There is a loud clunking from the front end when driving at any speed,the cluncking can be felt in the steering wheel as well as the floorboard, it feels as if the steering wheel is coming disconected from the rackon pinion. This problem was addressed at a local dealership in hudson fl.on 12/16/06 and in less than 15,000 miles in has returned. In speeking with g.m cust serv 12/18/07 they found…
2007 GMC Sierra steering problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2007 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2007 GMC Sierra steering system shows patterns of premature failure in the rack and pinion, tie rods, intermediate shaft, and idler arm—some recurring even after dealer repair. Electrical gremlins can also kill the engine on the highway, wiping out power steering and leaving you stranded or unable to control the truck.
Owners of 2007 GMC Sierras report steering failures that range from creeping wear to sudden loss of control. The most common complaints involve the intermediate steering shaft and rack-and-pinion assembly. Some owners experienced loud clunking from the front end that returns within 15,000 miles of dealer repair; one vehicle with only 24,000 miles has had the intermediate shaft replaced four times. Another owner's steering seized at 35 mph during highway driving, causing a crash into a ditch.
Tie rod failures are also documented—one owner reported an inner tie rod unscrewing from the rack, leaving only one wheel responsive to steering input. Idler arm wear showed up prematurely at 50,600 miles on a well-maintained truck that never left pavement. A few owners noted creaking noises or clunking felt through the steering wheel during turns.
One owner faced a steering position sensor failure twice and was told GM discontinued the part, blocking any permanent fix. Several dealerships struggled to reproduce the problems, even after a GM technician inspected the vehicle. Additionally, electrical gremlins—no-start conditions, engine stalls at highway speeds—cause loss of power steering and other safety systems simultaneously, creating dangerous situations where the truck becomes nearly impossible to control at speed.
Same GMC Sierra steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Steering Column / Intermediate Shaft Failure
The steering column or intermediate shaft fails during normal driving, causing the steering wheel to become unresponsive or requiring manual centering. Owners report multiple replacements of the intermediate shaft on the same vehicle.
When: During highway driving at 35–45 mph; one vehicle with only 24,000 miles has had four shaft replacements
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel loses response mid-turn or seizes; Loud clunking noises from the front end felt in steering wheel and floorboard; Steering wheel feels disconnected from rack and pinion; Creaking noise from steering wheel during turns
Repairs/costs cited: Steering pump replaced (narrative #4); intermediate steering shaft replaced multiple times (narrative #11); dealer unable to identify root cause in several cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Customer Service acknowledged this as a noted problem (narrative #8)
Rack and Pinion / Tie Rod Failure
The rack and pinion assembly or tie rod components fail or come loose, preventing wheels from turning when the steering wheel is turned. One owner reported an inner tie rod became unscrewed from the rack.
When: At 47,900 miles (narrative #5); during low-speed parking maneuvers; early in ownership on other vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: One or both wheels unable to turn when steering wheel is turned; Loud pop from front end during steering input; Vehicle suddenly stops or becomes difficult to steer
Repairs/costs cited: Inner and outer tie rods replaced and re-aligned (narrative #6); mechanics advised rack and pinion replacement (narratives #4, #5)
Idler Arm Premature Wear
The idler arm on the steering rod wears out prematurely, even on vehicles that have never been off-road and have been well-maintained. This is characterized as a common problem in GM heavy-duty pickup trucks.
When: At 50,600 miles on a 2006 1/2-ton pickup; dealer warned replacement needed within a year
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive wear detected during tire rotation
Repairs/costs cited: Tire technician identified worn idler arm as a recurring issue in GM products
Steering Position / Angle Sensor Fault
The steering position or angle sensor fails repeatedly, potentially causing the vehicle to shut down while driving. GM discontinued the replacement part, leaving owners unable to repair the defect.
When: Intermittent; one owner experienced the same failure twice
Symptoms owners cite: Fault code triggers; vehicle can stall while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Part discontinued by GM; no replacement available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Part discontinued by GM
Electrical System Cascading Failure (Primary Electrical, Steering System Consequence)
Electrical failures (no-crank no-start, door lock cycling, dashboard light cycling) cause the engine to stall at highway speeds, resulting in loss of power steering and other safety systems. While primarily electrical in origin, the steering system loses function as a consequence.
When: At highway speeds (60+ mph); multiple stall events over time
Symptoms owners cite: No-crank no-start condition, worsening over time; Engine dies while driving at highway speeds (60+ mph); Power steering lost during stall events; ABS and airbags deactivate during stall; Key becomes hard to turn; Stabilitrak, tire pressure, traction control, and ABS warning lights illuminate
Codes mentioned: Engine Power Reduced
Repairs/costs cited: Coil plug wires replaced (narrative #2); catalytic converters replaced (narrative #2)
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2007 GMC Sierra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2007 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 10,616 and 98,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,616; a quarter make it past 98,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/GMC/Sierra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.