2009 Buick Enclave: clunking or noise when steering

Filed Mar 24, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 3,764 miles · VA

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.

Filed Jul 29, 2014 · Acceleration, Steering · 67,878 miles · OK

In the past I had jerking or slipping of transmission at approximately 40 miles an hour, or the engine was having a coil miss fire. I had 3 new coils installed by dealer under warranty with similar problems before. Took to dealer and they could not determine if transmission was slipping or engine miss firing, but no code on miss firing engine. Slipping or hesitating of transmission is more likely but can not determine since does not act the same consistently. Steering noise started in the winter approximately november 2013, but off and on since; steering seems a little stiff but not failing yet like so many other complaints I have read about here. I was charged $342.81 for dirty throttle body and oil in the air dust tube which might cause misfire, they cleaned and replaced bank 2 value cover and cleared codes, performed idle lean reset. This did not fix problem on 05/19/2014. I returned on 06/10/14 and left car till 06/11/14 the dealer let me use a loaner over night. The dealer said stumble/misfire at times was not acting up enough to diagnose. I had the cars automatic transmission flush service on 02/26/14 and there was no problem at that time. In the course of owning this vehicle I had 3 coils replaced with problems starting 01/05/10 one coil, second coil on 08/11/10. Third coil shortly thereafter, this is after complaining since 12/02/2009 about engine shudder. The misfire/stumble is still happening about 40 MPH and sometimes around 20mph if you are slow going but not on a pull or accelerating. We love the car, but the problems are getting expensive and the worry of what else can go wrong is stressful. I did not mention the warranty repairs of water pump going out front motor mount failure, shift lever, airbags, seat belts, left out remote mirror failure, engine and transmission code updates. Dealer seem ok, so gm can not fix or will not due to cost.

Filed Apr 26, 2014 · Steering · 32,000 miles · FL

The steering began making strange noises intermittently soon after we bought it. We didn't know if it was just something that would go away, but other than slight noises, it was just a small distraction. Soon, it became harder and harder to steer at times, and the noises have increased. Now, we sometimes are scared we will not be able to turn the wheel effectively at the necessary times, and my wife has had it lock up on her. We are scared for our safety. In looking online, it is clear that this is a manufacturer defect. We have taken it to the gm chevrolet dealership, but they can't really fix it because there is no "recall" on it, and we are out of the warranty period. However, had we taken it initially, we would not have known that the initial problem would get worse and worse, but it was there all along.

Filed Mar 14, 2014 · Steering · 55,666 miles · NY

My 2009 buick enclave started out with a feeling in the steering when turning to the limits either left or right which was checked out by the dealership as being nothing. Then the power steering pump started making noises which was determined by the dealership as something the occurs in this type of pump but is not a safety issue. Then the noise became louder and loss of power steering when the engine is initially started and at lower speeds ie in a parking lot. Now there feels like a detent in the steering at the straight foreword position and it is noticeable when turning (on the highway) and takes some strength and awareness to overcome the problem. The dealer advises that there is no recall and the car is no longer covered on warranty.

Filed Jan 8, 2014 · Steering · 72,345 miles · MI

My power steering, in my 2009 buick enclave, has caused me problems for almost two years. The power steering has made weird (and loud) noises, when doing slow speed turns. There always seemed to be resistance when turns are made (especially if a slow, sharp turn is needed), above the norm. Finally, today, the entire power steering/rack pinion drive went out. I almost got into an accident, when trying to turn left out of an intersection today. It now requires a huge effort to turn the wheel and the car is not safe to drive.

Filed Feb 18, 2010 · Steering · 1,000 miles · MS

Tl*the contact owns a 2009 buick enclave. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH on normal road conditions; proceeding to a traffic signal. Suddenly, there was a vibration noise coming from the power steering system. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was able to resume operation. The failure occurred whenever the brakes were depressed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure was related to the power steering pump which was replaced. The failure mileage was 1,000. The current mileage was 11,000. The consumer stated the vehicle developed a power steering noise and vibration feeling when holding the steering wheel. Gm stated the noise was normal. Updated 04/16/10.