Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 25% | — |
| 2025 | 7 | 25% | 2,000 miles |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% | 41,000 miles |
| 2022 | 2 | 5% | 54,000 miles |
| 2020 | 6 | 8% | 32,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2016 | 14 | 24% | 25,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% | 43,000 miles |
| 2014 | 6 | 20% | 40,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 11% | 43,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 5% | 39,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 10% | 4,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% | 14,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% | 209,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
| 2006 | 10 | 15% | 23,000 miles |
| 2005 | 16 | 14% | 86,000 miles |
| 2004 | 7 | 5% | 35,000 miles |
| 2003 | 10 | 6% | 53,000 miles |
| 2002 | 9 | 7% | 57,000 miles |
| 2001 | 11 | 8% | 61,000 miles |
| 2000 | 3 | 6% | 165,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 1998 | 2 | 13% | 280,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Ongoing issues with Steering pull to right, and brake pull to hard right when applying brakes, which also turns steering wheel to right upon application. Have to keep steering wheel towards left with constant pressure to go in straight line and when braking. Driver has to be aware of changing road conditions that could affect that. Multiple inspections at multiple dealers have found no obvious issues, and multiple alignments performed, with tires also being replaced have had no success in correcting issue. Front suspension starting to feel loose due, and rear suspension squeak when going over bumps. Also recently found rear axle is shifted slightly to right. Suspect all are related. No parts replaced to date other than the tires. Happens daily. No accidents to date. Daily driver with long trips at times. …
I recently purchased my vehicle from Big Star Dealership in Baytown Tx. At a little over 1000 miles i was towing a camper. The vehicle stalled, fuel pouring from engine. It was towed and repaired due to fuel pump failure. At a little over 3000 miles the vehicle would not start. Dealership initially said water contamination then changed it and said gasoline contamination and now they say DEF contamination. The vehicle stalling the first time almost caused me to wreck the vehicle
The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, after driving over a small pothole on the road, the alignment was dramatically altered, causing the vehicle to slightly veer out of the intended lane even though the steering wheel was centered. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The contact stated that he previously owned another vehicle of the same year, make, and model that had experienced the same failure and a case was filed with the manufacturer for the vehicle, resulting in a buyback. The failure mileage was 2,000.
Power steering pump failed when decelerating after 9500 miles. When power steering pump fails, power assisted braking also fails. Upon deceleration, I could not turn the steering wheel at all or stop the vehicle without extreme pressure on the brake pedal. I narrowly avoided impact with a concrete barricade at the entrance to a parking lot. GM issued a technical bulletin (DCS7112) on January 16, 2025 identifying the problem and failure and directing dealerships to replace the pump on inventory vehicles. No mention was made to repair or notify owners of the potential problem.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle lost brake and power steering functionality, and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that power steering fluid was leaking onto the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the power steering pump had seized, the belt and hoses had failed, and the parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,832.
My truck wonders down the highway. It has been to the dealership well over 4 times. They have aligned the truck multiple times, changed the steering gear box, changed the power steering pump, changed tires and nothing fixes it. It takes constant adjusting of the steering to stay in my lane on any road. Quite pitiful for a $90,000 truck. It is currently at the dealership for the THIRD time in the past 7 days because they can't get the truck to stop leaking fluids since changing the power steering pump. Excessive play in the steering and has been like that since day one that I left the lot. My wife can't even drive the truck because she feels unsafe with how much play is in the steering. The dealership won't do anything about it and is offering $20,000 less than I gave for the truck now that I can't tolerate it anymore. But I refuse to lose that much money with only 13,000 miles on it. …
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was pulling to the left unintentionally. Additionally, the contact stated that there was significant play in the steering wheel. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH and driving through a puddle of water, the vehicle veered violently at a 60-degree angle into the left lane while the contact was firmly grabbing the steering wheel, nearly causing a crash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with upper steering shaft failure. The contact was informed that the upper steering shaft needed to be replaced. The part was replaced. Additionally, the vehicle was taken to a Tire Shop, where the tires were replaced and alignment was performed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
While driving my 2020 GMC 2500 Denali with the Duramax Diesel engine, the power assist for the steering and brakes failed without any warning. This made the truck nearly impossible to steer and stop. Luckily, I was able to avoid a collision and get the truck stopped in a safe location. The truck is currently being towed to Rivard GMC in Tampa, Fl. Doing an internet search, I found this problem has happened to others as well. Please ask GM to rectify this extremely dangerous defect.
Related recalls (1)
Steering
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles. The steering gear shaft may fracture and disconnect from the steering arm.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2023.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Sierra 2500 years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (16), 2016 (14), 2001 (11), 2003 (10) and 2006 (10) model years. Steering complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra 2500 steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 23V-549 (steering, Aug 3, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Sierra 2500 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 57% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist system (6 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist › pump (5).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.