This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a hydraulic rush or flow type noise from the power steering gear. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Chevrolet Silverado steering problems
severe 108 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
108
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
10crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 108 steering complaints filed for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado, 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
Owners have filed 108 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 21 model years of Chevrolet Silverado in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
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 Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a reduced or loss of power steering assist, steering wheel jerks or kicks back when turning, Service Stabilitrak message with warning chime, engine stall, Instrument Panel Cluster going blank or inoperative, radio/Integrated Center Stack going blank, Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning going blank, hood ajar message and/or dome lamps flash when shifting into reverse, alarm sounds when locking doors or door locks cycling, and or wipers continue to run for a short time after turning off and then stop/park in the incorrect location. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes U0073, U0078, U0029
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have hard or unable to rotate ignition key concern. When the concern is present the steering wheel will need to be rotated in either direction to alleviate the pressure between the steering column lock pin and lock plate. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Silverado steering system shows widespread failures grouped into two critical patterns. First, complete electrical shutdown: the truck loses all power—engine stalls, steering locks, brakes fail, lights die—forcing drivers to restart mid-maneuver. Owners describe this happening at low speed turns (driveways, parking lots) and highway speeds; restart briefly fixes it but the problem recurs. No warning codes are generated in many cases, and the issue traces back to model year start (one owner reported it at 312 miles on a new vehicle).
Second, intermittent power steering loss: the electric assist quits, making the wheel extremely hard to turn. Owners report "Service Power Steering" warnings appearing, then vanishing after restart or hours of sitting. Replacements cited include rack-and-pinion assemblies, steering control modules, and complete steering units, with repair quotes ranging from $1,500 to $2,600.
Dealers consistently say they cannot reproduce these failures or identify root cause. GM has issued a service bulletin (18-NA-161) acknowledging the electrical loss problem but has not issued a recall. Out-of-warranty owners are told they must pay for repairs. The steering also locks up violently during turns, jerking out of driver's hands, and has failed in combination with brake loss, causing collisions. One owner's vehicle failed at 5,000 miles on the odometer after a dealer lift-kit installation.
Same Chevrolet Silverado steering reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Complete loss of electrical power (engine stalls, all systems go dark)
Vehicle experiences total electrical shutdown while driving or turning, resulting in loss of power steering, brakes, ignition control, and all accessories. Engine stalls and must be restarted. Occurs at low speed turning maneuvers and highway speeds.
When: Low-speed turns (driveways, parking lots, intersections), highway driving; mileage varies 22K to 103K; one owner reported at 312 miles on new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning; Steering wheel locks up and cannot be turned; Loss of all electrical power (lights, radio, climate control); Brakes become unresponsive or lock; Screens/dashboard go blank; AC blower surges on/off before shutdown; Stabilitrak warning or service messages appear during or after event; Vehicle restarts after key cycle or multiple restart attempts; All systems reset (radio, time, window settings); Grinding or clanking noise from steering column before shutdown
Codes mentioned: P0DD (oil pressure code mentioned in one narrative), Communication error codes (no specific codes generated during failure)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #1 reported dealer quoted $1,300+ for repair; Owner #5 had multiple tows and dealer evaluations but repair costs not specified; Owner #16 experienced eight failures in five days requiring multiple tows
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #1 reports GM issued a 'bulletin' (not recall) and refused warranty coverage out-of-warranty; Owner #6 states GM refused to honor warranty or replace vehicle; Owner #24 references GM Service Bulletin 18-NA-161; Owner #5 mentions dealers unable to determine cause despite multiple visits
Intermittent loss of power steering function
Electric power steering assist fails intermittently, ranging from brief loss requiring restart to complete inability to steer. Vehicle becomes extremely difficult to maneuver. May occur while driving or upon startup. Often accompanied by 'Service Power Steering' warning message.
When: Mileage 25K to 138K; occurs across all driving speeds and conditions (highway, city, parking); can happen within minutes of restart or after weeks of normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes stiff, hard to turn, requires significant upper-body strength; Power steering warning message on driver info center; Loss of power steering assist intermittently; Beeping or chiming before loss of steering; Power steering returns after restart or time delay; Grinding noise reported in some cases; Intermittent nature makes diagnosis difficult
Codes mentioned: Communication errors reported (no specific codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #9 reports dealer quoted $2,600 for power steering rack replacement at 100K miles; Owner #10 reports intermittent loss at 61K miles; Owner #15 reports $1,500 for entire power steering unit replacement; Owner #37 reports electric steering pump failure at 3,200 miles (new vehicle); Owner #42 diagnosed need for steering rack replacement at 40K; Owner #45 diagnosed power steering module replacement needed at 51K; Owner #31 describes ongoing intermittent failures requiring door open/close cycle to reset
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #9 reports GM dealer reference to TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) but stated repair not covered under warranty; Owner #14 relates failure to NHTSA Campaign 18V586000 (Steering) but VIN not included in recall; Owner #15 reports GM refused to assist with repairs; Owner #21 reports dealer performed steering gear recalibration at owner expense; Owner #31 states GM needs to 'stand up and take care of this problem'
Steering wheel jerks violently or locks up
Steering wheel jerks abruptly out of driver's hands or seizes completely, often while turning. Can occur while stationary (parking) or in motion. May be accompanied by electronic system alerts or complete power loss.
When: Low-speed maneuvers (turning in driveways, parking lots, stop signs, slow turns); mileage 22K to 90K; occurs during forward and reverse motion
Symptoms owners cite: Violent jerking of steering wheel, often out of driver's hands; Steering wheel locks and cannot turn in any direction; Intermittent nature: sometimes corrects itself, sometimes requires ignition cycle; Stabilitrak warning or service messages; Radio changes stations involuntarily; Electronic gremlins (windows roll down, messages display); Associated engine stall in some cases; Chiming or grinding noise before event; Never occurs when turning right (only left turns in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #4 reports steering gear recalibration performed; Owner #8 reports incident while backing; Owner #12 reports steering column replaced due to 'moving horizontal'; Owner #21 reports steering gear recalibration at owner expense; Owner #29 reports steering column replacement performed but failure not corrected; Owner #34 reports entire rack and pinion replacement needed at 38,900 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #1 reports known issue with bulletin; Owner #4 dealer unable to reproduce problem initially; Owner #8 vehicle sits at dealer; Owner #21 dealer performed recalibration and manufacturer corrected the issue with TSB; Owner #32 reports no Chevrolet mechanic knows what customer is talking about or acts like they care
Steering rack/pinion failure
Electric power steering rack or pinion assembly becomes defective, requiring replacement. Owners report popping, clunking, or grinding sensations when turning, or complete loss of steering response.
When: Mileage 22K to 82K; some instances on vehicles with lift kits at 5K-6K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding, clanking, or popping sensation when turning; Steering wheel feels like it 'skips a gear'; Clunking noise during full turns at low speed; Loss of steering control or response; Service Power Steering message displays
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #9 dealer suggested rack replacement at cost $2,600 at 100K miles; Owner #12 notes steering column replaced; Owner #17 reports clunking at full turns, worried about loss of control; Owner #25 mechanic suspected rack and pinion or rotary vane pump issue; Owner #33 diagnosed need for rack and pinion replacement at 82K miles; Owner #34 entire rack and pinion replacement needed at 38,900 miles; Owner #40 idler arm and steering gear box replacement at 21,000 miles; Owner #42 steering rack faulty, needs replacement at 40K
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #14 relates to NHTSA Campaign 18V586000 but VIN not included; Owner #33 relates to Campaign 18V586000 but VIN not in recall
Steering system electrical/control module failure
Electric steering control module, rack assembly, or related electrical components fail, preventing power steering operation or causing erratic behavior. May involve loose battery/ground cables or module-level defects.
When: Mileage 22K to 100K+; failures intermittent to constant over time
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering completely inoperative; Service Power Steering warning message; Intermittent loss and recovery of steering function; Entire rack assembly fails; Electronic module malfunction
Codes mentioned: Communication errors (generic, no specific DTC)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #9 reports dealer suspected module or steering rack; Owner #15 entire power steering unit replacement cost $1,500; Owner #23 electrical power steering shorted out, needs replacement, at 40K miles warranty expired; Owner #38 diagnosed ground and live battery cable in steering wheel needed replacement due to low voltage at 90K; Owner #45 power steering module needed replacement at 51K, not repaired due to no recall
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #15 reports GM refused to assist; Owner #23 warranty expired, awaiting manufacturer callback; Owner #45 dealer said no recall for this failure
Brake system failure coinciding with steering loss
Brake pedal becomes unresponsive or loses pressure at the same time as steering loss, often during turning maneuvers. ABS may fail to engage. Multiple narratives describe combined brake and steering failures creating collision hazards.
When: 25 MPH to 60+ MPH; during turns, turns from stop signs, highway driving; mileage 22K to 78K
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal unresponsive or mushy; No braking force even with full pedal pressure; ABS fails to engage; Loss of both steering and brakes simultaneously; Emergency brake required to stop vehicle; Vehicle slides on wet roads
Codes mentioned: ABS-related codes (ABS failed to engage noted)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #2 sideswipe collision, vehicle towed, no repair completed; Owner #7 rear-end collision at 25 MPH, vehicle deemed total loss; Owner #12 brake failures mentioned, multiple low-speed accidents, no damage reported; Owner #39 vehicle slid on wet road into other vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #2 references NHTSA Campaign 19V761000; Owner #7 references Campaigns 18V578000 and 16V069000; Owner #12 states brakes have been in for multiple recalls
Steering stiffness in cold weather
Electric power steering becomes stiff and unresponsive in temperatures below freezing, making steering difficult and requiring excessive force. Condition persists after vehicle warms up.
When: Below 5 degrees F; mileage at least 90K+
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel stiff in cold weather; Extremely difficult to turn at low speeds; Requires two hands to steer in cold; Condition persists even after vehicle warms up; Dangerous in panic situations
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #48 had entire electronic steering system replaced with no improvement at 90K+ miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #48 dealer stated nothing else can be done; notes previous GM pickups (1999, 2010, 2013) had no such issues in cold weather
Synthesized from 108 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Response: Slowing down to make a left turn, Steering locked up, Electrical devices flashing, Service Stabilitrak Indicator, Chimming, Engine shut off then turned back on 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Response: YES truck shut off when turning across traffic 3. Has…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet silverado 1500. While making a left turn at a stop sign, the brake pedal failed to repsond along with loss of power sterring. The brakes did not engage, causing the contact to sideswipe another vehicle. The contact managed to steer the vehicle onto the shoulder and applied the emergency brake to come to a complete stop. The air bags did not deploy. There…
Had steering trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a meaningful issue. 108 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 75 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 31,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 44,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 31,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. 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/2016/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.