[goldrivertom]

I have seen similar threads on this topic, but am having trouble believing my dealership's diagnosis. While driving my 2011 Volt home recently on a two lane highway, my power steering went out and I got the "Service Power Steering" message on the dash. While difficult to steer, I continued home (about 15 miles). I charged the car overnight and called the dealer in the morning. When I drove to the dealer, the steering worked fine, but I still wanted the dealer to check things out.

After several days of trying to diagnose the problem, they determined the steering gear mechanism was not getting power due to an intermittent failure in the control module. Their plan is to replace the control module.

When I mentioned there was a bulletin extending the warranty on the power steering to 10 years, their response was that was for the gear/motor mechanism, not for the control module. So whenever they get this done, I will be paying the full amount. Seems to me, and from what I've read on this forum, the mechanical and electrical pieces are interrelated, and all of it should be covered by the 10 year warranty.

Is the dealer correct? Or should I push back?

 

[caronjeff]

My 2011 Volt had the power steering go out after crossing heavy rumble strips on a construction zone lane diversion. Same as yours, service power steering message. After shutting car off 15 minutes and restarting everything was fine. Others have reported the same situation. Did you hit rumble strips?

 

[mpmoore1979]

This is what the special policy is for on the power steering:

Note: The calibration for the Chevrolet Volt will not be available until November 26, 2014.

Condition
Some 2012-2014 model year (MY) Buick Verano, 2011-2014 MY Chevrolet Cruze and Volt, 2010-2014 MY Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, and 2013-2014 MY Chevrolet Malibu vehicles may have increased friction in the steering system. This could cause the steering wheel to stick in the straight-ahead position after driving long distances on a straight highway. The steering wheel can be turned but it may require increased effort.

Special Coverage Adjustment
This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.

Dealers are to 1) replace the steering gear on 2010-2012 model year vehicles; or 2) reprogram the power steering control module on 2013-2014 model year vehicles. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

If the failure is not due to the sticking steering, the warranty does not apply.

 

[caronjeff]

I think the OP description and mine match up, so this description is different. The steering as described basically shut off power assist until the car was shut off, let sit a bit then restarted. After this one incident with mine everything has been normal since, an additional 1 1/2 years and 21,000 miles no problem.

 

[ghostgs1]

This sounds similar to the steering problem associated with the 2005 Malibu (others?) we used to own. It would periodically shut off, requiring a great deal more effort to turn the wheel. GM replaced the defective parts for free and extended the coverage for this defect to something like 150,000 miles. If they don't cover it now, hang onto your repair bill, it may become a covered repair in the future and GM would then reimburse you for those costs.

 

[bentbiker]

This is what the special policy is for on the power steering . . .

Thank you.

 

[goldrivertom]

Thanks for all the responses. I may have gone over rumble strips before the steering went out, but am not sure. I know I definitely did after the steering went out, since it was difficult to stay on the road. Sounds like I probably could have passed on letting the dealer replace the module, but we'll see what happens.

 

[goldrivertom]

Just to follow up and close this thread out, after the dealer had my Volt for 4 weeks, they ended up replacing all of the power steering components, and charged me nothing. First they tried to replace only the control module, but then could not get it to work with the original mechanical components. The good news was that I had a 2017 Volt loaner for 2 of the 4 weeks - liked it a lot, but I think I'll stick with my 2011 Volt for now.