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.
Ongoing / erratic problem with power steering system causing momentary loss of steering control. Dealer notified, and replaced steering sensor. Year later problem reoccurred. Please feel free to provide any further details.
At speeds above 30 mph the steering becomes unstable/loose especially in turns when the vehicle jerks suddenly in the same direction as the turn. The vehicle also wanders at highway speeds and causes oversteering when changing lanes. This is a very unsafe situation when towing causing the trailer to swerve back and fourth. I bought an extended warranty on this vehicle and I am planning on taking it in to the dealership where I bought it to have it checked/repaired but based on the number of complaints I have read about this problem I believe this should be addressed by the manufacturer because it is a definite safety hazard. I have owned three GM trucks (1989,1993 and 1996) and none has felt as unstable or as dangerous as this Suburban. If the dealer is unable to correct the problem under my extended warranty do I have any other recourse to correct this problem?
Apparent unrepairable dangerous steering situation, battery problem, transmission failure. Vehicle does not seem to merchantable for purpose for which it was offered for sale.
Steering on this vehicle at highway speeds is not positive, has a floating.. wander that makes it feel like you have no steering, and when you try to recover, it over corrects and sways.
Engine knocking occurs at cold temperatures 35F or below sounds come from lower engine rods possibly or crankshaft. --dealer refuses to acknowledge both problems
Experience erratic steering. Steering system makes erratic jolts in either direction. System was bled, but still persists. Feels like power steering is unstable.
Transmission: Torque converter blew up.....fuel pump failed and had to be replaced, wiring overheated and insulation melted off inside fuel tank.....steering: Erratic while making right turn
I have owned a 86,93,95, and 97 Suburban. So Suburban steering is very familiar to me. The 1997 Suburban steering is unsafe. When the vehicle was first purchased the variable assist failed pulling an rv trailer. Whenever a vehicle passed our Suburban the steering had so much oversteer that if turned in any direction it would dart left and right either going off the highway or in the other lane. Several attempts were made to repair the steering, then lemon law was invoked. Two more attempts were made, the final one resulted in all of the service manager's steering components being removed from his 98 truck and placed on the Suburban. The steering was better but poor compared to the 95 and 93 Suburban. Today the vehicle is still scary to drive on rutted wet roads at speed. Just recently a chip failed in the steering when turning left, causing over correction into other lanes. The dealer said this had happened in other vehicles and repaired the vehicle. Unless GM fixes this problem, my intent is to buy another vehicle that is safe for family. It will not be a GM Suburban. The steering needs to be completely replaced with previous non variable assist.
Failure of this component results in immediate and drammatic loss of normal power steering control when engaging in turns. The loss of resistence results in immediate oversteer which, at highway speeds, is very dangerous, sometimes causing the driver to drop a wheel from pavement. My writing is prompted by: 1) experience with my Suburban; 2) a call to me today from a dealership mechanic who worked on my vehicle who informed me he had another bad one, identical to mine; 3) I drove another Suburban of the same vintage & mileage with the identical problem. Though anecdotal, the multiple occurances in vehilces with which I am acquainted raise a compelling question about a dangerous problem with Suburban. Thank you for your consideration.
Power steering keeps fluctuating between feeling tight and sloppy. At certain points the steering wheel seems to be pulled from my grasp, and oversteering occurs. Steering also sometimes makes a moaning noise. Also, brakes need to be replaced every 20,000 miles. Last time I had brakes replaced at dealer, I had to return 5 times to have them corrected. I was told shims broke off the front pads and were binding. All I know is that I could see the rotors glowing blue and the brakes smelled like they were burning, they were also making a horrible grinding noise when they were warm.
EA9901 eratic power steering; when driving straight or more often on curves there is slip in the steering. The dealer is aware of the problem. The problem has not been corrected.
The power steering on right turns oversteers. It is like a sudden surge of power steering. Since it is intermetant it is a suprise and has on a number of occasion the suprise was enough to almost lose control of the Suburban. We had it in once for repair but they couldnt find anyting. It has become worse and we have taken it back again for a repair. The service man said he has had three other complaints of the same type of problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Georgetown, TX, USA