This preliminary informational bulletin provides a procedure to apply dielectric grease and a piece of adhesive shim stock to the steering angle sensor connector to correct a condition of service stabilitak message displayed in DIC and DTC C0455 or C0710
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Silverado steering problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
2injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed the power steering system to correct a condition of power steering noise or fluid leak from power steering pump, gear or high pressure hose during extreme low temperature conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a steering wheel vibration. Some customers may be looking to add steering stabilizer. Technician may find that a steering stabilizer is listed in the parts catalog group but is not intended to address vibrations or brake pulsations.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an instrument panel backlighting flashes, flickers or inoperative, unwanted horn activation, radio controls inoperative or unwanted activation, OnStar unwanted activation, and cruise control inoperative. Technician should inspect for a short to ground on the steering wheel near the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint coil connector X2 and make necessary repairs to any shorted circuits and then position the wiring.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with the installation of Cruise Control on a vehicle which did not come equipped with the option. Technician will need to contact the Techline Customer Support Center to determine if a calibration is available for the vehicle. If they are able to provide a calibration for the vehicle then order steering wheel with cruise control buttons, steering wheel sir coil, and steering column wiring harness.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe two critical steering failures: complete power loss or lock-up, and intermittent assist dropout during low-speed maneuvering. The most severe complaints involve steering wheel lock-up at highway speeds (45–70 mph) lasting 10–12 seconds, leaving the driver unable to correct course. At parking speeds, owners report sudden total loss of power assist requiring extreme physical force to turn the truck, with several citing near-misses or collisions with vehicles, poles, and hydrants.
One owner noted 2½ inches of free play in the steering wheel due to steering gear slack—excessive even by commercial-vehicle standards—since the truck left the dealer lot. Another describes the electrical system momentarily shutting down during low-speed parking, causing steering to bounce uncontrollably and door locks to cycle wildly.
Dealership response has been dismissive. Service advisors told owners the behavior is "normal," "by design," or refused diagnosis entirely. One dealer refused repairs after determining costs were too high, leaving the owner with a truck deemed undrivable. The manufacturer similarly advised some owners to report to NHTSA and stated no recalls apply, despite acknowledging steering-gear involvement in at least one case. No repairs appear successful; owners report multiple service visits with no resolution.
Same Chevrolet Silverado steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering total loss or locking
Complete loss of power steering assist or steering wheel lock-up during highway driving, low-speed maneuvering, or parking. Multiple owners report sudden total failure requiring significant physical force to steer or complete inability to steer.
When: Throughout vehicle life; reports at 3,289 miles, 12,000 miles, 56,000 miles, and 90,000 miles; incidents occur at various speeds from 10 mph to 70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up without warning; Complete loss of power steering assist; Steering becomes extremely stiff and hard to turn; Sudden failure at low speeds during parking lot maneuvers; Intermittent loss of power assist that later returns to normal; Loss of steering control accompanied by loud 'ding' noise; Vehicle unresponsive to steering input
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer stated electrical power steering was designed to operate that way and refused repair; another dealer said power steering issue was normal; one shop spent considerable money and refused further repairs; owner reports multiple service visits with no diagnosis or repair completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised contact to report to NHTSA; advised that no recall applied; stated no cause could be found; general response was that behavior was normal or design-related
Excessive steering wheel free play or dead spot
Steering wheel exhibits significant slack or free play when turned, particularly at 3/4 to full turn, creating a dead spot where turning input produces no steering response. GM mechanic diagnosis identified steering gear as root cause but tightening creates undesirable steering sensitivity.
When: From purchase off dealer lot; present since day of sale
Symptoms owners cite: 2 1/2 inches of free play in steering wheel when turning; Dead spot when steering wheel turned 3/4 to 1 complete turn; Slack felt in steering box during turns; Free play only present during turns, not when driving straight
Repairs/costs cited: GM mechanics identified steering gear as cause; adjustment or tightening may be possible but creates excessive steering sensitivity during highway driving
Loss of power assist at low speed or in reverse
Power steering assist fails or becomes inoperative specifically during low-speed parking maneuvers, reverse driving, or when leaving a parking space. Assist returns to normal after completing the maneuver or restarting vehicle.
When: Periodic; approximately 3 times per month in one report; occurs during parking or exit maneuvers
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden and total loss of power assist during low-speed turns; Steering becomes extremely difficult to turn at low speeds; Vehicle drifts out of intended lane due to loss of assist; Power assist returns to normal after completing turn; Loss occurs particularly when accelerating into traffic at low speed; Vehicle loses power assist while leaving parking space
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer informed contact that electrical power steering was designed to operate this way; manufacturer stated no recall applied
Electrical system power loss affecting steering
Entire electrical system briefly shuts down at low speeds during parking lot maneuvers, causing steering to bounce and becoming uncontrollable. Lights flicker, door locks cycle, and SAD lights activate simultaneously. Restarting vehicle resolves issue temporarily.
When: Low-speed parking lot conditions; has occurred 3 times
Symptoms owners cite: Entire electrical system shuts down for 1-2 seconds repeatedly (4-5 times within 10 seconds); Electronic steering bounces sporadically when power cycles on/off; Dashboard warning lights (SAD lights) flicker; Door locks lock and unlock rapidly; Steering becomes uncontrollable during electrical dropout; Issue resolves after vehicle restart
Steering gear locking at low speeds (rack and pinion)
Rack and pinion steering system locks up during low-speed steering inputs from stop or parking situations, rendering steering inoperable and creating immediate collision hazard.
When: Recent report after purchase; occurs during low-speed steering from stop sign
Symptoms owners cite: Rack and pinion locks up during low-speed steering; Steering wheel cannot be turned; Occurs when steering truck at low speeds from stop sign
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer refused repairs citing excessive cost; truck described as undrivable due to steering issue
Abnormal grinding sound from steering during turns
Grinding noise emanates from steering wheel while turning. Taken to dealer but not diagnosed or repaired. Complaint filed approximately one year prior to reporting date.
When: A year prior to complaint filing; occurs during turning
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal grinding sound from steering wheel while turning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer did not diagnose or repair the issue
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2013 Chevrolet Silverado?
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 2013 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 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 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 11,000 and 64,360 miles, with the median around 19,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,000; a quarter make it past 64,360. 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/2013/Chevrolet/Silverado.
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.