NHTSA Complaint #11418392 — 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

Electric power steering motor failed while driving. The failure happened at such a time that it did not cause loss of control or a collision. The repair has yet to be completed at a local GM dealer due to awaiting parts. The failure of the electric power steering motor while driving the vehicle poses a massive safety risk to occupants of the vehicle and others due to there not being an apparent fail safe when the part failed, the steering wheel was completely locked in position and was not able to be turned. The local GM dealer reproduced the problem and diagnosed the electric power steering motor as the culprit and determined that the entire steering rack must be replaced due to the electric motor being a non-serviceable part. To my knowledge the defective part is still in the vehicle awaiting replacement at the dealer. There were no warning signs of a steering problem prior to the steering wheel being unusable and the dash displaying “service power steering” message.