Chevrolet Tahoe Steering Problems
Owners have filed 561 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Chevrolet Tahoe across 31 model years. The 1997 model year has the most (105). The words owners use most often: “steering shaft” (9% of reports).
- 561steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 32mention a crash
- 18mention an injury
- 8related recalls
- $330typical repair cost reported by owners
- 29%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering shaft: mentioned in 49 of 561 complaints (9%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Chevrolet Tahoe at $330, and half of them between $270 and $920.
Based on 15 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2023), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 271 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 561 complaints, 32 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 18 an injury.
Chevrolet Tahoe steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Tahoe | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2024 Tahoe | 4 | 6% | 1,000 |
| 2023 Tahoe | 5 | 2% | — |
| 2022 Tahoe | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2021 Tahoe | 14 | 3% | 96,725 |
| 2020 Tahoe | 6 | 11% | 25,500 |
| 2019 Tahoe | 8 | 7% | 12,100 |
| 2018 Tahoe | 11 | 10% | 59,000 |
| 2017 Tahoe | 5 | 3% | 1 |
| 2016 Tahoe | 20 | 8% | 32,000 |
| 2015 Tahoe | 70 | 11% | 68,000 |
| 2014 Tahoe | 4 | 4% | 5,313 |
| 2013 Tahoe | 5 | 2% | 46,159 |
| 2012 Tahoe | 4 | 2% | 63,000 |
| 2011 Tahoe | 3 | 1% | 78,000 |
| 2010 Tahoe | 2 | 1% | 106,500 |
| 2009 Tahoe | 8 | 3% | 89,500 |
| 2008 Tahoe | 6 | 1% | 89,400 |
| 2007 Tahoe | 10 | 1% | 112,320 |
| 2006 Tahoe | 5 | 4% | 43,000 |
| 2005 Tahoe | 19 | 6% | 60,000 |
| 2004 Tahoe | 29 | 6% | 52,000 |
| 2003 Tahoe | 52 | 10% | 34,500 |
| 2002 Tahoe | 40 | 9% | 50,000 |
| 2001 Tahoe | 18 | 4% | 53,500 |
| 2000 Tahoe | 10 | 4% | 47,790 |
| 1999 Tahoe | 46 | 8% | 75,000 |
| 1998 Tahoe | 31 | 12% | 90,000 |
| 1997 Tahoe | 105 | 26% | 78,045 |
| 1996 Tahoe | 11 | 4% | — |
| 1995 Tahoe | 5 | 2% | 120,072 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (8)
Steering:steering control module
Model years: 2021
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
Risk: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2015
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
Risk: If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18289.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2015
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and Yukon XL vehicles, equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Due to a problem with the EPS module, the affected vehicles may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist during vehicle operation.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering assist motor kit, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14743.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assemblyDo not drive
Model years: 2015
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado vehicles manufactured May 23, 2013, through March 25, 2014, 2014 GMC Sierra vehicles manufactured May 25, 2013, through March 31, 2014, and 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles manufactured January 29, 2014, through March 27, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the tie rod threaded attachment may not be properly tightened to the steering gear rack.
Risk: An improperly tightened tie rod attachment may allow the tie rod to separate from the steering rack, resulting in a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: GM notified all owners, and dealers will inspect the inner tie rods to make sure that they are correctly tightened, replacing the steering gear, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14204. NOTE: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been inspected and repaired. Owners should contact GM to have their vehicles towed to the dealership.
Power train:automatic transmission; steering:column locking:anti-theft device
Model years: 2013
Problem: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
Risk: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
Steering:linkages
Model years: 2011
Problem: Gm is recalling certain model year 2011cadillac escalade, escalade esv; chevrolet silverado hd, silverado ld, suburban, tahoe; and gmc sierra hd, sierra ld, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft attaching bolts may not have been tightened to the proper specification.
Risk: This could allow the joints to separate, and the driver could experience loss of steering increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm dealers will inspect and ensure that the intermediate steering shaft bolts are tightened to the proper specification. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 13, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Model years: 2006
Problem: Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose may fracture and leak fluid.
Risk: If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increased braking effort would be required. If the power steering fluid spray were to spray onto hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
Steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Model years: 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty extended-cab pickup trucks and 4-door utility trucks. The lower steering shaft to steering gear pinch bolt is "finger loose" or missing allowing the bolt to loosen and fall out. The steering shaft yoke can wear causing an off center steering wheel.
Risk: Relative movement between the chassis and cab can cause the steering shaft to separate from the steering gear. This condition can result in a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers are arranging to have the vehicles involved towed to the dealership and alternate transportation is being arranged for owners. Dealers will then inspect the vehicle for the presence of a pinch bolt and torque this bolt to proper specifications.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My brakes locked up with steering wheel and cause me to go off the road itâs very unsafe and there should be recall immediately
When driving, the vehicle will randomly pull to one side cause the vehicle to severely swerve and almost cause a collision.
-On the date of Monday XXX at approximately 4:30 pm est I was traveling on [XXX] and transmission felt like a possible slip happened in transmission. At approximatively 4:45pm est I made it home tried to back vehicle into parking space and reverse was lost. Vehicle didn't and wouldn't shift into…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH in sand, the vehicle stalled, and the steering wheel seized. The contact turned off the vehicle, jiggled the steering wheel, and waited approximately 10 minutes before restarting the vehicle to…
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering power seized. The contact had to use force to pull to the side of the road. The power steering eventually worked, and the contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact took…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Tahoes have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 561 owner complaints about steering for the Chevrolet Tahoe. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Tahoe steering?
Yes: 8 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Chevrolet Tahoe?
Owners report a typical cost of $330 (half paid between $270 and $920), from 15 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Chevrolet Tahoe?
The most frequent phrase is “steering shaft”, in 49 of 561 complaints.
Other Chevrolet Tahoe problems
- Air Bags problems (1,552)
- Electrical System problems (1,496)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (918)
- Structure problems (897)
- Power Train problems (848)
- Service Brakes problems (824)
- Engine problems (805)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (338)
See all Chevrolet Tahoe problems.