General Motors is recalling the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickup trucks over an issue that can cause the loss of power steering assist.
The defect: a poor electrical connection within the steering gear connector may cause a loss of power steering assist.
The hazards: a loss or reduction in power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash.
Affected vehicles:
- 2015 Chevrolet Colorado manufactured January 6, 2015 to March 17, 2015
- 2015 GMC Canyon manufactured January 6, 2015 to March 19, 2015
Number of vehicles affected: 2,988 (United States figure).
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear pinion sensor cover assembly, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Owners should: customers looking to find out if their vehicle is included in this Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon recall should visit recalls.gm.com. There, owners will be able to enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see any open recalls as well as customer satisfaction programs. If the vehicle is part of the recall, customers should take it to a General Motors dealer.
Owners can also contact Chevrolet or GMC customer service with questions by using the following information.
Contacts:
- Chevrolet Customer Service: 1-800-222-1020
- GMC Customer Service: 1-800-462-8782
- GM Recall Number: 15595
- NHTSA Toll Free: 1-888-327-4236
- NHTSA (TTY): 1-800-424-9153
- NHTSA Website: www.safecar.gov
- NHTSA Recall Number: 16V054000
Comments
I read your blog post entitled “General Motors Recalls 2015 Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon Over Power Steering Loss Issues”. The defect is a poor electrical connection within the steering gear connector may cause a loss of power.
2016 Colorado, same problem here., this is what I did…
I went down the engine, removed every single electrical harness that was coming from the Steering drive and pinion,
very easy to find, Just remove the Undercover (poor plastic cover) and Steel plate under the steering drive.
You can see all the connections and harness from the top, (you can’t work from here)
just open the hood, now you are seeing the engine, look down then middle of the engine, you can see the chassis, and some harness, these are the ones,
I found 2 bad seals, The bigger electrical harness, the one that comes from the computer, it has a poor seal, all the little cables (top Ones) are exposed to water. dirt etc. who knows what….
Yes, there is a seal between the harness connection, but the little cables that connect into the harness from the back, these connections are totally open, with some water energy can jump from cable to cable
Unplugged all connections, including the ones on the steering motor,
All of them had a Little lock., make sure you remove that lock, before you pull any cable
Using CRC electrical cleaning spray every single one. Let them dry.
Then, I used liquid electrical plastic. covering every single exposed cable that goes into the back of the harness (now they are water proof), Let them dry
Then re-connect, make sure you hear a “CLICK” then re-lock
This big harness (computer) and the electrical cable (12v) had bad seal
I don’t know who approved this bad design,
All these connections should be connected using a single cable from the steering drive to the computer, without middle connections or harness, and they should be on the back of the chassis, not on the front,
especially if GMC uses a poor plastic cover… NOT ACCEPTALBE, even a piece of tire on road, or a road kill, can hit the plastic then the harness.
Problem start at 45000 miles… now at 60000 no problems since then.
I live in Houston, rains almost every day.
So you had the problem as well?
This worked thank you. I’m sure it’s a temporary band aid but at least I have steering back at the moment. It cost me $75 for my personal mechanic to do it. He said there was so much dirt and debris that flew out it was ridiculous.
I appreciate you sharing.
Christopher, please contact me if your GMC IS DOING THE SAME. GMC COULD HAVE PEOPLE GETTING HURT INSTEAD OF JUST HELPING FIX OUR VEHICLES!
My 2015 Canyon is having this PROBLEM. It is dangerous. The wheel actually locks during a turn for a bit. Unexpectedly. It’s more than a loss in “assist.”
I was driving on the freeway to the GMC dealer for a whole other issue all together when I lost my power steering. They said it was my “steering gear” and it needs to be replaced. They are ordering it from Canada. Covered by my warranty. Only has 26,000 miles.
I just took it to the dealer for the fifth time after this issue happened again, it actually happens almost every day now. The previous times I took it in they could not find a problem with it, this time I went in with this information. Long story short, they say it’s not the electrical connection but it’s the power steering gear, and it will be $2,500 to fix. This will be the last Chevrolet I’ll every buy, trading it in for a Ford Ranger as soon as it comes out.
Go to https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/ and file a complaint. Let make GM expand the recall!
Everyone who is complaining, needs to do this.. that is how the recall begins! It’s by how many people complain. Not how there is actually a problem. So please everyone. Take Ryan ‘a advice and Complain!!!!
Thank you
I had a 2015 GM Canyon built in december of 2014, the power steering failed 2 times and i refused to take the truck back the second time. GM bought the truck back from me a month ago for $31,000, it was a 2015 4×4 SLT with 64,000 miles.
James Im having the same problems with my 2015 Chevy Colorado that I also bought in December of 2014. Can you provide me with more information about what happened and how you resolved it please?
[email protected]
Just had my 2017 GMC Canyon power steering go…. great. Only 5700 km on it
I also had this issue on my 2015 Canyon. I had it repaired and I had to pay for it initially because my 2015 wasn’t included, for some reason. Eventually, I got the recall notice and did get reimbursed. What I’m finding now though is that my steering wheel now has a large amount of play in it which didn’t exist before. I brought it back into the shop and they want to charge me ~$800 to fix it, saying the steering column needs to be replaced, which is what has the slack. Is it possible that driving the truck without the power steering, when the power steering went out, could have caused the slack in the steering column because of higher load/pressure in the turning?
2018 GMC Canyon Denali. Power steering just stoped working
We have a 2015 Chevy Colorado, but it was built prior to the recall dates. They state that it will not be covered under the recall. And our power steering keeps going out….
I am in the same situation. GM says have it analyzed and if has the same problem as the recall vehicles they will consider covering costs. Will be analyzed tomorrow. Do you have any new information?
So you had the problem as well? What year make and model. If they dont fix, continue to complain. File a complaint under Ryan om this page..
Where is the recall for 2012 Colorado??? Ignition switch problems. My truck shut off on me on the freeway and i almost crashed! The steering went out another time, and intermittent starting problems.
I sent my 2016 Colorado to the shop for a “Service power steering” light, only to find out that this 3 year old vehicle with 28k miles on it had corrosion that was causing these problems. I messaged Chevy on facebook as well as went back and forth with my dealership to get the whole thing paid for. Chevy didn’t seem to care to help, but the dealership covered the $450 repair. Gotta love that Chevy doesn’t stand behind their mistakes and products! Hard to ever buy one again
My 2015 GMC Canyon 3.6 qtr power steering goes out mid drive and a service Stabil Trac message pops on y screen. First time I took it to the dealer where I bought it for recall service, they claimed that it was not throwing a code and that the recall had already been fixed before I bought the truck (used). It goes out nearly every time I drive it now – taking it in and I’ll have a problem if they do not cover it. This is extremely dangerous and I have NEVER had power steering go out on any car for an electronic reason before. If I stop, turn it off, and restart, it is instantly back… this is not a mechanical failure
that’s exactly the symptoms for certain.
Christopher, please contact me if your GMC IS DOING THE SAME. GMC COULD HAVE PEOPLE GETTING HURT INSTEAD OF JUST HELPING FIX OUR VEHICLES!
Monica, mine had done the same thing and at first, they wouldn’t admit there was an issue or a recall, so I had to come out of pocket for it. Very soon afterwards, I think there was a bulletin on it and I got a check in the mail basically refunding my costs. However, because I had to drive it to the dealer while it the power steering had failed, that drive damaged something in the steering which then the steering had a ton of play in it. Very loose. They wouldn’t fix that stating that we can’t know that driving it like I did actually did the damage. The power steering going out is definitely a safety risk.
2015 GMC Canyon
I have the same problem every else is complaining about power steering goes out while driving… is there a recall approved on this problem!
Jim what is the year and make on your gmc. , o am having same issues. They claim mine isnt part of recall… I’m not to happy. Also seems like a safety driving issue.. GMC should be notified.. this is unsafe to drive and people could get hurt!
2015 Canyon
Mine is a 2015 Canyon 3.6L V-6
Complain!!! Please all complaints add up. And then they recall! Stupidest ever… your vehicle is a safety hazard but you have to wait till its 2,000 people’s safety hazard.
My husband’s 2015 Colorado with 48000 miles is doing the same thing very dangerous and the same thing is being said to us… No recalls the act like they have never heard of this and it’s not under warranty… This is a meas
I just left Servco Chevrolet here in Hawaii. I told them the problem and because my truck is past warranty they want to charge $150 for diagnostic. They claimed back in 2105 when I bought my truck, I brought it in for service and they re-programmed it?? I’ve never had this issue until the other day. Also I was told it was NEVER A RECALL and if it was recalls are a limited time . Had the same issue with my touch screen and every time they claim they reprogrammed it and they found nothing wrong. Now my touchscreen hasn’t worked for a year or so and they want $3000 for a new one ..Bullcrap 🖕
So you had the problem as well? What year make and model. If they dont fix, continue to complain. File a complaint under Ryan om this page..
had my power steering go out today.luckily in my neighborhood.had i been on a public road it could have ended badly.most people dont know electric power steering and hydraulic power steering are completely different.when hydro goes you still have steering while your moving and gets tougher as you stop rolling.electric takes quite a bit of effort,even moreso then hydro,but you can only turn the wheel in tiny little increments.this is extremely dangerous for the occupants of the vehicle and GM should know this and be backflippin to fix it.
My 2016 Colorado that was purchased 3 months ago lost power steering 3 times in 5 days. Very dangerous.
Have 2018 Colorado have steering lockup problems also 36500 miles very dangerous afraid to drive will be calling dealership Monday
UPDATE. My 2016 Colorado power steering went out 3 times on 11/13/20. Last time I was about 200 feet from Chevrolet dealership. I went in to try and get a diagnostic done on it and told them of all the issues I read about and of course they never heard of it. I purchased it less than 3 months ago used with 94,770 miles on it for $26,000. They kept talking about the miles but I continued to tell them it’s happening on trucks with very few miles. They kept telling me it wasn’t throwing a code and would cost a couple of thousand to fix it. Long story short, I traded it for a brand new one just like it to at least have warranty and loss $6,000 in less than 10 weeks time.
I am having the problem where steering goes out while driving. Getting the power steering and power track fault. Chevy dealer in Athens Georgia told me it was my battery..I changed it knowing GM. battery failure characteristics..I din not argue.bbfault persists.. dangerous. Dealerahip says it’s not a known problem so I will enlighten them. Has anyone made progress with GM IN THIS ?
I have the same problem every else is complaining about power steering goes out while driving… is there a recall approved on this problem!
They are simply denying the issue. They all claim no complaints. We were also told it was possibly the battery but they took it back to put on machine to see if it would send a code. At first they claim they were not getting one then they did. Due to the mileage on the truck they said it time for the power steering to fail. I kept telling them it was happening on trucks with very low mileage but they claim they hadn’t seen any of those issues. I traded the truck and lost $6,000 on a truck I owned for 10 weeks. BS from GM.
No, dealerships play dumb. I called GM and made a complaint. They came back about the mileage on the truck. They are just denying the issue.
I have a 2015 Colorado I bought and may have from Jim Butler Chevrolet in St Louis Missouri I too am having the same exact problems I have 86,000 miles on it it had 70 on it when I bought it and the power steering goes in and out about broke my arm when it kicked back on when I was trying to steer going around the turn I’m getting the same thing for my dealer they are saying that it’s nothing that they can do $150 an hour diagnosis it needs to be fixed immediately I have little kids that ride in my truck it is very very unsafe
Hello, I own a 2020 Chevy colorado zr2 and unfortunately I am experiencing power steering issues; It basically happens at high speeds and the steering just sticks. The truck only has 16000 miles; GMC/Chevy has failed me again.
I have a 2016 Colorado. It happens very regularly to to me. Sometimes turning the vehicle off and back on works, sometimes it doesn’t. Gotta go argue with a service center about it tomorrow.