This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Chevrolet Equinox steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 40,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Equinox | 44 |
| 2011 Equinox | 43 |
| 2012 Equinox | 36 |
| 2013 Equinox | 19 |
| 2014 Equinox (this page) | 18 |
| 2015 Equinox | 14 |
| 2016 Equinox | 7 |
| 2018 Equinox | 15 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed power steering system to correct a power steering noise or fluid leak concern that is caused during extremely low temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Equinox steering system shows a troubling range of electronic failures. Most common is the intermittent "Service Power Steering" warning light that appears during normal driving or at startup—often with no clear cause, and dealers struggle to find the root problem. Several owners report the steering wheel suddenly locking or becoming unresponsive at highway speeds (63-75 mph), forcing dangerous corrective maneuvers. In one case, a driver had to pull the wheel hard left to unlock it, nearly flipping the vehicle; another experienced complete steering failure at highway speed.
A few owners describe catastrophic electrical shutdown—loss of all power (steering, lights, engine) at highway speed with no warning, a safety crisis with an infant aboard in one instance. One owner traced this to a PVC valve issue allowing water ingress, and found that GM's TSB 14882 didn't cover his VIN.
Other issues include excessively light steering at all speeds (causing unintended lane drift), grinding or rubbing noises when turning, and vehicle jolts paired with StabiliTrak warnings. One owner towing the vehicle four-down behind a motorhome experienced violent front-wheel shaking—a problem unique to the 4-cylinder electric steering model, not the 6-cylinder hydraulic version. Some failures appeared within 1,000 miles of new purchase, suggesting manufacturing defects.
Same Chevrolet Equinox steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel seizure / loss of response
Steering wheel locks or becomes unresponsive without warning while driving, sometimes accompanied by power steering loss. One owner reported the wheel seized while turning at highway speed; forced corrective steering caused near-flip. Another reported steering failure at 70-75 mph with no response. A third experienced the wheel locking during a left turn with warning message. Multiple owners describe intermittent lock-ups and warning messages.
When: 36,000 to 77,922 miles; some intermittent at various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks or seizes during normal driving; Complete loss of steering response; Warning message 'Check Steering Wheel' or 'Service Power Steering' appears; Occurs without warning at highway speeds (63-75 mph)
Codes mentioned: Power steering control module fault, Power steering sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer reprogrammed computer system; manufacturer offered $100 rebate. Independent mechanic identified faulty power steering control module but customer did not pursue repair. Power steering sensor replacement recommended but not completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One instance of $100 rebate offered after computer reprogramming by dealer
Intermittent 'Service Power Steering' warning light
Warning light illuminates repeatedly during driving or at startup, sometimes intermittently resolving, sometimes accompanied by steering function issues. Dealers unable to diagnose root cause in most cases. Light appears unpredictably and persists even after multiple service attempts.
When: Very early in ownership (1 month / 5,000 miles to several years); happens at various speeds and conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Service Power Steering warning light appears intermittently; Warning may disappear after waiting or restarting vehicle; Occurs at startup or during driving; Sometimes accompanied by steering difficulty or jolt
Codes mentioned: Power steering warning (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits yielded no resolution in several cases. One owner replaced battery with temporary improvement before warning reappeared. Dealers unable to locate root cause.
Loss of all power (steering, lights, engine) while driving
Complete electrical shutdown while operating at highway speeds, resulting in loss of power steering, hazards, dashboard lights, and engine power. Vehicle coasts to halt with no warning. One owner suspects PVC valve issue allowing water ingress and freezing, destroying engine; TSB 14882 existed but did not cover all affected VINs. Another narrative describes check engine light, traction control, and StabiliTrak warnings followed by total shutdown.
When: At various mileages; one narrative mentions TSB 14882 not covering vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering while driving; Hazard lights stop functioning; No dashboard emergency warning light; Engine shuts down completely; Loss of propulsion at highway speed
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light, Traction Control warning, StabiliTrak warning
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer attributed to PVC valve issue with water ingress. TSB 14882 existed for engine replacement but did not apply to all VINs affected.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 14882 for engine replacement (partial coverage by VIN)
Electric power steering malfunction when towed four-down
When towed four wheels down behind a motorhome, the 4-cylinder model with electric steering experiences violent front wheel shaking and steering instability on bumpy terrain. Owner believes insufficient caster angle combined with electric steering being disabled (per towing manual) causes the wobble. Issue does not occur on 6-cylinder model with hydraulic steering. Owner reports being able to recreate wobble in safe conditions; extremely dangerous on highway as vehicle could separate from tow vehicle.
When: Occurs when vehicle being towed; recreatable on bumpy surfaces
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking motion of front wheels while towed; Wheels refuse to follow tow vehicle track; Steering instability on bumpy terrain; Specific to 4-cylinder electric steering model
Repairs/costs cited: Owner proposes keeping electric steering energized via wiring harness while still allowing fuse removal per manual, or bungee cord steering wheel to increase front-end pressure. References similar Jeep Cherokee issue with Chrysler solution.
Steering feels excessively light / too easy to turn
Steering is noticeably too easy to turn at all speeds, causing handling difficulties and unsafe vehicle control. Owner has run off road multiple times due to light steering response. Owner acknowledges this may be a general 2014 Chevrolet characteristic but notes it makes the car harder to drive, especially at highway speeds.
When: From new / early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering turns way too easily; Excessive steering responsiveness at all speeds; Difficulty maintaining road position at highway speeds; Vehicle runs off road unintentionally
Steering wheel locked / difficult to maneuver with 'Check Power Steering Fluid' warning
Steering wheel becomes difficult or impossible to maneuver when 'Check Power Steering Fluid' warning illuminates. One instance at very low mileage (861 miles, suggesting manufacturing defect). Another at 53,000 miles with mechanic identifying need for power steering sensor replacement.
When: 861 miles and 53,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes difficult to maneuver; Check Power Steering Fluid warning appears; Steering locked during turning maneuver
Codes mentioned: Power steering sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering sensor replacement recommended in one case but not completed. No repairs documented.
Vehicle pulls hard to left while driving
Vehicle exhibits persistent hard pull to the left while driving. Alignment was performed but vehicle continued pulling to left, indicating issue beyond simple wheel alignment.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls hard to left while driving; Persists after alignment correction
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment performed without resolving issue
Groaning or rubbing noise from front tires during turning
Groaning or rubbing noise emitted from front tires when turning steering wheel left or right at low speed or when stopped. Occurred on 1-month-old vehicle with 5,000 miles. Dealer attempted two repairs without success.
When: 1 month / 5,000 miles (early in vehicle life)
Symptoms owners cite: Groaning noise from front tires during turning; Rubbing noise from front tires; Occurs at low speed and stopped
Repairs/costs cited: Two dealer repair attempts failed to resolve
StabiliTrak and power steering warnings with jolting
Service StabiliTrak and Power Steering warnings appear on display, causing vehicle to jolt back and forth while driving. Warnings appear intermittently after initial startup or during driving. Vehicle attempted to lock and unlock doors while warnings appeared. Owner reports changing battery temporarily stopped messages for one week before they reappeared.
When: Intermittent, early in ownership (customer bought car recently when complaint filed)
Symptoms owners cite: Service StabiliTrak warning light; Power Steering warning light; Vehicle jolts back and forth while driving; Loud knock sound when changing gears; Automatic door lock/unlock attempts
Codes mentioned: Transmission valve body assembly fault code, Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission valve body assembly replacement recommended but part not available. Battery replacement provided temporary relief.
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2014 Chevrolet Equinox?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 12,000 and 58,955 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,000; a quarter make it past 58,955. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Chevrolet/Equinox.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.