Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2018 | 2 | 11% | — |
| 2016 | 15 | 29% | 38,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 8% | 30,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 20% | 17,000 miles |
| 2013 | 7 | 27% | 13,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 13% | 22,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 3% | 116,000 miles |
| 2007 | 4 | 10% | 0 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 8% | 100,000 miles |
| 2005 | 6 | 13% | 3,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 5% | 49,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 5% | 52,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2001 | 3 | 4% | 127,000 miles |
| 2000 | 9 | 11% | 25,000 miles |
| 1999 | 6 | 13% | — |
| 1998 | 5 | 7% | 1,000 miles |
| 1997 | 6 | 10% | 30,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On June 27 2023 we we driving on a two lane highway pulling our travel trailer. We had driven 5 hrs the previous day parked unhooked and drove around the area with no issues. The following morning we left an were just entering the highway speed zone when the truck abruptly crossed the centreline. I managed to correct and stop n the shoulder and noticed 6-8" of play in the steering wheel. I dropped the trailer and slowly drove back to the town to try and see what the issue was. The vehicle continued to move left and right with no input from me. It was determined that the steering box was leaking and when steering was input a thumping could be felt in the tires but not in the steering wheel. The shop determined the box sector shaft adjustment shaft was nearly backed out completely. …
There is excessive play in the steering causing the vehicle to wander. Problem is amplified at freeway speeds or while towing 5th-wheel. On some roads truck will pull one direction till change in road slop cause truck to swerve in opposite direction. Like many others have stated this is a dangerous situation. Problem has not been confirmed by service center on this truck, but manufacturer has issued TSB PIT5501E. There are no warnings messages.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The power steering. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was unable to steer the vehicle properly, this poses obvious risk while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? It has happened to me several times. It has not been reproduced by a third party. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warnings. No known issues.
I have experience a temporary loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist followed by a sudden return of EPS assist, particularly during low-speed turning maneuvers. This temporary loss of EPS does not happen very often. The last time it happen I was making a right hand turn off of the highway, it felt like I lost the power assist for a second, than it came back. Before this happen, I have had several experiences over the last two years where the steering feels like it sticks when starting a turn at start of forward movement. I have talk to the dealership where I bought the truck, they even looked at it once and said they could not find anything wrong. I talked to them again after it lost the last experience and they said there was no recall for my truck. It doesn't happen often enough for them to determine the failure.
Steering has locked up momentarily while turning at low speed into a parking lot. This has happened numerous times, but it is very brief. Recently it has happened several times while driving in deep snow in the mountains in four wheel drive. It completely locks up for a second or so then breaks free. It is not to be confused with becoming difficult to steer, as if the power steering belt is slipping - no it completely locks up. No noise is present when this happens. No squealing belts, no grinding - no different noise of any kind. It just locks up, then breaks free. Since it happens momentarily, it is very difficult to investigate or duplicate. This has happened numerous times since the truck was brand new.
When making turns at slow speeds the steering randomly seems to lock-up and I have to put my full strentgh into the steering wheel to get the truck to turn. It will only happen for a split second and then act normally. But it has caused me to almost have several collisions with other vehicles. It has been happening since the vehicle was new but seems to be progressively happening more often, I have taken the vehicle to the dealership where I purchased the truck but they can not find any problems nor can they get the vehicle to replicate the problem. Also--it seems to happen more when I am turning to the right,
Power steering intermittently gives out as if the engine stalled but the engine did not stall. It gives out and the steering sticks making the steering almost impossible to turn and only last for seconds. Was returned to dealer for diagnostics and was returned without any fix stating unable to duplicate problem. Vehicle now has 21,000 miles and problem continues.
While driving on a four-lane highway towing our 15,500 lb fifth wheel, suddenly, without any warning, we heard rattling, lost power, and the engine shut down. The noise and loss of propulsion, power steering and power brakes all occurred within about 2-3 seconds. Gratefully, the driver had the fortitude to immediately begin pulling onto the shoulder of the slight downward slope on which were were driving. Luckily, we were on a stretch of road that was not inclined, not in a construction zone with barriers, not in a snowy mountain pass or in other inclement weather, not in the left lane passing, etc. Had any of these factors prevented us from simply pulling onto the shoulder of the road, the potential for a life threatening accident would have been significant. …
Related recalls (2)
Steering
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles. The steering gear shaft may fracture and disconnect from the steering arm.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2023.
Steering › Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection
Vehicle description: chassis cabs. The tapered hole in the drag link end that attaches to the pitman arm tapered ball stud May be machined too deep causing the hole to be oversized. A drag link with an oversized hole May not "seat" the pitman arm tapered ball when assembled.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering linkage assembly and, if necessary, replace the drag link and the pitman arm.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (15), 2000 (9), 2013 (7), 1997 (6) and 1999 (6) model years. Steering complaints make up 29% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado 3500 steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-549 (steering, Aug 3, 2023); 00V-054 (connection, Feb 28, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado 3500 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles; 71% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist system (9 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist › pump (6).
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.