Power steering failed again. Happened originally at 15,000 miles and then repaired, it was then repaired again under the recall and now it has failed again at 28,137 miles. Fortunately I was at a standstill when the warning came on. This is a serious issue that needs to be rectified with more than "silicon grease" which I was told was used on the electrical connection.
2014 Chevrolet SS steering problems
moderate 41 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
41
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 41 steering complaints filed for the 2014 Chevrolet SS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
How fast does it fail?
Cumulative share of the 12 mileage-bearing steering complaints filed against the 2014 Chevrolet SS by each odometer reading. Median failure: 28,137 mi.
10% have failed by13,000 mi
Half the fleet by28,137 mi
90% have failed by70,000 mi
Curve based on owner-reported odometer mileage at the time of complaint. Reflects when owners filed, not when symptoms first appeared. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Chevrolet SS we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 41.
Owners have filed 41 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2014 Chevrolet SS sedans describe a pattern of intermittent power steering assist loss that strikes without warning during normal operation. The steering wheel suddenly becomes extremely stiff and difficult to turn, accompanied by a "SERVICE POWER STEERING, DRIVE WITH CARE" message on the dashboard. Failures occur randomly—sometimes on city streets at 20–30 mph, sometimes on highways at highway speeds, sometimes while exiting or turning. The assist typically returns after the driver shuts off and restarts the engine, but the malfunction recurs unpredictably, making the vehicle unreliable and unsafe. Owners describe nearly losing control on curves, highway on-ramps, and at intersections where sudden steering heaviness created crash risk.
Chevrolet issued a recall (14-N-804 / Campaign 17V382000) with a dielectric grease application to the steering connector to prevent corrosion. Multiple owners report having this work done—some twice—only to experience the same failure weeks or months later. One owner photographed the error message at highway speed while struggling to control the car and emphasized the issue feels as serious as a stuck accelerator. Dealers have been unhelpful, dismissing the problem as normal, unable to replicate it, or unable to source replacement parts (3–4 week national back-orders reported). Some owners discovered their vehicle was never actually serviced under the recall despite recall notices. Full steering gear replacement ($2,800 estimate cited) has been recommended, but many owners face warranty expiration and out-of-pocket costs. The identical steering gear is under recall on the Chevrolet Caprice PPV, yet the SS has no equivalent extended coverage.
Same Chevrolet SS steering reports on nearby years: 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent loss of electric power steering assist
Power steering assist fails without warning during normal driving, ranging from low-speed turns to highway speeds. Failure occurs randomly and intermittently. Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn, requiring significant manual effort. A 'SERVICE POWER STEERING, DRIVE WITH CARE' message appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC). Power steering function typically returns after shutting the vehicle off and restarting it, though the failure recurs unpredictably. Owners report the issue is most dangerous during highway driving, curves, and on-ramps where sudden loss of assist creates serious crash risk.
When: Failures reported from approximately 15,000 miles through 88,000 miles; many occur within 1–3 years of ownership. Several failures reported at relatively low mileage (22,000–28,000 miles). Some owners experience repeated failures after dealer repair attempts.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist cuts out suddenly without warning; Steering wheel becomes extremely stiff and difficult to turn; 'SERVICE POWER STEERING, DRIVE WITH CARE' message on DIC; Sometimes accompanied by chime/audible alert; Steering assist returns after vehicle is shut off and restarted; Failure recurs despite repair attempts
Codes mentioned: SERVICE POWER STEERING message on DIC
Repairs/costs cited: Chevrolet dealerships have performed two main remedies: (1) application of dielectric grease to the steering gear control module connector per Recall 14-N-804/Campaign 17V382000, and (2) replacement of the power steering rack or steering gear assembly. Owners report the dielectric grease procedure (done as initial recall repair and repeated on subsequent visits) does not resolve the issue. Steering gear/rack replacements have been performed at costs cited as $2,800 (one estimate). Several owners state that replacement parts have been on national back-order, delaying repairs. Some owners have not received recall notice or been informed of recall eligibility.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14-N-804/Campaign 17V382000 — dielectric grease application to steering rack connector. Multiple owners report this remedy ineffective. Steering gear/rack replacement performed by dealers at approximately $2,800; owners not always offered warranty coverage or recall coverage after initial warranty expires. Chevrolet Caprice PPV issued separate steering gear replacement recall (GM number 22010); Chevrolet SS not included despite identical component. Some owners report dealer inability to obtain parts (3–4 week back-orders noted). Manufacturer inconsistent on warranty coverage; one owner offered 40% cost-share ($720 of $1,800 estimate).
Synthesized from 41 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 15 most recent
While driving the car around a cloverleaf on-ramp for a highway at 40 MPH the electronic power steering failed. I feel very lucky that I managed to maintain control of the car in the instant the power steering failed as this could have resulted in the car crashing. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet ss. The contact stated that the power steering failed and caused a crash. The contact's vehicle struck the bumper of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The dealer diagnosed that the steering wheel assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of…
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet ss. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized as the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle with difficulties to his residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated…
The contact's client owns a 2014 Chevrolet SS. The contact stated that while his client was driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The contact was not certain if a warning light was illuminated. The contact's client then received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V382000 (Steering) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for service. Upon…
Power steering failure while driving on interstate in straight line with message "service power steering, drive carefully". After car was stopped and parked for 8 hours, upon starting again, message and problem had disappeared. Dealer service unable to find problem. Indicated no gm bulletins.
Random failure of power steering system. While driving, the car will chime and the message "service power steering, drive with care" is displayed. At this point the car loses all power steering function and is extremely difficult to steer. This has happened on both city streets and major highways. This is an extremely dangerous system failure.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet SS. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the traffic control indicator and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The "Service Power Steering - Drive with Care" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact…
It started a month ago on my way to an interview I was on the I 35 here in dallas and the I was driving normally going MPH 60 and I get a message in the dic to service the power steering and I lost complete control of the power steering. After doing some research online there seems to be a recall with numerous ss owners that have the issues. The thread can be found here…
While driving away from my home last night, the power steering failed. The message "service power steering" was displayed on the dic screen. I was still on my street and only driving 20 MPH. I pulled over and restarted the vehicle and the power steering came back on and the service message on the dic cleared. I am fortunate I wasn't in a curve or in the middle of a lane change in the…
Had steering trouble with your 2014 Chevrolet SS?
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 SS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 41 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 34 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 16,031 and 46,000 miles, with the median around 25,821. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,031; a quarter make it past 46,000. 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/SS.
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.