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5.4

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,089 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 steering problems

steering problem

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2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Comments

problem #20

Jan 042014

Silverado 3500

  • 97,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated at any speed the steering wheel made a loud popping, vibration and clicking noise while driving the vehicle. The failure occurred while driving in reverse or when the contact made a left or right turn. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was going to be repaired by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97000.

- Commerce City, CO, USA

problem #19

Oct 122010

Silverado 3500

  • 67,000 miles
Upper steering column intermediate shaft clunking noise when turning or on bumpy road, have to replace this part at my cost. GM knows about this common defect but there is no recall on this part even though they manufactured 2 replacement shafts to fix this problem. I don't know why there is no recall. Seems a steering issue is important.

- Wilson, NC, USA

problem #18

Feb 102010

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Hydraulic:antilock during low-speed brake applications the brakes push back and don't not stop the truck the power steering also cuts out when this happens.

- Turpin, OK, USA

problem #17

Sep 202003

Silverado 3500

  • 6,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle began making a clunking noise that could be felt within the steering wheel and steering column. Eventually became a rattle so bad that it was taken to a mechanic who informed us that there was a technical bulletin issued on this problem. #00-02-35-003C. Vehicle was taken to local GM dealership for repairs. It was stated on the N/C invoice that the solution was 'repack steering shaft with grease kit' part #26098419, vehicle had 6,941 miles on the odometer. Vehicle was fine for some time, but began to experience the same issue again. Local dealership was called and we were informed that there was nothing else that could be done. Vehicle now has just over 20,000 miles and is still making this noise and the feeling in the steering column is very bad. Feels as if something is going to fall apart at any moment. We have received no further information regarding this situation and will now try to contact GM to find out if a solution to this issue has been found. It actually feels 'dangerous', like the steering is not 'sure' and very loose and sloppy. We had a front end alignment performed just a month ago but that did not improve this issue. Obviously it is the steering shaft problem again. I feel this should be investigated to find out if indeed there is no safety risk.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #16

Nov 012002

Silverado 3500

  • miles
2002 Chevy Silverado truck has steering popping. Repaired once under warranty. Now I am having the same problem. The truck only has 36,000 miles and is in great shape otherwise. I researched online and found out that others were having the same problem over and over. This could become a serious problem if the steering fails. G.M. should recall this and take care of keeping their customers safe.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #15

Nov 152006

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Consumer complaint concerning the 2002 Silverado steering rod problems.

- Unknown, DC, USA

problem #14

Feb 012005

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2002 Chevy Silverado brakes failed at low speeds. When the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to be inspected, he was informed there was a problem with the ABS. The sensor was cleaned and a part was replaced. The consumer then received a recall notice in October 2005 regarding the ABS. The recall letter stated the consumer could apply for reimbursement. The tailgate rusted and broke. The steering relay and right front idler arm were replaced. The window regulator was replaced. The wheel center cap fell off.

- New Florence, PA, USA

problem #13

Jul 042005

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,308 miles
The steering is difficult to steer when making left turns at low speed. Took to a dealer for this problem and the dealer thought this to be a power steering pump failure. The pump was replaced and steering gearbox as well. Dealer said the gearbox would have to be replaced to correct this failure. No problems since the repair. The steering gear box had been repair before per a service bulletin.

- Trinidad, CO, USA

problem #12

Oct 312004

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
There has been a repeated clanking noise from the front of the truck when making sharp turns at slow speeds. Dealer R&R shaft and lubed splines per bulletin 00-02-35-003A. Noise came back after a year so dealer said it was a bad steering shaft and loose at splines. They replaced the steering shaft a week ago and the noise has gone away at this point.

- Enid, OK, USA

problem #11

Oct 272003

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • miles
Clunk type feeling in steering wheel on turns and when hitting bumps. Engine knock on cold start. Engine was noisy when started after having sat over night

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #10

Jan 192004

Silverado 3500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Truck pulls, toward the right when steering wheel is centered, dealer has had this truck numerous times and says this is normal.this is a safety item you have to recorrect steering all the time, no wear to tires, steering box and shafts has been replaced.

- Rollinsford, NH, USA

problem #9

Oct 302003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2002 Silverado, steering noise when going around a curve. Can also feel it in the steering wheel.it is like a "clunking noise" steering feels sloppy.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #8

Jul 202004

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles
Intermediate steering shaft on my 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500hd rattles and steering wheel shakes. Under warranty this problem was fixed and has now surfaced again. Seems to me to be a defective design and should be recalled to be fixed.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #7

Jul 152003

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
The power steering & power brakes went out simultaneously. Fortunately I was only towing the boat trailer(2000 lbs) I had just unloaded a 5000 lb boat the date was 7 July. No one was injured and nothing was damaged. However upon checking around this apparently is a common problem on this GM platform. The dealership knew what was wrong before they saw the vehicle and admit to servicing this problem. My issue is how many people need to be injured or killed before someone recalls these. I just found out that the shaft which is breaking has been replaced with a new part but there are thousands of these things out there and no warning has been issued. My local dealership. They have replaced 6 of these in the last 2 weeks. The dealership in cheboygan has replaced 5 in the recent past for a total of 11 in two dealerships.

- Petoskey, MI, USA

problem #6

Nov 272002

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,675 miles
The consumer heard a noise in the steering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they greased the intermediate steering shaft, but the remedy only lasted 5000 miles. The thump noise was heard inside the cab and felt in the steering wheel and the dash. The vehicle had been in repair four times and the changed the steering box on the 3rd visit. The new box started experiencing the same problem. On the fourth repair the steering box was greased. When the vehicle experienced the problem it worsened quickly and felt like the wheel were loose. The steering would crunch in the consumer's hand and felt loose. The dealer only made temporary repairs.

- Bonita Springs, FL, USA

problem #5

Jan 092004

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
Loss of power steering at low speeds such as driving in a parking lot. This happens when making rapid steering changes. It is very similar to the description of the current recall of GM cars. This problem happens with both steering directions. This happens several times each week and has been happening for about the last year and a half. It doesn't seem to be getting worse. It just stays the same.

- Strasburg, CO, USA

problem #4

Nov 212003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles
Front end clunking on my vehicle. General Motors knows there is a problem on all C/K pickup trucks manufactured from 1999 to present but will not engineer a fix for the problem with the intermediate steering shaft.

- Mayville, MI, USA

problem #3

Aug 072003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The front axle seal failed prematurely. The consumer stated the intermediate steering shaft failed.

- Iron Mountain, MI, USA

problem #2

Nov 162001

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles
While driving vehicle will continuously pull to the right, making it very difficult to steer. The dealership has replaced the steering gear and did some alignment, but problem still occurs. Ph the vehicle has been aligned on numerous occasions, and have not corrected. The front tires were wearing out unevenly. Scc

- New Castle, DE, USA

problem #1

Dec 212002

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,100 miles
I was driving down a curvy maountain road and steering to the left in a turn. My steering locked up and I had no control. I got the truck stopped before we went over a several hundred foot drop. I had my wife, 3 year old daughter, and 6 month old son in the truck with me. I got the steering unlocked and drove home. I took the truck to the dealer and they said since they can not duplicate the problem they will not fix or replace anything in the front end or steering without duplicating the problem. I do not feel safe driving a truck that has done this. I usally have my children with me in a truck that is unsafe. I was told by the service manager that he will not authorize any repair without duplication. I asked him why he would send a truck out that was unsafe. All he could say was I care but no repairs without duplication. I conacted GM and I am waiting a reply.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

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