[Veesixcav]

Hi
Been experiencing intermittent power steering loss with my saturn outlook at low revs
Been to dealers for this problem and they suggested replacing fluid as a precaution which I do not believe will resolve the issue therefore I declined the option until I researched further.

There isn't abnormal noise when loss is experienced, such as pump cavitation or belt slippage.

I have previously tried putting additional fluid in the reservoir just to try it but has not resolved the issue
Seen lots of comments and posts on www regarding this issue but not come across any with a definitive solution
Car has been great to date apart from the stretched timing chain issue which was repaired under warranty
Anybody out there got any ideas ?

 

[ponchonutty]

I was having the same problem and was fearing that it was the rack because a dealer told me that's what it was. Finally it went out completely going down a freeway I said I had to get it fixed. I ended having dealership install a new pump. That has seemed to fix the problem (6months now). I did have an odd whining from the steering under the dash for a while. Not sure if it was electric power assist or not but it slowly went away.

 

[GM Customer Service]

Hi
Been experiencing intermittent power steering loss with my saturn outlook at low revs
Been to dealers for this problem and they suggested replacing fluid as a precaution which I do not believe will resolve the issue therefore I declined the option until I researched further.

There isn't abnormal noise when loss is experienced, such as pump cavitation or belt slippage.

I have previously tried putting additional fluid in the reservoir just to try it but has not resolved the issue
Seen lots of comments and posts on www regarding this issue but not come across any with a definitive solution
Car has been great to date apart from the stretched timing chain issue which was repaired under warranty
Anybody out there got any ideas ?

Hello,

I understand that you are concern about your vehicle issue. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Safe travels,

Jennifer T.
GM Customer Care

 

[Veesixcav]

Thanks for the feedback, glad you got yours resolved.I just can't believe that the pump on mine is bad due to the nature of the fault. I lose power assist for just a few seconds and then it just comes right back. No whining can be heard.
I am trying to find out a little more about the varying assist that may or may not be fitted to this car. Apparently on some models the power assist is varied according to rpm
To me this sounds like a more plausible cause, maybe a sensor going bad. Had a quick look under the hood this weekend hoping to get a glimpse but I think I will have to lift it and get under it to see anything.
Would love to see a breakdown of the power steering circuit in an attempt to verify whether or not this varied assist is on this vehicle
Regards

 

[Rich25]

I have a similar problem with my 09 Outlook. Whining sound when turning and stiff steering at tight turns and now most of the time when I drive in and out of a parking lot the power steering is totally lost, I mean I need to wrestle with the steering wheel to be able to get in or out of a parking lot. Finally I went to a former Saturn dealer where I bought the vehicle and they said I needed to replace the power steering pump and rack and they quote me about $1,500 to do the job for both parts and labor.

 

[ponchonutty]

I have a similar problem with my 09 Outlook. Whining sound when turning and stiff steering at tight turns and now most of the time when I drive in and out of a parking lot the power steering is totally lost, I mean I need to wrestle with the steering wheel to be able to get in or out of a parking lot. Finally I went to a former Saturn dealer where I bought the vehicle and they said I needed to replace the power steering pump and rack and they quote me about $1,500 to do the job for both parts and labor.

That's a great quote! Never seen it that low to replace the whole system. BTW, just swapping out the pump should fix your problem though.

 

[gary gossett]

I am experiencing the same intermittent power steering loss on our 09 Outlook. It is extremely intermittent right now, and the loss is normally at low speed turns, however is can be dangerous because it went out on my wife without warning making a sharp turn in a Lowe's parking lot earlier this week and narrowly missed hitting another car! Took it to a local auto shop today, and they told me they needed to change out the pump and the rack at a cost of over $1,200. I searched the pump and rack on line and can get both parts ( remanufactured ) for $200 total core price. That is a lot for labor!

What's also extra aggravating is that we bought my daughter an 05 Saturn Ion a few years ago, and the power steering went out intermittently on that as well. Just every great once in a while to start with, then it went out on me one day driving on the highway at 60 mph. Eventually it got to be an everyday thing, and my daughter did have an accident ( although just a fender bender, but could have been worse ). This Ion of course has an electric power steering system, so it is a somewhat different situation, however it cost me over $550 to replace the electric unit ( and that was about 3 years ago ).

What's up with the all the power steering issues on Saturns? Seems like a very serious issue as I have heard and seen this issue about Saturn vehicles posted a lot. Have you ever heard of a recall of cars in this regard. I cannot find one, but it sure is a serious issue. I had a seat belt recall on the 09 Outlook, which having a seatbelt failure being coupled with a power steering failure is a disaster waiting to happen. I am going to contact GM to possibly get some technical assistance.

 

[sailfish]

The steering pump issue is across all of the "lambda's". The Enclave, Acadia, Traverse and the Outlook.

You can search the other three forums for information pertaining to the problem as well as recommendations on repair.

 

[Veesixcav]

Thanks for all the feedback, I had to change the tires on the Saturn and the fault went away for a few months. It's now back, car is due in the dealer for the recent recalls so will see if they have any better ideas other than fluid change

 

[XRDreamliner]

Intermittent or Hard Steering = new PS pump :deadhorse:

 

[Veesixcav]

Just been to the Acadia forum and saw a very helpful post by some GM tech

Looks like it could be the pump causing the problem, fair play to all you guys that said the pump was the issue. Will see how I get on


Update....November 2014, still experiencing very intermittent power steering loss

Just received recall letter in the post regarding this issue - result !!

 

[wolgamom]

I have been experiencing the intermittent loss of power steering for more than a year in my 2009 Saturn Outlook XE. I have had it into my mechanic twice (July 2013, 136,000 miles and July 2014, 151,000 miles) with no change in it's occurrence and no issues diagnosed--it happens so intermittently, the mechanic couldn't repeat the problem I was describing. I just received the letter from GM about this issue and that it can be brought in to have the power steering pump replaced at no charge, if it's within 10 years of date when vehicle went into service or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first. My vehicle is now over the 150,000 mile mark. I talked to GM Customer Service and told them I have documentation from July 2013 that this problem was occurring and asked if I can still qualify for pump replacement at no charge and was told no. It seems like the ability to show that you have been dealing with this issue for a while should count for something.

 

[TWB]

I have been experiencing the intermittent loss of power steering for more than a year in my 2009 Saturn Outlook XE. I have had it into my mechanic twice (July 2013, 136,000 miles and July 2014, 151,000 miles) with no change in it's occurrence and no issues diagnosed--it happens so intermittently, the mechanic couldn't repeat the problem I was describing. I just received the letter from GM about this issue and that it can be brought in to have the power steering pump replaced at no charge, if it's within 10 years of date when vehicle went into service or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first. My vehicle is now over the 150,000 mile mark. I talked to GM Customer Service and told them I have documentation from July 2013 that this problem was occurring and asked if I can still qualify for pump replacement at no charge and was told no. It seems like the ability to show that you have been dealing with this issue for a while should count for something.

Was it a coincidence that you received a letter from GM or did you contact them? I think my ps pump is bad in my 2009 Outlook XR.