Buick Enclave power steering loss problems

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · TX

2019 Buick Enclave (GM) w/ 29481 miles, consistently serviced and in excellent working order. In city traffic about 45-50MPH, no warning lights until total electrical/power failure - no power, no steering, no electrical/lights. Car is owned by [XXX] mother-in-law ([XXX]). Her daughter ([XXX]) was driving. Had [XXX] been driving, there would have been a wreck. [XXX] was able to coast into a corner gas station/garage. Buy next day mechanic was able to isolate failure to alternator. Since we performed the repair at the closest mechanic, I do not know what GM knows. I see on internet a high volume of alternator failures in Enclaves. It doesn't seem an alternator failure should be so abrupt, without warning and with such dire immediate impact. GM has said they 'may' have been able to help with the cost of the repair if we had had it done at an authorized service center. Frankly, this feels like a trap (and Nissan did exactly this to me 2 years ago - asking me to tow into their service center and then saying 'oops, sorry, no warranty ... ). GM should buy their failed alternator back and study why it failed and why that failure had this impact to the vehicle. The repair was made with a GM part - honestly, not sure if that's good or bad, but there is no excuse for GM to not own their part failure. No one other than the mechanic has inspected the car. He would probably be glad to speak to the federal safety agency. No prior warning lights, messages, symptoms. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 9, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 72,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving in traffic at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The horn and wipers turned on unexpectedly. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality and was inoperable and the vehicle jerked. The doors failed to unlock, and the air conditioner was inoperable on a hot day, and the contact had symptoms of hyperventilation. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the windows failed to roll up or down. Eventually, the vehicle failed to turn off, and the owner disconnected the battery. A towing company was called to tow the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Filed Oct 30, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · TX

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection? The issue appears to be related to the auto start-stop system and/or an EVAP-related component, as the vehicle will sometimes completely shut off instead of restarting when stopped. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the engine shuts off, the vehicle loses all power, including steering and brake assist. This has happened at red lights, stop signs, and in school zone traffic. I have to restart the vehicle while stopped in active traffic lanes, which puts me and others at high risk of being hit. I am a single mom with 3 young children. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. A Buick dealership inspected the vehicle earlier this year. They observed the stalling issue but could not identify a single cause. They suggested possible repair attempts, but the issue has continued. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? It has only been inspected by a Buick dealership service department. No other agencies have inspected it. Were there any warning lights, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure? When did they first appear? No warning lights or messages appeared when it first happened. The problem began before I replaced the battery, and replacing the battery did not resolve the issue. Additional Description: When I come to a stop—at red lights, stop signs, or in traffic—the vehicle’s auto start-stop system activates like normal, but instead of restarting, the engine will completely shut off. I then lose power steering and braking support and must restart the car in the middle of the roadway. It is unpredictable and unsafe. Sometimes it’s instantly but today I sat there for 15 minutes waiting. I took it straight to autozone and everything tested good.

Filed Mar 2, 2024 · Steering · FL

Steering wheel repeatedly locks while turning followed by loss of power steering. Also accompanied by warning messages such as "Service ESC", "Park Assist Off", "Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care", as well as the stability control and stability control off lights. Began in October 2023. Brought in to dealership 4 times in 5 months (waiting on loaner availability to bring in for a 5th time) and still not repaired. Dealership unable to replicate problem but finds error codes when diagnosing. Below is a summary of each visit to "fix" the problem: Visit 1 (October 17, 2023): problem due to software out of date, reprogrammed the brake control module Visit 2 (October 30, 2023): problem due to battery low voltage, replaced battery Visit 3 (January 12, 2024): problem due to software out of date, reprogrammed power steering control module Visit 4 (February 19, 2024): problem due to short in steering rack, replaced steering rack There is no pattern to when the power steering goes out or when the wheel locks. Must constantly drive on guard to be prepared. We live in a city and drive in a lot of traffic. It is dangerous to have the wheel lock while turning, causing the car to potentially head into traffic, pedestrians, curbs, etc.

Filed Aug 16, 2022 · Steering · 135,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2010 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the power steering failed at speeds of 15 mph or less. In addition, the failure occurred while making a turn. The contact stated the vehicle would have to use manual steering in order to operate the vehicle. There were no warning lights. The dealer was not informed of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

Filed May 26, 2022 · Driver assistance, Engine · KY

Vehicle has been to GM dealership many times for problems related to reduced engine power, stabilitrack, and traction control issues. Dealer replaced relay switches, problem appeared to be fixed. While driving on a busy road, engine power reduced, stabilitrack, and traction control warnings illuminated. Car reduced speed nearly causing an accident while driving and power steering failed. Police needed to help remove car from roadway. ECM replaced, appeared fixed for awhile. While driving on Highway 54, same warnings illuminated and car slowed itself from 60mph to under 30mph. Numerous complaints can be found about the 2013 Buick Enclave and other years and this problem. I believe it will cause an accident and kill someone one day, if it hasn't already. Class action suit was even filed, and unfortunately dismissed. I'm afraid to drive my car. It is at the dealership AGAIN and we've only owned it since February 2022.

Filed May 10, 2022 · Steering · 125,637 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving 3-5 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's husband was able to continue driving the vehicle however, extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,637.

Filed Sep 22, 2021 · Steering · FL

Loss of power steering when brakes applied. This is dangerous to make turns and park the vehicle. Buick has already issued at least one the federal safety agency service bulletin regarding this issue, in which the power steering pump failure causes intermittent drops of hydraulic pressure that will cause reduced or loss of steering assist

Filed Sep 3, 2021 · Steering · TX

The steering wheel develops play because the components of the tie rod loosen and it is difficult to maintain control of the vehicle at high and low speeds. Besides that, steering is very stiff. Cracks and screeches are heard coming from the steering rack when you turn the wheel, can even be felt from the steering wheel. My vehicle has only 26k miles on it, but I've heard some others start at 5k

Filed Jan 17, 2021 · Steering · 110,000 miles · NV

Jan. 10 at 8 am my daughter and I left salt lake city to drive home to las vegas. At 8 am, everything was fine, no noise from the vehicle no clanking, no smell. I could do u turns and sharp turns to park the vehicle before stopping to get a bagel. We entered the 15 south to head home, we are driving at speeds of 70-80mph. At approximately 11:00am we are reaching the town of beaver, utah. I needed to pull off the freeway to gas up and wanted an espresso. We exit the freeway and as I start slowing I can tell my power steering has gone out, I almost hit on coming traffic while turning to the right when coming off the exit because it was so extremely difficult to steer. The other driver had to swerve in to the dirt area to avoid hitting my daughter and I, followed us to the gas station and yelled at me until he realized something was wrong with my steering.. We had to pay to have the vehicle towed to st george utah to rons shell mechanic station. Ron thought maybe it was a bad pump or rack (even though there were no signs of it going bad). We paid over 2 grand trying to get it fixed and there are intermittent power steering issues, finally ron gave up and said thats the best he can do. After investigating I see many other people are having power steering failure with 2010 gmc buick enclaves. Gmc needs to take this seriously. My daughter and I were almost hit head on! Because of instant power steering failure with no warning what so ever!! This needs to be corrected asap!!