1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 Steering Problems

THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS. MY BATTERY HAS SIDE MOUNTED TERMINALS. EACH TIME THE TEMPERATURE GOES UP OR DOWN THE POSITIVE POST BECOMES LOOSE. MOST TIMES IT IS A PROBLEM AS I START THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TURN THE KEY THE ENGINE BEGINS TO START, THEN IT SHUTS DOWN DUE TO LACK OF ELECTRICAL POWER. TWICE IN THE PAST WEEK IT HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD, ONCE IN THE MIDDLE OF I-83, DURING RUSH HOUR IN DOWNTOWN HARRISBURG, PA. OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS IT HAS, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, "HICCUPPED" SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAVE TIGHTENED THE SCREW-IN POST DOWN (TWICE) TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE ROUNDED THE HEX HEAD OFF AND THE WRENCH JUMPED OFF THE HEAD BUT, IT CONTINUES TO COME LOOSE. I SPOKE WITH AN AUTO PARTS STORE AND THEY RECOMMENDED AN ADHESIVE, WHICH I TRIED. IT STILL CAME LOOSE. I HAVE EVEN CHANGED OUT THE BATTERY BUT, STILL THE PROBLEM EXISTS. THIS WAS A VERY POPULAR YEAR FOR CHEVY W/T PICK UP TRUCKS. I CANNOT IMAGINE THESE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN RECALLS BEFORE NOW. THE OBVIOUS FIX IS TO REPLACE THE BATTERY WITH ONE THAT HAS TOP MOUNT POSTS. I WOULD ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE THE CABLES. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY THAT WHEN THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW? *TR

Mileage: 230,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 184,000. UPDATED 06/17/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS INTERMITTENT SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FOR A WEEK. THERE WAS ALSO AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. UPDATED 06/24/14

Mileage: 184,000

STEERING BUMPS TO LEFT OR THE RIGHT DUE TO A SENSOR GOING BAD IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

1998 CHEVY 4X4 SILVERADO-- STEERING PROBLEM--- BEST DESCRIBED AS RUNNING OVER MARBLES, AS STEERING DISAPPEARS FOR A SECOND. IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY IN ALL POSITIONS AND SPEEDS. WHEN THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING HAPPENS, YOU LOOSE CONTROL FOR THAT SPLIT SECOND. WAS TOLD BY A CERTIFIED GM MECHANIC THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THAT TRUCK AND A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. IT JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED BY THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

STEERING IS DIFFICULT THEN NORMAL CAUSING OVER STEERING. WHILE NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED OVER STEERING CAN RESULT IN A SERIOUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY IN POOR DRIVING CONDITIONS. *NM

Mileage: 50,000

MY BOYFRIEND(MARIO DIEGO) AND I (CARMENIA) PURCHASED A 1998 CHEVY TAHOE. FROM BROOKS MOTOR COMPANY ON APRIL 1,2005. FROM APRIL 1 TO JUNE 29,2005. THE TAHOE HAD TO BE RETURNED TO BROOKS MOTOR SERVICE CENTER 8 TO 9 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR REPAIRS. NOW MY CAR REAR END HAS BROKE AND NOT DRIVABLE. *JB

Mileage: 5

WHILE DRIVING AT MOST ANY SPEED AND MAKING A SLIGHT RIGHT HAND TURN, THE POWER STEERING WILL HESITATE THEN JERK TO THE RIGHT, REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO SOMETIMES OVER COMPENSATE THE STEERING TO TO LEFT. AT THIS TIME THE PROBLEM HASN'T BEEN BAD ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BUT IS GETTING WORSE. THIS HAS HAPPENED HUNDREDS OF TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR. I HAVEN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM SINCE I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIR COST. *AK

Mileage: 55,000

I CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING WHICH FEELS LIKE HITTING A PATCH OF ICE WHILE GOING AROUND A TURN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND KNOW THAT GM HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON OTHER MODELS BUT NOT MINE. I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED ANY OF THE STEERING COMPONENTS BUT WILL SOON DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IS NOT CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL. *JB

Mileage: 100,000

I HAVE BEEN HAVING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS WITH MY 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO C1500 PICKUP SINCE 2001. IT WILL SUDDENLY OVERSTEER WITH THE SLIGHTEST MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL, AND HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME SERIOUS PROBLEMS AT SPEED. IT DOES NOT DO IT CONSTANTLY, BUT OCCURS MORE OR LESS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY DOWN TO ONCE EVERY TWO OR THREE DAYS. WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN ALAMOGORDO, NM ABOUT IT I WAS TOLD "THEY ALL DO THAT - DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT." WHEN I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT AN INCREASE IN THE PHENOMENON I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT JONES CHEVROLET IN SUMTER, SC, AND WAS TOLD THAT "THEY ALL DO IT," BUT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL OR NOTICE OF SOME SORT, AND TO BRING IT IN. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN, THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT THE INDIVIDUAL I SPOKE WITH WAS MISTAKEN BUT REFUSED TO ELABORATE, AND THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I DISAGREE, AND I BELIEVE IT IS A PROBLEM ACROSS THE GM SPECTRUM, AS EVEIDENCED BY THE RECALL REGARDING POWER STEERING ISSUES IDENTICAL TO MINE EARLIER THIS YEAR. I HAVE EMAILED GM'S CUSTOMER SITE WITHOUT RESPONSE, AND I AM NOW OF THE OPINION THAT IT WILL NOT BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY GM WITHOUT SOME SORT OF STIMULUS. AS I STATED, THE PROBLEMS BEGAN IN 2001, AND CONTINUE TO THE PRESENT.

Mileage: 31,000

PROBLEM WITH STEERING, FEELS LIKE LOOSE WHEEL, LIKE HITTING ICE ON ROADWAY, BUT NO ICE . REPLACED IDLER ARM ASSEMBLY. BETTER FOR AWHILE BUT STILL JERKS.

Mileage: 58,788

WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE FROM THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT STEERING COLUMN FAILED. DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX SHAFT SECTOR. *AK

Mileage: 74,800

WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE FROM THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT STEERING COLUMN FAILED. DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX SHAFT SECTOR. *AK

Mileage: 74,800

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS STEERING JERKED FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. *AK

Mileage: 97,000

I OWN A 98 CHEVY PICK UP, AS WELL AS A 96 GMC SUBURBAN, AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING ON BOTH VEHICLES. THE PICK UP HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY BAD WITH THE "HARDER" LEFT TURNS, AND THE "OVERLY" EASY RIGHT TURNS, OR JERKS. TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH EITHER VEHICLE, IF YOU ADJUST THE STEERING FOR A CROSSWIND, THEY WILL FIGHT GOING LEFT (THIS IS NOT CONSTANT, WHICH MAKES IT WORSE AS IT IS UNEXPECTED) AND LAUNCH TO THE RIGHT WITH THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH (ALSO NOT CONSTANT). I BELIEVE THAT THESE VEHICLES COULD EASILY BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAD SPOKEN WITH A LOCAL DEALER AFTER HEARING OF A POWER STEERING RELATED RECALL PENDING (IN OCTOBER 2003) AND WAS ASSURED NO SUCH THING WAS GOING ON, AND MY VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE INVOLVED ANYWAY. I HAVE SHOWN JAN. 10TH 2004 AS AN INCIDENT DATE, AS THE FORM COULD NOT BE COMPLETED WITHOUT THAT INFORMATION. THIS HAS HOWEVER BEEN A PROBLEM ON AND OFF SINCE PURCHASING THE TRUCK (NEW IN JULY 98) AND THE SUBURBAN (USED IN JAN. 99) ALSO, SINCE PURCHASING THE 96 SUBURBAN, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER (MOUNTED ON BOTTOM OF PUMP) POWER STEERING LINE TWICE, DUE TO BREAKAGE AND LEAKS, AND I NOW HAVE ANOTHER (REPLACED SAME HOSE ON PICK-UP) LEAK SOMEWHERE IN THE PICK-UPS POWER STEERING SYSTEM (IT HAS BEEN TOO COLD TO WASH THE VEHICLE PROPERLY UNDER THE HOOD, SO I CAN INSPECT HOSES, BUT AM FAIRLY CERTAIN IT IS ONCE AGAIN THE SAME HOSE)

WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE TEMPORARILY LOST POWER STEERING. DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 66,000

FAULTY EVO SENSORS CAUSED THE WHEEL TO JERK TO ONE SIDE WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *TS *NLM

Mileage: 56,000

UNSPECIFIED INTERNALS OF GEAR BOX FAILED RESULTING IN INTERMITTENT UNWANTED STEERING CHANGES (VEHICLE STEERS ON IT'S OWN) DT

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. CAUSING TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. MR. GARNEY PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

VEHICLE VEERS SUDDENLY RIGHT OR LEFT DURING TURNS. OWNER RELPACED EVO SENSOR AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. UPON INSPECTION OF FAILED UNIT, OWNER FOUND THAT THE GREASE FROM STEERING SHAFT HAD LEAKED DOWN INTO THIS SENSOR, CAUSING UNIT TO FAIL. I KNOW OF 2 OTHER OWNERS OF TRUCKS WITH THIS SYSTEM THAT HAVE THIS IDENTICLE ISSUE.*AK

THE STEERING MOMENTARILY "LOCKS UP" THEN RELEASES WHILE COMPLETING SLOW SPEED RIGHT TURNS.*AK

I THINK TSB 86-32-06 SHOULD BE IN THE FORM OF A SAFETY RECALL. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WOULD JERK AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS AT INTERMITTENT INTERVALS. THIS CAUSES CONSUMER TO OVER STEER OR OVER CORRECT. DEALER INSTALLED E.V.O SENSOR AND THIS SENSOR ALSO FAILED CAUSING THE SAME PROBLEM OVER AGAIN. *YH

STEERING FEELS LOOSE WHEN CONSUMER IS MAKING A TURN, DEALER TOLD HIM THAT PROBLEM IS THE EVO SENSOR. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING TENSION IS TIGHT EXCEPT WHEN GOING INTO TURNS AT 25MPH, THE STEERING GOES LOOSE AND HAS A FEELING OF LESS TENSION AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF OVER STEERING, CONSUMER FEELS THAT SINCE CHEVROLET IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH NEW UPDATED EQUIPMENT. *JB

ONE CAN BE DRIVING PERFECTLY STRAIGHT OR TURNING A CURVE. THE SPEED DOES NOT MATTER. FAILURE OF THE EVO SENSOR CAUSES THE WHEEL TO BE JERKED TO ONE SIDE WITH NO WARNING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH FOR SOMEONE NOT EXPECTING THE SUDDEN MOVEMENT OR FOR A INDIVIDUAL LACKING SUFFICIENT STRENGTH/RESPONSE TIME.*AK

WE ARE A USED AUTO DEALER IN NORTH CAROLINA. WE SELL SEVERAL CHEVROLET TRUCKS; MAINLY 4WD PICK-UPS, TAHOES AND SUBURBANS WE HAVE IN THE LAST THREE YEARS REPLACED STEERING SPEED CONTROL UNITS, NOT SURE OF EXACT PART NAME. THE PROBLEM WE HAVE NOTICED IS AT BETWEEN 20 TO 40 MPH IN A CURVE USUALLY TO THE LEFT THE AND KEEPING CONSTANT AND CONSISTANT PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL THE VEHICLE WILL ABRUPTLY TURN DEEPER INTO THE CURVE. WE HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL OF THESE UNITS AT OUR EXPENSE BOTH FOR VEHICLES IN INVENTORY AND PREVIOUSLY SOLD VEHICLES. WHEN THE STEERING INPUT PRESSURE CHANGES THAT RAPIDLY AN UNSUSPECTING DRIVER IS FORCED FROM HIS LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE DEALERS IN OUR AREA ARE VERY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE PLENTY OF REPLACEMENT PARTS IN STOCK. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THIS IS AFFECTING 1997 AND 1998 MODELS. *AK

WHENEVER TURNING STEERING STEERING GEAR BOX WOULD LOCK UP. WOULD GET TIGHT, AND THEN SUDDENLY WOULD LOOSEN UP AFTER TURNING. *AK

STEERING WHEEL FEELS SLIPPERY & WOULD JERK OR PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT ON ITS OWN. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD REPLACED THE OLD SENSOR WITH A NEW EVO SENSOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT & COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK

STEERING WHEEL WOULD ON ANY UNEXPECTED TIME, SUDDENLY AND ABRUPTLY, PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN GOING INTO A CURVE IN THE ROAD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE SENSOR, AND HE NEEDS TO HAVE IT DONE AGAIN. *AK

STEERING LOCKS UP MOMENTARLY THEN RELEASES DURING SLOW LEFT TURNS

NO SUMMARY

DEALER CONTACTED ON VIBRATION AROUND 42 MPH. TOLD PROBLEM WAS FRAME BEAMING AND THAT GM WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT DO NOT PLAN TO ENGINEER A FIX. CAUSES TRUCK TO BOUNCE IN THE 42 - 44 MPH RANGE.

WHILE MAKING A TURN, IT IS MORE DIFFCULTY ON LEFT TURNS BECAUSE STEERING BECOMES TOO HARD. DEALER REPLACED PARTS ON THE STEERING SYSTEM, HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

POWER STEERING SENSOR FAILED. NLM

STEERING COLUMN IS PULLING TO THE LEFT. *AK

POWER STEERING IS VERY ERRATIC (OVER STEERING, STIFF, AND VEERS) AT TIMES WHEN SPEEDS ARE 50-60 MPH. MJS

EA99011; THE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING WHICH MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND RESULT IN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

POWER STEERING IS VERY SENSITIVE AND HAS SLACK POINTS, CAUSING EXTREME STEERING CONTROL PROBLEMS.

STEERING GEAR BOX FAILED. *YC

STEERING PULLS TO THE RIGHT. YH

POWER STEERING SENSOR FAILED. YH

MISADJUSTMENT OF THE IDLER ARM CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL.

WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND REMAINED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING GEAR BOX.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE GEAR BOX AND P/S PUMP AGAIN CITING DEFECTIVE PARTS AND PARTS AND REPLACED THE COMPUTER SENSOR FOR THE SPEED SENSATIVE STEERING.*JB

WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE DANGEROUSLY WANDERS EITHER WAY WHEN DRIVER TAKES EYES OFF THE ROAD MOMENTARILY. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MAINTAIN THE POSITION ON THE ROAD, UNLESS DRIVER'S TOTAL FOCUS IS ON THE ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A SPECIAL SPEED CONTROL MODULE ON THE STEERING IS SUPPOSE TO BE A NEW IMPROVEMENT, BUT ENDANGERS ALL THOSE WHO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT TAKING THEIR EYES OFF THE ROAD. THIS CONDITION NEEDS TO BE INVESTTIGATED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL SHAFT BROKE; STEERING WHEEL SPUN LIKE ATOP; LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

LEFT FRONT TIE ROD BROKE, CAUSING COLLISION/ DAMAGE.

SECURITY SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO SHUT THE FUEL SYSTEM DOWN IF VEHICLE IS STOLLEN. IF WRONG KEY IS USED, VHEICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED FOR 30 MINUTES. OWNER VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK

INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS. AFTER A TURN/ACCELERATION, STEERING WHEEL SEEMED LIKE SOME ONE WAS HOLDING IT. *AK

LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY.