This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Chevrolet Camaro steering problems
severe 56 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
56
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
6crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 56 steering complaints filed for the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro, 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
Of the 10 model years of Chevrolet Camaro we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 56.
Steering accounts for 31% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 8 categories tracked.
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 informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Characteristics of Wide Low Aspect Ratio Tires, Vehicle Pulls Left or Right, Wanders, Follows Depressions in Road Surface, Tramlining.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the power steering assist shuts off abruptly—without warning or with a "Service Power Steering" dash message—while the vehicle is in motion at speeds ranging from 15 mph to 65+ mph. The steering wheel becomes extremely stiff, requiring significant physical force to turn. In low-speed turns and roundabout maneuvers, this seizure has caused collisions. Most failures occur between 8,000 and 60,000 miles, though they happen across the full ownership range up to 125,000 miles.
The failure is intermittent: power steering returns after restarting the engine, then fails again minutes or miles later. Some owners report it happening daily for weeks; others experience it once or twice. In several cases, the steering wheel continues to vibrate and emit electrical noise for 10–45 seconds after the engine is switched off—a sign of a stuck component.
GM issued recalls 19V086/N182182760 in February 2019 and more recently 25V175000/N252497020 for a faulty printed circuit board in the steering gear. However, many owners report their vehicle's VIN is not included in either recall, despite presenting identical symptoms. Owners who got the recall repair performed say the same failure recurred within months. Dealers refuse diagnosis or repair when they cannot replicate the problem on demand, citing warranty or warranty reimbursement limits. Repair costs run $1,886 to $2,600 when out of warranty.
A smaller group reports steering wheel shudder with whining noise from the power steering system, sometimes linked to transmission shaking, and one owner's direction reversal where the vehicle steered opposite to driver input while turning.
Same Chevrolet Camaro steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering Loss of Assist
Complete or near-complete loss of power steering assist while driving, requiring manual steering force. Occurs intermittently or suddenly with minimal warning. Some vehicles regain assist after engine restart; others remain affected until restart. Reported at speeds ranging from 15 mph to 65+ mph, creating immediate steering control difficulty and crash risk.
When: 8,000 to 125,000 miles; incidents from early ownership to higher mileage. Many reported in first 60,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power steering assist with no warning or with 'Service Power Steering' message appearing on dash; Steering wheel becomes extremely stiff and heavy, requiring significant physical force to turn; Intermittent recurrence—power returns briefly after engine restart, then fails again; Some cases involve loss while turning at low speed or merging on highway, heightening crash risk; Occasional audible warning beeps or three-beep alerts before or during failure
Codes mentioned: C0545 (Steering Torque Sensor failure), C056D, C047A, No codes retrieved in some cases despite failure
Repairs/costs cited: Repair involves replacement of power steering gear assembly, power steering module, or steering torque sensor. Dealer costs cited: $1,886.82 to $2,600. Some owners charged for repair despite identical symptoms to recalled vehicles; others denied repair because failure could not be replicated on demand.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 19V086 / GM Recall N182182760 issued February 7, 2019, for steering gear assembly. NHTSA Recall 25V175000 / GM Recall N252497020 (faulty printed circuit board in steering gear) issued more recently. Many owners' VINs reported as NOT included in either recall despite matching symptoms exactly. Initial remedy was unavailable for months after recall issued. Even after repair under recall, some owners report the same failure recurring, suggesting the fix does not fully resolve the defect.
Steering Wheel Seizure / Hard Steer
Steering wheel becomes rigid and locks or seizes, preventing normal turning. May occur while actively turning (e.g., in roundabout or making a turn) or while stationary. Accompanied by stiff feel and abnormal noise. In crash incidents, seizure prevented driver from maneuvering to avoid collision.
When: Reported at mileages from 1,000 to 100,000 miles. Several incidents occurred during routine driving, turns, or roundabout navigation.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks or becomes immobile mid-turn; Steering wheel extremely stiff and difficult to move, especially for sharp turns; Abnormal clicking or grinding noise from steering column/wheel; In some cases, warning light ('Service Power Steering' or similar) appears; in others, no warning; Continues to shake or vibrate even after engine is shut off (reported as continuing 10+ minutes)
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes retrieved in most seizure cases
Repairs/costs cited: Root cause not determined in most cases where dealership inspected. One case involved loosened wire on power steering wiring harness with corrosion. Another was a faulty power steering gear. Many vehicles were not diagnosed or repaired because dealer could not replicate the problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 19V086 / GM N182182760 addresses steering failure but no remedy was available when recall was issued. Owners with seizure events were not consistently covered under the recall if VINs were not included. One owner involved in roundabout crash waited months for remedy after initial recall notice.
Power Steering Shudder / Vibration with Electrical Noise
Vehicle shudders or vibrates violently, especially through steering wheel. Accompanied by electronic noise or whining from steering assist system that persists even after engine is shut off. Often occurs at low city speeds or highway speeds. Related to transmission shudder and shaking described in some bulletins.
When: Early ownership to higher mileage; one case reported after 2,000 miles post-fluid flush, recurrence at 53,768 miles. Another began in November 2025 and daily by April 2026.
Symptoms owners cite: Strong shuddering or vibration throughout vehicle, including steering wheel; Electronic or whining noise from power steering system; Noise and vibration continue for 10–45 seconds after engine is shut off; RPM remains low (below 3,000) as if transmission gears are struggling; Occurs in city driving (25–35 mph) and highway speeds (65–76 mph); Power steering message on dash: 'Drive Careful Steering Power Steering Assistance System' or similar
Codes mentioned: No specific diagnostic codes reported for shudder/vibration complaints
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership performed transmission fluid flush and replacement, which resolved the issue for approximately 2,000 miles before recurrence. When shudder returned, dealership refused further warranty work despite the issue being reported within warranty period at low mileage (53,768 miles). Owners cite GM technical service bulletins referencing the 'shake' issue on different GM models since 2014, with transmission replacement as stated fix but only for new vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No formal recall for shudder/vibration pattern. GM bulletins exist documenting the issue and transmission replacement as fix, but bulletins do not apply to vehicles already in customer hands with existing problems, per dealership statements.
Steering Direction Reversal / Opposite Pull
Steering wheel pulls or steers in the opposite direction from driver input. Occurs intermittently while turning through corners or on curves. Creates unexpected steering response requiring corrective force to maintain vehicle direction.
When: One incident reported May 12, 2017 (early ownership); unspecified ongoing recurrences.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel steers opposite to driver input (e.g., driver turns left, vehicle pulls right); Occurs intermittently while driving through corners; Happens multiple times over vehicle ownership; No warning lights or messages reported with this failure mode
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes reported
Repairs/costs cited: Not documented as repaired in the complaint.
Steering Hard on Brake Application
Steering wheel becomes stiff and difficult to turn when brakes are pressed, even at a standstill. Power steering assist appears to reduce or cut out during braking events.
When: Reported during normal driving; no specific mileage given in available narrative.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel hardens when brakes are applied; Difficulty turning steering wheel during or after brake application; After turning off vehicle, steering sometimes returns to normal; after next brake press, becomes hard again; Pattern repeats with each brake application
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes reported
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempt documented in complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall N182182760 / 19V086 mentioned by owner, but owner's VIN reported as not included despite matching symptom pattern.
Synthesized from 56 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet camaro. The contact stated that while reversing out of his driveway, the power steering failed with the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to ron craft Chevrolet (4114 interstate 10 e, baytown, tx 77521, (888) 304-9114) where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering gear box failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle…
While driving I experienced the wheel becoming more stiff unexpectedly while turning even slightly it would randomly get harder to turn. A power steering warning came on saying to be careful and right after the car started shaking really bad. Stop the car checked tires tie rods sway bar other steering components and nothing seemed abnormal. Was able to drive the rest of the way home but still had…
Complete loss of electronic power steering going around a corner with no audio or visual warning, or any information in the electronic control unit for the power steering system. This happened at corner of my house at less than 30 miles an hour causing my vehicle to hit the curb the left front wheel broke off went into the body and caused the unibody damage which totaled the car. I have…
I would like to report a safety concern with my car having a strong shuddering or vibration, including the steering wheel which I’m unable to move. When this happens RPM remain below 3000 rpm as if the the gears were having trouble changing, the shaking remains while driving in the city at around 25-35 mph and highway speeds at around 65-76 mph. My car was under warranty when this started…
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that the steering wheel was shaking abnormally with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on three occasions, where an unknown diagnosis was provided. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. While driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was…
Had steering trouble with your 2017 Chevrolet Camaro?
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 2017 Chevrolet Camaro?
It's a meaningful issue. 56 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 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 13,000 and 59,000 miles, with the median around 27,280. A quarter of owners report trouble before 13,000; a quarter make it past 59,000. 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/2017/Chevrolet/Camaro.
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.