Power steering went out while driving making it impossible to steer.
Chevrolet Blazer power steering loss problems
56 of the 8,038 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Blazer describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 56
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical mileage
- 85,000
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 17Stalling 10Ball joint 10Check engine light 5Fuel pump 4Fire or smoke 2No deployment 2Won't start 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0128 2
What owners say
The vehicle experiences a constant cooling system failure that appears to be related to the thermostat. Beginning at approximately 40,000 miles, the engine cooling fan started running continuously at high speed whenever the vehicle is operating. At the same time, the air conditioning stopped functioning properly and the vehicle began displaying a warning message indicating that steering assist is unavailable or reduced. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This condition creates a safety concern because the steering assist warning indicates a potential reduction or loss of power steering assistance, which could increase steering effort and make the vehicle more difficult to control, particularly during low-speed maneuvers or emergency situations. The warning appears during normal vehicle operation and can distract the driver. The ongoing failure of multiple vehicle systems raises concerns about the safe and reliable operation of the vehicle. The problem has been present continuously since first appearing at approximately 40,000 miles and is fully reproducible. The condition occurs every time the vehicle is driven and has not corrected itself. Symptoms include the engine cooling fan running continuously, loss of air conditioning, and a steering assist warning message. Based on reports from other Chevrolet Blazer owners experiencing similar thermostat-related failures, this may represent a common defect that warrants investigation and consideration for a safety recall.
Complete and total failure of the telematics module resulting in loss of self driving, onstar, WiFi, gps, and all connected services. Severe battery drain due to module forcing the vehicle to completely shut down while driving, resulting in loss of power steering and brakes.
I have a 2022 Blazer with a 3.6 engine. The thermostat has failed and dealer says only certain blazer vehicles are covered under aspecial warrnty exstesion. I know several people having the same problem.I have a check engine light, with a scan shows code P0128(thermostat0. I also have a display of power steering assist reduced and tempature gauge stays much lower than normal.. When you turn vehicle off the high speed cooling fans remain running ub=ntil battery is dead.
A/C quit working, "Caution Power steering assist ....working, temperature gauge reading zero ( far left side of gauge. PF62F Code set. Repair shop says very common. $800 To repair due to removal of plenum and other component including water temp sensor and thermostat while your there. $100+. 63k miles on vehicle.
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Blazer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V433000 (PARKING BRAKE). The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact exited the freeway and the front passenger’s side tie rod detached from the vehicle and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to pull over to the curb. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was inspected the contact noticed that the front passenger’s side wheel was bent and the tire was deflated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
Radiator failure caused power steering assist to not function properly and insufficient vehicle heat function. Engine electric fan would run continuously after vehicle shutdown.
In September 2023, when getting my vehicle serviced for a routine oil change, I was told there was a leak in my radiator. They replaced the entire thing under warranty. On November 15th, 2025, while driving on the highway heading home from out of town with my children, an error flashed up saying “steering assist is reduced – drive with care” Upon arriving home, the fan on my car was running on high for a solid 10 minutes after turning the car off. No recall but Special Coverage N252508350 covers the thermostat replacement. Upon inspection by a mechanic, I was informed that the radiator is also leaking again in the exact same spot as it was previously. It should be noted I have never seen leaking fluid in my garage/driveway. I’ve driven less than 10,000 miles since the radiator was replaced previously. If there is a known problem with the coolant system which can cause overheating and steering assist issues, why isn't the faulty radiator and thermostat recalled. The radiator is cased in plastic to aluminum. Plastic can easily catch fire if a car overheats. The casing also prevents an owner from even knowing if there is a leak since the plastic is catching leaks - the mechanic informed me that's why I didn't know about both times it leaked. This is a 4yr old car with 46k miles, twice replaced radiator and thermostat. A recall should be issued since both problems could potentially cause a fire from an overheated engine & loss of steering assist while driving. A google search quickly showed me thousands of other Chevy Blazers from 2019-2021 with reoccurring thermostat and radiator issues. I feel unsafe driving in my vehicle but still owe too much to even trade it in for something else. I've owned dozens of vehicles in my lifetime, used and new and keep them 8-10yrs and have never had to replace a thermostat and radiator. This vehicle is dangerous due to GM/Chevy's cheap radiator model and thermostat which could overheat and catch fire
Component/System Involved: The electric power steering system in my 2020 Chevy Blazer is malfunctioning. A warning appears on the dashboard: “Steering Assist is Reduced – Drive with Care.” When this happens, steering becomes very stiff and difficult. The issue is ongoing, and the component is available for inspection if requested. Safety Risk: This creates a serious safety hazard. The sudden loss of steering assist makes it hard to turn the wheel, especially at low speeds or when maneuvering. It puts me and others at risk, especially if it happens in traffic or while turning. Problem Confirmed by Dealer: No, the issue has not yet been inspected or confirmed by a dealer or service center. Inspection History: The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealership, manufacturer, police, or insurance. Warning Signs: The only warning is the “Steering Assist is Reduced – Drive with Care” message, which appears randomly—sometimes at startup, sometimes while driving. The issue began around 10/15/2024 and continues to be an on going issue.
While driving, the vehicle displayed a “Service Power Steering” warning message, and shortly after, the steering became noticeably heavier and less responsive. The issue occurs intermittently but has worsened over time, creating a serious safety concern because loss of steering assist could occur at any speed. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a failure of the electronic power steering module and rack-and-pinion assembly, quoting an estimated repair cost of approximately $2,500. The vehicle has only around 56,000 miles and has been maintained as recommended. The dealer confirmed the issue but stated that General Motors would not cover the repair under warranty or goodwill assistance. This defect poses a significant safety risk, as a sudden loss of power steering assist can make the vehicle difficult to control, especially during turns or emergency maneuvers. There were no accidents or injuries, but the potential for loss of control is high. The warning message and loss of assist can be reproduced and have been verified by the dealership. The vehicle has not been repaired yet, and the defective parts are available for inspection upon request.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Chevrolet Blazer power steering loss
Which Chevrolet Blazer years have loss of power steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (10 complaints), 1995 (9 complaints) and 2020 (6 complaints).
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