2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Steering Problems

Loose steering and sometimes steering wheel wants to return to center When this happens I loose all electrical - dash goes blank engine dies etc. the hot battery cable is very hot to the touch. I disconnected the ground cable and wait a few minutes and power returns This is going to cause a wreck if it is not corrected Local dealer says could be bad battery I had already changed it there is a place to say when this occurred it has happened several times over the last year the last 2 times were within a week

NHTSA ID

11677146

Incident

Jul 27, 2025

While turning steering wheel got hard and cut my turning radius causing almost to go out of the road

NHTSA ID

11671384

Incident

Jul 5, 2025

While attempting to park my 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 at less than 5 mph, the steering wheel suddenly jerked on its own, the StabiliTrak warning light turned on, the dashboard flickered, and the entire electrical system briefly shut off. The anti-theft light also came on during this incident. After restarting the vehicle, it temporarily returned to normal, but this kind of malfunction is extremely dangerous — especially if it were to happen while driving. It’s very upsetting that GM has not included the 2016 model year in the recall for this exact issue, even though many owners are clearly experiencing the same symptoms as the 2014 and 2015 trucks that were recalled. This needs to be addressed for safety and fairness.

NHTSA ID

11659400

Incident

May 6, 2025

While attempting to park my 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 at less than 5 mph, the steering wheel suddenly jerked on its own, the StabiliTrak warning light turned on, the dashboard flickered, and the entire electrical system briefly shut off. The anti-theft light also came on during this incident. After restarting the vehicle, it temporarily returned to normal, but this kind of malfunction is extremely dangerous — especially if it were to happen while driving. It’s very upsetting that GM has not included the 2016 model year in the recall for this exact issue, even though many owners are clearly experiencing the same symptoms as the 2014 and 2015 trucks that were recalled. This needs to be addressed for safety and fairness.

NHTSA ID

11659399

Incident

May 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a sharp turn, the steering wheel seized, the vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and shut off. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the ECM was losing power and that further testing was needed to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

NHTSA ID

11644858

Incident

Jul 25, 2024

Mileage

137,000 mi

While driving and making a turn at slower speeds, such as parking lots or intersections, the entire dash cluster including the radio screen will go black. The steering will completely lock up and jerk back to the opposite direction. At the same time the Park assist, stability control keeps flashing on and off. Sometimes the truck will shut off and then tell you to roll down the driver window and roll it back up. It is random and you never know when it is going to do it. The only fix I have found is to stop in the middle of the road and restart the truck. You can not drive off the road to do this because you cannot control the steering. I almost drove into oncoming traffic when it did this during a turn at an intersection. I have taken it to the dealership and they say then cannot duplicate it therefore don't know what the fix is. I have read multiple complaints on this on line. I have video but it is too big to send in this email.

NHTSA ID

11622902

Incident

Oct 26, 2024

I have a 2016 GMC 1500 Sierra Denali and experiencing a very scary problem that has suddenly developed with this vehicle. As I am parking or in a slow turn, the vehicle completely looses all power [engine, electronics, brakes, etc..] and the steering wheel jerks out of my hands and then a second or 2 later it comes back on and then repeated 2 more times as I was attempting to park. I had this happen while turning into a parking spot at the store. Then the next day it did it a again as I was turning into a different parking lot. I loose complete control of the vehicle. I have been lucky not to hit another vehicle, more specifically a person. I decided to park the vehicle at home and not drive it until I get GMC service to diagnose. I have an appointment at a dealership to diagnose the problem on 08-15-204 at "Chevrolet Buck GMC of Puyallup Inc.". I did some research on the internet and found a site where others have experienced the same problem. I looked for recalls yet none are concerning my vehicle, however I did find a recall# N202325410 that fits the entire issue for some earlier vehicles. Same exact problem. Something to do with the steering column electrical harness. Please advise what recourse I have?

NHTSA ID

11608843

Incident

Aug 4, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the power steering assist became inoperable. While driving at slow speeds, the power steering assist was intermittently inoperable. The power steering warning light was illuminated was intermittently inoperable. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 90,200.

NHTSA ID

11605044

Incident

Jul 25, 2024

Mileage

90,200 mi

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle, after which the steering wheel jerked to center independently. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V586000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 61,000.

NHTSA ID

11593871

Incident

Jun 6, 2024

Mileage

61,000 mi

Lost power steering at low speed, radio, ac and power to screen shuts off. Once the wheel is turned to the middle the power comes back on. Ive fixed this issue already last year and now again its happened a year later, they say now at 65,000 it is a rack and pinion when last year they said it was the battery.

NHTSA ID

11550377

Incident

Sep 27, 2023

The electrical system keeps throwing a code for short to ground as well as low voltage codes. The voltage gauge on the dash shows either over charging or under charging. The in dash radio and screen shut off and turns back on by itself while driving down the road. Occasionally while backing up or pulling forward the truck completely stalls. The transmission was subject to the shudder issue, we took it to King Cadillac in Lake City, SC for the transmission flush. After the flush we have not felt the shudder, but instead Occasionally when pulling off from a dead stop, or while crossing the very busy highway my house is on the truck looses momentum almost as if the transmission is failing to engage at all, and all of the sudden about 15 seconds later it engages and accelerates at a rapid rate. The steering is extremely loose in the tires, however the steering wheel engages after about 3/4 of an inch. I have taken it to said King Cadillac multiple times and they maintain that the steering is 100%. Although I can not let go of the steering wheel and continue straight for any length of time. I am constantly having to adjust the steering to match the pull of the vehicle to avoid changing lanes or running of the road. After 60mph the tire shake is horrible, after 70mph it is hard to keep the truck in its lane.

NHTSA ID

11541501

Incident

Jan 15, 2021

When trying to turn, the wheel will lock and jerk in the opposite direction, at the same time my dash will say service stabilitrack and my radio screen turns black and the air conditioner/heater turns off. The car looses all power and the ability to turn the wheel in any direction

NHTSA ID

11527959

Incident

Jun 19, 2023

Electronics flash on and off then steering wheel jerks hard back and forth. Total loss of everything.

NHTSA ID

11526471

Incident

Jun 11, 2023

Dash flashed Steering assist reduced while I was driving and then I lost all power steering nearly crashing the vehicle. Upon bringing vehicle to a stop I turned off vehicle exited and looked under hood for anything obvious. Upon restarting the vehicle warning was gone and power steering returned. I was advised by GM that a recall for this problem is available for previous year but not mine. I am afraid to drive vehicle, worried the problem will occur again.

NHTSA ID

11517527

Incident

Apr 14, 2023

I was getting off the freeway making a slight left turn yield and from the no where the steering wheel by itself turned to the right side almost making me loose control of my truck, I was driving about 45 mph when the incident happened. Then a second time happened about two-three weeks later when I was making a left turn to stop by a gas station, I was making the turn driving about 5-10 mph. This is something very serious. If it happens when I’m in the freeway it could make me loose control of my truck and someone could get hurt.

NHTSA ID

11509433

Incident

Jan 18, 2023

When turning off the road to the right or left and then again left or ight in a parking lot, vehicle loses power steering and electronic functions, resulting in no ability to steer away for other objects or pedestrians. This is a major safety concern and i have stopped driving it since it started doing this. So basically any low speed turning from Right to Left or Left to Right i lose the ability to steer. When it happened at night at eh grocery store parking lot i noticed the interior lights flickered out and then back on also.

NHTSA ID

11475804

Incident

Jul 18, 2022

The Power Steering suddenly failed while I was driving at 50 mph in the highway The steering was so hard that I can barely moved, I have to figure out to not crash the side by side vehicles Not yet I will take my car to the mechanic tomorrow No there was not any symptoms before the failure

NHTSA ID

11440081

Incident

Nov 10, 2021

When making turns left and right at low speeds power to the truck shuts off, the steering wheel jerks left or right and warning lights and beeps are activated. The vehicle will continue through momentum, but as you try to turn the steering wheel, the wheel will jerk violently rendering the turn dangerous. This also happens when backing up and turning. The vehicle has to placed in park, ignition shut off and turned back on to continue through the turn and drive. This issue is sporadic and unpredictable. I've avoided near accidents on 5 occasions. The same symptoms occurred during the 2015 GMC Power Steering recall. I've contacted a dealership but was told it could not be fixed without my VIN number being included in the recall.

NHTSA ID

11431404

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

1. Loss of Power Steering - Engine shuts down - Dashboard flickers (sometimes it turns back on) 2. Loss of Power Steering & Engine shuts off while in motion - EXTREMELY DANGEROUS (Usually happens at slower speeds when turning the steering wheel) 3. Dealer has not been able to confirm the problem 4. The dealer won't look at problems unless "it" happens in their hands because the diagnostic does not show this problem. 5. No warning before this happens. No way to force the problem to happen....it just happens usually when turning wheel at slow speeds. 6. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS.... 7. The 2015 Sierra has a recall for this problem, Mine is a 2016 8. PLEASE HELP - VERY DANGEROUS

NHTSA ID

11420557

Incident

Jun 8, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at 45 mph, the four-wheel drive service light illuminated on the instrument panel. As he proceeded driving down the highway, both the service stabilitrak and the no power steering, drive with caution messages appeared on the instrument panel. The contact started losing control of the steering wheel as the vehicle began to sway. The decreased engine power, drive with caution message was also displayed on the instrument panel as the contact cautiously drove the vehicle into a parking lot and restarted the vehicle without further incidence. The next day, the contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where an electrical reboot was performed and the vehicle was returned to the contact. After the vehicle was returned, the contact was driving 50 mph when the failure recurred. The contact continued driving to his destination. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11418448

Incident

May 4, 2021

Mileage

72,000 mi

STEERING WHEEL JOLTS AGGRESSIVELY FROM THE DRIVERS HANDS. ALL ELECTRONICS SHUTDOWN, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, STABILITRAK ERROR & TRAILER BRAKE ON DISPLAY. THESE CONDITIONS OCCUR AT ANY SPEED, GOING STRAIGHT OR TURNING. 25MPH IN CITY, DRIVING 45 MPH COUNTRY ROADS OR WHEN STATIONARY. VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ID

11412869

Incident

Apr 12, 2021

Mileage

74,792 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION EITHER LOCKED UP OR WAS VERY LOOSE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING EITHER CEASED OR BECAME LOOSE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED ED BOZARTH CHEVROLET COMPANY, INC. (2001 S HAVANA ST, AURORA, CO 80247, (720) 773-5338) WHO STATED THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ID

11402573

Incident

Mar 8, 2021

Mileage

56,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND PARKING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE SHIFTED TO PARK AND RESTARTED FOR THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ID

11365088

Incident

Oct 10, 2020

Mileage

42,000 mi

[XXX] I WAS IN THE DESERT AND THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING, I WAS ALONE WITHOUT WATER, UNDER STRESS I CALLED GM ROAD ASSISTANCE AND EMERGENCY TO HELP ME AND THANKS TO GOD THEY CAME AFTER 6 HOURS. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC

NHTSA ID

11339828

Incident

Oct 2, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

WHILE MAKING TURNS THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS, LOSING ALL CONTROL OF STEERING AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WHEN IT STALLS THERE IS NO STEERING CONTROL WHATSOEVER AND THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE BRAKES, BUT SLOW TO REACT.. RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM SLOWLY RESETS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST2 DAYS. TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS THEY HAVE AN OPENING.

NHTSA ID

11331653

Incident

Jun 29, 2020

Mileage

66,000 mi