5.2

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$290
Average Mileage:
64,300 miles
Total Complaints:
15 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (14 reports)
  2. replace intermediate steering shaft binding,install new cross member washers and torque bolt (1 reports)
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problem #15

Jun 112008

Tahoe LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

steering wheel started knocking and banging on turns ,right and left, and on uneven road. this started back in 2008 at about 68000 miles we now have 98000 miles and it is time i have to pay to get it fixed.. it is bad enough that it is making my tires show signs of abnormal wear. both tires on the front now have small chunks of rubber missing on the outer and inner part of the tread but not middle.i am being told not just any auto mach. can fix this problem, it takes a special tool that only a dealership has to put grease in the colume, whice really sucks, the dealership close to me charges right around 100.00 dollars just to diagnose the problem, before they even pick up a wrench. now i must play thier game to get it fixed, so when i buy new tires, they won"t get ate up also, and it wont feel like the front end is going to fall out from the rest of the vehical. there should have been a recall on this problem. thanks chevrolet !

- Wally M., Hedgesville, WV, US

problem #14

Sep 012008

Tahoe LS 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

Looks like I'm just one of the many GM suckers who have this annoying problem that may or may not lead to significant steering failure in the future while my wife and children are in the car. I realize this may cost GM $200-$300 (retail cost that is...although GM should be able to fix without the labor markup charges) per vehicle, which is a lot of money, but so is losing a customer for life. No matter how much GM states they have changed post bail-outs I really don't want to spend $35-40K again to determine if I made a stupid decision buying their notoriously poorly constructed and waranteed vehicles!

- Scott C., Dallas, TX, US

problem #13

Dec 042007

Tahoe V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

Well...the knocking noise was going on and on...about a few months. While driving the steering column locked up. You could not turn the stupid steering wheel at without going about 2 miles an hour. THANK goodness my husband was driving. I was complaining...and was like let me drive it. NOPE I COULD NOT BUDGE THE WHEEL. He took it to a buddy and got "something" fixed...Now it is crappy again at 78000 miles. My daughter just started driving this vehicle so I guess I am taking it to the DEALER to get it fixed however much the cost. IF this is your vehicle it can break..some kind of cable snapped and they said luckily something else did not catch in it or we were screwed....Headed to the dealer AGAIN to fix this crappy problem.

- woahnoah, Colonial Heights, VA, US

problem #12

Apr 272004

Tahoe 4.8L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

This annoying wobbly, knocking sound everytime I made a left or right turn or went over bumpy terrain. I took the vehicle in to have it checked out and they informed me that they were aware of the problem and all it needs is lube. Of course, I drove out of the dealer repair shop and all was good.

- tnahal, Livinston, CA, US

problem #11

Oct 262007

Tahoe 4.8L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I Googled the issue and found that I wasn't the only one with the same problem. I checked for recall information, and there was none, so again I took my Tahoe to the dealer and told them this vehicle had been repaired before for the same problem while it was under warranty. They took my information and said the manager would call me. I have not yet heard from him.

- tnahal, Livinston, CA, US

problem #10

Jan 012007

Tahoe LT 5.3L Vtech

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I thought I was going crazy! This annoying wobbly, knocking sound everytime I made a left turn or went over bumpy terrain. The worst was at work...my parking garage is ALL left turns so up to the 6th floor everyday, the knocking, wobbling, all the way up!! I finally Googled the issue and found that I wasn't the only one with the same problem. I checked for recall information, of which there was none, so I took my Tahoe to the dealer and was told that it hasn't been recalled because there is no safety concern. I guess they don't do recalls on annoying noises!!! Anyway, about $350 plus tax later.....I feel like I'm driving a brand new car! Definitely worth the money to fix. Turns out they had to replace the "intermediate steering shaft binding and install new cross member washers and torque bolt"....who knew!

- Valerie U., Burbank, CA, US

problem #9

Mar 312006

Tahoe LS 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 146,000 miles

Definite knocking in steering wheel when turning...has gotten worse...recently have felt more loose in the steering...not sure how much longer until something serious happens but i have managed to get 146000 miles without having to take it the shop..have felt knocking since bought at 108000

- Mark G., Baton Rouge, LA, US

problem #8

Jan 172007

Tahoe

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

I first noticed slight bumping sound when turning left about a year ago and had mechanic check steering and wheels.He stated he saw no problem and plenty of power steering fluid. Now, at start up and backing out of parking space and turning to left, I cannot hardly turn steering wheel to the left. Dealer states power steering fluid is burnt and they have had mention from Chevrolet about "parking lot maneuver" problems but don't know what or how to repair. What can I do as vehicle under warranty until 60,000 miles. Will it be covered after warranty expires since I reported problem before expiration? Help!

- Sarah H., Washington, NC, US

problem #7

Jan 172005

Tahoe SLE 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

This is not a one time thing. But seems to be getting worse with time. The knocking can be felt in the steering column/floorboard. It is felt when turning at low speeds, like when you are pulling into a driveway or parking space

- Timothy G., Athens, AL, US

problem #6

May 282007

(reported on)

Tahoe LX 5.3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

GM Used to cover this issue. I first reported it at ~20,000 miles.

The original temporary fix has now been replaced with a permanent $200 hardware change, not covered by the original warranty.

- dbooton, Raleigh, NC, US

problem #5

Aug 032007

Tahoe LT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,000 miles

This is such an annoying noise. It is almost beginning to sound like the noise coming from a bad rack and pinion. It started happening in August and I have not yet taken it to the dealership. I am thinking it would cost me an arm and a leg to get this problem resolved.

- Torbor F., Minneapolis, MN, US

problem #4

Jul 262006

(reported on)

Tahoe LS

  • 48,000 miles

Feels like steering column is getting looser.

- Will E., Ft. Lauderdale, FL, US

problem #3

Oct 172006

(reported on)

Tahoe LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

knocking or bumping sound when turning right or left - dealer states no recall so I must pay to have it fixed.

- Lloyd W., Blythewood, SC, US

problem #2

Jan 252007

(reported on)

Tahoe 5.3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles

It doesn't seem to be a big issue, but seems to be getting worse with time. The knocking can be felt in the steering column/floorboard. It is felt when turning at low speeds, like when you are pulling into a driveway or parking space.

- tlcordileone, Lutz, FL, US

problem #1

Jun 212006

(reported on)

Tahoe LS

  • 50,000 miles

Slight knocking coming from steering column when making left/right turns.

- spin2pleaze, Santa Clara, CA, US