2020 GMC Sierra 1500: loss of power steering

Filed May 20, 2026 · Steering · OH

A known problem with these trucks is ground strap failure. I was driving and all the sudden lost power steering which almost caused an accident. There is a customer satisfaction program N252515590 that covers 2019-2024 trucks but mine was not included in this for some reason. I did have the truck fixed a my cost and was looking to get my money back from GM. I'm not sure if you can help with this but wanted to make a report that is happening with more trucks then they are fixing. If you need any other info from me please let me know

Filed Oct 29, 2025 · Engine · TX

Rod bearings spun and engine locked up while driving 70mph on the freeway. I was in traffic, and had to work my way over and off to the shoulder of the road. The engine was diagnosed and replaced by Hiley GMC at a cost of nearly $5,000 out of my pocket. This was at approximately 63,000 miles. Just out of warranty. No loaner vehicle provided. I was without my truck for 2 months. There were no warnings at all. No lights or noises of any kind. Rod bearings spun again on the replacement engine approximately 35,000 mile later. It happened same as before. Driving on the freeway at 70mph, and the engine seized. No power steering, no warning noises or lights. I had to coast across lanes through traffic and onto the shoulder. Diagnosed and replaced by Jerry's GMC. They replaced the motor at no charge except I had to provide the new radiator because it was on backorder. They had the truck for over 3 months and I had no loaner vehicle. With approximately 65,000 miles on the latest engine, a lifter went out. I put it in the shop to have all the lifters replaced, and motor mounts replaced at a cost of $6500. Upon taking the truck for a test drive, the engine seized in traffic under an overpass and blocked one lane of traffic. The shop dropped the oil pan to check it out, and, lo and behold, this engine has spun rod bearings again. There is definitely a serious and dangerous problem with the L87 6.2L. Being a 2020, it is not currently included in the recall, but it needs to be included. I spun bearings the first time in August of 2021. I was hoping it was just bad luck. I hadn't heard of all the instances at the time. I've never had a major engine failure prior to this model, and this one has failed 3 times in the same truck with meticulous maintenance.

Filed Sep 17, 2025 · Steering · 115,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that upon start the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The messages “Service Power Steering”, “Power Steering Disabled” were displayed, and ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that further diagnostic tests were needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2025 · Steering · OH

My extended warranty expired. I got my oil changed at valvoline and then 2 days later my power steering stopped working and I’m getting multiple dash messages of other systems malfunctioning. Did gmc cause this to get me to come back to their service center. It seems very suspicious

Filed Jun 3, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MT

Loss of power steering. Loss of engine propulsion at high rates of speed. Engine would not start.

Filed Apr 28, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · FL

1. Vehicle automatic transmission failed during routine highway driving. Significant drivetrain vibration and limited gear availability. Warning lights included: ESC. - Electronic Stability Control TSC - Traction System Control Emergency Brake Fault light Power Steering assist reduced Flashing Yellow Engine Warning light. 2. White exhaust smoke upon arrival at GMC dealership. GMC technician advised full diagnostic would be required to assess extent of transmission failure and cause of white exhaust smoke. Service technician subsequently communicated that the engine was “failed” and would have to be replaced. Vehicle could not be driven and so full extent of transmission failure could not be assessed UNTIL ENGINE IS REPLACED!?!

Filed Feb 14, 2025 · Steering · TX

I went to start my truck after going into the store and the Service Power Steering ESC warning came on and I had no power steering. This is a very dangerous situation without power steering in the vehicle and someone is bound to get seriously injured if this happens while they are driving. I have read numerous threads on this same issue and it does not look like GM has taken this into accounty by recalling all these vehicles with this same exact issue. While most complain that when they take it to the dealership, they cant find any error codes, or when the replace the modules it starts creating more issues with other electronics. GM needs to take care of this issue with the power steering module so the safety of their drivers is not compromised.

Filed Feb 14, 2025 · Steering · DE

The ESC comes on and loss of power steering

Filed Jan 24, 2025 · Steering · WA

On 01/07/2025 I got in my truck to take it to GMC for an oil change and 75,000 mile service. When I began to drive I noticed I could barely turn the truck at all. The power steering was not working. Then a warning popped up to have the power steering serviced. The GMC dealership is an hour from my house. The entire drive the power steering didn't work. I explained what was going on to the GMC dealership and when they went to look at the truck the power steering was working again. When I left the dealership the power steering was working. I stopped at a friends house for about an hour and when I went to leave the power steering was not working again. I ended up having to drive an hour again with no power steering and made an appointment with GMC to get the power steering looked at. Currently they haven't commented on the Power Steering function but rather that there is a gear needing to be replaced in the steering column. Upon looking online it shows "Several model years of GMC Sierra trucks have been subject to a recall for intermittent power steering issues related to electrical glitches within the EPS system." However, my truck seems to not be on this list of affected vehicles but there is no other explanation of why this is happening with my truck and GMC has not commented on why it is happening but it is extremely dangerous.

Filed Jan 22, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MI

Driving down highway at 60 mph and truck shut off. had to try to get it over to the shoulder to off the travel lane. Dealer found wire harness chaffed at front left shock tower ECM bracket. Several wires damaged, repaired and cleared codes. This could have been much worse had I been in heavy traffic and needed to cross additional lanes of traffic to park in a safe area. I had no power steering and limited space to park the truck. I called to police to have a car dispatched to park behind me so the truck could be loaded on a tow vehicle to bring it to the dealer. This could have been worse had my wife been driving.

Filed Aug 23, 2024 · Steering · FL

Without warning power steering went out. Flashed code: service power steering; service esm and traction control light. After two restarts, went away like it never happened. I was backing a 24 ft trailer at the time of occurrence. There are numerous other people with the same problem in online forums. I cannot believe that there has not been a recall or even service bulletin regarding this problem. It is a MAJOR safety concern

Filed Jul 23, 2022 · Steering · TX

I started my truck like normal and my service power steering light drive with care message came on and then Service ESC and the traction control light. My power steering was completely gone. I researched and found that 2020-21 GMC SUVs were recalled due to the same issue. My GMC truck is doing the same thing. I barely made it home from the store not having power steering is extremely dangerous, I still have no power steering. I just purchased this truck from CarMax last month.