For the second time within a year , I am having power steering failure. I replaced the power steering motor and eps module and it is giving me issues with turning. At start up it gives me a warning light saying service power steering and power steering assist reduced.
GMC Sierra 1500 power steering loss problems
168 of the 9,082 owner complaints about the GMC Sierra 1500 describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 2014 model year.
- owner complaints
- 168
- worst model year
- 2014
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,500
- typical mileage
- 65,000
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 69Stalling 16Check engine light 15Jerking 14Engine failure 12Brake failure 7Won't start 6Warning lights 6
Trouble codes mentioned
P0016 2
What owners say
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle started hesitating, and there was a loss of power that became worse over time. Additionally, the “Service Engine” and “Power Train” warning lights were illuminated. The messages “Loss of Steering Assist - Be Alert” and “Service Parking Brake” were displayed. The following day, the vehicle was driven in LIMP Mode to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact stated that there was an ongoing the federal safety agency investigation associated with the 6.2L engines. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
After the recall was completed for the propulsion update and oil weight of 0-20 to 0-40 the truck started experiencing engine jerking and noise while driving. The MPG decreased significantly after the engine was replaced at 22k miles, driving on the interstate cruise control at 80mph the engine seized and I was almost smashed by a simi-truck. No steering, no power whatsoever. I was pulling on the steering wheel to get the truck off the freeway and out of the way. Fast forward around 70k miles, all the while I could deal with loss of MPG after engine replacement. No problems. Then came the recall and reflashing of the firm/software and a few months later I was making an u-turn when all a sudden the engine made a loud bang and bad tapping noise came from the engine. I could barely make it to the dealership where I bought the truck maybe 2 miles from where it happened. The dealership service center had the truck for a week then told me to come pick it up there is nothing they could do under warranty. All valve lifters except #3 are blown. GMC says the engine is not under warranty and I must pay $17k for a new engine.
While towing a trailer on 6/26/26, the 6.2L L87 engine suffered a sudden drop in oil pressure, began knocking, and completely lost motive power on the roadway. Because the engine seized instantly, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power steering and power braking while managing the extreme weight of a trailer. This combination created a severe and immediate safety hazard, forcing me to maneuver a heavy, unpowered truck and trailer combination through active traffic to the shoulder without full steering or brake control, putting my life, my passengers' lives, and the safety of surrounding motorists at extreme risk. My dad read the codes before we took it to my mechanics and the only code I can remember is P0016. I took it and dropped it off at my local mechanics on 6/28/26. This is what my mechanic said: No Start-Truck came in not running. Had timing codes. I believe the crank bearing failed causing the engine to lose oil pressure. With the sudden loss of oil pressure, the timing chain tensioner slacked and caused the cam/crank to go out of time. Drained engine oil and found bearing material. We also cut oil filter open and found more bearing material. The timing cover was removed and verified the cam timing was off. In conclusion the engine has failed and will need full replacement. This is the exact failure mechanism under active the federal safety agency Investigation EA26005.
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle lost power steering assist. While driving 55 MPH, the failure recurred, nearly causing a semi-truck to crash into the vehicle and causing the vehicle to veer off the ramp. The contact's dog jumped out of the vehicle into the bushes and sustained a minor injury. The Brake Assist, ABS, Stabili-trak, and power steering assist warning lights illuminated, and the message "Electronic Steering Failure" was displayed after the failure. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that the ABS seemed to fail to operate as intended. A dealer was contacted by phone and stated that the power steering control module might need to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V414000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The "Service Power Steering" message was displayed and ESP warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with a short circuit in the module used to control the rack-and-pinion system, which had blown the fuse. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
My vehicle has experienced repeated and unresolved electrical system failures and unexpected loss of power steering assist. The problem involves multiple warning lights, module communication faults, drivability issues, and simultaneous malfunctions affecting systems including power steering, traction control, transmission, four-wheel drive, and other electronic controls. Repair records, diagnostic information, and videos documenting the failures are available for inspection upon request. The most serious incident occurred on August 23, 2026, when the power steering failed unexpectedly while I was driving. The sudden loss of steering assist made the vehicle difficult to control and nearly resulted in a collision with an oncoming vehicle. The failure created a significant safety risk because it impaired my ability to safely steer and control the vehicle. The condition has occurred multiple times over several months and has resulted in repeated dealership visits. Repairs have included replacement an HVAC controller, but the failures have continued. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by an authorized dealer, and the manufacturer has been notified through an open support case. As of the most recent repair visit, no confirmed root cause or permanent repair had been identified, and the dealership was still working with engineering support to diagnose the issue. Prior to and during these failures, numerous warning lamps and service messages appeared, including warnings related to power steering, traction control, transmission, four-wheel drive, trailer brake system, steering column lock, and tire monitoring systems. In some incidents, the vehicle entered reduced-performance mode. These warning messages first appeared in November 2025 and have continued intermittently despite multiple repair attempts. The recurring and unresolved loss of power steering assist while driving creates an ongoing risk of crash or injury.
While driving through city traffic at approximately 35 mph the truck engine made a quick loud noise and then immediately shutoff. The power steering went out and then I was unable to pull off the road completely as the engine would not start back up. This truck is a 2026 with 9,000 miles, 6.2L motor. After being towed to a GM Service facility it was determined that the motor had blown up on the truck. A vehicle shutting off while driving down the road is an extreme safety concern in my opinion.
Several months ago while having my truck serviced, I asked the repair shop to inspect the ball joints on the passenger side because they would make a popping noise when turning the wheel. The shop inspected them and said that was a normal sound due tot he factory lift. Recently I was driving home and about to turn into my lane when the front passenger wheel assembly collapsed under the truck due to the a upper ball joint failure separating the brake line and loss of steering. At the time, I was only going about 25mph and the truck slid to a stop on its own. The truck has 65,000 miles on it and if this had happen at highway speeds personal injury to myself and others would have been likely. The repair cost were $7,500. Fortunately I purchased an extended warranty which covered all but $1,700 of the repair.
On XXX at approximately 3:00 p.m., I was driving on the highway in [XXX], at approximately 65 mph when my truck suddenly displayed a warning stating that all oil pressure had been lost and that the engine needed to be shut off immediately. Within roughly seven seconds of seeing and comprehending the warning, I attempted to safely shut down the engine. Before I could do so, the engine seized while the truck was still traveling at highway speed.The engine failure caused an immediate loss of power steering and power-assisted braking, leaving me with limited control as the truck coasted at highway speed. This was an extremely dangerous situation that could have resulted in a serious accident, injury, or loss of life. The truck was towed to a repair facility, where technicians confirmed that the engine had seized and recommended replacing the long block. A new GM Genuine Parts engine was installed, and the repairs were completed on XXX. Today, XXX, the replacement engine has approximately 40,000 miles on it. I recently began hearing a ticking noise followed by knocking, and the engine nearly stalled while idling. I immediately checked the oil and confirmed that oil was present on the dipstick. I have consistently maintained the vehicle and completed every oil change at intervals of 5,000 miles or fewer. I returned the truck to the same repair facility that installed the replacement engine and was immediately informed that the truck requires yet another engine replacement. This is now the second 6.2L L87 engine that has failed in this vehicle. Two catastrophic engine failures—one involving a replacement GM Genuine Parts engine after only approximately 40,000 miles—are completely unacceptable. The first failure created a severe highway safety hazard, and the failure of the replacement engine raises serious concerns about the reliability and safety of these engines. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
- Risk
- If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 18289.
Recall number 18V586000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have a temporary loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist, especially during low-speed turning maneuvers.
- Risk
- If EPS assist is lost and then returns, the driver might lose temporary control of the steering wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began on August 10, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑432‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 17276.
Recall number 17V414000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Sierra 1500 power steering loss
Which GMC Sierra 1500 years have loss of power steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2014 (48 complaints), 2015 (21 complaints) and 2020 (15 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix loss of power steering on the GMC Sierra 1500?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,500 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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