6.3

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$210
Average Mileage:
56,250 miles
Total Complaints:
23 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (13 reports)
  2. install grease fittings so owners can lube (4 reports)
  3. pay for updated steering bushing (4 reports)
  4. Installed a new drive shaft (1 reports)
  5. massage shaft (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #23

Oct 132003

Silverado

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

FIX THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT KNOCK ?

- cgonzales, El Centro, CA, US

problem #22

Jun 102003

Silverado XL 4.8L

  • Manual transmission
  • 12,000 miles

developed a knock at about 1 yr. Thought front end was falling off. Mechanic told me this was a common problem and that the shaft needed to be packed with grease. No grease fitting so it came back about a yr later. Goodbye chevy.

- Walt J., Dover Plains, NY, US

problem #21

Oct 052009

Silverado 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

This noise is very distracting and bugs me to death.It sounds like the front wheel or something is going to fall off. Had it checked at one place,they said I needed shocks! So I had Shocks put on,what a joke it wasn't the shocks.I took it to Chevrolet dealer they said they found nothing wrong.Took it to a different place, They said they have seen this before that it had something to do with steering column but they didn,t have time to fix it then,that I needed to come back make appointment.But have not really had the time or extra money right now.I've heard this is a problem from the factory,A big problem,BIG enough for a recall.BUT Chevrolet don't think it is no big deal and Ithink that stinks like SH.....!!! I bought This truck used in 2006 I guess I bought somebody else's PROBLEM!!!!!!!

Update from Aug 3, 2010: I'm sick of trying to work with GM I've had 3 Fords before this truck, they stand behind their trucks. I guess I'll just go back to FORD !!! Silverado nice looking Truck but just sick of hearing noises knocking all the time. If I'm going to pay good money for a truck it's going to run QUITE AND SMOOTH. I thought Dodge was bad But Chevy is catching up!!!!

- rallvolgs, Knoxville, TN, US

problem #20

Nov 022002

Silverado

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I have had this problem since I bought the truck BRAND NEW off the showroom floor. It has been "FIXED" 3 times. Now that I can't stand it anymore (the knocking) because I have too many miles they will not fix the problem. This is a problem that has existed from day one. It's not a new problem!!

- susancalif, Angels Camp, CA, US

problem #19

Feb 022009

Silverado LT 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

This is a simple problem to fix, doesn't present a safety hazard, and is simply annoying, not a vehicle reliability issue. You could drive it forever and not fix it. At the same time, the knock doesn't instill confidence in the driver as it feels and sounds as though something is about to fall off. At the end of the day, just get the updated shaft and be done with it. Costs less to repair than most things.

- Dan P., Bismarck, ND, US

problem #18

Jun 142005

Silverado LS 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

Truck now has 52,000 miles on it & is scary to drive account steering is so noisy & loose feeling. I bought the truck new & the dealer basically says this is common & tuff s...

- rgracy, Claremore, OK, US

problem #17

Jun 022008

Silverado LS 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

All I can say about Chevy is that they suck. Knocking coming from my steering column, Fuel pump went out @ 57,000 miles Chevy dealer stated that "Oh, that happens" passenger side window cable trashed and too damn spendy to fix, CD player keeps on saying ERR, killed battery had to pull fuse, passenger side light kept on burning out... In other words Big Pile of CRAP. Those of you thinking about buying Chevy think twice...

- Pat O., Warroad, MN, US

problem #16

Mar 192004

Silverado LS 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,418 miles

REALLY ANNOYING, occurs every time the steering wheel is turned.

- Michael M., Cornwall, Ontario, Canada

problem #15

Sep 192008

Silverado LS 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,517 miles

OK! I've had it with GM! This has been a great truck but for this rally annoying problem, I'm sure there is a safety issue if I wait long enough to nfix this. I see Bergeson makes shafts that are supposed to address this problem. Why hasn't GM bought up a supply of these and tended to this problem so we only have to fix it once?

- Michael M., Cornwall, Ontario, Canada

problem #14

Feb 192008

Silverado LS 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,448 miles

Surely there is a recall concerning this problem. This is the third time I've had to deal with this problem!

- Michael M., Cornwall, Ontario, Canada

problem #13

Oct 232008

Silverado LS 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,108 miles

This is the second time this has happened. They say there is no permanent fix. I think GM should address this problem.

- Michael M., Cornwall, Ontario, Canada

problem #12

Oct 172007

Silverado LS 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,451 miles

I had to pay out of my own money to fix this knocking noise. This cost me $587, to me this should be

a safety issue because this could break or cause your steering to lock. I don't understand why Chevy has not issued a recall on this manufacture defect. I had the

dealership replace it once and now it's back... it's worse this time. The last time they said they replaced a sleeve type bearing and greased the spleens on the steering shaft. Next truck I'm buying is a Nissan. So long Chevy!

- Frank E., Sun City, CA, US

problem #11

May 092007

(reported on)

Silverado V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

The first time this happened I had the truck one year - warranty fixed it. It has happened each year since. The crappy repair lasts 12-13 months. Can't chevy with all their engineers figure this out?

- John H., Clearwater, FL, US

problem #10

Aug 212007

(reported on)

Silverado LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

At 30,000 miles I told my husband there was a knocking in the steering wheel. Of course, he doesn't notice it. As much as I hate dealing with mechanics, I called myself and took it in - there was a recall for the knocking that we did not know about. They said they replaced the shaft. Now at 54,000 miles it's worse than the first time and it drives me crazy. I am about to call again and be the nasty woman customer that the guys don't want to talk to. we pay way too much money for these vehicles that aren't lasting with the same problems over and over. Has anyone been told what would happen if it's not fixed?

- mweber, Evansdale, IA, US

problem #9

Apr 232007

(reported on)

Silverado LT 5.7

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

2002 silverrado , 2 times back to the dealer to get the steering column knock fixed under warranty, need to go again , i think i'm going to get a bill with this trip, we'll see, this is definitly a design problem, 56000 miles .

- Bob V., Beavercreek, OH, US

problem #8

Apr 232007

(reported on)

Silverado WT 4.3

  • Manual transmission
  • 84,000 miles

2002 Chevy work truck 4.3 man. yes i have the same problem knocking noise coming up the steering column, had it repacked once. now with 84000 miles on it its back. has been for some time. i have replaced ball joints and thought it was my rack and pinion before i realized what it was.

- Stuart B., Clovis, CA, US

problem #7

Mar 042007

(reported on)

Silverado ES 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Had this Grease packed at 30000 miles, now at 56000 and out of warranty, it is back! I'm done fighting with the dealers who really don't care about their customers until they are ready to buy something, I'm buying a Honda!

- Craig D., Canton, MI, US

problem #6

Feb 222007

(reported on)

Silverado LX 4.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

My 2002 Chevy Silverado now has 52,000 miles on it. I took it in to the dealership 3 times while still under warranty for a bumping, knocking noise in the steering column. First time they "Lubed it". Next 2 times they replaced the steering shaft. Now it's doing it again even worse and out of warranty. The dealership now admits that replacing the shafts was not a long term fix?? Waiting on the Service Manager to call me back.

- Steve T., Montgomery, AL, US

problem #5

Nov 172006

(reported on)

Silverado 1500 4.3L

  • Manual transmission
  • 26,000 miles

Had the "lube pack" put in the original telescoping mid-shaft under warranty, then had a new mid-shaft installed under warranty... all before 35K miles. Now I've got 42K and the problem is back. The truck is out of warranty and my local dealer says they'll be happy to install another lube pack for $159. Hey, Chevy, I'm a loyal customer. How about a replacement mid-shaft with grease fittings so I can lube it myself and avoid the "lube job" (so to speak) at the dealer.

- Eric H., Salisbury, NC, US

problem #4

Oct 232006

(reported on)

Silverado Z71

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

My truck is making knocking noises in the steering. The dealership say I will have to pay to get this fixed. Why hasn't Chevy recalled this problem? It sounds like it is a problem for all 2002 Silverado owners. A faulty bushing? C'mon Chevy!!!

- Harold C., Guilford, ME, US

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