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
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Venture. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was making a rattling sound coming from the front passenger's side of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the wheel bearing hub assembly, brakes, rotors, struts, and tires. The failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle to another certified mechanic who performed a front-end alignment however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a third mechanic who identified that the noise seemed to be coming from the steering wheel; however, the mechanic could not verify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 236,000.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Venture. The vehicle does not steer properly and the brakes fail in cold weather. The failures caused the contact to crash into an electrical post. The police arrived at the scene and filed a report. The vehicle was destroyed. The dealer and manufacturer have not yet been notified. The speed was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 40,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Venture. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the steering snapped and disengaged. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and was towed to the contact's residence. Based upon the contact's examination, the gear box was fractured. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Venture. While driving at highway speeds of 70 miles per hour, the front right tire rod broke along with the front right control arm. The dealer (in grants pass, oregon) stated that they are unable to assist him with the failure since it was involved in a crash; however, the contact was not involved a crash. The front tires were worn and that doesnt occur during an accident. The contact is aware of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 57,2000.
We own a 2000 Chevy Venture that we bought used about 4 years ago. When we bought it, the button for the doors to open automatically didn't work as well as the gas gauge. Since, we have replaced the heads, the water pump, rack and pinion, wheel hub, tie rod end, as well as replacing the head lights every couple months and now having problems with the brake lights.when we had the heads replaced, they flushed the radiator and we are still having problems with the low coolant light coming on and the fluid looking cloudy. They told us that the cloudiness sometimes happens, but still doesn't explain the light coming on saying its low!!! We were also notified that the ABS box is bad and needs replaced...also, sometimes there is water that leaks from the weather gauge or the top of the windshield. …
Electrical failure caused the steering wheel to lock while my wife was driving the vehicle. The key was in the ignition and the Mini van was traveling approximately 35 MPH. My wife had no directional control of the Mini van and we are very fortunate that there wasn't an accident. There is no reason that the steering column should have locked up. The cause of the electrical failure is still being investigated by the parker robb Chevrolet in walnut creek, ca 94596.
Steering binds when turned to the left or right to the extent of being dangerous in wet ,icy,or snow weather conditions.on dry roads is still managable but is not safe.steering rak-n-pinion is defective similar to defects on early 1980's g.m. Vehicles that dealers were calling morning sickness.this problem occurs more when hot than cold and there is clunking sound also.
When turning the steering wheel towards the right or left, the steering wheel made a grinding noise. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership to be inspected and the mechanic determined that the power steering pump failed.
Related recalls (2)
Steering › Rack and pinion
Certain passenger vehicles and Mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between January 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began January 24, 2003.
Steering › Gear box › Shaft sector
Vehicle description: passenger Mini vans. The left and/or right front lower insulator to cradle center metal sleeve is collapsed, which can result in loss of clamp load in the joint. If the clamp load is reduced or lost, the bolt can be lost or broken and the joint can separate.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front lower cradle-to-suspension insulators and the attaching bolts.
NHTSA investigations
Steering rack and pinion
Odi has received 200 complaints fromt consumers and 1,238 from GM alleging failure or lockup of the steering rack and pinion unit (r&p).this alleged condition can result in the loss of steering control of the vehicle and a crash can result.GM has reported six crashes in which eight people have sustained injuries ranging from bruises, airbag burn, seat belt abrasion, facial injury, neck and back pain.all crashes were…
Power rack and pinion steering failure
The lower pinion bearing in the rack and pinion steering assembly May fail.GM will recall 1997-98 grand prix built between 1-mar-96 and 31-oct-97; and 1996-98 u-vans/j-cars built between 1-jan-96 and 31-oct-97.see attached summary.
Rack and pinion steering unit failure
Mr. Dennis fike of elkridge, md, submitted a petition to NHTSA by letter dated January 13, 2004, alleging that a GM dealer informed him that his van was not included in safety recall 02V286 and charged him for the replacement of the steering rack and pinion unit.mr.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Venture years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (76), 1998 (36), 1999 (11), 2002 (8) and 2000 (7) model years. Steering complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Venture steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 02V-286 (rack and pinion, Nov 4, 2002); 99V-071 (shaft sector, Apr 12, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Venture steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rack and pinion (59 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (23).
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.