(T) Total loss of power steering

So there I was, comming up the M6 in the fast lane when for no reason, an f plate volvo dithering up the middle lane (with no traffic in the slow lane or in front of him) moves into the fast lane in front of me. Hes going rather slow and im doing about 80. I slam on as he did this at the point of no return.

some ABS shudder, one cloud of tyre smoke, a screech and then something suprised me- the steering wheel shot back into the dash...with out the position lock comming off. I then get a power steering failure message, and ABS failure and summat else i dont know what is. Im missed him by an inch. he then pulls into middle lane. Im now on the motorway with no ABS and no steering doing 50mph. I thought the steering was a false message until i had to turn- and couldnt as my stilo now has no power steering and no power to the hydraulics. I managed to get onto the hard shoulder, and stop the car, turning it off and on sorted the ABS out and the other thing but the steering msg still would not go off and not work. the wheel would reposition and lock as normal and on the fourth attempt, just before calling the AA the steering come back on and has worked fine since.

This was the biggest poo pants moment in my driving career, and im going to mention this to the dealer when its service time as it scared me and the mrs.

Has anyone experienced anything like this?

I hope this never ... ever......happens to me, OMG .... I pooed my pants just reading it.

I am glad you and Mrs Big Black Stilo are ok

I hope it never happens again either or happen to anyone at all!

This is now my top driving horror story. Strangely my smack last years is the last!

Talk about one scary moment....glad you are ok, though.

Typical Volvo driver though

I hope you're not intending to keep driving the car as it is?!

Well it hasnt done it since.... Took it to an industral estate and took to 95 and braked just as hard and it didnt do it again.

Still going to mention it to the dealer but they probably say it was a glitch.

Erm, nor had it done it before....lot of good that record meant for it never happening.

I wouldn't get in a car that did that to me, not unless it had had time spent on it by a fiat 'expert'.

Im going on my Jols soon and when i get back its service time and I'll mention it, not been able to get time off work to go to dealers.

You have more balls than me!

Course I have! I've driven Daewoo Matiz's!

Maybe im actually just stupid?

Just please don't not come back on here due to death!

Course I have... I have driven Daewoo Matiz's


Actually, maybe im just stupid

Glitch in the Matrix there!

That's almost got the hallmarks of some form of device pulling the steering wheel into the dash as it would in the event of an impact, to pull the wheel away from any potential chest/face impact.

I didn't think the Stilo had that kind of thing though, to be honest.

I dont think it does either, i think that the adjustment lock is poo and gave way and knocked something.

Will have to see what dealer says.