5.9
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $150
- Average Mileage:
- 46,350 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 64 complaints
Most common solutions:
- all the dealer did was lube it up (16 reports)
- replaced steering shaft (15 reports)
- not sure (14 reports)
- dealer replaced steering shaft (10 reports)
- lube failed replaced lower shaft three times (3 reports)
- dealer took a grinder to steering shaft. (1 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
At 40000 miles the steering shaft needs replacing for a second time, all the dealers were out the first time and took about 9 months to replace so the second one lasted about 22000 miles not good low bid just does not get it( or just a bad design)
I think General Motors should replace for free just from the hassle
- park, Knoxville, TN, US
Ok, it's now the third time, first at 35,000mi, second at 51,000mi, now again at 65,000mi. I haven't gone to the dealer yet, but I'm sure this time they will want to replace it. The first time GM took care of it, the second time the dealer lubed it up, so I'm sure this time they will want to replace it. I don't know what the hell to do, the tires last longer! GM better realize this is a problem and do something. The American Automobile Market, being in the shape its in, can't afford for people like me to start Looking toward a TOYOTA TUNDRA as my next new truck!
- William A., Port Jervis, NY, US
Called GM, they claim there is not an issue. Even though it happened once before, they would not cover it this time since the warranty was up. I expressed my concern with GM that I had a bad feeling this was going to be an issue every 15-20k miles. They assured me it wasn't an issue and gave me 2 free oil changes.
- William A., Port Jervis, NY, US
The first time GM was pretty good about taking care of the problem.
- William A., Port Jervis, NY, US
I actually had the intermediate shaft fixed twice. The first was at 18000 miles and now the second time at 51000 but with a new revised part. The first time it was still under the factory warranty. The second, I had to use my extended warranty and pay the 100 dollar deductible. I really hope that the revised part fixes the problem because I have had other issues with the truck that have made me question Chevy’s quality.
- J C., Rancho Belago, CA, US
I have a 2003 Silverado at +/-34,000 miles I had a problem with a thumping noise coming from my steering shaft. The dealership explained to me that it was a design flaw and that the problem would continue. Now that I have +/-64,000 miles on the truck....it continued. It is really a discrace that a truck was built with a design flaw and nothing has been done to correct it! My family has bought Chevrolet trucks since 1960 and my father worked for GM in Van Nuys, Ca (for 35 years). I hope one of you good for nothing m!@#$%^&*()^s in Detroit reads this. I don't think I'll ever buy a Chevy or GM truck again.
- leochav, Hacienda Heights, CA, US
This is a constant problem. About every 4 to 5 months I am back in the shop with the same complaint. All they tell me is the know about the defect but the only fix they have is to charge me to lube steering box. I wonder if FORD dealerships are like this.
- Tony R., Shreveport, LA, US
I took it in...well we don't hear anything miss. if it starts up again let us know. everything is sound and working well.. We greased everything, should be good. Next time same thing without the grease I got busy and NOW dang it if they can't hear this rattle in the steering column I'm gonna go postal!!
- Gail B., Hutto, TX, US
I do not feel that I should be responsible for a manufacturers defect. That is just wrong
- Mat W., Ggg, Ghfh, US
Had knocking in the steering column 2 years after purchasing the vehicle new. The service person advised this was an ongoing problem and 3 months back order on replacement part. The intermediate shaft was replaced under warranty. Now 44,000 miles and knocking is back. Told it needs to be repacked with grease ($135).
- caseymi, Saginaw, MI, US
Brought my truck into the dealer regarding the sound coming from the steering column. Chevy dealer told me they would have to lube it. It worked fine for about 8000 miles. Then it started over again. I brought it in again. This time they said they had a new part to install to take care of the problem. Now I have 54,000 miles on the truck and the noise and jolting are back. Not sure what to do now.
- davidpca, Newbury Park, CA, US
I have a 2003 silverado z71 in which has a thumping in the steering. I took to the dealer under warranty and they took a grinder and ground the steering shaft. Worked for a little while the started back again. I took it back to the dealer this time not under warranty and showed them on their ticket what had previously been done and their fix was to replace the steering shaft at my cost. Which I chose not to do. I shouldnt have to pay for this fix being a manufactures defect.
Maybe it will fall apart and cause an accident and then they will have a lawsuit. Then we can all get ours fixed.
- rheuer, Florence, MS, US
after four years of telling me the part is coming chevy finally just started getting replacement steering shafts. got it installed last week and seems good but will have to see if it holds up. They claim this "is the fix". warranty covered it because it started when warranty was still in effect.
- Tg R., Thousand Oaks, CA, US
I purchased this vehicle under the dealership's 'certified' plan and shortly after the purchase it began making a knocking noise from the steering column. Called the service adviser and they said the warranty period had ended and they could lube the column at a nominal fee of $90.00 and that this would last about 20,000 miles. I told them to screw themselves.
- kchris, Port Arthur, TX, US
I only have 20,000 miles on my 2003 Silverado and I am hearing a thumping noise in the steering column when turning. I haven't been to a dealer yet, but it appears it may be a worthless trip. I would suggest a permanent fix through a recall. I also have a 2002 Impala which is having the same problem. It has 70,000 miles of it.
- David W., Lodi, CA, US
Purchased 2003 Silverado LS in Oct. of 06 with a very low mileage of 15700 miles. Within a couple of weeks steering began making thumping noise when making right turns only. The dealers fix was like all the rest, lubricating steering mechanism. NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO REPEATED PROBLEMS..... going back to Ford.
- Andy S., New Boston, MI, US
Have been having the same problem with the steering column on my 2003 Silverado. The thumping noises and vibration started about at 16,000 miles. The dealer replaced the shaft under warranty but now at 48,000 miles the problem is back. It is obvious that they replaced the defect with another defect. I do not have extended warranty but plan on calling the dealer and seeing what they can do. It looks like GM would recall this problem or do something. I have always been a Chevy owner but Toyota is looking more attractive.
- Stephen S., Apex, NC, US
Had a thumping in the steering column a little over a year after purchasing the vehicle new. The service person, at that time a friend of mine, advised me that this was an ongoing problem since the redesign in 2000. The intermediate shaft wasn't properly lubricated and the repair was made under warranty. That repair lasted a year and half and the next one I was told they had a new shaft design, that was at 34,000 miles and now at 48,800 miles it's back with a vengeance. Haven't talked to the dealer yet, will keep you posted.
- Tom D., Cincinnati, OH, US
This same problem happened on another truck I had (2002 silverado) they replaced the rack and pinion on. This time (2003 silverado) GM is telling them to grease it, that this is a maintnance problem. There is no grease fitting for anyone to just grease it, they have to take it off of the truck to lube it. This sounds to me like GM is passing the buck, I say they should have a recall on this problem. brrrrapt, that's a bronx cheer!
- tcrawford, Oakland, TN, US
Going back for my second lube job. This is getting to be a
Thanksgiving tradition at my dealership. I have another year
under my warranty and this really makes me want to buy another Chevy. You know, to keep the annual screwing alive.Ya right!
- Andy S., New Boston, MI, US