2009 Buick Enclave: loss of power steering

Filed Jun 14, 2019 · Steering · 112,000 miles · WA

While in motion and braking to turn right or left, my power steering completely goes out. The steering wheel becomes very difficult to turn causing me to almost hit another vehicle as the turning radius had become much more larger than I am used to. The power steering does not seem to be impacted while going 15 MPH or higher, it is only while applying brakes and slowing down and turning, right or left. I have been told by an auto shop that loss of power steering is a common problem for gm vehicles between 2009 - 2011 and that even a special coverage adjustment was issued, not a recall though. The special coverage was issued for cars up to 150,000 or 10 years after car was issued for service/sold. Ten years in my case was in february 2019. I called a gm dealer to ask for help and was told I'm out of luck because the 10 years had passed. I am the 2nd owner of this vehicle and purchased it used in december 2014. I never received letters or notice from gm of this special coverage. Furthermore, I have repeatedly taken my car in for service to this same dealership over the 5+ years of ownership and never once did the gm dealer notify me of the special coverage. At least 2 times, I took my car in for steering issues.

Filed Oct 18, 2017 · Steering · 106,000 miles · IN

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.

Filed Oct 10, 2016 · Steering · 90,000 miles · KY

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.

Filed Jun 15, 2016 · Steering · 140,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Apr 19, 2016 · Steering, Transmission · 90,595 miles · ID

Car lost power steering at low speed when making turns.

Filed Feb 11, 2016 · Steering · 124,180 miles · DE

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.

Filed Sep 25, 2015 · Steering · 65,400 miles · NY

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.

Filed Feb 25, 2015 · 90,300 miles · NY

While operating ,opening the liftgate and leaning into the storage (trunk)to remove items liftgate made a noise and came down hitting my daughter on her head.liftgate(hatch) will not remain open.dealer diagnosed as struts and power pad need replacement.extended service plan does not cover the struts.dealer also said power steering line leaking and transmission lines(2) leaking due to corrosion.740.00 for repairs.power steering leakage covered by extended service plan.no symptoms of leakage before diagnosis.enclave drove fine.no steering problems

Filed Dec 1, 2014 · Steering, Transmission · 45,000 miles · AK

In august of 2014, around 60k miles, I noticed a moan when I steered as well as a "knock" that I had heard previously and taken into the dealership under warranty (they said it was a tire rod; clearly it was not). I was aware the moan may be my power steering pump, so I brought it in for diagnostic appointment to a local repair shop. Not only did I find my power steering pump needed replacement, but that was the cause and effect of a much large issue- my steering rack was loose, and was disengaging from the mount, which in turn, caused the corruption of my power steering pump. I was told it was worsening very quickly and if I lost my steering rack from the mount, I could lose steering, which could result in a crash. I was informed this type of repair is highly unusual for a car this new, with no accident history, and otherwise in excellent condition, and is likely an "engineering issue." I am appalled at not only the price of these repairs which I paid out of pocket ($1,968.51), but after some research, how common this particular problem is with 2008 & 2009 buick enclaves, especially around 60k miles. The mileage on my vehicle now is 65,342.

Filed Nov 18, 2014 · Steering · 61,450 miles · IL

I was coming up to turn into my driveway and lost power steering. This condition about LED me to hit another car. At higher rpms the power steering comes back but at an idle or just above it requires great effort to turn the vehicle.

Filed Oct 2, 2014 · Steering · 93,000 miles · PA

September 11, 2014 - power steering failed out of no-where while making a left hand turn into a parking lot. Difficult to move car into the parking spot. After approximately 90 minutes of being parked power steering was working fine. October 1st, 2014 while driving on a major highway the antilock brake system (ABS) warning light on, stabilitrak indicator light on/service stabilitrak message displayed in dic. Since we were on the highway we continued driving until we got to our location and parked the car. Approximately 2 hours later we started the car and the warning lights were off. We then proceeded to drive home and less than a mile down the road the power steering failed again as we were making a left hand turn. This time it''s not resolving itself. Car is not drivable..

Filed Oct 2, 2014 · Driver assistance, Engine · 68,032 miles · NC

Issue: car makes loud screeching noise, loss of power steering, engine fan constantly running and car A/C heats on one side and cools on the other. Resolution: dealership located leaking gear and pump damaged which caused noise. Replaced power steering gear and power steering pump. Flushed power steering system and evac and recharge A/C system. Issue #6