Inconsistent Electric Steering Assist

hotrodz37 · January 6, 2015

Hi all,

I have noticed that my steering in my 2014 Sierra is inconsistent to say the least. One day the steering will feel like I have to put some power behind it to get it to turn (probably wouldn't consider it any wose than any other vehicle without electric steering), then the next it will be loose and feel like normal again, sometimes even in the same day.

Anyone else having this issue. Note: I live in Florida so I am not dealing with a whole lot of cold weather and it doesn't seem to change whether its cold or hot out.

Anyone else having this issue? Do you think pulling the steering fuse and letting it reset might be worth a shot?

Thanks in advance!

TJMaine · January 6, 2015

I had a co-worker who has a 2013 Equinox that just had the power steering replaced ( first they did a firmware upgrade, and charged her for it ). Then refunded her then did the replacement.... hers would loose steering or stick. May want to check with dealer.

redwngr · January 6, 2015

There is likely a diagnostic procedure for the electric steering. Perhaps an issue with the torque sensor?

http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?s=sierra+steering&search=Search

pm26 · January 7, 2015

I live in Florida and the only vehicle I own with electric power steering is 2013 Chevy Sonic (my commuter car). 30k miles to date, no issues at all with electric steering (or anything else for that matter). I understand that truck electric steering is probably more complicated and a new design so there are some possible issues with the system. GM has better experience with small car electric power steering as they have been using it for some time now.

Daryl LBZ · January 7, 2015

GM is having issues with the electric power steering in their vehicles. The Cruze, Volt, Sonic & Equinox are all having a sticking issue that GM has sent letters out to owners about. My 2014 Cruze is going to the dealer on the 20th because it is having this issue. I know your issue is different, but I would still talk to your dealer about it.

pm26 · January 8, 2015

GM is having issues with the electric power steering in their vehicles. The Cruze, Volt, Sonic & Equinox are all having a sticking issue that GM has sent letters out to owners about. My 2014 Cruze is going to the dealer on the 20th because it is having this issue. I know your issue is different, but I would still talk to your dealer about it.

Does this involve only 2014 vehicles?

Daryl LBZ · January 8, 2015

Does this involve only 2014 vehicles?

Yes. The only 2014 model I know of for sure that is affected is the Cruze. I know because my Cruze is affected, and it's a 2014.

Silverado-Hareek · January 8, 2015

This is the first cold morning we've had since I bought my truck in February 2014. It got down to 10 F last night and was about 13 F this morning when I left. My steering was noticeably tighter and loosened up as I got closer to work. I would expect a hydraulic fluid power steering system to function this way in cold weather, but not electric. Am I missing something? Is this related to the issue you guys are describing in this thread?

1997SierraSLT · January 8, 2015

GM introduced variable speed steering in 1997 by using steering column mounted electrical sensor and electrical solenoid mounted to power steering pump to vary pressure developed going to the steering box all controlled by the ECM. The line pressure increased as vehicle speed increased. However it was prone to all of a sudden provide full power assist at times literally jerking the steering wheel out of your hands. Thousands of complaints on NHTSA website for erratic steering and not one recall or TSB issued by GM. They must have paid off NHTSA quite wel to bury it as this affected more than a million GM trucks, SUVs and vans in 1997 to 1999 model year vehicles.

Sad to see GM still cannot come up with a reliable system after being first introduced over 18 years ago!

pm26 · January 8, 2015

Sad to see GM still cannot come up with a reliable system after being first introduced over 18 years ago!

And one wonders why. My 1999 Mazda 626 V6 had a variable assist hydraulic power steering that worked extremely well. It provided just the right amount of assist at low speeds, at high speeds minimal assist was provided. The steering was extremely responsive, slightest move of the steering wheel at high speed would elicit immediate response. No slop or play in the steering wheel whatsoever. I bought the car new, owned it for over 12 years. In that time I put 340,000 miles on the car. I never touched any power steering component on that car, never had a drop of leak from any steering component, never added or changed the power steering fluid in 12 years. The pump never made any whining noises like many power steering pumps on GM vehicles. That's what I call a reliable power steering system.

At 340k miles the car still had the original engine, transmission(5 speed manual), ball joints, tie rods, struts, exhaust, and even original brake rotors (all 4 of them). I changed three sets of brake pads in 340k miles and sanded the rotors each time to remove the glaze. They were still good at 340k miles.

I changed the front wheel bearings on that car at 240k miles. The rear wheel bearings were still good at 340k miles. My '09 Impala front hub bearings and rear suspension links are shot at 74k miles.

Something tells me that days when quality parts were used on cars and trucks are gone for good. And that goes for every make and model, including Mazda.

DrunkViking · January 8, 2015

Mine is that way I have noticed lately since the cold weather has dropped on us .

TJay74 · January 8, 2015

The only time my power assist has felt different has been when it is really cold out, other than that it is normal. While the system is electric I think it still has or uses a fluid of some sort in the system.