I was driving at approximately 55 MPH when I felt my steering wheel go stiff and my RPM gauge dropped. I tried pulling over but had problems turning the wheel. That is when I realized my enclave had completely shut off while I was driving. I was able to put it into neutral and hit the brakes to bring the vehicle to a stop where I then restarted it. That was 2 days ago. Today I went to start it for work and for the 3rd time in 2 months it would not start. I have already had the battery as well as the connections checked with no wrong findings. I have only had this car for 4 months! I called the dealership and they said that there is a 'service bulletin' posted in their repair shop because "many people" were experiencing the same problem but it was not a recall.
2008 Buick Enclave steering complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 99, newest first, as owners wrote them.
This vehicle is hard to steer. The power steering is horrible and people have had it go out on them. Costs a ton to repair and it's an ongoing issue with enclaves. They refuse to recall the parts even though my family is in harms way. I don't have the right geological location and VIN number even though my vehicle is clearly affected.... Frustrated!
While driving our 2008 buick enclave in a parking lot, I attempted to turn into a parking spot and when turning the steering wheel completely locked up on me and I was unable to finish the turn and almost ran into a car. Luckily I was going slow enough that I was able to step on the brakes before I hit the car parked in the space next to the one I was trying to park in. After a few seconds the steering started working again. Since then every time I am going at a slow rate of speed and make a sharp turn the steering goes out of the car. Took it to a local auto repair shop and the diagnosed that the steering pump is faulty. This car only has 67,000 miles on it. As I researched on the internet I saw that this is a very common problem with this make and model of car. There needs to be a recall as the fix for this is over a $1000.00. For a vehicle that costs almost $50,000 brand new this is ridiculous. I should not be taking this car to the shop for steering problems at this low mileage.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick enclave. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the transmission failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed the wave plate needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 80,001. The consumer stated the power steering went out. The vehicle was almost impossible to turn. The vehicle was towed the dealer. An inspection revealed the power steering rack was leaking from both sides, and the pump seized. Also, the dealer replaced the water pump, because it was leaking. Updated 08/06/14 updated 08/11/14
The steering has been an ongoing event since the second year of having the model. I would lose control of the vehicle when turning left. It would have a mind of its own and not turn. I have run off the road and went into several ditches not being able to turn (tech service date 6/20/12 rack and pinion binding causing stiffness in steering--replaced steering gear and flushed system). We almost had a head on collision when I turned it in again with the same issue demanding something be done. (5/10/13 correction-replace leaking steering gear and failed p/s pump, fill system, bleed sys and verify operation). Difficulty steering and loud popping noise while turning left (service date 4/18/14- found internal leak form power steering rack -replaced rack and bleed system and aligned vehicle. Drove out of the the dealership and noticed A/C not working and same noise coming from the front while turning left. Took it back in (5/5/14-found left front axle shaft to be popping needs to replace at owners expense. The dealership had the vehicle for 20+ days and did not fix. Airbag warning light illuminated so I took the vehicle into the dealer (6/29/10--poor connection at sir harness--diagnosed and repaired. Received a recall notice in the mail-took vehicle into the dealer (4/18/14--correction completed). Airbag warning light illuminated again. Took vehicle to the dealership (5/5/14-intermittent short in passenger presence module, checked an rechecked -- corrections needs from passenger presence module at customers expense I was called to picked vehicle up as is after 20+ days. Dealership would not fix.
Steering starts to fail when I drive at low speeds. It locks up causing me to make sudden reactions. I have a very hard time making a turn or pulling in or out of a parking space. It is a danger to my family and to other drivers.
Power steering went out at 10-35 MPH at 5:00 6/4/2014. Took the enclave to the dealer 6/5/2014 no word yet on what has gone wrong. Hopeful for more info today 6/6/2014. Car drove fine for the past 1-1/2 years, then out of no where very difficult to steer a 6,000 lb. Vehicle without power steering. Lucky that I was not on the highway with my family in this vehicle. But, still scary even on city streets as turning had to be accomplished very widely.
Air conditioning is leaking due to power steering hose collar rubbing and vibrating. Several problems with this car since purchase including rebuilt transmission, etc. Design flaw and lemon.
Rack and pinion gone bad only 62,000 miles on my SUV estimated cost $1200. How can this be happening on a $55,000 plus vehicle. Also had to replace the water pump a year ago got stranded on highway. Was out of quite a bit of money with towing back to illinois from ohio plus the cost of repairs. I'm at a point where I'm afraid to drive this vehicle out of state in fear of a major breakdown.
My wife and I, with our 2 kids were driving on the highway and the transmission just stopped working. We were stranded on the highway for hours and wound up having to replace the transmission. My wife was driving. Good thing there wasnt a lot of traffic on the highway. That was last year. Now this whinning noise thats been going on for a while has gotten louder and louder. I looked up online and there are hundreds if not thousands of complaints on this issue with the rack and pinnion. This should be a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick enclave. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel, a loud sound was heard from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician diagnosed that the rack and pinion was deteriorating. No repairs were performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 55,000.
The power steering failed during a low speed turn, fortunately, there was no other traffic and I was able to complete the turn, the condition is repeating itself and I consider it a safety issue. I have called the dealer service dept twice and they are not returning my call.
Power steering failed out of no-where while turning at an intersection. Barely missed side-swiping a police car. Only had assist under high RPM's.(I am an adult and have had previous experience driving vehicles with no power steering, my teenage children would have not known what to do or how it feels to lose power steering, so I am thankful that this happened while I was driving the car and not them!) this was an extremely hazardous situation, and no recall? Car was completely unsafe to drive. Prior to this incident the vehicle made loud whirling noises when the steering wheel was being turned. Dealership found steering rack-leaking from end seals, they flushed power steering system and power steering gear, pump, fluids replaced. $1987.49 to make the car safe to drive again.
My power steering went out and had to have the rack and pinion replaced completely. The mechanic stated that they are doing 100 of these a month to enclaves, acadias, and traverses. There is currently no recall, but obviously there is a problem that gm is not acknowledging.
Vehicle losses power steering assist at low speeds - frequency is increasing. Power assist returns after engine speed increases. No other symptoms prior to loss of power assist.
Transmission failed 3 weeks out of powertrain warranty and required a rebuild then failed again about a year later. Steering pump and cooling motor failed during warranty period and were replaced and then both failed 18 months later (out of warranty) stabilitrac and check engine lights keep turning on after the dealer has repaired it 3 times (turns on about 30 minutes away from dealer each time). The federal safety agency really needs to take action against buick and gm regarding the 2008 enclave, it is a lemon and people are being ripped off over it and put at serious risk because of its' short comings.
Car lost all forward motion with no warning. Diagnosis: transmission gone. I was on a narrow 2 lane roadway and was stuck on a curve. A sitting duck. I was able to pull over to side a bit but still in harms way. No indication of any kind that there was a problem prior to incident. 12 hours prior at 11 pm at night, I was traveling in the tunnel under boston. Thank god it didn't go then. The car was 9 months out of dealer 5 year / $100,000 warranty. Also had to repair steer gear bushings for $350 (which I see on this site has been a problem for many others). These seem to be defective parts, that put me in danger.
The power steering lines as well as the transmission cooler lines have defective crimps where the rubber portion of the hose mates with the metal portion. This causes leaking power steering and transmission fluid that could potentially leak onto hot exhaust and start a fire. Or these lines could burst and cause rapid loss of fluid causing vehicle control issues.
Power steering making noise, front left side suspension making rattling sound.
I just had my transmission repaired, cost me my savings, and a known issue with many owners. Now the power steering is caput. Have to waist my precious time and money on taking the car to the shop again. There is already a class action law suite for this exact issue. Shame on gmc for producing such poor quality car.
As we were driving around a dark curve on a well traveled country road, the car quit pulling, the battery died, and the car would not shift. We were unable to move the car and were in the dark. There were two adults and two children in the car at the time. We had to call a wrecker to pick up the car and a deputy sheriff to direct traffic and keep from being hit by oncoming traffic. Apparently, the shifter broke and the transmission died. Both had to be replaced. I found out later that the transmission is the #1 complaint on this particular car. Why has a recall not been done? Do lives have to be lost before something is done???
Loss power steering while turning off highway. Had to drive in manual steering mode. Power steering came back but has remained intermittent. Steering fluid is fine. Dealer stated issue related to previous seen issue with enclave steering requiring gear replacement at 1500 cost.
My wife, with 2 children in the car and one on the way, got stuck in a parking lot, unable to turn the steering wheel. She was pinned in and called me in tears to help. I drove down to the store to help her expecting something simple but found that I could barely turn the wheel. Steering fluid was fine and I was able to muscle it into a space. The next day we went back to try and move the car and it seemed fine. I drove it home but when I tried to turn into my road I overshot the turn and found myself sideways across the rd. Halfway passed the intersection! This is a dangerous vehicle! I have since been online and found many, many similar stories. The dealer that fixed this said that this effects other buick models as well and informed me that there is a class action suit filed over this problem. This is a $2200 repair and I've read that it just comes back for some people in another 20,000 miles! Please look into this... Its just a matter of time before someone gets hurt or killed.
Loss of power steering at low speeds. Occurs when turning from stop signs/signals, turning into parking spaces, and other low speed driving. My 2008 enclave is at the dealership today for repairs. They say it may need not only a new power steering pump, but that the entire rack and pinion steering system may need replaced. The service dept. States that there is not enough pressure at low speeds for the power steering to kick in. This is extremely dangerous in intersections. Almost traded it in last week to avoid all of the costly repairs, but can't find another vehicle that suits my needs as well as this one (I've owned it for 4 years, and am spoiled). However, this problem seems to be one that gm is fully aware of and should recall since it is obviously a common issue with this model year. Although the car is almost paid off, I don't have $3500 laying around and am having to refinance the vehicle to pay for the high cost of repairs to the power steering system.
This car has a whinning noise coming from the steering column that gets louder the more drive it. I have contacted the buick care dept and they indicated it is a known problem but they will not fix it. They had me take my car to the buick place where I purchased the vehicle and they come up with about 1900.00 to fix this and say that it is a known problem with the buick steering that some housing is too close to the steering column and it creates the noise and steering problems and that buick and everyone else is aware of it and that they should issue a recall but do not. In addition I have engine stalling problems where there is lack of power upon sudden acceleration. This happens frequently.
Loss of power steering. Power steering pump was replaced at approx. 9000 miles for a failure then under gm warranty. Car now has 62500 and dealer advises pump is bad again. Will not cover replacement even though it has already been replaced once. This appears to be a known safety defect but gm is not issuing a recall and the replacement pumps are no better than the originals. Thank you for your research on the issue and holding gm accountable for the safety issue that many are experiencing.
Attempted to make a right hand turn from a shopping mall driveway into oncoming traffic. The steering system failed and would not allow the driver to turn the steering wheel. Power to the system returned within 5-10 seconds, but the vehicle was narrowly avoided by cars traveling the roadway being entered.
The steering rack & pump were replaced at 23,000 miles under warranty. Now, at 70,000 miles, it needs to be replaced again ($1900 repair) for the same reason. The steering whines whenever the wheel is turned, and loses power at any time during low speed. Serious safety concern for me and my family! Others have had this same issue. Needs to be recalled before someone gets killed.
Power steering fails at low engine RPM, making it extremely difficult to turn at intersections with no gas applied.
I was driving my buick enclave and I was going about 10 miles turning into traffic and it locked in me I was scared to death!!! I had my kids in the car I only had this car for 30 days I took it back to the dealer am they said it is the steering rack and the steering pump if everyone is having the same problem that mean this parts are defective and should be recalled please help.
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