Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 2001 Chevy Suburban with 68,000 miles and I have had to replace the power steering twice because it cracked in half while I was driving. Chevy says it was my fault. How does a lady who is not that strong crack two power steering in half while she is driving?
November 2004 I had an auto accident, I was driving home late at night after my husband and I had been out to dinner with a friend on leave from the military. We were on the way to pick our kids up from my parents and it was misting outside. I was on a 4 lane highway traveling southbound on the far inside left hand lane, the next thing I knew I was facing the police station head-on at 35 MPH. I tried to correct the wheel and my husband also grabbed the wheel and tried to correct it, didn't work I think the wheel broke because we crashed into the police station. I had to kick my door open and run inside to have them call an ambulance, my husband was pinned against the wall, his face busted the passenger window out, and the dash,the radio and glove box was in our lap and the windshield shattered. We were wearing seatbelts and the front and side was totaled but the air bags did not deploy. …
Oil consumption, steering column, side door panels, rear-end, seats cracking, front popping noise, steers to right constantly. This has been an ongoing thing since we bought the vehicle new in 2001. We have complained to the consumer reporting agency here in n.c. And also talked to the dealer and manufacture on numerous occasions. Dealer said they have had several vehicles with oil consumption that they have traded because of it and they just kept telling us it is within manufacture limits. They have tried to fix the oil problem but with no success. Also the steering has been broken down twice because of its problem. The door panels are still not fixed after 2 tries. The rear-end has been worked on 2 times because of differential fluid, the steering wheel still scrubs when turning to the right and the driver's seat is starting to crack. …
While driving at highway speeds power steering and brakes fail, resulting loss of power steering and brakes simultaneously. This is due to the failure of the power assist and power steering pump. This is the second time these components have been replaced. This was first noticed and replaced in January 2002. The second time occurred in February 2003. On 6/11/2003 the vehicle again showed indications of a problem with the brakes and steering. The brake pedal began to pulsate, and a high-pitched whine could be heard when turning the steering wheel. The vehicle also experiences problems when braking over rough road, such as rumble strips. As this is a third problem with these critical components, the safety of this vehicle is in question. The last visit to the dealer was said to be loose bolts on the power steering gear box. The power assist design is a known problem with this vehicle. …
While attempting to depart from picking up out travel trailer, both the power steering and brakes went out on our 2500 4 wheel drive Suburban. The only thing that stopped the Suburban was the trailer's brakes. Luckly we were still in the parking lot and therefore going slow. Upon exaimination, I pulled the surpinetine belt off and the power steering pully and shaft came off. From what I understand the steering and the brakes are connected. This can also happen when the brake booster goes out. The good thing is that this not only happened in town but not on the freeway going down a grade pulling a 9,000 lbs trailer. I have replaced the power steering pump and am in the process of having the brakes bleed as they don't "feel" right.
2001 Suburban-steering shaft pop turn over bumps,cause steering to shake/ pop. Steering shaft was replaced on 10/23/2007. Complaint how many other customers out there that don't know about this bulletin my truck have 116737 miles I should have been informed about this. What if I would have had a accident.(2) I have a steering gear box failure and like the bulletin says noise when turning to the right and left. I think the steering shaft cause the steering gear box to go out. Having this steering shaft problem for over 1,167,37 miles some related problem sure to cause another problem. Bill heard Chevrolet worked on my vehicle. I found the bulletin and brought this to their attention.
After towing our travel trailer 60 miles, my wife was backing Suburban into the driveway and pulled forward to adjust the trailer angle and lost all steering. When I went to see what it was doing, noticed that the brakes were also very difficult to operate. Was able to back the trailer into the driveway with much effort to adjust the steering. Hate to think what would have happened if it went while towing a trailer on the highway with the rush hour traffic. Verified fluid was full and belt and pulley were spinning normally. Mechanic suggested to check pulley, was able to move it forward from the power steering unit easily with a screw driver.
Power steering pump flow control valve actuator or power steering gear valve imbalance causing tire wear and unnecessary alignments. Excessive tire wear in only 2 months since brand new. Vehicle was pulling to the right at all speeds. Two separate alignments and numerous tire rotations (costs to customer) failed to correct. Unique symptom is steering wheel turns to one side when engine is started (pump active) and steering wheel moved easily to one side and high steering effort to other side. Other symptom whine from steering pressure hoses (cavitation). Steering bleed of air did not fix. (http://www.automotiveforums.com/)
On April 30,2005 while operating the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban the power steering pump pully shaft failed. The steering assist was immediatly stopped. The vehicle was shut off before the shaft left the housing which could result in the pulley coming off and causing severe damage, including but not limited too, front brake line severing and loss of front braking. GM notice 05v00500 is suspiciously simular in nature, but GM is accepting no responsibility at this time. File #1-332-115018 to GM is under review. The potentially hazardous nature of the failure has prompted me to contact the NHTSA.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle would randomly shut off and completely stop. The other components, such as the radio, were still operable. The power steering and brakes were always affected and would become inoperable. Occasionally, the vehicle immediately restarts and other times, the contact must wait a couple of minutes. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 07V521000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 59,000.
Steering complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, 7% of the model year's 440 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › pump (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Suburban steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Suburban steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.