Stiff or hard steering on 2014 Sierra

sasksierra · December 8, 2013

I have a 2014 Sierra that I bought over a month ago and now have about 1000 miles on it. I like the truck but the steering is really stiff. I previously owned a 2000 and 2007 Silverado and they were great trucks and I enjoyed driving them. I have taken the truck back to the dealer and they at first said it seems normal. The dealer found that there was a couple changes they had to make to the trucks computor. The

truck seemed to steer better after that. After a couple days it was back to hard steering. I also find when I am driving down the highway I am really driving this thing. I am constantly turning the steering wheel to keep it in middle of my lane. It is not comfortable or fun driving at all. When I had it back to the dealer I also had them do a wheel alignment because it was pulling to the left. I thought maybe that is why it didnt handle well on the highway. I drove it like this for about a month before I took it in. I just thought maybe it was me. This thing just doesn't steer like my other GMs. I was planning on driving a 3000 mile round trip down to Vegas in Feb, a drive that I really enjoy, but not looking forward to it the way the truck is now. Does anyone else have this issue?

I also have an antifreeze smell in it. Its not all the time, just when i turn on the heater and also when I adjust temperature higher. They told me at the dealership that GM told them to have me drive it for a couple weeks and the smell could go away. . They figure its from the adhesives that is used in manufacture of truck. I have had a lot of new vehicles and never have they smelled like this. I am sure its a heater core but we will wait and see. They did a pressure test on it and no drop in pressure and there is no sticky film on the windshield.

gmtech4 · December 8, 2013

nothing is suppose to work good at -32 ,,,im next to you in Alberta ,that cold snap was nasty ,,,,,,i had 2 2003 3/4ton pop the return line off the steering box ,,,,,,from the cold ,,,,,

you can ask the dealer to put a pressure gauge on the system but im doubtfull it will be low ,,,,

try driving an identical truck off the lot ,,see if they let ya ,,,cant hurt

kstruckcountry · December 9, 2013

I thought there wasn't any PS fluid in an electric steering system...

newdude · December 9, 2013

Could be the power steering modules (on the rack) don't like the cold weather?

As far as the constant moving, I've noticed this with other electric assist vehicles. Not sure the cause...

jdvaughn · December 9, 2013

Could be the power steering modules (on the rack) don't like the cold weather?

As far as the constant moving, I've noticed this with other electric assist vehicles. Not sure the cause...

the movement could be due to Gm turning the electric power assist off, when it isntin use and at highway speeds to conserve energy over a standard hydraulic fluid power steering system where the pump is always running and therefore always consuming some amount of power. Although the hydrualic pumps consume a small of power regardless whether or not they are being used, they still maintain pressure that helps to keep the steering centered??

Could also be a simple design difference with the location of the steering rack with regards to the outter knuckle....

fondupot · December 9, 2013

My truck sat outside at the airport for 3 days last week and I noticed that the steering was a bit hard after starting up. But once I got moving it seemed fine. I have noticed that the truck likes pull slightly left in most situations, so I may need a trip to the dealer to have them adjust it. Its not that bad, just a little nitpick.

I honestly do not like electric power assisted steering. It over corrects when on the highway and feels numb at slow speeds. I have had electric power assist on my last three vehicle's (2011 F150, 2012 Kia Optima, 2014 GMC). And they all exhibit the same characteristics the OP is posting about). Dunno why these car manufacturers think its superior to good old hydraulic steering. Maybe less strain on the motor to increase mileage, who knows.

But being electric, means the motor is controlled by software, which probably has different sensitivities. So I'm guessing the dealer can reprogram the stiffness somehow.

oldmann · December 9, 2013

My truck sat outside at the airport for 3 days last week and I noticed that the steering was a bit hard after starting up. But once I got moving it seemed fine. I have noticed that the truck likes pull slightly left in most situations, so I may need a trip to the dealer to have them adjust it. Its not that bad, just a little nitpick.

I honestly do not like electric power assisted steering. It over corrects when on the highway and feels numb at slow speeds. I have had electric power assist on my last three vehicle's (2011 F150, 2012 Kia Optima, 2014 GMC). And they all exhibit the same characteristics the OP is posting about). Dunno why these car manufacturers think its superior to good old hydraulic steering. Maybe less strain on the motor to increase mileage, who knows.

But being electric, means the motor is controlled by software, which probably has different sensitivities. So I'm guessing the dealer can reprogram the stiffness somehow.

It is for has mileage.

sasksierra · December 10, 2013

I didn't take the truck back right away because I thought I was just being fussy. The more I drove the more annoying the steering became. I have a VW Tiguan with electric steering and it is great. Steers no different then hydraulic system. I am going to book it back in and hopefully they will have more info on it. I am also going to take another one for a test drive to see if its any different.

Prdtrgttr · December 10, 2013

I too noticed that while driving in our balmy temperatures of -45 C wind chill weather that the steering was stiff...when the weather warmed up the stiff steering went away.

sasksierra · January 26, 2014

There must be some kind of lubricant in the power steering rack. I am wondering if gm has the right grease or whatever in the rack because when it gets cold it is really hard to steer. The bad thing about this system is the steering stays stiff all day long when it is cold. At least with the hydraulic steering it would get easier to steer once the power steering fluid warmed up. I think GM forgot that us Canadians buy these trucks and that it gets below freezing here in the winter. I like the electric steering when it is above freezing out.

VMaxtastic · January 26, 2014

I was driving back to Regina from work in Stoughton the other night in - 35. When I got into the city it was also hard to turn.. Not really any different when the power steering fluid would cool off. It's really easy to turn when it's warmer outside.. But the stiffness does seem inconsistent. I havent driven mine enough yet to know for sure though

pm26 · January 26, 2014

There must be some kind of lubricant in the power steering rack. I am wondering if gm has the right grease or whatever in the rack because when it gets cold it is really hard to steer. The bad thing about this system is the steering stays stiff all day long when it is cold. At least with the hydraulic steering it would get easier to steer once the power steering fluid warmed up. I think GM forgot that us Canadians buy these trucks and that it gets below freezing here in the winter. I like the electric steering when it is above freezing out.

Coming in 2015: Optional electric steering arctic package for cold climates. $ 450. Consists of steering motor and rack heaters and special grease.

sasksierra · January 26, 2014

Well geezus.... The bloody service manager as well as GM Canada Rep basically told me I was the only one complaining about hard steering when it was cold. The GM Rep asked if i tried the truck out before I bought it and for how long. I told him I maybe drove it 2 miles and took it back. This was my third new GM since 2000 and I thought what the heck I don't need to drive this anymore. I am confident that GM built another good truck. He basically told me that I should have driven it longer and I guess its too bad you dont like the steering..... He proceeded to lecture me on how to try out a new vehicle...... well......in the last twenty years I have had 5 new and one used truck as well as 1 used and 3 new cars..... like this ain't my first rodeo........I tried the truck out in Oct when it was much warmer and it only got hard to steer when it was somewhat below freezing. I guess from now on I will have to try a vehicle out at different times of the year to get an accurate feel for a vehicle....... what a bone head!!!

I wonder if we will be able to purchase this package for our 2014's?

VMaxtastic · January 26, 2014

I actually noticed the stiff steering during my test drive. It was like -30 that day though. I made a comment about it, but shrugged it off as cold components.

Canuck1 · February 25, 2014

These trucks with hard steering on the highway are not safe no matter how you look at it. My 2014 AT does the same thing and for some one to suggest that it is normall is just crazy. Next thing they will say is wait for the weather to warm up and them drive it on the highway. This should be a total recall and get fixed before someone gets into a situation that requires a quick reaction and can,t steer around the problem.