I have lost steering and braking on 1996 6.5 turbo diesel Suburban three times now I drive normally. I am 42 and have a family of seven. When braking the power booster has zero pressure and it is very hard to stop and at the very same time all power steering is lost. I thought the power steering pump failed, so I replaced it, no change. Still no power brakes or steering. I replaced hydroboost unit braking and steering returned. I have had to replace hydroboost three times in 8 months. I completely removed the solenoid magnet from the power steering pump to test if the power steering pump causes the hydro boost unit to fail, I did this between hydro unit 1 an 2, I reinstalled magnet between unit 2 and 3 the first time I lost braking and steering there was no warning, I went to stop and had hard, non power brakes and no power steering. The second, third time I knew to replace the hydroboost unit, when braking and turning the steering gets hard or the brakes get hard, then I replace the hydroboost unit, brake and steering return to normal I completely flushed the power steering fluid each time into a clean bucket, no big particles or hose material. This braking system is dangerous, imagine driving down a winding two lane steep downhill mountain road, with a heavy Suburban and you loose steering and brakes I turned in the original parts as cores to get my money back.

- Riverside, CA, USA

No accidents. Steering has begun instances of loss of control. Information provided during discussions with local repair shops indicates the recirculating ball steering box may have a tendency to slip. This is consistent with the intermittant failure mode experienced during driving. The vehicle is a 1997 Suburban C1500. It is not used to tow and has never been in an accident. We have owned it since new, all of the 104,000 miles have been driven by us, no children have driven this vehicle. The truck has been well cared for. We have experienced this 5 times, with the most recent being yesterday. No repairs have been made.

- Russellville, AR, USA

When turning right, steering seems to assist more, causing abrupt oversteer. Happens intermitantly.

- Ft. Myers, FL, USA

When making a right or left turn, the steering failed.

- Summerfield, NC, USA

Fuel pump wiring inside the fuel tank short circuited, and could have caused my Suburban to blow up, since I had just filled it with over 30 gallons of gas that morning. My fuel pump had to be replaced, along with a new wiring assembly and float mechanism. My mechanic said the short circuit was more than likely due to over amperage of the fuel pump. That in turn, caused the wires inside the fuel tank to melt together and short out the ECM fuse, twice. I believe Chevrolet is very lucky that no one was hurt. I hope others are as lucky as I was! P.S. power steering and brakes are also very poor!! bad design...1997 was a lemon Suburban, and should have been recalled and designed all over again!

- Colusa, CA, USA

Intermittently when making a turn power steering wheel has too much play in it. This almost caused an accident.

- Oak Harbor, WA, USA

The power steering failed, which caused an accident. The consumer was injured.

- Hartland, MI, USA

These trucks with this steering problem are very dangerous for drivers, passengers & other motorists around these vehicles.if no one has been killed yet because of this defect GM should do something before it's too late.

- Ft.Worth, TX, USA

I have had several owners of the Suburban and Tahoe line say that their power assist has failed also and had to endure costly/over priced repairs.

- Valdosta, GA, USA

Sudden, unexpected oversteering in turns, veers into turns, intermittent.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Sudden, unexpected oversteering in turns, veers into turns, intermittent.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

I have a newspaper article from 1999 stating NHTSA investigating this problem in 1997 to 1999 GMC vehicles. Your data base shows no complaints, but the article stated 76 complaints in 1999 and 4 crashes. There must be more by now, and the replacement electronically variable orifice that was replaced in my vehicle has failed again.

- Brush Prairie, WA, USA

Power steering hydroboost unit surges, makes steering wheel jerk in a different direction.

- Ellicott City, NJ, USA

Vehicle experienced more assist to steering at 30 mph which caused loss of control. The dealer replaced the electronic solenoid relay as possible cause of power assist to steering assembly.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

1. battery leaked acid while idle and ultimately failed. Leak corroded positive power cable and undercoating. 2. erratic steering while driving - steering position sensor replaced first time. 3. starter failed 3 times - complete lock-up 4. U-joint failed twice - sealed/non-greasable poor access to add grease fitting

- Youngsville, LA, USA

Power steering is unreliable, surge/increase in steering power is very unpredictable. This vehicle has been to dealer 5 times for this problem. First time the dealer said alignment was problem, not so. Second time the dealer replaced the power steering gear box, this fixed problem for 4 months. Third time the dealer replaced power steering gear box, power steering pump and flushed lines, this fixed problem for 5 months. Fourth time the dealer replaced the evo sensor on steering column, this fix lasted 15 months. Fifth time the dealer stated that the evo sensor must be bad and will not replace under extended warrenty. After much investigation, I find that this is an ongoing problem specific to the 1997 Suburban with the electronic control on the power steering system. There have been in excess of 75 reports of this or similar steering related problems. NHTSA should investigate this prior to there being any fatalities.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

Loss of steering power and excessive play in the steering for up to 4-5 seconds at highway speeds.

- Foster City, CA, USA

Steering suddenly jerked toward the direction of pressure on the steering wheel. This should be a recall emergency before it turns into causing fatalities like the tire situation.

- Bridgeport, NE, USA

Steering tension changes drastically causing oversteering, steering also locks up when applying brakes.

- Burleson, TX, USA

Erratic power steering assist while driving.

- Waukegan, IL, USA