NHTSA Complaint #11484325 — 2015 GMC YUKON XL

My Wife was driving at a low speed completing a right hand turn through an intersection and as she completed the turn the vehicle completely lost all steering. The vehicle ran up onto a curb but she was able to stop before she hit a poll. The vehicle was towed home and I found that there was no power to the steering wheel controls, the horn didn't work and there were Electronic Steering warnings. I also found that the steering wheel could spin freely like a top without any movement of the wheels. Upon examination in the engine compartment I found that the bottom of the steering shaft was completely disconnected and the single bolt that holds the 2 pieces together was missing. I took the vehicle to the local GMC dealership and they conformed that the bolt was missing and the shafts came apart which lead to the steering failure. The free movement of the steering wheel caused the internal malfunction of the steering wheel electronics. Prior to the steering failure there was no indications of any steering issues. The steering warning lights didn't come on until the steering failure. My Wife and children were about to get on the freeway when the failure occurred and could have led to a fatal accident if this failure occurred while she was driving on the freeway. I contacted GM and opened a case but was informed that they would not provide any assistance with the repair which is about $2900. I don't understand how GM would design a steering shaft that has a single point failure that could lead to a catastrophic failure. The vehicle has 120K miles and has never been in any accidents. I expect a basic safety feature such as the steering to never fail during operation. I will never purchase another GM vehicle and will tell as many people as I can about the potential failure. GM case# [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).