Steering Problem on the 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
Car problem(s) with the 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN.
This database includes information received by NHTSA from consumers either directly or as recorded by the Vehicle Safety Hotline. This information may be used by NHTSA during the investigation process.
You may file your own complaint by calling the NHTSA Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153. You can also file your complaint online.
Problem with Steering
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Sep 08, 2005 - Rochester, MN - Electric Power Assist System
1) NEAR CRASHES HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN ERRATIC CONDITION IN THE STEERING. CALLED GM NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND GAVE ALL INFORMATION AND WAS PROMISED SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT ME. (NEVER HAPPENED) 2 OTHER FAMILIES HERE IN ROCHESTER HAVE THE SAME VEHICLE AND THE SAME PROBLEM. 2) UPON TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE WHEEL ITSELF SUDDENLY FREE-WHEELS SEVERAL INCHES. THIS RAPIDLY ACCELERATES THE DEGREE OF TURN AND MAKES THE DRIVER FEEL AS IF THEY HAVE LOST CONTROL AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE OFTEN SWERVES OUT OF CONTROL. 3) I BROUGHT IT TO 2 DEALERS HERE IN ROCHESTER AND NEITHER WAS ABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM ON A TEST DRIVE. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT WILL SCARE THE LIVING OUT OF YOU, AND THE DRIVER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAVE ALL BUT LOST CONTROL ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. A FRIEND OF MINE WHO ALSO HAS A SUBURBAN SAID HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND FINALLY SOMEONE SUGGESTED REPLACING SOMETHING CALLED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST? WE HAVE A 98' SUBURBAN AND HAVE HAD IT SINCE IT WAS 7,000 MILES OLD. IT HAS A 350 AND IS AN LT AND HAS 3RD SEAT AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. I THINK THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS MOST IF NOT ALL SUBURBAN'S IN OUR YEAR CLASS. CHEVY IS NOT RESPONDING TO MY QUESTIONS. PLEASE HELP.
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May 21, 2004 - Raleigh, NC - Electric Power Assist System
STEERING SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO SKIP WHEN TURNING AND FEELS LIKE CONTROL OF STEERING IS LOST MOMENTARILY. SENSOR WAS REPLACED ONCE AND PROBLEM WAS CURED FOR A TIME, BUT IT IS NOW RECURRING.
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Jan 13, 2004 - Federal Way, WA - Rack And Pinion
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. WHEN TURNING LEFT RESISTANCE INCREASESED ALL AT ONCE, DRIVER RECEIVED POWER ASSISTANCE WHEN TURNING RIGHT.
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Jan 12, 2004 - Charlotte, NC - Steering
I AM HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE WITH MY 1998 SUBURBAN THAT WAS FILED ON NHTSA INVESTIGATION EA99011. I ALSO NOTICE THAT IT HAPPENS WORSE WHEN DRIVING IN WINTER WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE COLDER. IT SEEMS ONCE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR AWHILE ITS NOT AS BAD. BUT STILL SEEM TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL AS INDICATED IN THE REPORT MENTIONED ABOVE. A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SCARY. LOSS OF STEERING FOR SPLIT SECOND CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WHEN THE LOSS OCCURS.
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Dec 07, 2003 - Virginia Beach, VA - Hydraulic Power Assist System
1998 SUBURBAN ALMOST WRECKED SEVERAL TIMES TO DO FAULTY ELECTRONIC VARIABLE ORIFICE (EVO) SENSOR LOCATED UNDER STEERING COLUMN. WHEN IN A RIGHT HAND TURN VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY LUNGE TO THE RIGHT TO DO SUDDEN INCREASE IN POWER STEERING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND GM OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I THINK IT SHOULD BE A RECALL IMMEDIATELY. THERE ARE PLENTY OF DOCUMENTED CASES OF THIS PROBLEM AND GM KNOWS IT TOO... BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
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Apr 01, 2002 - Grand Chenier, LA - Wheel And Handle Bar
STEERING WOULD GRAB MOMENTARILY WHILE MAKING RIGHT CURVE TURNS AT 55-70 MPH. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
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Mar 22, 2002 - Robinson, IL - Steering
WHEN TURNING TO RIGHT VEHICLE WILL MAKE A SHARPER TURN, LIKE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING JERKED IN THAT DIRECTION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY CHANGED STEERING SENSOR. CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS, CAR COULD TIP OVER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
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Jan 30, 2002 - Valley, NE - Hydraulic Power Assist System
WHILE DRIVING AROUND CURVES STEERING WHEEL WOULD MAKE NOISE. LATER, NOISE WOULD DISAPPEAR WHILE STILL DRIVING AROUND CURVES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
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Dec 30, 2001 - Oxford, AL - Hydraulic Power Assist System
DEALER SAID THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME? WHY NOT HAVE A RECALL? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
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Sep 06, 2001 - Piedmont, CA - Hydraulic Power Assist, Pump
THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AFTER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED THE CONSUMER COULD HEAR A SQUEALING BELT SOUND, DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD BELT AND REPLACED IT. NLM
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Sep 06, 2001 - Piedmont, CA - Hydraulic Power Assist, Pump
THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AFTER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED THE CONSUMER COULD HEAR A SQUEALING BELT SOUND, DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD BELT AND REPLACED IT. NLM
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Sep 06, 2001 - Piedmont, CA - Hydraulic Power Assist, Pump
THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AFTER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED THE CONSUMER COULD HEAR A SQUEALING BELT SOUND, DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD BELT AND REPLACED IT. NLM
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Sep 06, 2001 - Piedmont, CA - Hydraulic Power Assist, Pump
THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AFTER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED THE CONSUMER COULD HEAR A SQUEALING BELT SOUND, DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD BELT AND REPLACED IT. NLM
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Aug 28, 2001 - Piedmont, CA - Hydraulic Power Assist, Pump
THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AT 25000 MILES.
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Aug 28, 2001 - Piedmont, CA - Hydraulic Power Assist, Pump
THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AT 25000 MILES.
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Feb 21, 2001 - Lutz, FL - Hydraulic Power Assist System
WHEN DRIVING AT ALMOST ANY SPEED STEERING SLIPS AND JERKS TO RIGHT OR LEFT. THE TIRES DON'T MOVE WITH THE SLIP. IT STARTED OUT AS JUST A RIGHT SHIFT, AND NOW IT IS JERKING BOTH TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT.
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Sep 20, 2000 - East Northport, NY - Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
THE STEERING GEAR WAS LEAKING FLUID, THE SPOOL VALVE IS LEAKING, THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPOOL VALVE, SUPPORT, AND SEALS, THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR END DUE TO IT LEAKING.
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Aug 13, 2000 - Jamestown, NC - Hydraulic Power Assist System
VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH A NOTICEABLE PULL TO THE RIGHT. REPEATED TRIPS BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND REPEATED TALKS WITH VARIOUS LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. IN FACT, THE SERVICE PERSONNEL REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AT ALL. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP HAS ALSO BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE GIVEN UP ON TRYING TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED, BUT STILL CONSIDER IT TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
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Sep 15, 1999 - Springfield, IL - Hydraulic Power Assist System
VEHICLE VEERS TO LEFT / RIGHT, COUNTER CLOCKWISE FROM THE WAY ITS SWINGS. THIS HAPPENS AT 55 TO 60 MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED COMPONENT REPLACEMENTS IN THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING DUE TO DEFECT. ALSO POWER STEERING SENSOR WAS REPLACED/NUTS:BOLTS THAT HOLD TIRE TOGETHER SHEARED OFF, CAUSING TIRE TO FALL OFF.
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Sep 07, 1999 - Sharon, PA - Steering
WHENEVER A TURN IS MADE IT APPEARS THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN MORE THEN THE DRIVER REQUIRED. CAN NHTSA HELP OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME.
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Jul 25, 1999 - Medford, NY - Hydraulic Power Assist System
POWER STEERING PUMP ALSO POWERS THE BRAKING SYSTEM. BRAKES FAIL AT PANIC STOPS AND PEDALS GO TO FLOOR. POWER STEERING SYSTEM CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO WANDER AT HWY SPEEDS. REQUIRES CONSTANT READJUSTMENTS. AT TIMES WILL LOSE CONTROL. GM SAYS NORMAL. HAVE CONTACTED THEM AND REFUSED ASSITANCE IN THESE ISSUES BUT RECEIVED ONLY STANDARD CORPORATE NO ASSISTANCE/FORM ANSWERS.
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Jun 30, 1999 - Houston, TX - Hydraulic Power Assist System
STEERING WHEEL "SKIPS" DURING TURNS AT 30 TO 50 MPH.
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Jun 12, 1999 - Bloomingto, IN - Steering
STEERING SENSOR FAILED CAUSING STEERING TO BIND MOMENTARILY-THEN FULL POWER ASSIST OCCUR. NLM
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May 11, 1998 - Greensboro, NC - Steering
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STAYS ON AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF.
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May 11, 1998 - Greensboro, NC - Steering
STEERING WHEEL SENSOR FAILED. IN ADDIRION, RADIO/ELECTRICAL C OMPONENTS WILL NOT CUT OFF WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF.
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Apr 14, 1998 - Griffin, GA - Steering
NO STEERING CONTROL.
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