This is an intermittent problem. It doesn't happen every day, but happens about once a week. I start the car and everything appears normal except that the steering wheel is super tight, there is no power assist. I turn off the engine and fire it up again and everything is back to normal.

I suspect this is an electrical issue, but GT1 shows no codes that have anything to do with steering. It does occasionally throw an alternator code about failing to communicate. The battery also holds enough of a charge to start the car every time, so not sure it's a faulty battery.

Any ideas?