Steering locked up while making turn

[darrinfor]

I have a 2012 Silverado 1500LT 4wd 5.3 crew cab with 12k miles and this morning I was slowing down to make a turn and the steering locked up( like the power steering shut off) for a few seconds and I nearly hit someone.Pretty scary with wife and kids in truck. I have never experienced this in any car or truck I have owned.I recently purchased this truck from a dealer and have had nothing but problems with it since I drove it off the lot: Tranny constantly makes clunking sounds while changing gears, vibration on freeway, poor fuel economy avg 12.0 mpg (unloaded) and now this. Had a 1998 Silverado ran great and no problems but this truck is a big disappointment. The engineers at GM really dropped the ball on this

truck and from what I have been finding out is these problems are widespread and GM and dealers just keep saying "Its normal".Well its not normal for me!.......Any body else experiencing these issues?

[ClutchDisc]

How long ago did you purchase the truck? Did it come with a warranty? That's definitely not "normal", it's not safe. They don't make 'em like they used to!

[Daryl LBZ]

Had this problem on every Silverado I've owned. Dad's 99 does it too.

[kstruckcountry]

Never had this in any vehicle.

[markw8]

if it has a warrenty, use it. Take it in for the steering.

 

Mark

[sdeeter19555]

Almost sounds like the pressure relief valve is hung open...no pressure, no power assist.

 

Some of the HD Dodges were known for this (used a similar steering box), with some being caused by a plugged screen and others a worn plunger.

[markw8]

He says it's a 1500, doesn't it have electric assist?

 

Mark

[Chris]

2012 was still hydraulic I think, unless it was a hybrid or XFE model

[MikeNH]

I've had that happen in mine where the power assist cuts out but it is usually at way slower speeds, like in parking lots.