2002 Chevrolet Silverado Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 5%of 710 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, 5% of the 710 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10360205, filed 2010-10, 67,000 miles“Truck had less then 25,000 miles when I noticed a 'loose feeling' in the steering when making turns and a discernible bumping. I found that there is a TSB on it(chevy TSB 00-02-35-003a) and had it fixed under warranty- but from doing research I've found that this fix is a 'band-aid' and they really should replace the intermediate steering shaft with an improved model. …”
NHTSA complaint #10062709, filed 2004-03, 25,000 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10000635, filed 2002-12, 15,100 miles“After 3 weeks of ownership we started experiencing several problems with the steering and braking of this vehicle. Steering wheel would catch and make thumping noises as we turned right or left sharp turns (slowly). Brakes are going to cause an accident sooner or later as the pedal goes completely to the floor and thumps loudly but does not slow the vehicle when you try to make a moderately sudden stop. We had our truck in for service after owning it for 3 weeks and the idiots at spitzer Chevrolet tried to tell us it was the trailer hitch making all the noise.....what a joke”
NHTSA complaint #10007780, filed 2003-02, 1,500 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10110439, filed 2005-02, 20,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10036545Oct 1, 2010Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc/oldsmobile and hummer: information on pitman arm shaft seal service kit. Do not replace entire steering gear for pitman seal leak. Technicians have…
- 10025148Apr 1, 2008Clunking noise under hood and can be felt in steering wheel and/or steering column (replace upper intermediate steering shaft [I-shaft] assembly).
- 10012089Feb 1, 2007Clunking noise under hood and can be felt in steering wheel. *eh updated *eh updated.
- 10014899May 11, 2005Steering idler arm inspection procedure.
- 10013533Apr 21, 2005Lack of steering assist or shudder during parking lot type maneuvers.
- 10013457Jan 1, 2005Quadrasteer intermittent service 4-wheel steer message.
- 10011223Aug 1, 2004Clunking noise under hood and can be felt in steering wheel. This bulletin replaces previous bulletin 00-02-35-003e.
- 10012577Aug 1, 2003Revised steering wheel position sensor or steering shaft lower bearing replacement procedure and steering wheel position sensor centering procedure.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 8 | 6% |
| 2016 | 1 | 20% |
| 2015 | 13 | 17% |
| 2014 | 19 | 15% |
| 2013 | 8 | 13% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% |
| 2010 | 6 | 10% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 9 | 5% |
| 2006 | 9 | 5% |
| 2005 | 24 | 8% |
| 2004 | 44 | 7% |
| 2003 | 80 | 12% |
| 2002 | 39 | 5% |
| 2001 | 37 | 4% |
| 2000 | 73 | 6% |
| 1999 | 69 | 4% |
| 1998 | 21 | 8% |
| 1997 | 59 | 22% |
| 1996 | 4 | 2% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 5% |
| 1991 | 1 | 6% |
| 1990 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado
350 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
70 complaintsEngine cooling
58 complaintsBody and structure
36 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsSuspension
29 complaintsTires
27 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaintsSeat belts
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology