LT 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Knocking with any turn of the wheel. Lubed the steering shaft, was told that there might be continual problems with it

- Jason J., Pflugerville, TX, US

problem #1

Nov 132006

(reported on)

Suburban LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

With minimal turning of steering wheel a continuous knocking occurs which you hear and feel in your hands. I was told by the dealership it is a "design flaw not a safety issue" and they will relubricate it as often as I need to have it done. I have had this done twice and it needs it again. Needless to say it makes any ride less enjoyable I've had cars over 10 years which provided a more satisfying driving experience. This truck is a LEMON! It only has 24,000 miles on it! I bought it brand new. See other posts for the other issues involve. I have spent way too much time at the dealership with this truck and will likely never buy an American made car again. After 9/11/01 we bought American to help support the economy.

- Marlaine B., Mount Pleasant, SC, US