The power steering gives out when the car is travelling at slow speeds. It basically seizes up mid turn and needs an incredible amount of power to turn the wheel. This has been happening since about the 70,000 mile mark
2009 Buick Enclave steering complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 108, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I brought my vehicle last november of 2017 and for the last couple of months I have had a problem with my steering it locks up when trying to pull into a parking space or just simply turning a corner it takes a lot of strength to turn this wheel and also other driver's seem to think I'm holding traffic up because I can't turn the wheel also when backing up into traffic the wheel locks up it doesn't happen all the time but I almost hit another vehicle because the wheel locked up I'm afraid to drive the car on the highway for fear it may lock up going straight is fine only when turning backing up and no parallel parking can be done at all, I would not be able to get out at all.
Some times in motion I lose my power stering.
Power steering locks up or goes out while turning at slow speeds or when you apply the brakes. This happens on the highway, city streets, parking lots or in driveways. There is no warning or apparent reason for this to happen. When it started we had our mechanic take a look, and he stated everything looked good and power steering fluid levels were normal. He suggested he could look at the steering rack and pinion could be what is needed, since this is common on this model and year of vehicle. As time goes on it continues to worsen and is not safe to drive the vehicle with or without my family as passengers. The mechanic stated it was going to cost upwards of $1300 to repair, which we feel should be the cost of the manufacturer since this is a common problem!
As I was driving the power steering was randomly going out for just a moment so I checked my power steering fluid and it was fine. The next time I drove it when I went to make a turn the power steering completely stopped working and I almost ran into another car. Very scary with 4 children in the car! Took it to 2 mechanics that I trust and they were both shocked that the steering rack was loose. Both said that it was something they almost never see, it was not something I could have done to make that happen and they were shocked to see that it was a problem. Both told me to look into a recall for it since it was a major safety issue and problem that is not a normal wear and tear. I check my VIN number and there are no recalls but I do see on multiple message boards that this is a big problem for 2009 buick enclaves with 80,000 miles.
Power steering went out while driving down the road (city street) in my 2009 buick enclave. Took it to the shop, and they reported that I need to replace the rack and pinion and it is a common flaw in this type of vehicle.
At slow speeds the power steering goes out. Steering is almost locked in place making it nearly impossible to steer.
When at low speeds, in a parking lot, the power steering goes out sometimes. When we are trying to park in a parking space, it is very difficult, because the power steering almost always fails. This is a serious safety concern to me. One of these days it is going to cause us to hit another vehicle or worse, a person. I have not took it to a shop. I have researched the issue and it seems to be a very common problem. My enclave has 125,000 miles on it, we bought it a little over a year ago and has had this issue since we bought it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 buick enclave. While having an in-house manufacturer recall repair performed on the vehicle for the replacement of the power steering pump, the local dealer (walker automotive, 1616 macarthur drive, alexandria, la 71301) informed the contact that the steering rack and pinion failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that both failures had to be repaired at the same time. The vehicle was not repaired due to the expensive cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The recall details were not provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,128.
Periodically after backing out of a parking spot and put in drive have extremely hard time turning the wheel to get car to turn. Example would be if you are in the car key on engine not running and you try to turn the wheel and it doesnt want to move. Very scary and dangerous.
When turning the vehicle to the left at a low speed, the power steering stopped functioning. The steering gear box was replaced, and functionality improved slightly for about a month. Mileage at the time was about 90,000. After a month, the issue returned. In addition to the power steering failure when turning left at low speeds, the vehicle started making a grinding noise near the front left of the vehicle, and the vehicle engine would cut in and out intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the steering rack was found to be the issue. The mileage at the time of this issue was about 107,000. Between the 90,000 mile issue and 107,000 mile issue, the power steering would cut in and out unexpectedly, and almost caused several accidents. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership once, and an independent mechanic three times since the vehicle was purchased just two years prior. Gm should recall the steering systems.
We have a 2009 buick enclave with the faulty steering at low speed. The steering wheel appears to lock up or turn very hard. In parking lots it is almost impossible to turn by a small woman (almost hit someone walking). Gm will not do anything on this car because it has a branded title, even though there is a special coverage of 10 years or 150000 miles and this 2009 has only 70000 or so. If this was a safety recall instead of a safety campaign they would have to fix it. Once again gm knows of a safety problem and will not do anything until people lose there life and they are forced to by others.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 buick enclave. While driving at low speeds, the power steering failed and it became difficult to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and was informed that the power assist mechanism failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Car with 51,187 miles had to have steering gear replaced and flush and bleed system. Owner heard a whine in in the power steering when turning. At a cost of 1,193.76 + tax. Never heard of such a thing with that few miles on a vehicle.
Car lost power steering at low speed when making turns.
When driving at very low speeds the steering binds and/or locks up causing the vehicle to stop turning. With extra applied strength the steering suddenly turns causing a severe jerk in the car's turning motion. There have been several near misses, telephone pole on 03/07/16, it happens very unexpectedly. Over the past weeks the problem has increased to happening at most every parking lot, slow turn in or red light/stop sign turn. Initially it was only happening when turning as the car was backing up but now it's a constant issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 buick enclave. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering and became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,180.
We have the 3.6l v6 engine, and the timing chain and gears need to be replaced at 89,000 miles - rendering the car unsafe to drive (this has been a known issue across multiple gm cars using this engine). In addition, the steering gear/rack and pinion assembly are faulty along with the power steering pump (also a known issue).
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 buick enclave. When the steering wheel was turned to the left or right, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Today I had to replace the rack and pinion on my car. This morning I went to make a left hand turn from a complete stop into gas station and the steering locked up. I lost all control of the car for a few seconds as oncoming traffic was approaching. A similar incident happened a few weeks ago while I had my 1 and 5 year old in the car. I was circling around a building to the left. The steering seemed to lock up and pull right..at the same time the engine revved up. I hit the brakes to avert going down a steep decline. I immediately took the car to my mechanic and they found a leak from the rack and pinion. I started researching this and discovered it seems to be acommon repair.
The power steering failed while making a turn. It became very difficult to turn the wheel. The problem has occurred three times since, all when turning and at low speed. There is no noise associated with the issue. I am greatly concerned that the failure will cause an accident. Gm needs to issue a recall & repair these issue at no cost to the customer.
Steering locks up at low speeds. It happens when turning a corner at low speeds and its very hard to turn almost cause me an accident on 08/23/15 with all my family on board.
At times the steering locks up at low speeds. It happens normally when turning a corner at low speeds. It locks up and very, very hard to turn. I am sure at some point in a congested area it is going to cause me to cause an accident and possibly hurting or killing someone or myself. This is without a question a safety issue that buick needs to own. I have read in many forums that allot of buick owners are experiencing this issue. I have owned alot of vehicles in my life and have never had to pay up to $2200 to fix the steering on a vehicle because of premature failure. I have owned several cars that I have driven over 200,000 miles and never had mechanical steering issues. Buick needs to own this critical safety issue. Respectfully, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 buick enclave. While driving approximately 20 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Power steering locks up at speeds under 20 MPH. Started around 54000 miles and have gotten increasing worse just. Extremely hazardous to us and everyone on the road . !
I have had problems with this vehicle since I purchased it in jan 2015, this is one of several things that have gone wrong and make this vehicle extremely dangerous to drive, when steering this vehicle whether slowly into a parking spot or on a turn, the steering locks up on you and becomes extremely difficult to turn, also I have had problems with the transmission, often when trying to speed up to get on highway, it pulls back or the rpms reave really high and the car doesn't go forward. Also once you put the car in park and take your foot off the brake the car actually rolls several inches and bobs back an forth, this actually knocked my child down as she was getting out of car and she hit her head on the concrete. When telling the dealer of these issues their answer is well unless we can get the car to do these things we have no idea what your are talking about and can't fix it. Meanwhile when I looked for other complaints these same complaints came up by several consumers.
I had taken the car to buick dealer for an oil change. I asked them to check if they saw a possible oil leak because I saw a few spots in the garage. They said there was a leak from a rubber bearing and the cost to fix that was 2700. Tool the car sears to have them double check. Sears said there was not leak. There was residual oil from oil change. This was on 06/20. Checked every day after that to see if the oil leaked again and it did not. On 06/28, while coming home with my kids, hear sudden noise, and in a few seconds smoke coming out from left front side of the car...lot of smoke. Got the kids and dog out safely. Tried to turn off the car...I had the key out but the car was still on. It just would not turn off. Tried taking it our of the garage and the steering would not turn. Somehow got the car on the curb and after trying a few time, the car did turn off. Noticed all the coolant had flushed on the floor. Got it towed to the dealer. Dealer said power steering gear and power steering pump burned and needs replacement. Also said it was because of a minor oil leak that was under the engine that caused it. Coolant flushing was covered and gm will pay for the fix but I will need to pay 2500 for the steering gear and pump replacement. This could have been a disaster and life threatening if it had happened at high speed. Gm least concerned about it and not supportive or standing behind their cars. I have only 36k miles on it and would not have expected something like this. I read on some forums where a lot of people have had similar issues. For the safety of other buick enclave holders, I please request you to have buick act on this and send a recall.
Squeaking brakes and steering noise. Resubmitted for repair could not duplicate at dealership. Resubmitted in 2011 and 2013, water pump replaced, steering gear box replaced, steering pump replaced, throttle body cleaned. Engine timing off at idle, harsh/ruff transition between gear shifts. Rear hatch failed to operate. Sensor replaced, then actuator replaced, then control buttons replaced then final control button and internal door sensors replaced not by warranty, rear hatch struts failed and dropped on child and owners heads, open and close buttons non responsive on remote for the hatch. Only the interior hatch release button worked. Onstar would not power down, no notice it was connected, dropped cell calls and killed battery. Upon jumping, the control module for onstar failed as did cellular antenna not covered by warranty. Brakes squeaking and fluttering plus pulse at slow down. Master cylinder had hydraulic fluid leaking into brake lines, boost pump failed and repeated flushing did not clear the system. Air in lines caused brake failure near collision avoided with evasive operator driving maneuvers, 3rd flush cleared the lines not covered by warranty. Steering unstable on uneven roadways and in left and right turns, repeat/recur, final submission 4th time, engine mount broken and possible spark plugs for idle problems. Replaced sparke plugs did not resolve idle speed or hard shift out of 3/5 gears. A/c outage three times, no leak detected, freon loaded and reloaded: evaporator coil diagnosed as problem. Total dash disassembled, several electrical issues surfaced since including onstar, ECM errors, nav sys stayed on, cell phone not connecting and check engine light illuminating without cause codes. Over $16500 in repairs completed on this vehicle, some covered by warranty, some not, by 2013 nearly all repairs not covered by extended warranty.
My dealership identified a significant problem with the power steering gear on my vehicle that constituted a significant safety issue. Had it not been caught, my power steering inevitable would have failed while driving and resulted in a crash. I was also advised by the dealer and have learned through research that this is a very common problem affecting buick enclaves and other similar gm suvs and crossovers. The repair work to correct this manufacturer defect is over $1500 and conveniently not covered by warranty. This is a significant and unacceptable issue and should result in a recall of all affected vehicles and reimbursement of repair costs to affected owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 buick enclave. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering and the steering gear hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,448.
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