2001 Chevrolet Suburban Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 7%of 440 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, 7% of the 440 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Power assist pump shaft broke leaving me unable to steer or brake. Power assist pump was replaced at my expense and old unit retained by dealer veh had to be taken by tow truck. The consumer received a letter from GM stating that the failure occurred because of lack of maintenance and low on fluid, however the consumer disagreed.”
NHTSA complaint #10093895, filed 2004-10, 43,118 miles“I own a 2001 chevy Suburban with 68,000 miles and I have had to replace the power steering twice because it cracked in half while I was driving. Chevy says it was my fault. How does a lady who is not that strong crack two power steering in half while she is driving?”
NHTSA complaint #10157502, filed 2006-05, 37,000 miles“After towing our travel trailer 60 miles, my wife was backing Suburban into the driveway and pulled forward to adjust the trailer angle and lost all steering. When I went to see what it was doing, noticed that the brakes were also very difficult to operate. Was able to back the trailer into the driveway with much effort to adjust the steering. Hate to think what would have happened if it went while towing a trailer on the highway with the rush hour traffic. Verified fluid was full and belt and pulley were spinning normally. …”
NHTSA complaint #10429515, filed 2011-10, 107,009 miles“My 2001 Chevrolet Suburban has the power steering brief failure problem I read about in the wall street journal. Usually at lower speeds, the power steering stops working momentarily giving one a brief moment of panic.”
NHTSA complaint #10053113, filed 2004-01, 35,000 miles“While attempting to depart from picking up out travel trailer, both the power steering and brakes went out on our 2500 4 wheel drive Suburban. The only thing that stopped the Suburban was the trailer's brakes. Luckly we were still in the parking lot and therefore going slow. Upon exaimination, I pulled the surpinetine belt off and the power steering pully and shaft came off. From what I understand the steering and the brakes are connected. This can also happen when the brake booster goes out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10060670, filed 2004-03, 49,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10113436Feb 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 3 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 9% |
| 2019 | 6 | 8% |
| 2018 | 8 | 10% |
| 2017 | 6 | 4% |
| 2016 | 23 | 10% |
| 2015 | 60 | 14% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 13% |
| 2005 | 5 | 4% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 20 | 7% |
| 2002 | 22 | 8% |
| 2001 | 29 | 7% |
| 2000 | 20 | 7% |
| 1999 | 52 | 8% |
| 1998 | 21 | 10% |
| 1997 | 105 | 25% |
| 1996 | 15 | 4% |
| 1995 | 13 | 3% |
| 1994 | 5 | 1% |
| 1993 | 4 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1989 | 3 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 14% |
| 1985 | 1 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
178 complaintsFuel system
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsEngine cooling
30 complaintsTires
28 complaintsSeat belts
23 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsSuspension
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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