Power steering failure is the dominant complaint—loss of assist at low speeds, highway speeds, or standstill, sometimes with no warning. Multiple owners have returned to dealerships repeatedly for pump replacements, gearbox swaps, and hose work, only to have the problem recur. One owner was offered an incentive to buy a new truck after five dealer visits and involvement of a field engineer. GM issued a technical bulletin but instructed dealers not to replace pumps due to excessive warranty claims.
Intermediate steering shafts rattle and develop excessive slack, producing clunking or grinding noises around 12,000 to 49,000 miles. Greasing is a temporary fix; permanent repair requires shaft replacement, yet the problem returns in some trucks even after replacement. One owner had the I-shaft replaced four times by 37,000 miles.
Power steering fluid leaks, some catastrophic. Two owners report complete vehicle fires traced by forensic inspection to leaking power steering lines in the left front engine compartment. Other owners discovered leaking pump seals during maintenance. Brake and power steering lines corrode excessively, with some rupturing and causing brake or steering loss. One owner was quoted $1,600 for brake line replacement (GM later offered a $500 kit). Recall 05V455000 exists for steering hose/piping failures, but not all VINs are included.
Steering stiffness, binding, and sluggish response appear in several reports, along with defective tie rod ends that prevent proper front-end alignment and cause abnormal tire wear.
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering loss and failure
Complete loss of power steering assist, sometimes intermittent and recurring. Occurs at various speeds (highway, low-speed, standstill) and sometimes triggered by specific maneuvers like slow turns or braking. Multiple owners report dealer repairs (pump replacement, gear box replacement, hose replacement) that do not resolve the issue.
When: 10,000 to 180,000 miles; many failures start in first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of steering assist requiring excessive steering effort; Power steering fails at low speeds, highway speeds, or when stationary; Loss of power steering during turns or while braking; Intermittent power steering loss with no warning; Battery indicator illuminates during steering loss episodes
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealer replacements of power steering pump, steering gear/gearbox, intermediate shaft, pressure valve, and hoses. Many repairs do not resolve the problem; some owners replaced pump out of pocket, others found coolant/brake booster pressure issues. Repair costs mentioned: parts ranging from pump to gearbox replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM stated it was aware of the problem but restricted customer calls to specific area codes. Issued technical bulletin (no specific number cited in narratives). GM instructed dealers not to replace power steering pumps due to warranty claims on seemingly good units. Some recalls cited: 05V455000 (Steering Hydraulic Power Assists Hose, Piping, and Connections) but some owners' VINs were not included in recall coverage.
Power steering pump noise and reduced/failed brake boost
Severe groaning, grinding, or loud noise from power steering pump, particularly at low engine RPM (1200 RPM range) or when steering at low speeds. Noise described as drowning out conversation; sometimes accompanies loss of brake boost. Pump replacement provides only temporary relief before noise returns.
When: Early in ownership; one instance reported around 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Severe groaning or grinding noise from power steering pump; Noise occurs at low engine RPM (around 1200 RPM) or during low-speed steering; Noise also occurs when slowing from highway speeds without steering; Excessive pump noise at standstill when turning steering wheel 3/4 turn; Loss of brake boost or reduced brake boost accompanying steering noise
Repairs/costs cited: Pump replacement performed, but noise returned after 2-3 weeks. Dealer later replaced steering gear without resolving issue. One owner noted this appears to be a hydraulic system at over-capacity or with air/low fluid.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM acknowledged problem with technical bulletin on file. GM instructed dealers not to replace power steering pumps due to excessive warranty claims on pumps appearing to have no defect. Dealers told owners noise was 'normal.'
Power steering fluid leaks and fire risk
Leaking power steering fluid lines or connections, in some cases leading to vehicle fires. Two owners report complete vehicle fires traced to power steering fluid leaks in left front engine compartment at fluid lines or connections. Other owners report leaking seals in pump or rusted/corroded lines.
When: One fire at 30,000 miles; others noted oil spots for days before fire; one owner discovered leak during preventive maintenance
Symptoms owners cite: Oil spots under vehicle; Smoke from engine compartment; Complete vehicle fire; Loss of power steering accompanying fluid leak; Loss of power braking accompanying fluid leak
Repairs/costs cited: One owner caught fire with garden hose. Fire investigation by North American Technical & Forensic Services confirmed power steering fluid leak as cause. Another owner found leaking seal in power steering pump during preventive maintenance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 05V455000 for steering hydraulic power assists hose/piping/connections exists, but not all affected VINs included. Some owners outside recall range. One owner reported GM stated 'no record' of this type of fire despite existence of relevant recall.
Intermediate steering shaft rattling, loose, and knocking
Steering column or intermediate shaft makes rattling, clunking, or knocking noises and feels loose. Problem recurs after lubrication or replacement. Can occur with steering wheel vibration. Some owners describe it as a manufacturing defect with excessive slack in the shaft.
When: 12,000 to 49,000 miles; one owner had shaft replaced at 10,000 miles, problem recurred multiple times through 37,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling or clunking noise from steering column; Excessive slack or looseness in intermediate shaft; Knocking noise when turning steering wheel; Steering column vibration; Loose feeling in steering column when driving; Movement inside steering shaft
Repairs/costs cited: Lubrication (greasing) performed multiple times but does not provide lasting fix. Intermediate shaft replaced on multiple occasions; one owner had I-shaft replaced 4+ times by 37,000 miles, then problem recurred again. Repair costs not specified for most, but appears to require shaft replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer stated it was a manufacturing defect and they were working on a replacement. Dealers greased the column multiple times. Some repairs covered under warranty, but once warranty expired, dealers refused further repairs without charge.
Steering stiffness and sluggish steering response
Steering becomes stiff or sluggish, particularly at low speeds or during turns. Owner reports steering column lacks sufficient grease. Problem persists despite multiple dealer re-greasing visits.
When: 15,000 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Steering stiffens while driving; Sluggish steering response at low speeds; Difficult to turn steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Steering shaft re-greased at dealership at least five times without resolving the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership performed re-greasing but did not resolve underlying problem.
Defective tie rod ends and front end alignment issues
Inner tie rod ends fail, causing front-end alignment problems. Tires wear abnormally on the outside. Front-end cannot be aligned due to defective tie rod components.
When: 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Difficulty with steering; Abnormal tire wear on outside edge; Vehicle cannot be properly aligned
Repairs/costs cited: Independent shop identified defective inner tie rod ends and attempted repair. One dealer refused responsibility for reimbursement.
Brake and steering component corrosion
Brake lines and other hydraulic system piping rust and corrode excessively, causing brake system failure and steering problems. Issue described as endemic to GM trucks in salt-weather regions and should have been recalled years ago. Brake lines described as rusting despite being supposed to be stainless steel.
When: Evident during preventive maintenance; one instance at 56,600 miles; brake failure at low mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Severe corrosion and rust on brake lines; Brake line rupture or failure; Loss of brake function; Steering becomes difficult (low fluid from leaks); Brake pedal travels to floor
Repairs/costs cited: One owner quoted $1,600 for brake system piping replacement. GM offered a repair kit for $500, but installation labor cost remains customer responsibility. Brake lines replaced; one owner found severely corroded lines during preventive maintenance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has not recalled this issue despite being documented as common in GM trucks. One owner noted GM reduced the cost of a repair kit to $500.
Lower steering arm bushing failure
Bushings in lower steering arm fail prematurely, requiring multiple replacements. Common issue on Chevrolet and GMC trucks.
When: Multiple replacements; one owner replaced three times
Symptoms owners cite: Noticeable only while vehicle in motion; Steering play or looseness
Repairs/costs cited: One replacement covered under warranty; subsequent replacements cost over $300 each. Owner replaced lower steering arm three times total.
Binding in front axles causing understeer and control issues
Front axles experience binding, causing the vehicle to understeer heavily and making steering difficult, especially for U-turns. Correlates with increased rolling resistance, affected braking performance, and vehicle sway at highway speeds. Vehicle pulls to left. Rear tires lose traction. Front wheels may hop off pavement.
When: 237 miles (within first few days of ownership)
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy understeer requiring more effort to turn; Difficult to steer, especially U-turns; Sluggish acceleration and staying in lower gears longer; Rear tire traction loss due to front wheel rolling resistance; Vehicle sway at highway speeds; Vehicle pulls to left; Suspension preloaded from additional stress; Engine labors to maintain speed on level ground; Front wheels hop off pavement; Difficulty maintaining straight line; wheels follow road contours; Low frequency noise from front wheel assemblies; Power steering provides little or no assist
Repairs/costs cited: Wrong oil filter was installed (possibly contributing); air cleaner was loose and rattling.
Synthesized from 52 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.