So today, I'm in the drive thru of a coffee joint and when I pulled up I was angled towards the drive thru window and little bit due to the tight fit. Auto start engaged, I got my coffee and the engine fired up once I eased up off the brake to pull away. Then the problem: the power steering failed to activate within the 8-10" of travel and I could not steer away from the window without hitting it. I tried backing up to get the steering to kick in, but no-go because another vehicle was pretty much up my 6. Finally, I put the truck in park, slid out the passenger door and asked the car behind me to back up so i could back up more. I backed up a few feet enough for the steering to power up and I was able to drive away. I've had some issues before with it not engaging following an *** cycle where a quick turn was required. I assume this is just the annoying by-product of the feature, but dang it can put you in a pinch (and embarrass you apparently) when you least expect it.

 

The steering on these trucks is all electric, It should be ready to go immediately after the truck is running, are you sure your wheels weren't tight up against the curb preventing you from turning the wheel?

 

Yep. I looked out the window to check my clearance, plus I am OCD about curbs particularly with my 22's. There are a few local business drives that angle downhill towards the road as your leaving. If *** activates while I'm on the downward slope waiting for traffic, my steering never kicks in until i'm halfway out into the lane (maybe 5'-6'? ) and I have to make wider than needed turns. Beats me.

 

That doesn't seem right to me. I would have it looked it.

 

Happened to me once too and I still have paper plates on it. It's kind of stupid the power steering stops when the engine stops, with it being electric.

 

This happens to me quite often. I'd say at least once a month. I am usually able to muscle it free and after a few feet it kicks back in. I wonder if completely shutting the truck off and starting it up again would have helped? It shouldn't be the case, but I doubt there is a fix for it tbh. They will just say there is a lag in the system.

 

There's an easy fix for this. Disable ***.

 

Mine is at the dealership now to see if they can replicate it. Happened to me on Friday on my lunch hour, pulled out into traffic and couldn't steer. After 5 seconds it came back online. Steering after an auto-stop was sluggish all day after that. Made an appointment at the dealer for today... Saturday was fine and this morning was fine so I hope they can replicate it... I have 450 miles left on the bumper-to-bumper warranty so at least I'll have it documented as a service visit before the warranty is up.

 

Mine will do this if I start to steer before the engine fully starts. Then even when it is started it will have to move 20 feet or so before it's back to full boost. I can still steer, but it takes some muscle. I can see this being a recall at some point, it's definitely a safety issue when you lose power steering unexpectedly.

Has happened to me several times when picking up/dropping of my kids at school, have damn near rear ended cars in front of me. I've learned to let off the brake enough to start the engine, then steer, or better yet, put it in park.

 

What I did for sure.