Why You Might Suddenly Lose Power Steering in a 2015 GMC Canyon
- The 2015 GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado can suddenly lose their power steering assist.
- The trucks have an unprotected electrical connection between the electric power steering motor and torque sensor in the steering gear assembly.
- A recall announced in April 2021 will replace the torque sesnor cover and apply anti-corrosion gel to the electrical connection.
Poor electrical connections inside the steering gear assemblies of the 2015 GMC Canyon can cause the truck to lose its power steering. While the connection can drop out while driving, most owners report seeing a service power steering, drive with care message shortly after starting the truck.
Common DIY solutions have included restarting the truck or wiggling the steering wheel until the message goes away. Not exactly the most confidence-boosting fixes.
Corroded Steering Gear Connections Are Disabling the Power Steering ∞
Early versions of the steering gear assemblies have a connector between the electric power steering motor and torque sensor that is susceptible to corrosion and other damage. The assemblies were provided by Mando America Corporation and installed in the 2015 Canyon or it's cousin the 2015 Chevy Colorado.
If that connection is interrupted:
- The power steering system won't work and vehicle reverts to manual steering
- A warning message will be displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
- One of the following codes may be logged into the truck's computer: C0800,U0073, U0102, U0109, U0140.
This short video shows how the message pops up when starting the truck. Warning, some language NSFW 😂
A sudden loss of power steering ∞
A sudden loss of power steering can be a jarring experience, particularly at low speeds where you'll get quite a workout turning such a heavy vehicle without any assistive technologies.
Corrections made for the 2016 model year ∞
Mando America started using gold-plating and anti-corrosion gel to protect the electrical connection in any truck built after May 22nd, 2015
Customer Satisfaction Program ∞
In June 2018, GM announced a "customer satisfaction program" for certain 2015 Colorado and Canyon trucks.
GM confirmed that the connection between the power steering motor and torque sensor has a potential for fretting corrosion
and recommends technicians replace the complete power steering rack assembly for any customer complaining about the problem.
Additionally, any unsold trucks needed to be inspected and repaired before being sold.
The program expired on June 30, 2020 which means any owner that didn't know about it, didn't complain about it to a dealership, or experienced the problem afterwards suddenly found themselves staring down a large repair bill.
Power Steering Assemblies Recalled in April 2021 ∞
In April 2021, GM announced they'd be recalling 65,000 trucks with poor electrical connections inside the steering gear assemblies.
Unlike the satisfaction program which replaces the whole steering rack assembly, the recall repair involves replacing just the steering gear torque cover sensor assemblies and using anti-corrosion gel on the connectors.
Some owners worry this doesn't go far enough, but it is better than nothing for owners experiencing the problem after the program's deadline passed.
The recall (#N202325410) covers 60,600 trucks in the US and 5,000 in Canada, and starts on May 10, 2021.
Generations Where This Problem Has Been Reported
This problem has popped up in the following GMC generations.
Most years within a generation share the same parts and manufacturing process. You can also expect them to share the same problems. So while it may not be a problem in every year yet, it's worth looking out for.
What Owners Say About This Problem
The power steering assist goes out on my Canyon just about every-other time i use my truck, making it very cumbersome and dangerous to use. My vehicle gives a warning beep and a message is displayed - allowing me to physically grab the steering wheel with both hands and prepare if I need to make a turn. To get the steering working again, I need to shut off the engine and wait 5-10 minutes for the system to reset. Very frustrating and dangerous.
Bought my Canyon new in 2015. After 80k miles Power steering goes off while driving and "stabilitrac" warning shows. Super dangerous as it is almost impossible to steer any tight corner in this situation.