2020 GMC SIERRA 1500 Steering Problems

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that upon start the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The messages “Service Power Steering”, “Power Steering Disabled” were displayed, and ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that further diagnostic tests were needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

My extended warranty expired. I got my oil changed at valvoline and then 2 days later my power steering stopped working and I’m getting multiple dash messages of other systems malfunctioning. Did gmc cause this to get me to come back to their service center. It seems very suspicious

Was driving down the freeway around 65 miles an hour attempted to pass a truck when the steering started wobbling the ABS that EMS and the breaking system came on with the check engine light almost had no control and barely avoided having an accident the only way it went back to normal was slowing down.

While driving vehicle at normal speeds the steering assist goes out and becomes very hazardous to drive. It is intermittent and does not do it all the time. When connected to dealer diagnostic machine it throws several codes. I have read on several GM sites this problem is widespread and GM is actively saying they haven’t heard of this problem. When the problem occurs it is almost impossible to control the truck to get over to the side of the road.

Loss of power steering. Loss of engine propulsion at high rates of speed. Engine would not start.

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started pulling to the left, and the vehicle ended up in the next lane. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer six times because of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 17,000.

Mileage: 17,000

I went to start my truck after going into the store and the Service Power Steering ESC warning came on and I had no power steering. This is a very dangerous situation without power steering in the vehicle and someone is bound to get seriously injured if this happens while they are driving. I have read numerous threads on this same issue and it does not look like GM has taken this into accounty by recalling all these vehicles with this same exact issue. While most complain that when they take it to the dealership, they cant find any error codes, or when the replace the modules it starts creating more issues with other electronics. GM needs to take care of this issue with the power steering module so the safety of their drivers is not compromised.

The ESC comes on and loss of power steering

On 01/07/2025 I got in my truck to take it to GMC for an oil change and 75,000 mile service. When I began to drive I noticed I could barely turn the truck at all. The power steering was not working. Then a warning popped up to have the power steering serviced. The GMC dealership is an hour from my house. The entire drive the power steering didn't work. I explained what was going on to the GMC dealership and when they went to look at the truck the power steering was working again. When I left the dealership the power steering was working. I stopped at a friends house for about an hour and when I went to leave the power steering was not working again. I ended up having to drive an hour again with no power steering and made an appointment with GMC to get the power steering looked at. Currently they haven't commented on the Power Steering function but rather that there is a gear needing to be replaced in the steering column. Upon looking online it shows "Several model years of GMC Sierra trucks have been subject to a recall for intermittent power steering issues related to electrical glitches within the EPS system." However, my truck seems to not be on this list of affected vehicles but there is no other explanation of why this is happening with my truck and GMC has not commented on why it is happening but it is extremely dangerous.

On [XXX], I was driving my truck on [XXX] through Phoenix, AZ. It was 5 days after I had purchased the vehicle and only had 250 miles on the odometer. I was in the left lane was traveling at approximately 75mph. Within the span of about 20 seconds, several lights on the dash annunciated and several messages including a message about a brake failure and steering assist failure and then the engine suddenly turned off. The steering seemed heavy and the brakes seemed less responsive. I was able to coast to a stop on the side of the road thanks to the help of a couple truckers who blocked traffic across multiple lanes. The truck was towed to the dealer and they told me the entire engine needed to be replaced. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Without warning power steering went out. Flashed code: service power steering; service esm and traction control light. After two restarts, went away like it never happened. I was backing a 24 ft trailer at the time of occurrence. There are numerous other people with the same problem in online forums. I cannot believe that there has not been a recall or even service bulletin regarding this problem. It is a MAJOR safety concern

While driving, the power steering (electronic) failed. Driver Info Center gave no waring until the system failed. After failure the DEC gave a warning to "Service Poser steering".

The right side started clicking out of no where when I turn the steering wheel

Electronic power steering stops working randomly which makes it nearly impossible to safely drive the vehicle. The strength needed to turn the vehicle is so great that the steering wheel elevation lock fails and the wheel slams to the lowest limit of travel. Problem started around 50,000 miles and was only a warning that went away as soon as I got in the truck again. However reappeared today and the steering went out this time. The GM dealer in Mexia Texas didn't know what was wrong, I am taking it to a dealer in Corsicana tomorrow. This is a known problem that GM has had in the past however my vehicle has no active recall to make my truck safe free of charge. This puts myself and other drivers at risk because there would be no way to rapidly maneuver the vehicle to avoid a colision.

The truck has developed a shake that can be felt in the floor boards, seat, and steering wheel at highway speeds. It’s has spent several months at dealerships without being fixed. I have replaced tires, wheels, shocks, upper control arms, and the transfer case without success.

I own a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.7 Liter with 20K miles and I owned the truck for almost 2 years. All of a sudden my vehicle started receiving multiple warning messages. While driving I stopped, and when traffic stopped in front of me the engine died all the lights were on warning messages on the dashboard started showing up. Electronic Stability Control, Antilock Braking System, ECM, reduced Engine Power, etc., and the brakes were hard to step on it and the steering wheel hard to turn,I took my foot off the brakes and pressed it again to start. It started but the check engine light was still on, this happened FOUR times already and THREE times while parked when I tried to start, after a few tries giving few minutes intervals, it will start with all the lights on and warning messages on the dashboard start showing up. Electronic Stability Control, Antilock Braking System, ECM, reduced Engine Power, etc., and the brakes were hard to step on it and the steering wheel hard to turn.

Normal driving conditions vehicle decelerated and warning lights and notification appeared. Warning were ‘Service ECS’ and ‘Steering Assist is reduced Drive with care’. Shut off vehicle for 30 minutes and warnings were no longer present and vehicle drove normally. Happened again 24 hours later. Received email notifications from GMC to arrive within one day. This was a know recall of the previous model year.

Drivers side upper control arm failure. Threw truck into oncoming traffic. Dealership has inspected multiple times stating everything was good to go. Been complaining about a loud clunk to dealership for months

I started my truck like normal and my service power steering light drive with care message came on and then Service ESC and the traction control light. My power steering was completely gone. I researched and found that 2020-21 GMC SUVs were recalled due to the same issue. My GMC truck is doing the same thing. I barely made it home from the store not having power steering is extremely dangerous, I still have no power steering. I just purchased this truck from CarMax last month.

The truck stated to have the check engine light on, by the time that happened the brakes were hard to step on it and the steering wheel hard to turn, I had been asking to GMC superior of Siloam springs to check the truck because, got scared while I couldn't make stop the truck while on traffic, but they don't had open appointments for that day or the other following days, so a week after they got one and I missed because my work, I set another one at GMC on Springdale but they want me to charge me whenever the truck has an extended warranty, so I told them to leave it like that so finally got another appointment at Siloam springs location but while driving down there the same thing happened all the light on warning messages on the dash board start showing up and the brakes were hard to step on it and the steering wheel hard to turn, I got told them what was happening, about and how exactly happened. That day after 30 minutes I got a call saying that it was fixed I still asked if they were sure he said yes, the next day I almost crashed with a neighbor at my work place because I couldn't stop the truck, so today I took back the truck and the guy at the desk told me that they may just erase the codes and don't really checked what was wrong, I'm just filling this report because even if I got full coverage on that truck, I'm not gonna be responsible if I'm involved in an accident.

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving in the snow, the tire pressure and power steering warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that there were no recall or warranties that would cover the repairs for the warning lights. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

Steering locked up after normal use at lunch. After sitting, traction control light then on and wheel would not turn after work. Did a computer reboot and steering released. Results still pending, she is not home yet.

IT WAS FINE AND WE DROVE TO OUR NEIGHBOR, PARKED ABOUT 15 MINS. WHEN WE STARTED THE TRUCK TO TURN BACK, THE STEERING WAS SUPER HEAVY, WITH 2 MESSAGES POP UP ON THE DASHBOARD: SERVICES ESC, AND SERVICE POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE. TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RE-START THE TRUCK, IT'S KEEP THE SAME. IN OUR NEIBORHOOD, PARROT TULIP VIEW, PFLUGERVILLE, TX 78660. RAINING ALL NIGHT, NOT SURE IF IT'S RELATED TO THE WEATHER.

Mileage: 10,300

MY TRUCK TUESDAY MARCH 16TH HAD ME UPDATE SOFTWARE AS SOON AS I GOT TO WORK, AFTER IT WAS DONE I GOT OUT OF MY TRUCK AND IT WOULD NOT LOCK WITH PUSH BUTTON OR FOB. WHEN I GOT INTO MY TRUCK TO GO HOME 10HRS LATER IT MADE A BUNCH OF CLICKING NOISES AND AFTER A MINUTE IT SHOWED UPDATE COMPLETE ON SCREEN THEN STARTED. THE VERY NEXT DAY I DROVE BACK TO WORK WHICH IS 22 MILES. WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK TO LUNCH THREE BLOCKS AWAY I HAD ESC SERVICE LIGHT AND SERVICE PARKING BRAKE ACCOMPANIED BY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I CALLED LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO GET IT LOOKED AT AND THEY SAID FRIDAY WAS AS EARLY AS I COULD GET IT IN. I LEFT WORK EARLY AT 1:30 AND TRIED TO DRIVE IT AND IT WAS SQUALENE LIKE A BAD POWER STEERING PUMP AND SHAKING AS I DROVE. I WENT AHEAD AND TOOK IT THE DEALER.

Mileage: 20,500

WHEN STATIONARY AND PREPARING TO START VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SEE "SERVICE STEERING COLUMN LOCK" MESSAGE APPEARS AND DISAPPEAR ONCE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY SUPPOSED TO BE ADDRESSED WITH SERVICE BULLETIN 20-NA-21 HOWEVER BEING TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT VEHICLE HAS ALL CURRENT UPDATES APPLIED A YEAR AGO, INCLUDING THE ONE THAT SHOULD OF ADDRESSED THE ISSUE. TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HISTORY SHOWS RECORDS OF PAST "LOSS OF COMMUNICATION TO DIC" BUT AS THEY CAN'T IMMEDIATELY REPRODUCE NO ACTION WAS TAKEN.

Mileage: 8,800

THE STEERING WILL COMPLETELY LOCK UP, THIS IS THE 2ND OCCURRENCE. IT WAS AT THE DEALER 1143 MILES AGO AND CODES WERE CLEARED, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. I WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE, PUT IN DRIVE/REVERSE NEUTRAL ETC WITHOUT ISSUES, HOWEVER THE STEERING WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT ALLOW STEERING/CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, COLD OUTSIDE BOTH TIMES. I HAVE VIDEO EVIDENCE. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE 12/26/2020 AT 9591 MILES, 2ND OCCURRENCE 2/16/2021 AT 10733 MILES (1142 MILES LATER)

Mileage: 10,733

ON DECEMBER 14, 2020 MY SIERRA WITH 2339 MILES DISPLAYED, AT STARTUP, THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT, TO DRIVE WITH CARE. ALSO DISPLAYED SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILURES. I DROVE WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY, WITHOUT POWER STEERING, TEN MILES TO THE NEAREST GMC DEALERSHIP, LAFONTAINE IN HIGHLAND, MI. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 29, 2020 WITH AN ADDITIONAL 60 MILES. THE SERVICE PERSONNEL SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. LAFONTAINE HAD CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS TECH CENTER WHO OFFERED NO SOLUTIONS OTHER THAN CHECKING THE BATTERY AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTIONS. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REAPPEARED IN THE FIFTEEN DAYS SINCE I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE.

Mileage: 2,339

EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER HAVING PURCHASED VEHICLE AS NEW. THEN I GOT WARNING LIGHTS ASKING ME TO BOTH SERVICE THE PARKING BREAK AND SERVICE ESC WITH A WARNING THAT DRIVING WOULD BE COMPROMISED JUST OVER 60MPH. I NOTIFIED DEALER WHO SAYS THEY FIXED THE GLITCH BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE LAST TIME, MOST RECENTLY, I TRIED TO START THE TRUCK THE NEXT DAY AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE SHUT DOWN. NO ENGINE, NO LIGHTS - NOT EVEN LOCK/UNLOCK WITH KEY FOB. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THIS IS A 2020 VEHICLE AND SEEMS LIKE IT WILL STRAND ME SOME PLACE AT THE VERY LEAST. AWFUL, EXPENSIVE, AND PERHAPS DEADLY DYNAMICS HERE. GMC, GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER. YOU OWE US IMMEDIATELY. PROVIDE THE FIX IMMEDIATELY OR GIVE ME MONEY BACK WITH NO CONTEST.

Mileage: 5,000

PARKED TRUCK FOR ONE HOUR, ENGINE OFF. CAME BACK AND UPON STARTUP, RECEIVED MULTIPLE ERRORS THAT POWER STEERING AND ESC REQUIRED DEALER ATTENTION. BRAKE PEDAL WOULD DEPRESS TO FLOOR. GMC SIERRA 1500 ELEVATION TRIM

Mileage: 3,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL IN A HOSPITAL PARKING LOT, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER PHILLIPS BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 2160 US-441 #27, FRUITLAND PARK, FL 34731, (352) 728-1212, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 1,000

2020 GMC SIERRA STEERING ISSUES. LOSS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MODULES. RESULTS IN LOCKED STEERING OR NO POWER STEERING ASSIST. HAPPENS RANDOMLY AT VEHICLE START UP. BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES SO FAR. THE FIRST TWO WAS INFORMED THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. REPAIRS ATTEMPTED, UPDATE SOFTWARE, ENGINE HARNESS REPAIR, AND STEERING MODULE REPLACEMENT.

Mileage: 3,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE SYSTEM BRAKE FAILURE WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ONCE THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE INTO A CURB TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND AVOID A POSSIBLE COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD SUFFERED PAIN TO HIS LEFT SHOULDER BLADE AND LEFT KNEE; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION DUE TO COVID-19. AFTER EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DESERT SUN MOTORS, INC. (2600 N WHITE SANDS BLVD, ALAMOGORDO, NM 88310) WHERE THEY CLEARED THE SYSTEM'S COMPUTER AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY FOUND NO DEFECTS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON RETURN OF THE VEHICLE, HE EXPERIENCED ANOTHER BRAKE FAILURE AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO RUN A RED LIGHT AND DRIVE UP AN INCLINE IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED SHAMALEY BUICK GMC (955 CROCKETT ST, EL PASO, TX 79922) WHERE IT REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A FIELD INSPECTOR WAS SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT KNOW BRAKE FAILURE CODES WERE DETECTED. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE THIRD FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHAMALEY GMC WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY ALL THESE ERROR CODES STARTED POPPING UP, FIRST "ESC MALFUNCTION" THEN TRAILER BRAKE MALFUNCTION,STABILITRAK, STEERING ASSIST REDUCED, BRAKE SYSTEM FAIL, LIGHS JUST POP UP I DO FEEL LIKE THE TRUCK LOOSES SOME POWER FEELS MORE SLUGGISH, I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP, THEY RECALIBRATED THE BREAK SYSTEM AND STUFF, IT FIXED THE ISSUE TEMPORARILY, BUT THE LIGHTS KEEP COMING BACK, SOMETIMES I TURN THE TRUCK ON IN THE MORNING AND LIGHTS ARE GONE, THEN LATER ON I GET ALL THE ERROR CODES AGAIN WHILE DRIVING IT. IT STARTED 4 DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED THE TRUCK AND HAPPENS DAILY SINCE.

Mileage: 300