Hydraulic Power Assist Steering System problems of the 1997 GMC Sierra 1500

While driving 35 mph and turning the power steering went out. Consumer was able to maintain control of vehicle, pulled over, and turned the vehicle off. Consumer tried to restart vehicle, and was able to start and drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. However, mechanic could not duplicate the problem. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle pulled sharply to the right while driving around right curves at 35-45 mph. The problem became more frequent over time. The vehicle was taken to private tire shop. The technician there knew immediately that the power steering sensor was the problem because he had seen this problem several times on other gm pick-ups. A new sensor was installed and the problem was alleviated.

I have owned my 1997 GMC k1500 sierra since 1999 and have experienced continuous momentary loss of power steering control due to a failing vss sensor located on the steering column. This loss of power steering control occurs at any speed and direction. I have had this component replaced twice over the years and the sensor starts to intermittently fail within 6 months. Every individual I have talked to over the years who has owned a gm 1997-1999 c/k full-size vehicle has experienced this sudden loss of control in the steering wheel at one time or another. It is unfortunate that multiple lives will have to be eventually lost before gm will recall these hundreds of thousands of vehicles due to lawsuits. The vss steering as well as the csfi fuel injection system are an extremely poor design and gm knows it.

Vehicle suddenly pulls to the right at highway speeds. Seems more prevalent in cooler weather. Lack of power assist at times, too much assist at other times.

I experienced circumstances where as driving down the road, sometimes going around curves, my steering would give the feel of just going loose. On a couple of occasions when the steering would "grab" hold again I almost lost control of my truck. I first experience this problem about a month after I purchased the vehicle. When I inquired with dealers in maine and florida they couldn't identify a fix without experiencing the problem. Recently a dealer in colorado disclosed to me that gm had identified the culprit of this anomaly to be the egr valve in the power steering. I sent a letter to gm stating my conern for customer safety and received a polite but poor answer basically citing compliance with safety standards or gm's determination that a product didn't meet safety standards. I don't believe that there is a set standard that applies to sudden changes to steerability of a vehicle due to such a defect. I've discussed this with an owner of a 97 Chevrolet that has the same problem and he also expressed disbelief that this wasn't a safety concern. When I pointed out to my local dealership that in my opinion this should be a safety concern for GMC he could only sympathetcally agree and point out that a voluntary recall on would have to be a company decision. They did point out though, this problem is not uncommon in the 1997 series trucks and that when the dealership brought it to gms attention, which was apparently only about a year ago, they were just discovering the cause themselves. I am gravely concerned at how many people may have been turned away from repair shops prior to this defect being identified and thus still driving around with this dangerous potential for tragedy still lingering. Thank you. Dt.