2011 Buick Enclave: loss of power steering

Filed Jun 27, 2019 · Airbags, Seat belts · TN

All recalls and up-to-date recalls on my vehicle power steering is hard to turn hatchback coming up when she'll wiper vehicle is hard to pull rattling noise

Filed Mar 5, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 93,000 miles · PA

Hello - I am writing as a concerned consumer. I currently own a 2011 buick enclave. Two weeks ago, while driving this vehicle it started making a very loud knocking noise. The car then completely shut off and became inoperable while driving down a hill. With loss of power steering and the inability to restart the engine it became a dangerous situation trying to get the vehicle stopped and safely off the road. The vehicle was taken to a garage and it was determined that the issue was a broken timing chain. This repair required the removal of the engine to replace the timing chain. Research into buick has shown that there is a bulletin out for this very issue but only for the 2009 model year. My 2011 was manufactured in 2010. For this very issue, buick has extended the manufactures warranty to 120k or 7yrs. Research shows that this timing chain issue is not exclusive to the 2009 as owners of other model years are expressing the same concerns. I am writing to file a formal complaint, as this is a safety issue that buick refuses to acknowledge. The failure of this timing chain lead to a situation that could have caused a wreck and possible injury. I have contacted buick several times and they refuse to provide financial compensation for the repairs and refuse to investigate this further. Their response is simply, there is no bulletin so there is nothing that can be done for me.

Filed Apr 20, 2017 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 72,072 miles · IN

On 3/31/17 returning from spring break and was going 70 MPH in passing lane on interstate 65 near cullman, alabama and my car shut down, the ECM shut down no warning lights came on, no warning from onstar that there was a problem, I cut into the right hand lane in front of my sister inlaw and nearly was side swiped, I had no breaks, no steering, everything shut down. Some kind of electrical short caused the ECM to fry. Throttle body also was replaced. Something was causing a dead short. Had my sister in law not been paying attention she surely would have side swiped me when I went down into the other lane, 5 people in my vehicle and 5 in hers and traffic was bumper to bumper. I also reported and filed a claim with gm worked with craig a senior adviser at gm. Case# 8-286830. I also field a complaint with onstar. Of course all say my car is past warranty but I feel this is an electrical problem that could certainly cause deaths. Perhaps a recall could or should be done. I think there might have been on newer models but not 2011. We did not have an accident but was 6 hours from home and stranded, having to find a rental car to get home. My car was towed to bill smith buick gmc and it took them from monday till friday to figure out the problem. They ended up calling gm techs direct to try to detect the problem.

Filed Dec 2, 2016 · Engine, Steering · 100,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick enclave. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The power steering pump was replaced and the failure was remedied. The contact also indicated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine light had illuminated. The mechanic diagnosed that the timing change needed to be repaired. The failure was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 01/11/2017*ct timing chain was repaired by independent mechanic. Rear liftgate failed. After negotiations with gm liftgate was repaired as per prior recall. The power steering failed. The timing chain failed. Updated 9/7/18

Filed Oct 25, 2016 · Steering · 61,000 miles · CA

Power steering and rack is leaking. I see that there are hundreds of complaints on this issue. Estimate for repair is $1400. The steering is very hard and very unsafe. There are 3 kids under 10 in this family. Gm is putting them at risk.

Filed Aug 16, 2016 · Steering · 62,583 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick enclave. While driving 3 MPH, the power steering failed. The contact stated that the steering wheel required additional effort to turn. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that there was a hydraulic leak in the gear housing of the power steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,583.

Filed Feb 17, 2016 · Steering · 27,000 miles · OH

I took my 2011 buick enclave with 27,000 miles into my local buick dealer for routine maintenance. The service manager called and advised that the steering rack was leaking and that the estimated repair cost is $1780. I chose not to have the repair done at that time, but now see that many enclave owners have experienced power steering failures due to this defect. Some of these failures occurred in traffic and could have resulted in accidents. Now that I am aware of this I will take the car to be repaired immediately. Because there have been so many failures with potentially serious consequences, this should be investigated by the federal safety agency for a possible recall. I suspect that this would also affect gmc acadia and chevy traverse models.

Filed Nov 20, 2015 · Steering · 74,000 miles · TX

Recently had to replace my power steering gear due to leaking seals that caused failure. Also power steering pump had to be replaced. Power steering pump is covered under special gm warranty (14329 'loss of power steering assist'), but not power steering gear. In doing research, it seems many consumers have experienced a similar issue, but gm has not issued a recall for the power steering gear.