2015 GMC Canyon · symptom sheet
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy
- 198owner reports
- 67,528median miles
- $1,450median quote
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
226 of the 303 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 198 of those describe power steering loss, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2015 Canyon.
Tick what matches of 198 reports
Power steering loss on other Canyon years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2024.
What this problem usually is
Power steering loss is the steering wheel suddenly going heavy, usually with a warning on the dash. Nearly six in ten complaints in this group mention a warning light or message, and almost two thirds mention driving or highway speed rather than parking.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (32 reports) and the EPS motor or module (13 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the steering system cover the 2015 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The power steering assist may be lost due to a poor electrical connection within the steering gear assembly.
A poor electrical connection within the steering gear connector may cause a loss of power steering assist.
All 8 recalls on the 2015 GMC Canyon, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Canyon
Loss of power steering assist. Closed may 28, 2021, led to recall 21V-213.
What owners paid
30 of the 198 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $400 to $2,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 46,000 and 89,400 miles, from the 146 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 7 service bulletins or notices for the 2015 GMC Canyon that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a Service Power Steering message, loss of power and or Malfunction Indicator Lamp on in the Instrument Panel Cluster.
18027 - Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles may have been built with a connector between the electric power steering motor and torque sensor that has a potential for fretting corrosion.
This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ON THE STEPS TO REPAIR VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE A SERVICE POWER STEERING MESSAGE ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE C056D STORED IN THE POWER STEERING ...
3 more on the 2015 GMC Canyon page.
What owners wrote
“on 5/24/2023 as I was driving the wheel became stiff, I was unable to continue driving. I had to shut down in the middle of the road. I turned the vehicle off and restarted it. This fixed the issue. on 5/25/2023 as I was driving the exact same situation occured. I have not driven the vehicle since parking it at a relatives driveway . The warning light to service power steering came on both times.”
Filed May 25, 2023
“As I was driving down the interstate, I lost power steering once again. This is the 3rd time it has happened. It says there is no recall for my vehicle, and the dealerships keep saying that since it's not listed on the recall by the VIN, I would be responsible for the repairs. Who do I need to get in contact with to fix this issue?”
Filed Nov 15, 2022
“Vehicle lost power steering. Once vehicle is stopped, turned off, and turned back on, power steering is regained. But will continuously lose it while driving.”
Filed Nov 13, 2022
“Power steering stops working while driving, even at highway speeds. Happens repeatedly.”
Filed Oct 13, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 198 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works