Power Steering Pump problems of the 1997 Chevrolet C/k Pickups

The power steering pump shaft broke while my wife was driving my 97 Chevrolet k1500 fwd pickup. She was unable to streer the truck and had to call me to come get it. A locale mechanic and I removed the serpentine belt and pulled the pump shaft and pully right out of the pump. The shaft was broke in half in side the pump. I think this was a pretty serious failure as my wife was unable to steer the truck or brake. I had the mechanic replace the pump for me. The main reason I mention this is because a CO worker of mine has a 2001 yukon that had the exact same problem. I think this is more wide spread than just on 2000 model trucks.