Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 2% | — |
| 2022 | 6 | 3% | 10,000 miles |
| 2021 | 11 | 3% | 76,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 7% | 6,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 6% | 28,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% | 28,000 miles |
| 2016 | 13 | 5% | 45,000 miles |
| 2015 | 38 | 6% | 71,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 5% | 109,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 3% | — |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% | 40,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% | 130,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 4% | 156,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% | 194,000 miles |
| 2007 | 11 | 2% | 89,000 miles |
| 2006 | 5 | 10% | 111,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% | 27,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% | 82,000 miles |
| 2003 | 13 | 5% | 46,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 4% | 72,000 miles |
| 2001 | 11 | 5% | 82,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
| 1999 | 22 | 10% | 95,000 miles |
| 1998 | 11 | 14% | 120,000 miles |
| 1997 | 53 | 40% | 87,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My 2023 Yukon AT4 was taken to certified GMC dealer in November 2025 for the engine recall. The dealership gave my vehicle a clean bill of health at that time and the recall repair was cleared. On Friday, 2/13/26, myself and 5 other family members were en route to my godfather's veteran funeral service in Newtown, PA. We were going 75mph in the middle lane of the PA Turnpike when the motor seized up and vehicle lost all steering control and power. Since it was the side of the turnpike, we were limited in resources and stranded, missing the funeral service due to the length of time it took to get the vehicle loaded on a tow truck. Since the vehicle was unable to release the parking brake, the tow driver(s) were struggling to tow it. My husband, ended up having to go under the vehicle (on the side of the turnpike) to disengage the parking brake to help the tow drivers. …
1. First incident While driving, the brakes failed and the entire infotainment/tablet system locked up. This presented a severe safety risk to my family and others on the road. The vehicle had to be towed to DEALER where I was told that "no problems were found." I documented the incident with photos and videos showing the warning messages and system status. 2. Second incident Approximately one week ago, after shutting off the vehicle, a "steering wheel lock" warning appeared and the truck became completely disabled. Even with jumper cables, it would not start. The vehicle had to be flatbed towed to DEALER. I again documented the incident with photos and videos showing the warnings.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving 65 MPH, a wheel detached from the vehicle and the vehicle slid across the road. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the tie rod had detached. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that recently while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the engine seized. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the engine had seized. …
On 5/22/2025, I filed a complaint with NHTSA, complaint number 11662650. In the complaint, I reported issues regarding safety concerns that began around October 2023 and were shortly after reported to GMC. Some of the reported issues were concerns with oil consumption due to warning lights coming on; parking warning sensors intermittently coming on; and what appears to be suspension issues as there continues to be a knocking, cracking, and snapping noise coming from the front suspension when making a left or right turn, along with a bumping when in motion, among other issues such as Infotertainment that continues to be an issue. Recently, we took our SUV to a GMC authorized dealer since it was still under warranty and these issues continued to persist and it is getting worse. The vehicle was left around 5/28/25 and picked up on 6/17/25. …
The contact owned a 2021 GMC Denali. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering. The vehicle failed to turn and crashed into a tree. There were no reported injuries. There were no warning lights. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V455000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to his residence. There was no police report filed, airbag deployment, or fire. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company deemed the vehicle to be a total loss. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
After pulling out from parking lot into roadway, steering wheel locked up (right) and vehicle proceeded uncontrolled into a telephone pole - injuring driver. Driver stage 1 & 2 together with seatbelt pretensioner deployed upon impact. No warning lamps or defect symptoms prior to time of failure. Inspection revealed DTC codes for power steering of U0420:00 (invalid data received from power steering module) and U3000:49 (control module internal malfunction). Scanner evidences power steering position sensor data not being reported. Vehicle VIN indicates that it was included in NHTSA recall 21V455000. Power Steering Component Part Nos: 85103817, 848935231 and 85116776.
the steering gear box became disassemble, steering wheel when to twelve o'clock, gears in steering gear box jump gear insurance inspector said a bolt back out,there was 439 recall for steering box recall in 2019 the part number changed several times with multiple bullets for same part.
Loss of power steering, loss of electronic stability control, loss of all transmission gears forward and reverse, loss of automatic headlight control, loss of instrument cluster gauges including tachometer, engine oil pressure, and engine coolant temperature, loss of heated seat functionality, loss of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and loss of infotainment/stereo system. This problem has occurred on two occasions now, the first on 01/13/2020 and then again on 02/20/2020. The vehicle was towed in to the dealer on 01/13/2020 and was also transported to the same dealership again on 02/20/2020. A TSB was performed by the dealership when it was towed in the first time that obviously did not fix the root cause of this problem. Normally the problem will go away after a period of time and then the dealership claims that they were not able to reproduce the customer's complaint. …
Related recalls (6)
Steering › Steering control module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
Remedy: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021.
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at…
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and Yukon XL vehicles, equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Due to a problem with the EPS module, the affected vehicles may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist during vehicle operation.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering assist motor kit, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2014.
Steering › Linkages
GM is recalling certain model year 2011cadillac escalade, escalade esv; Chevrolet silverado hd, silverado ld, suburban, tahoe; and GMC sierra hd, sierra ld, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft attaching bolts May not have been tightened to the proper specification.
Remedy: GM dealers will inspect and ensure that the intermediate steering shaft bolts are tightened to the proper specification. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about July 13, 2011.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Certain passenger vehicles May have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose May fracture and leak fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on October 14, 2005.
Show 1 more recall
Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Vehicle description: light duty extended-cab pickup trucks and 4-door utility trucks. The lower steering shaft to steering gear pinch bolt is "finger loose" or missing allowing the bolt to loosen and fall out. The steering shaft yoke can wear causing an off center steering wheel.
Remedy: Dealers are arranging to have the vehicles involved towed to the dealership and alternate transportation is being arranged for owners.
NHTSA investigations
Erratic power steering assist while driv
The office of defect investigation (odi) has investigated allegations of power steering assist fluctuations in the subject vehicles.for details and a basis for the investigation conclusions, please see the closing report in the ea99-011 public file.odi has not identified a safety-related defect trend in the subject vehicle population.futher expenditure of agency resources on this subject does not appear to be…
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Yukon years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (53), 2015 (38), 1999 (22), 2003 (13) and 2016 (13) model years. Steering complaints make up 40% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for GMC Yukon steering problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 21V-455 (steering control module, Jun 17, 2021); 18V-586 (electric power assist system, Sep 7, 2018); 14V-719 (electric power assist system, Nov 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Yukon steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist system (34 mentions), followed by the steering wheel/handle bar (13).
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.