2021 Chevrolet Tahoe: loss of power steering

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · SC

While traveling at highway speeds, the vehicle experienced an instantaneous, simultaneous, and total failure of both the electronic eBoost braking system and the electronic power steering assist. The dashboard flashed multiple critical system malfunction notifications with zero prior warning. When attempting to slow down, the brake pedal sank completely to the floor with zero mechanical resistance and provided absolutely no braking response. Primary control of the heavy SUV was lost, forcing a dangerous maneuver across three highway lanes to avoid a high-speed collision. The vehicle is currently at a dealership due to a Fuel Pump Power Control Module Recall. Because this module interfaces with the high-speed electronic data network (CAN bus), its failure mode appears linked directly to the catastrophic communication drop that disabled the eBoost brakes and steering. This failure aligns with the mechanical faults documented under federal safety recalls 21V‑455 and 21V‑579, as well as the active the federal safety agency Engineering Analysis EA26006 investigating GM eBoost system failures. The defect completely stripped the vehicle of its primary safety functions without warning.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Engine · WA

The vehicle suffered complete internal engine failure due to a snapped timing chain on startup. The vehicle turned over via the starter motor but failed to start. A professional diagnosis confirmed the broken timing chain caused extensive valve-to-piston damage, requiring a full engine replacement. This failure appears to be a direct consequence of the known 6.2L L87 V8 engine crankshaft and connecting rod manufacturing defects. Severe mechanical resistance or violent rotational harmonics at the crankshaft level place un-engineered stress on the timing drive system, causing the chain to snap under startup torque. All broken components are preserved and available for inspection. The defect creates a severe risk of sudden, total loss of propulsion while driving. Had the compromised timing chain snapped at highway speeds rather than on startup, it would cause immediate engine seizure, a sudden loss of power steering, and a loss of power brake vacuum assist. This leaves the driver unable to accelerate or safely steer out of active traffic, creating an extreme risk of a high-speed crash.The broken timing chain and total engine destruction were officially diagnosed and confirmed by professional automotive repair technicians.The damaged components have been inspected by independent repair representatives. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by General Motors because this specific VIN is excluded from the current recall scope. There were no warning lamps, check engine lights, or diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) prior to parking the vehicle, and no outward symptoms of severe engine stress were present until the complete no-start failure.

Filed Aug 2, 2026 · Airbags, Steering · MI

-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 reverse. I had to push vehicle in spot backwards. No check engine or warning lights were displayed on dash. - On Tuesday XXX. I contacted [XXX] of [XXX] approximately at 8:30 am est. [XXX] answered. I explained the symptoms and asked If I could bring in within the hour or so. He stated it would be fine to bring in. - At approximately 9:10 am est My girlfriend and [XXX] daughter got in vehicle. Started vehicle no service lights were on, but had no reverse still no reverse. My girlfriends mother was following us to pick us up at dealership as we dont have a 2nd vehicle. We started out driveway to [XXX]. I had no problems at 1st then prior to the intersection of [XXX] the Vehicle lost control on its own. The sequences happened fast and abrupt. 1. Vehicle downshifted roughly to about 3 gear 2. Lost power steering 3. engine over revved 4. vehicle pulled right. During this time as a professional trained driver. I removed us off [XXX] off road way on to [XXX] (To the right) to avoid being in an accident. I would say that the speed was roughly 20MPH at turn as I was avoiding the accident that could of potentially happened. I was not on asphalt the whole time to make turn as I had a limited vehicle (Not properly functional). I was able to stop at [XXX] to stop. Stopped on Brigantine is when I pointed out to my girlfriend that the lights just came on. in the meantime, we received a phone call from [XXX] (Girlfriends mom) asking where we went as she didn't see us. We explained to her situation, and she met on Brigantine and followed us to dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 2, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

DATE: 06/17/2026 The engine shuts off without warning while I am driving, recurring roughly every 10 miles. When it stalls, the dashboard and electrical accessories stay on, but the vehicle loses motive power, along with power steering assist and power brake assist, which is extremely dangerous at road speed and in traffic. This began immediately after dealer service completed on 6/18/2026. During that visit the dealer performed two safety recalls (N252494000, the "L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion" PicoScope inspection with oil change; and N252510321, ECM software reprogramming) and a valve lifter replacement that required removing both cylinder heads. The vehicle was running and fully drivable when I dropped it off, and was returned stalling repeatedly while driving. It never did this before the service. At first the engine would not restart after stalling. The dealer replaced the starter; it now restarts but continues to stall every ~10 miles. A dealer diagnostic scan recorded numerous "Lost Communication" codes across nearly all control modules, plus control-module input-power codes showing low voltage and power-circuit correlation faults (e.g., U3505, U3018, U3007) and an active loss-of-communication code for the power steering module — consistent with an intermittent loss of electrical power or ground affecting engine control. The engine passed the recall's connecting-rod/crankshaft (PicoScope) inspection, so this is not the recalled bearing failure mode. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and is undrivable. The dealer has ordered a new engine and apparently also a new radiator for reasons unknown. No crash or injury has occurred to date, but the vehicle lost power while on the freeway at speed multiple times. A GM customer assistance case is open. Repair orders and the diagnostic scan are available on request.

Filed Feb 11, 2026 · Steering · 96,725 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning the steering wheel, there was an abnormally loud grinding sound coming from the vehicle, and the steering was difficult to turn. The vehicle was driven to a dealer and determined that the vehicle had lost power steering assist functionality. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V455000 (STEERING); and associated the failure with the recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,725

Filed Aug 17, 2025 · Brakes, Steering · CA

• What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The steering column lock system malfunctioned, triggering a “Service Steering Column Lock” alert. This failure caused a sudden loss of steering control. The vehicle and components remain available for inspection upon request. In addition, the incident appears to have caused damage to the trailer harness wiring. • How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The malfunction placed my safety and the safety of others at significant risk. When the alert appeared, I lost steering control of the vehicle and nearly collided, which could have resulted in a serious accident. • Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The problem has not yet been reproduced or formally confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. • Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. However, I am prepared to make it available for immediate inspection. • Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. A “Service Steering Column Lock” message appeared at the time of the incident, immediately prior to the sudden loss of steering control and the resulting issue with the trailer harness wiring.

Filed Jul 20, 2021 · MI

In late May, 2021, an "over-the-air" software update was forced onto our vehicle by GM. This update was initiated, and resulted in a failure of the over-the-air system. We brought our vehicle in to our dealer, who indicated that the "module" is bad and a part is required to fix it. This part is reportedly "on backorder" with no known ETA. This has resulted in various notifications (turn signal indicators, and unknown other notifications on the dash) as well as our center console (music, nav, etc.) to become unresponsive. Since the "module" failure, GM has issued two additional safety recalls. In the paper notices we received for the safety recalls, GM indicates that they had been "prompting owners through the vehicle's radio screen" for a month, via this over-the air system, of which, ours has not been functional since late May 2021. The last of which is a power steering recall, which may result if loss of power steering functionality. Due to our inability to know the recall existed, resulting from the faulty "over-the-air" system, my family took a trip through the mountains only to return home to this recall notice. GM has been unresponsive in repairing the system used to notify us safety hazards related to the vehicle that we have purchased, beyond noting that they are trying to "get the part as soon as possible". No one has been able to indicate what this "part" actually is, to date. The possibility of this module failure, and our non-functioning module, presents a serious safety hazard to drivers with this technology who are not made aware of recalls and other safety concerns which may result in crashes and serious injury or death.