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2018 GMC Sierra 1500: loss of power steering

7 of the 305 complaints about the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 describe loss of power steering.

owner complaints
7
of this car's complaints
2%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 19 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Loss of power steering by model year

What owners say

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Steering · TX

Power steering went out for 2-3 seconds as I was making a turn into a street , this happened twice to be exact

Filed Apr 3, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

While driving my truck and making low speed turns the dashboard (including center console) cuts off, along with my power steering. The truck has also shut off completely making u-turns causing me to almost crash. This also happened while driving around 60mph on the freeway, the entire dashboard went out, loss of steering, and truck shut off, almost causing an accident. When it does happen, it will cut out in 1 second intervals and steering will work again for 2 seconds then cut out again for 1 second, this causing me to stall. There are no check engine lights, or service lights that stay on. However, I will get a message stating: You are memory setting 3 in the system (wording may be different). In some cases the stabilitrak light will come on, the park assist warning stating it shut off comes on dash, and trailer break. I have a full service AUL warranty and had vehicle checked at certified dealership and no codes were recorded. I replaced battery and the problem is still happening. This is unsafe and should be part of the previous recall as my symptoms are the same exact symptoms as the other 2018 recall.

Filed Oct 29, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL

The electric power steering failed while accelerating into a turn from a stop at an intersection. The wheel was jerked from my hands, and the engine stalled, all electrical failed momentarily. Within a couple of seconds everything returned to normal. This has happened several times since I purchased this vehicle. Also the electrical power steering drops out quite often at low speeds, such as in parking lots. No warnings have ever been given. In May of 2021 the dealer replaced the steering rack, the problem has continued intermittently to this date. I have researched for recalls on this problem and found that GMC issued a recall for years 2014-2017, and am amazed that they could just declare the problem fixed, and leave such a dangerous problem unresolved!

Filed Oct 28, 2022 · Steering · 39,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while pulling up to park the vehicle at approximately 2 MPH, the power steering failed causing the contact to use an excessive an extra amount of effort while maneuvering the steering wheel to park the vehicle. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering assembly and steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a case. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.

Filed Apr 7, 2022 · Steering · MS

On 2/26/22, approximately 24,000 miles on the vehicle, while traveling on the Interstate a warning popped up in the display that the power steering had failed and to operate the vehicle with caution. Immediately I noticed I had no power steering, and the vehicle was extremely hard to steer. I exited the interstate and turned the vehicle off. I conducted a visual inspection; no issues were immediately apparent. After several minutes I started the vehicle, and the power steering began functioning. I conducted an Internet search and learned this is a common issue for GMC trucks, previously resulting in numerous crashes and over one million vehicles being recalled. the federal safety agency campaign number: 18V586, GM’s number for the recall 18289. 3/1/22, I contacted GM customer care and was advised my vehicle was not part of the recall. I was advised to take the vehicle to a GM service center, at my cost. 3/1/22, I contacted Mossy GMC of Picayune, MS, and spoke with a technician, who advised the issue is usually due to a drop in voltage and advised me to replace the battery. 3/19/22, replaced the battery. 3/30/22, upon startup the power steering again failed. I turned the vehicle on and off several times, and the power steering began functioning. 3/30/22, went to Mossy of Picayune, spoke with a technician, who advised he was quite familiar with the issue, stating this is a common problem with GMC trucks, he advised to replace the battery. Told him I replaced the battery on 3/19/22, he stated I would likely need to have the steering module reprogrammed, at my expense $130.00, or replace the steering assembly, again at my expense $1,500.00. 4/3/22, while turning the power steering failed, and the vehicle was extremely difficult to steer. I turned the vehicle off and waited several minutes. Upon startup the power steering began functioning. The power steering failure is a MAJOR safety hazard and a recall needs to be issued before someone loses their life.

Filed Jun 17, 2021 · Steering, Transmission · 47,184 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering assist causing the steering wheel to become firm. The steering wheel jerked while turning and the vehicle stalled on several occasions almost causing a collision. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer informed the contact that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin 18-NA-161. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer promised to provide a callback. The failure mileage was 47,184.

Filed Jun 21, 2019 · Engine, Steering · 6,000 miles · WI

No transmission power regardless of the gear shifter position. I turned the engine on and off several times trying to get a solution, no luck. I returned to the vehicle 5 minutes later and did get it to move,,,would only go 25 MPH at 3000 rpms. I was in the middle of wi not near any major dealership on-star was useless saying I had a major engine problem and the computer was trying to protect the engine. I was directed me to a chrysler dealer ship, who told they could not get me in for 2 weeks, suggested another branch which was over 45 miles away. I drove 5 miles to a friends house and was able to find a dealership in janesville, wi (fagan). When I started the vehicle to drive to janesville, the transmission did work. Fagan spent 2 hours working on it, and could not find a cause for the problems, they checked every computer, could not duplicate what happened. They reprogrammed all the computers. Then in cincinnati, oh the power steering assist went "off", while staionary. I tried restarting several times to no avail, drove the 3 miles left to the g'kids house, no power steering, trailer problem lighjt on, no RPM or MPH needles moving. Called local dealership (borcharding) and they suggested I drive it to their location 12 miles away. When I started it, the power steering was back on, but the unit would not get out of 2nd gear, ran 40 MPH at 2500 RPM, warning lights all on, engine light still on. Next moring I started the vehicle, everything was okay including the transmission problem, but still had the "check engine on", the dealership kept it (2) days, involved gmc engineers, could not determine the cause for all the problems,including loss of "steering assist". They drove it over 50 miles on two trips,could not duplicate what happened. They told me it was some kind of computer problem, but could not determine, they reset everything again.

Questions about the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 power steering loss

Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?

7 of 305 owner complaints about the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 (2%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 2014.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?

There are 0 recalls and 19 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500

Shudder 29Harsh shifting 27Jerking 24Check engine light 20Loss of power 19Transmission failure 19Knocking 18Engine failure 15Hesitation 14Slipping 9Stalling 8ABS 6Fire or smoke 6Misfire 6Seat belt 6Overheating 5

All model years of the GMC Sierra 1500

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