Chevrolet Equinox power steering loss problems

Filed Sep 13, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · IN

On approximately 09/04/2026, while driving my vehicle and slowing to a stop, I applied the brake pedal and it suddenly became extremely hard to depress. At approximately the same time, the steering became very stiff and difficult to turn. I believed I had lost normal braking ability and had difficulty controlling the vehicle while attempting to stop. The engine then shut off on its own. After the vehicle stopped, attempts to restart it were unsuccessful. The engine would crank/attempt to start but would not complete the ignition cycle and remain running. A ticking noise was also present. The vehicle remains available for inspection and is being towed to a local GM dealership for diagnosis. The specific component responsible for the failure is currently UNKNOWN. The vehicle previously generated diagnostic code P050F in January 2026. Following the 09/04/2026 failure, diagnostic code P0017 was identified. I did not receive P0017 prior to this incident. I did not observe an overheating warning or temperature-gauge indication showing that the engine was overheating before the vehicle shut down. The incident created a safety risk because the brake pedal became extremely hard to depress and the steering became difficult to operate while the vehicle was in motion, significantly affecting my ability to slow and control the vehicle. There was no collision or injury. As of the date of this complaint, the cause has not yet been confirmed by a dealer, independent service center, manufacturer, police, or insurance representative. The vehicle is being taken to a GM dealership for diagnostic inspection. I can provide the vehicle and subsequent diagnostic/repair documentation for inspection upon request.

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Acceleration, Fuel system · CA

Earlier that morning the cluster displayed "Service Power Steering - Drive With Care" at 12,925 miles. I photographed it at a traffic light. The vehicle drove normally on that leg, steering assist was not lost, and I dismissed the notification, which cleared. I parked. On restarting a short time later, the vehicle went into failure mode. While driving on surface streets it lost power steering assistance three separate times in about eight minutes. The first was mid-turn: the wheel became substantially harder to turn and required significantly increased force to complete the corner. The second was on a main road. The third was as I turned into a dealership lot. Between those events, on two separate occasions, the vehicle continued propelling itself forward with my foot off the accelerator. It did not coast or decelerate as normal when I lifted off. Multiple warnings illuminated across the cluster and stayed lit. I photographed and recorded video showing "Service High Voltage System" and "Service ESC" at 12,942 miles. I judged the vehicle unsafe and drove directly to the nearest dealership, about eight minutes away, and surrendered it. I was on surface streets with traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. Loss of steering mid-turn plus a vehicle that would not stop propelling itself put me and others at risk. At highway speed, or with passengers, I do not believe I could have maintained control. The dealership confirmed the failure and reported an initial diagnosis of a burned out drive motor power distribution control module. Teardown is pending. The vehicle remains out of service and is available for inspection. The three losses of steering assistance remain unexplained. My understanding is that electric power steering is separate from the failed propulsion module, and the steering warning appeared before the module failure. UNKNOWN whether these were related or separate concurrent failures. Manufacturer has not inspected. No crash, no injuries, no police report.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · KS

I am submitting this on behalf of my daughter, [XXX] . On Friday, May 8, 2026, [XXX] was traveling southbound on Highway 89A approaching [XXX] . Highway 89A is a narrow, winding two-lane canyon road with limited shoulder and significant elevation changes. While still on the canyon road, her 2020 Chevrolet Equinox suddenly lost all power, including power assist to both steering and brakes. A sudden loss of power steering and brake assist on this road presented a serious risk of loss of vehicle control. Fortunately, she was able to get the car stopped off of the roadway. However, she was then unable to place the car into Park or shut off the ignition. Multiple warning lights were illuminated across the instrument cluster. Her roadside assistance plan towed the car to the nearest repair facility, where on Monday, technicians were unable to replicate the issue. A previously stored DTC P3055 was found in the diagnostic system. This code relates to a known and documented issue with Chevrolet Equinox vehicles, for which Chevrolet has issued multiple Technical Service Bulletins, including TSB 21-NA-139, which identifies the Multifunction Power Supply Converter (GM Part #13510484) as the known culprit for this failure mode. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 11, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · MI

While operating our vehicle on traveling at approx. 45 mph during mid-day traffic, the engine on our vehicle died and would not restart. we had no power steering and had to wrestle the vehicle off the road The check engine light was on and we tried repeatedly to restart the engine without any luck. We had the vehicle towed to the dealership for diagnosis and repair, it was determined that a Fuel Pump Power Control Module had failed and that it would cost $599. to repair. We approved the repairs and then approached GM for reimbursement after discovering that this same part was recalled by GM Ref # N252516900 which covered the make, model and year of our vehicle. We contacted GM customer relations and after speaking with them multiple times they approved a partial adjustment on the bill for approximately $150. I explained that according to their campaign notice and ongoing issues with this component we wanted a full refund and would not accept a partial payment of 1/3 our cost. GM refuses to stand behind their product even though our vehicle only has 27,500 miles. I spoke with the service manager at the dealership, and he suggested I contact GM customer service and they should resolve the problem since this was an ongoing issue.

Filed Mar 31, 2026 · Steering · FL

Loss of power steering

Filed Dec 12, 2025 · Steering · 8,300 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop, the power steering became inoperable. Several warning lights were illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the front camera had failed and caused the power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to speak with management and to file a claim. The approximate failure mileage was 8,300.

Filed Nov 18, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IL

The 1st time my 2022 Equinox broke down was July 1st 2025 approximately 3+ miles from my house turned left at intersection (stop sign) approximately 50 yards. All sudden engine lost power (engine was still running) till it stopped running. (At that time I was thinking it ran out of gas. I know I had plenty of gas). No advance warning. No idiot lights came on, not even the check engine either. I was driving approximately 35-40 mph. No power steering. I got the car off the road about one foot. so, I called a tow truck & I waited approximately 45 minutes. Was towed the nearest GM dealership & that costed $144.00. On July 9 2025 I got my car back. The service manager (person) told me the fuel pump control module shorted out. The 2nd time my 2022 Equinox LT broke down was on August 23 2025 Pulled out of garage than engine started idling rough then it stopped running. I tried to start it again was very hard to start. I drove it approximately 50 feet & the engine stopped running again. I got it to start & back it off the street & in to garage. Waited till 8/25/2025 baby it to Buick/GMC dealership. Too many problems with car. AC stopped working. Told cylinders bad. Needs New engine. Still in the shop as of November 17 2025. I have GMC Customer Service involved in this since July 1 2025. GMC hasn't reimburse me the $144.00 for towing charge.

Filed Jun 3, 2025 · Steering · 94,688 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently lost power steering functionality, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The failure persisted and became a complete failure. The contact stated that the “Service Power Steering” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a Firestone Certified mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be taken to a dealer for assistance. The certified mechanic had diagnosed the vehicle with power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,688.

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · IN

Ending result timing chain : Beginning of result: 1. My vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of power steering while driving at highway speeds. The loss of power steering significantly compromised the driver's ability to maneuver the vehicle safely, especially during emergency situations, putting both the driver and other road users at risk of an accident. 2. Traveling at high way speeds my car suddenly lost complete power to go. Keep going up and down in speed in middle of interstate 3. No warning signs prior no check engine line appeared until after the safety risk above.

Filed Jan 22, 2025 · Steering · 78,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15-20 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist was inoperable. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.