Hydraulic Power Assist Steering System problems of the 1997 GMC Sierra

Power steering goes out occasionally. This has been noted many times on the nhsta web site as well as other consumer compliant web sites explaining the same problem. There needs to be a recall on this vehicle series. The windshield wipers were intermittent.

While driving, the vehicle lost power steering.

I did not know that the power steering had broke untill I was turning off the inter state hiw ay . It had never given indication that it had broken no noise or rattle from the power steering unit it had separated from the shaft internaly , the shaft continued to operate, but there was no presure to turn the wheels. It was very hard to turn the steering wheel without the assist . It was lucky that I did not have to make a quick manuver to miss something because it was to hard to turn the steering wheel and I would not have been able to do that .

I have complained to GMC about my problem with the power steering and they gave me a file # c0344768. Basically, they didn't consider it a safety issue but I was concerned with my gear box freezing on me or something. I had replaced the pump once and all it took to ruin the pump again was a 500 mile trip. I know that things go wrong with vehicles but at 55,000 miles power steering should not be an issue. I am glad that it didn't cause any injuries.

High speed turn steering failure experienced while making lane change on freeway. This caused truck to almost go off freeway onto grassy median divider area. I made violent steering wheel correction turning steering wheel to make correction in a righthand turn. This caused truck to fishtail and weave into lane I had just exited. Luckily there was no immediate traffic in this vicinity as I believe a high speed(70mph)contact between vehicle would have occurred. Brought truck into GMC dealer for evaluation(paso robles, CA. GMC truck). I was told that the steering-sensor was defective. Apparently there is no recall on this part with GMC. I was told that there is a service bulletin out regarding this problem. This was a sudden failure with no warning. As a firefighter/paramedic I drive professionally and I cannot believe that such defects should go without a recall notice published. This is the first time I have utilized your website. Please contact me if you require any additional details. Thanks!.

Steering will become "loose" when in a curve, causing an oversteer.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Steerig erratic feels like I'm driving on ice\mostly on corners.

The front brake pads wear out within 12,000 miles on this type of vehicle. Have been told by dealer that these trucks have the same front rotor and calipers that are on the Buick lesabra. This could explain the excessive wear of the pad due to the weight difference. The steering on this vehicle will lock up at slow speeds and allow the vehicle to wonder at higher speeds. Dealer has inspected front end and stated was within specs. Vehicle also will pull at times to left or right by self on straight highway.

When driving between the speeds of 35 to 60 mph and making a right turn, steering will go for a matter of seconds. When it comes back in, the vehicle is thrown to the right. Dealer has been contacted.

Power steering jerks as if hitting a patch of ice.

Power steering suddenly jerks while changing lanes or making turns. Yh.

Intermittent strong unexpected steering wheel movement at approx. 35 miles per hour an above this will happen when driving straight but is most severe when taking a right hand turn it feels like the steering wheel slips approx 3 to 4 inches increasing the rate of turn the vehicle also violently moves in that direction.

No summary model (1500).

Steering wheel failure. Steering wheel suddenly jerked either to the left or the right. When this occurred steering wheel felt like it was separating from its linkage. A mechanic determined that this happened because power steering booster was bad, and needed replacement.

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

Evo system is creating a dangerious driving situation and should be safety recalled, I have contacted GMC and have recieved no satisfaction at all.

When turning vehicle at speeds above about 35mph steering seems to resist turning and when more steering force is applied,steering becomes very light, causing vehicle to oversteer. Problem seems to be worse when vehicle is cold. This is a dangerous situation if you are not accustomed or prepared for it.