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 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving vehicle steering wheel suddenly slips or jerks to the right. This problem is intermittent, but has increased over time. On January 28, 2003 the vehicle was taken in for this problem, and the dealership replaced the steering sensor. The problem has recurred 22 months later, causing driver to lose control of the vehicle at 35 MPH. This resulted in lose of control of this vehicle and accident followed. Chevrolet customer care service was contacted and said that they would pay for inspection of said vehicle. They responded that if no problem was detected during inpsection, that customer would have to pay for repair. Inspection is still pending.
When turning onto an on-ramp (usually right) the vehicle will momentarily lose power steering and the steering wheel will jerk right. This jerking motion also happens intermittently while driving at highway speeds with no turning involved. Even though there is more jerking motion on a turn both are extremely dangerous situations. This has been happening for several years.
Power steering input/effort had became erratic causing increased effort or worse, oversteering midway through turns. First noticed this problem last fall at winter tire changeover. I initially blamed it on icy roads but then noticed it on obviously non icy roads as well. Occurred just occasionally at first. I kept blaming tires but this spring when I changed back over to my summer tires the problem did not go away. Dealership had indicated some worn front end parts needing replacement so I had that done along with a front end alignment following. Didn't help. Found many discussions with similar experiences on the internet and most indicated replacing the steering evo sensor as the cure. I replaced that part and it seems to have fixed the problem. …
Steering becomes over sensitive causing vehicle to over steer. Vehicles with the same problems are as follows. 1997-1999 Chevrolet Tahoe, 1997-1999 GMC yukon, 1997-1999 Chevrolet 1500 trucks, 1997-1999 GMC trucks. Any GM vehicle with at v8 gasoline powered engine will have this failure. There are 1000s of complaints in your database and this adds to them only now you are aware that additional models are affected as well. If there is a fatality resulting from this defect then all corporations and agencies aware of the defect time of the death will be liable for civil damages. It is in the best interest of the consumer to see this defect is repaired before someone is killed due to bureaucratic red tape.
This is to confirm that ea99011 concerning the steering on the 1997 Tahoe, 350 5.7 assembled in Mexico. The jurking in the steering is not a constant problem. I t does not happen all the time. However, there have been instances where the vehicle was travelling at high speed and this uncommanded imput was enough to induce the vehicle to lurch to the next lane.this sever action only happened once, however as the vehicle ages, the severity seems to get worse when it does happen. Yje vehicle has done this since I purchased it new in 1997. I also have confirmed this same thing with a friend who owned a 1997 saburban, he sold the vehicle as a result of this condition.
1997 Chevrolet Tahoe steering at 83,000 miles. At 45-55 MPH when turning left steering has a momentarily twitch/hang-up/resistance/jerk. After many attempts I finally found a dealership to diagnose that the steering wheel position sensor was failing & needed replacing. After searching the NHTSA I see several complaints of the same problem. It is hard to believe with a serious problem that impacts steering ability for Chevrolet Tahoe owners & others driving safety that there has not been a recall. Hopefully something is done before there are injuries/accidents/fatalities.
Vehicle steering loses control. I have complained about this several times to the dealer while it was in warranty and nothing was done about it. I see that others had the same problem. I told the dealer this is a serious safety issue that could cause serious injuries and even fatalities. Note: I took it to the dealer and this is what they said vehicle experienced a TSB (76-30-01) failure of the electronic variable orifice (evo) system as a result of low voltage condition of the steering wheel position sensor, which resulted in accident due to loss of control.
Steering on my 97 Tahoe has for many years 'twitched' when driving at a slow right turn such as on ramp to freeway or slow curve in the road. It never does it on left turns, only right. The steering wheel suddenly pops to the right and only for a second. It then repeats that if the turn on the road is continually to the right. If anyone other than me drives the Tahoe, it will surprise them and cause and accident. Ive read about this problem in many forums online as well as here at the NHTSA site. GM should be recalling this dangerous steering problem immediately.
The steering assist on the Tahoe suddenly goes away and the steering goes completly loose, and then suddenly it gets firm again. This causes erratic steering and over/under adjustment which can lead to a serious crash. I took it in 2 times and the problem still comes and goes, esspecially while in a turn. This should be a recall because of the seriousness of the problem. If the pwer steering fails it should fail to a firm steering condition not a total loss of steering!!
Loss of steering control in cold weather conditions on snow and ice covered roads on my 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. The variable assist steeriing would make a rapid and unexpected over adjustment when making small steering corrections. I lost control and started a "fish tail" when traveling in new york. I live in virginia and found this to be a minor problem in this climate, however, it is unsafe on slippery roads.
NHTSA investigations
Erratic power steering assist while driv
The office of defect investigation (odi) has investigated allegations of power steering assist fluctuations in the subject vehicles.for details and a basis for the investigation conclusions, please see the closing report in the ea99-011 public file.odi has not identified a safety-related defect trend in the subject vehicle population.futher expenditure of agency resources on this subject does not appear to be…
Steering complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 105 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe, 26% of the model year's 410 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (46 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. 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 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.