This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a reduced or loss of power steering assist, steering wheel jerks or kicks back when turning, Service Stabilitrak message with warning chime, engine stall, Instrument Panel Cluster going blank or inoperative, radio/Integrated Center Stack going blank, Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning going blank, hood ajar message and/or dome lamps flash when shifting into reverse, alarm sounds when locking doors or door locks cycling, and or wipers continue to run for a short time after turning off and then stop/park in the incorrect location. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes U0073, U0078, U0029
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 GMC Sierra steering problems
severe 87 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
87
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
4crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 87 steering complaints filed for the 2015 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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.
What stands out
Owners have filed 87 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.
Among the 21 model years of GMC Sierra in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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 Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have hard or unable to rotate ignition key concern. When the concern is present the steering wheel will need to be rotated in either direction to alleviate the pressure between the steering column lock pin and lock plate. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed the power steering system to correct a condition of power steering noise or fluid leak from power steering pump, gear or high pressure hose during extreme low temperature conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 GMC Sierra steering system exhibits a pattern of electrical-related failures that disable steering control without warning. Most common is sudden complete power loss during turns, especially at low speeds—the engine dies, the steering wheel locks, and the instrument panel goes dark. The vehicle sits unresponsive for several minutes before restarting. Owners describe this happening repeatedly, sometimes months apart, at mileage as low as 14,000 miles and continuing past 130,000 miles.
Power steering assist also fails intermittently, forcing owners to use excessive force to turn the wheel. One owner reported the steering wheel fractured while applying force. Stabilitytrack warnings and chiming sounds typically accompany these events. Dealers consistently cannot replicate the failures or find diagnostic codes, leaving most vehicles unrepaired.
The manufacturer issued two official steering recalls (14V719000 and 18V586000), but many owners report their VINs are excluded despite experiencing identical symptoms to those in the recalls. Dealers have replaced negative battery cables, ground wires, and performed electrical drop load tests, but these repairs rarely resolve the issue permanently. One owner paid $376 for battery cable replacement that failed to fix the problem. Several owners cite service bulletins addressing power fluctuations as evidence this is a known defect. Multiple owners report their claims for manufacturer coverage were denied.
Same GMC Sierra steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden power loss with steering wheel lockup and engine shutdown during low-speed turns
The vehicle loses all electrical power including engine, steering, and instrument panel during turns (particularly left turns and low-speed maneuvers). The steering wheel locks completely or becomes extremely difficult to turn. The engine dies. The vehicle often restarts after several seconds to minutes. Multiple owners report this occurring repeatedly over time, sometimes weeks or months apart.
When: Low-speed turns (parking, driveways, intersections); some reports at highway speeds; mileage 14K to 130K
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power and electrical system during turns; Steering wheel locks or becomes unmovable; Loss of power steering and power brakes simultaneously; Loss of instrument cluster display, gauge cluster goes blank; Stabilitytrack warning light flashes on before failure; Chiming sounds and clicking noises from dashboard; Doors lock/unlock, windows try to move, AC cycles on/off during event; Engine stalls and dies mid-turn; Vehicle cannot be restarted immediately; requires waiting several minutes
Codes mentioned: Stabilitytrack warning, Service Power Steering warning, Service Stabilitrak, Park Assist message, Rear parking assist unavailable message
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to locate failure codes or replicate issue. No permanent repairs documented. Some owners report dealership replaced negative battery cable and ground wires without resolution. Case numbers assigned by manufacturer but vehicles not repaired. Some owners cite service bulletins addressing power fluctuation and battery cable drop load testing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 14V719000 and 18V586000 (Steering); many affected VINs not included in official recalls despite exhibiting recall symptoms; manufacturer opened cases but offered no resolution; some owners denied coverage; some dealers report 'vehicle not part of recall'
Intermittent power steering assist loss with difficulty turning wheel
Power steering assist intermittently fails or reduces significantly at low speeds (parking, backing, turns), requiring excessive physical force to turn the steering wheel. The failure occurs without consistent warning and resolves on its own or after restart. Owners report this happening repeatedly over time.
When: Low-speed maneuvering (backing, parking, slow turns); some at highway speeds; mileage 20K to 131K
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist reduces or fails completely; Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn in either direction; Excessive force required to maneuver vehicle; Power steering warning light illuminates; Electronic power steering warning message displayed; Stability track warning illuminated; ABS light comes on; Failure resolves after restart or several seconds; No warning prior to onset
Codes mentioned: Power Steering Assist warning message, Service Power Steering warning light, Electronic Power Steering warning indicator, Stability track warning
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering control module replacement recommended by dealers but not available or completed. Power steering rack/pinion replacement recommended at 15K–50K mileage. Owners cite costs around $376 for battery cable replacement alone; steering box replacement cited as necessary repair. One owner replaced negative battery cable without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 14V719000 and 18V586000 (Steering); many VINs excluded from official recalls; manufacturer offered to cover percentage of repairs in one case; most owners denied coverage or vehicle VIN not listed; investigation case numbers assigned in several instances but no repairs completed
Steering wheel locked or seized in stationary or low-speed situations
The steering wheel seizes and becomes completely immovable, either while the vehicle is parked or during very slow maneuvering. The wheel cannot be turned in either direction and does not respond to driver input. One case involved steering wheel fractured at connection point.
When: Stationary or 2–5 mph; mileage 14K to 36K
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel completely locked and immovable; Unable to turn wheel in either direction; Steering wheel seized while backing from parking space; Steering wheel fractured at column connection (one case); No power steering available
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement required; steering column connection point replacement required (one case). One owner bent steering wheel in half trying to force it; vehicle had to be towed. Battery replacement attempted in one case without success.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer opened investigation in one case; dealer unable to diagnose or repair in most instances; no recall coverage applied
Electrical fluctuation causing accessories to flash on and off with loss of power steering
The vehicle's electrical system fluctuates, causing multiple accessories to turn off and on rapidly (headlights, radio, AC, windows, door locks). During these events, power steering is lost. The vehicle may partially or fully shut down. Dealers eventually traced issue to failing negative battery cable or low system voltage.
When: Intermittent; mileage 25K to 90K; one case described as ongoing since 2019
Symptoms owners cite: Accessories flashing off and on (lights, radio, AC, windows, door locks); Loss of power steering during electrical event; Vehicle loses power or partially shuts down; Multiple systems cycling simultaneously; Dashboard lights flashing on and off
Repairs/costs cited: Negative battery cable replacement ($376 reported in one case) required but did not permanently resolve issue in some cases. Drop load test performed on electrical system. One owner found service bulletin addressing fluctuation in power.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; one dealer cited battery as cause; owner had to pay for rental while dealer troubleshot issue; GM initially denied coverage, claiming vehicle not affected
Power steering hose disconnect causing sudden loss of steering and brake function
The power steering hose disconnected from the system, causing sudden loss of power steering fluid and immediate loss of both power steering and power brakes while pulling a large trailer at highway speed.
When: Single incident while towing
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering hose came off; Loss of power steering fluid; Sudden loss of power steering; Sudden loss of power brakes
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports dealer stated a recall/bulletin was to be issued but could not find evidence of one. Vehicle built after issue supposedly corrected.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer indicated recall/bulletin would be issued but owner could not find official recall
Rack and pinion failure with abnormal noise and difficulty steering
The steering rack and pinion assembly fails, producing abnormal noise from the steering mechanism. The steering wheel becomes difficult to turn or unresponsive. Diagnosis confirmed rack and pinion failure requiring replacement.
When: Low-speed operation (10 mph pulling into driveway); mileage 27K–50K
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise coming from steering wheel area; Steering becomes difficult to maneuver; Steering wheel seizes temporarily then returns to normal; Rack and pinion confirmed failed
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement required; parts not available at time of report in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer initiated investigation to determine cause of failure; vehicles not repaired due to parts unavailability
Synthesized from 87 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Steering Suddenly stops working when making a turn and have no control of the steering . Happen 3 times yesterday almost was in a accident. Then starts working again.
Wheel got real hard to move
On tuesday, december 20th 2016 at approximately 7:15pm while driving south on new river road in Lincoln ri I tried to make a left turn onto a side street. When I turned the steering wheel left it was snatched out of my hands and the steering wheel automatically turned back to center it self. I could not maneuver the vehicle as it rolled up onto the sidewalk where I had to use the emergency brake…
Had steering trouble with your 2015 GMC Sierra?
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 2015 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 87 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 50 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 35,000 and 76,000 miles, with the median around 55,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 76,000. 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/2015/GMC/Sierra.
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.