Saturn Outlook Power Steering locks up in turns

Mr. Leaks

I have had my power steering system lock up on me four times now. The other day I pulled into a parking lot, and could not turn into the parking spot I wanted to park in because the power steering locked up. I had to drive past and fight the steering wheel just to safely park somewhere else almost hitting other parked cars. I have told my wife and daughter not to drive my car anymore until this problem is fixed with concerns of a major accident with loss of control. I don't see this subject on this website, but have seem others with similar problem. Any good info available?

PF_Flyer

From looking around online, I see a lot of talk about the electric steering motor temporarily shutting down to prevent itself from overheating or the steering system being steered fast enough to overrun the pump/motor. Did it happen while you were parking each time? That's a spot where the steering wheel is generally turned farther/quicker than most situations.

Mr. Leaks

PF Fler, three times entering a parking lot, and once Turing onto a roadway from a stopped position. So, each time I was moving fairly slow, and turning at a normal rate.

PF_Flyer

OK, so low speed turns, where the steering wheel is being turned fairly far and fast, as opposed to going around a bend in the road where the wheel gets turned slowly and not especially far. Saw some stuff about underinflated tires making things harder on the power assist, and while that might be true, it doesn't feel like the cause.

Did the steering "freeze" or did it just become really difficult to turn? Freezing would imply that it locked up, but what it sounds like is that the power assist "disappeared". Did you get a warning light along with the hard to turn sensation?

I found something about a steering issue with the Saturn Ion that talks about replacing the electric motor

The power steering assist may be lost intermittently along with illumination of the "power steering" warning message. In most cases, the power steering system will return to normal when the ignition is cycled off and the engine is restarted. General Motors recommends to replace the electric power steering assist motor to correct this problem.

I assume the Outlook is going to be using a similar power steering system. Could be that the pump system is failing under stress. Also should check the power steering fluid. A leak is a possibility too.

Mr. Leaks

PF flyer, thanks for all your input, but I found out today that GM is familiar with this problem. In Sept 2014 a letter was sent out to owners telling you that you can get "an intermittent drop of power steering hydraulic pressure that will cause reduced or loss of steering assist", caused by a steering pump wear condition. The letter's # is 14329. It is additional protection for up to 10 years from date vehicle was placed in service or 150,000 miles. It has to be diagnosed by a GM dealer. It will cover replacement of several components, flush and reservice with new fluid at no cost. You might be charged a diagnosis fee, but everything else is free. My car is currently at dealer being diagnosed for this problem. Hopefully this info can help other Outlook owners. Thanks.

PF_Flyer

Drop in the pressure is what it sounded like. Glad to hear you;re on the road to recovery!