NHTSA Complaint #11459993 — 2018 GMC SIERRA 1500

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. NHTSA 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.