1999 Chevrolet Suburban Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Hydraulic power assist system
  13
• Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
  5
• Steering wheel/handle bar
  4
• Linkages
  3
• Column locking › Anti-theft device
  2
• Electric power assist system
  2

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  00%
• 25k–50k
  213%
• 50k–75k
  638%
• 75k–100k
  531%
• 100k–150k
  213%
• 150k+
  16%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Tl* the contact called on behalf of the owner of a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH downhill, the steering wheel seized, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to slow the vehicle. The vehicle reached speeds of between 95-100 MPH before crashing into a building with an aluminum structure. The crash was on the passenger's side of the vehicle. The air bags deployed. The driver sustained laceration over the right eye which required several stitches. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed regal Dodge located at 1223 blue valley dr, pen argyl, pa 18072, [phone], where it was scheduled to be diagnosed which was still pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

I purchased a 1999 Suburban on feb. 28, 2004. When we test drove the vehicle it did not seem to have any problems. On the way home it started wandering all over the road and the steering wheel would jerk. We thought maybe it needed power steering fluid or perhaps tires. On March 11, 2004(two weeks later) I was was driving down the highway and glanced down at my clock. When I looked back up the vehicle had veered into the wrong lane. When I tried to get back into my lane the steering wheel jerked to the right, way over correcting itsself. I tried to straighten it back out but it overcorrected again and caused me to go into the ditch and roll.

I purchased the used vehicle from glendale car connection at on 8/28/03. I noticed on the day of purchase it seemed hard to steer the vehicle so I mentioned it to the sales person as well as the office manager. It was scheduled to be repaired. I drove the vechicle home that night I begin to notice a hard turn made the vehicle make a noise I too the vehicle back to glendale car connection were the mechanic told me the power steering pump was going out and he change it I also asked about the brakes squealing and he said the vehicle needed brake fluid which he put in. I took the vehicle home and begin to drive it I noticed it was getting hard to turn and it would swerve while driving it, I contacted the dealer again. …

Streering began to act eratically and felt as if I hit a patch of ice with a rapid release of turning force while making a right hand turn. On the first occasion when this occurred I was exiting a freeway cloverleaf in wet conditions and the eratic movement caused the rear of the truck to lose traction and a near loss of control. I was able to recover the the slide without an accident but found it to be an unnerving event. After researching auto forums on the web I have found numerous postings on this subject and it is related to a failure of the steering wheel sensor located at on near the base of the steering column in the passenger compartment. I replaced this sensor on 05-04-05 and the condition is now corrected. I purchased the GM part #26064468 at a dealer and did the labor myself. …

When making any slight turn, steering will seem to loose pressure where the steering wheel will jerk 2-3 inches. The driver must pay close attention at all times to correct this oversteer or the vehicle will end up in another lane or off the road. This is a very dangerous situation. All of the evidence and complaints exist for a safety recall but 7 years later....nothing has been done to correct this problem. This problem is very sporadic and May not occur for weeks at a time and then suddenly it will occur constantly for hundreds of miles. I ran into an interstate median about 4 months ago, while traveling 70 MPH, trying to correct a steering "jerk." this could have cost me my life all because a safety recall was never issued even after a defect investigation recognized that there is a problem.

1999 Chevrolet Suburban. As of 4/28/04 with only 47K miles, A/C compressor defective & dealer will not replace in spite of several attempts to repair before warranty expired, as soon as 3 months after purchase in October of 2002. Replaced brakes 3 times at our expense. Dealer (bob neill Pontiac in winston-salem, nc refused to repair under warranty), steering problems, attempted repair, again at our expense. Replaced door locks and window mechanism's at our cost. Total piece of junk. Will never buy from bob neill Pontiac in winston-salem, nc again & will never buy another GM product. Just bought entire fleet (6 trucks) from Chevy. Dealer n kernersville, nc). Waiting with baited breath for the entire lot to break down. Completely disgusted with GM.

I purchased my 1999 Suburban in March 2010 with 56,000 original miles. It currently has 60,000 original miles. The steering wheel will randomly jerk/pull when going around a curve. It does not happen every time but it happens often enough that it is a concern of mine. After a thorough check of fluids and steering components there is nothing "wrong" with the vehicle. It does not matter if I am driving at a lower speed or a higher speed just that I am going around a bend or curve in the road. I have grazed a curb once. I also have lots of problems with the locks/latches and doors opening.

While driving slowly or fast, at different times, and not every single time, turning to the right around a curve or turning a corner the steering holds the turn and then all of a sudden lets go of that hold. I can correct it by slightly turning the steering wheel left and then back into the turn. Sometimes it holds the second time and sometimes it lets go again. This is repeated until the end of the curve or turn. Steering gear, pitman arm, steering pump all replaced and problem still is present.

While driving slowly at different times in cooler weather(not noticible in hot months), and not every single time, turning to the right around a curve or turning a corner the steering holds the turn and then all of a sudden lets go of that hold (tension is lost). I can correct for it by returning the steering wheel to the left slightly and then back into the turn. Sometimes it holds the second time and sometimes it lets go again. This is repeated until the end of the curve or turn.

Dt: 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving the vehicle there was a lot of a play in the steering wheel, it is very hard to drive. When the road iwasuneven it was very hard to keep vehicle on the road. Consumer had tto urn it to the left and then to the right all the time. It has been aligned at least 3 to 4 times. No one knew what the problem was. Mechanic said every thing looked fine. This happened every time I consumer drive and at any speed.

NHTSA investigations

Steering complaints in other Suburban years