Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet S10. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, all the vehicle gauges went to zero and all the warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl*- the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet S10 with an odometer reading of 15800 miles. The contact started having problems with the vehicle at 1100 miles when the brakes began to make loud noises. In August o 2003 the contact took the vehicle to don hall Chevrolet of ashland kentucky, and the service personnel determined that the brake pads were not compatible with the factory rotors, thus causing the brakes to make a v loud noise. The rotors were turned and new brake pads were installed. Three days later the noise continued. A mechanic installed wagner brake pads. The manufacturer's pads installed at the dealer were not as efficient. At 11, 000 miles the brake pedal rattled when driving over speed bumps. The service personnel at mcfarland murray chevorlet dealership of grayson kentucky removed the dashborad, and replaced the bushing on the brake pedal. …
Following are problems I have had with this vehicle since owning it. All of which I feel has caused me great inconvenience, and recently too much money. I have sent letters to GMC just today to see if they are going to do anything about the inconvenience and cost. October 21, 2002 at 4035 miles the idler arm was replaced, (under warranty) at doan Chevy. Somewhere around January 2003, a sensor for the heater shield was replaced under warranty at doan Chevy. March 4, 2004 at 26,345 miles the idler arm was again replaced under warranty at doan Chevy. March 29, 2004 the drivers?? Door needed to be aligned it never closed properly, as did the passenger visor needed to be aligned because it never would snap shut, replaced under warranty at doan Chevy. …
1999 Chevrolet S10 driveworks steering inner tie rod end part no. Dw-es3380t. Right against the front cross member on my 1999 S10.this could cause binding in the steering. Could cause truck to crash. Economy inner tie rods are wrong but professional grade inner tie rods are correct. This is a problem at many parts stores and online part stores (advance auto, auto zone, rockauto, etc.) I believe this could cause serious injury or death.
I'm having a problem with I believe it's the fuel sensor my truck gets up to a certain temperature and it just dies and it's not just my truck it's in a lot of the newer model Colorado's as well I have a friend who's having the same exact problem as I am when it gets up past 95 degrees, the truck just all of a sudden stops in the engine turns off, and you have to try and steer your truck without any power steering, the reason I am filing this is if this happens in the middle of the road it could possibly cause an accident and that would be no good and it only happens when it is hot outside in the winter time or when it's cold I have no issues whatsoever
Truck has ABS lights on when driving at lower speeds as soon as the fluids are not cold the check gushes light comes on and the oil pressure gauge needle drops until the throttle is again depressed... Also ABS in rear shakes whole truck when going below 50mph and then continues up to 80mph before subsiding. The truck has serious steering issues constant leaks caused I'm sure my rack and pinion are worn down as well as now my tires and supension I have so many problems like the interior is crumbling to pieces the body has giant holes from improper painting options on this model I have over sized tire wells that are rusted completely out it make your company look silly for not making these vehicles better when they last people keep buying them again and again! …
When turning the steering wheel to the right, the consumer would hear noise coming from the steering wheel. The owner contacted the dealership. Please add any further information. Consumer was told the warranty was expired, tough cookies and since they were GMC and not cheverolet they wouldn't do anything. GMC was going to charge $488. For parts plus labor. The consumer replaced the part himself.
While driving home consumer suddenly lost steering, vehicle was unable to immediately stop which caused him to hit a garbage container that was then pushed against a tree which finally stopped his vehicle, the vehicle was towed in and was determined that a new steering knuckle was needed, but consumer was advised that it would not be replaced under warranty because the dealership states that by vehicle being in an accident that is what caused the damage to the steering knuckle (mother on behalf of son)
Related recalls (1)
Steering › Gear box › Shaft sector
The intermediate steering shaft loosens at the steering shaft to steering gear coupling. With this looseness, the yoke pinch bolt can wear on the splines of the shaft until there is no longer an interference between the splines and the bolt.
Remedy: Dealers will retorque the upper and lower bolts to correct specifications.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet S10 years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (21), 1996 (17), 2001 (15), 1998 (14) and 2000 (12) model years. Steering complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet S10 steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 96V-195 (shaft sector, Oct 8, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet S10 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles; 44% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the steering wheel/handle bar (18 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (11).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.