Silverado & Sierra Electric Power Steering Assist Loss (2020-2024 Recall Guide)

Nearly 800,000 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks have been affected by a recall addressing unexpected loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist. This is worth understanding clearly because it catches a lot of owners off guard for one specific reason: unlike older trucks with a hydraulic power steering pump and fluid, these trucks use a fully electric steering assist system with no fluid, belt, or pump involved at all — so the usual power steering troubleshooting habits (checking fluid level, looking for leaks) simply don't apply here.

This guide explains what actually causes the assist loss, which trucks are affected, the warning signs to watch for, what GM's fix involves, and how to check your specific vehicle's recall status.

What Actually Causes the Assist Loss

The root cause identified by GM is specific and electrical: the electric power steering (EPS) system disables its assist if the vehicle's electrical system voltage drops below 8.8 volts for more than one second, and once disabled, assist doesn't return until voltage climbs back above 9 volts and holds there for at least 40 milliseconds. In practical terms, a momentary voltage dip — which can be triggered by a marginal battery, a heavy electrical load kicking in at the wrong moment, or a charging system hiccup — can cause the power steering assist to cut out even though nothing is mechanically wrong with the steering rack, motor, or any physical steering component.

Which Trucks Are Affected

The recall covers a broad range of Silverado and Sierra light-duty trucks from the 2020-2024 model years, along with a separate, earlier recall affecting certain 2014 model year Silverado and Sierra trucks built in a specific production window. Because eligibility depends on your specific vehicle identification number rather than model year alone, don't assume your truck is or isn't included just because it falls within these general ranges — always confirm directly.

Warning Signs

Common signs include the steering suddenly feeling significantly heavier, particularly at low speeds like parking lot maneuvers where power assist matters most, a "Service Power Steering" or "Steering Assist Is Reduced" message on the driver information center, and in some cases assist that cuts out and then returns on its own as voltage recovers. A grinding or whining noise is not a typical symptom of this specific issue, since there's no hydraulic pump involved — if you're hearing unusual noises related to steering, that likely points to a separate, unrelated mechanical issue worth diagnosing on its own.

GM's Fix

GM's remedy for this recall is a software update to the EPS control module, performed by a dealer at no cost to the owner. This update adjusts how the system responds to brief voltage dips so that a momentary fluctuation doesn't trigger a full assist shutdown the way the original calibration did. Because this is a software fix rather than a hardware replacement, the repair itself is typically quick, often completed in under an hour at a dealer service visit.

Checking Your VIN

Use GM's official recall lookup tool with your 17-digit VIN, or call your local Chevrolet or GMC dealer's service department directly and ask them to check. This is the only reliable way to confirm your specific truck is included, since general model-year ranges don't guarantee individual vehicle eligibility, and coverage details can be added or refined as GM's investigation and remedy rollout continues.

If It Happens While You're Driving

If you experience a sudden loss of power steering assist, the truck remains steerable — it simply requires significantly more physical effort, similar to older vehicles without power steering at all, rather than becoming unsteerable. Keep both hands firmly on the wheel, reduce speed gradually, and move to a safe location to assess the situation. If assist doesn't return and the message persists, have the vehicle towed or inspected before continuing regular driving, and schedule your recall repair promptly if you haven't already.

Quick Reference Table

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my truck need a new battery to fix this?

Not necessarily as part of the recall repair itself, since GM's fix is a software update to how the system responds to voltage dips. That said, if your truck's battery is old or marginal, replacing it is good general maintenance and reduces the frequency of the voltage dips that can trigger this behavior in the first place.

Is this recall repair really free?

Yes — safety recalls are performed at no cost to the owner regardless of your vehicle's warranty status or how many previous owners it's had, since recall coverage follows the vehicle itself, not a specific purchase or warranty term.

Can I keep driving my truck if I haven't had the recall done yet?

Most affected trucks never experience the assist loss and remain safe to drive, but we'd recommend scheduling the free software update as soon as it's practical for you rather than delaying indefinitely, given that steering assist loss is a genuine safety-relevant condition when it does occur.

Will a weak battery cause other problems besides this steering issue?

Yes — a battery that's struggling to maintain voltage under load can cause a range of symptoms on modern GM trucks, from flickering lights to infotainment glitches to rough Auto Start-Stop restarts, since these systems are all sensitive to consistent voltage. It's worth having your battery's health checked as general preventive maintenance regardless of this specific recall.

Does this recall affect heavy-duty Silverado HD or Sierra HD trucks?

This particular recall has centered on light-duty Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 trucks. Always check your specific VIN rather than assuming based on trim level, since coverage details are vehicle-specific.