2019 GMC Sierra 1500 · symptom sheet
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy
- 26owner reports
- 10,884median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Apr 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
42 of the 646 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 26 of those describe power steering loss.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
Power steering loss on other Sierra 1500 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: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
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 EPS motor or module (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the steering system covers the 2019 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 4,500 and 35,070 miles, from the 11 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 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 service bulletin advises the technician of a possible loose ground that may be causing customer concerns of Loss of Steering Assist and/or Loss of Brake Assist and Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated.
This Preliminary information communicates a diagnostic tip to inspect the main ground connection when diagnosing any lack of power steering assist issues with DTCs C1597 and/or C1599.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with additional information on the functionality of Lane Keep Assist.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have Lane Keep Assist inoperative with the lane keep assist switch LED is always on and the lane keep assist Icon is not illuminated on the IPC after a ...
4 more on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“Power Steering failure. Loss of power steering while driving the vehicle made any turns nearly impossible. Dealership identified root cause and a problem with a grounding strap. They reported that in addition to our vehicle, another GMC Sierra 1500 had come in the same day with the same problem. Loss of power steering while driving can lead to collision. This should be a safety recall.”
Filed Jul 31, 2025
“While driving at low speed the power assisted steering quit working. I could steer but with great effort. Drove two blocks home. Shut it off and restarted. Everything was fine after restarting. Iâm afraid to drive the vehicle after this experience.”
Filed Feb 22, 2025
“The steering wheel locked up with no warning while driving and truck shuts down and displays no power steering assist service. ERC warning twice in one week.”
Filed Dec 2, 2024
“When starting the truck yesterday, not all the button lights came on and the power steering was no longer operational. I was fortunate the power steering issue did not materialize while the vehicle was in operation on the road. No warning prior to the failure was given by the vehicle.”
Filed Apr 24, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 26 reports involved a crash. 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 157 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 112 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 105 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 94 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 63 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 41 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 30 reports