2009 GMC Acadia: loss of power steering

Filed Jan 6, 2017 · Steering · CA

Power steering went out when rpms are low. In my incident I was transitioning from one freeway to another making a right turn about 40 MPH. I took my foot off the gas to take the turn slowly. As my RPM went down my vehicle would not turn right any more. The wheel got stuck in the last position before I let go of the gas. I had to give it gas to make the vehicle power steering work again. My concern with this is not that the power steering failed but that steering in general was locking. I have driven cars with out power steering and never have to worry my wheel will lock. The dealer says I need a new power steering pump. But again it should not lock my turn. I had to give it gas to get the RPM up and then it would turn. Once of the freeway at the stop light I tried turning the wheel and it would not turn. Once I gave it gas we were fine. I should not have to worry about getting stuck in the middle of the road turning. My research has found many issues with acadia steering pump. This is a safety issues that could of caused a major accident.

Filed Dec 6, 2016 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TX

We've had electrical issues beginning about 2 years after buying the acadia. Currently the check engine light stays on. We had it checked at the dealership and were told that it was safe to drive. The problem was probably part of the electrical issues. Well, it wasn't. Now the steering is difficult (and locks up at low speed turns) and the stabilitrek message comes on. We took it back to the dealership today and have been told that we need to pay for repairs to service the brake system, stabilitrek message, replace the brake power booster and master cylinder, and repair the tire pressure system light and sensor. They think this may fix the steering issue, but if not then they'll look more into that! I know there are at least 195 service bulletins for this year model acadia. We bought it new. It's seven years old with low mileage. They said it isn't safe to drive except in town at low speeds. I feel like we're being given the run-around by gm via our dealership. It's never been in an accident (other than knocking off the side mirror upon exiting the garage), and it's not driven in a rough-shod manner. Ugh! I've owned several vehicles, new and used, and never had trouble like this. My daughter is the primary driver of the acadia, so safety is of the utmost importance.

Filed Sep 30, 2016 · Driver assistance, Engine · 78,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 gmc acadia. While driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a sudden loss of engine power and the vehicle was unable to be driven over 40 MPH. The stability traction control warning indicator illuminated. The dealer was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. In addition, while driving highway speeds, "engine hot" and "A/C off" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact noticed smoke under the hood. The vehicle was coasted over to the shoulder of the road and turned off. The vehicle was unable to be driven due to the failure and was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the part. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and indicated that they also had campaigns that needed to be addressed. The timing chain needed to be replaced, there was a loss of power steering assist, and the transmission cutlet leave plate failed. There were no recalls. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Sep 20, 2016 · Steering · 80,000 miles · NY

There is an ongoing and unresolved issue concerning the power steering rack and pump on gm lambda chassis vehicles. The vehicle will intermittently and unpredictably lose power steering assist creating an incredibly dangerous situation. While under warranty the factory quietly supported multiple repairs of the same components- rather than recall this situation gm chose to continue to use their supply of deficient components while they seemed to "wait out" the warranty and thus no longer be liable.

Filed May 9, 2016 · Steering · 90,827 miles · NM

April 26, 2016 - my wife was at a gas station and said the wheels on the gmc were very hard to turn either way. Shortly thereafter, she started to hear a whining noise when she would turn left or right. A day later, the noise was more pronounced so I went out for a test drive. The steering seemed ok and the whining noise didn't seem that bad too me. April 28, 2016 - my wife said the noise was louder so I test drove it again, this time, I experienced a momentary loss of steering power on low speed. One time I overcompensated when it was hard to turn the wheel but avoided having an accident. I performed the owner's manual checks, power steering fluid level was good. I then goggled for more information online about steering issues and how to resolve on gmc 2009 acadia and then I ran into the gmc service bulletin sb-10056459-3388 online. The bulletin described the intermittent power loss we experienced. The condition is described as follows "vehicles may develop a power steering pump wear condition that can cause an intermittent drop of power steering hydraulic pressure that will cause reduced or loss of steering assist. The vehicle may revert to manual steering which requires greater driver effort, particularly at low vehicle speeds". I called our local gm's service department for an evaluation but have not received a callback yet. I am concerned because I believe, if not resolved, may turn out to be a safety issue for us.

Filed Jan 13, 2016 · Engine · 105,000 miles · TX

I was driving my car at about 70 mphs on the interstate and the car began to slow down and check engine light starting flashing. I almost got hit by the drivers beside and behind me. While honking my horn and putting on the emergency lights I was able to get over to the side of the highway. Towed my car into the dealership and they keep it for about 8 days saying they were very behind. Notified them that my car was coming in for service and was never told they was behind. Finally about 7 days later the dealership is saying they don't know what is wrong with my car. Then on the 9 day the service guy calls me and says they think its the motor but they would have to take it out to see. Possible cost would be any where from $4,000 to $7,000 to fix the problem. There are several special coverage open on my car such as timing chain , water pump shaft seal, loss of power steering and throttle body. After reading other gmc customer complaints I feel it is the throttle body that needs to be replaced. Dealership states they don't know whats exactly wrong with my car but can't figure it out till they take out my engine.

Filed Nov 8, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 118,000 miles · AK

I took my 09 gmc acadia to the gm auto to fix the transmission and they told me they can not fix unless I pay the $2043 to fix my power steering, but I believe its all related to that power steering failure that is cover under the gm policy. And its the same problem to all the acadia that are out there so I suggest the gm to fix all gmc acadia without any cost to all the owneri if they fix it right we wouldn't complaint at all

Filed May 14, 2015 · Steering · 56,496 miles · NY

Last june during a routine inspection the dealer told me I had a slight leak in the rack and pinion. I questioned him on why a vehicle with approx 48k miles could have a problem. I was told that gm allows some leakage. Shortly there after I noticed an occasional ratcheting feel in the steering wheel. I then would experience several occasions where I momentarily would lose power steering,the beginning of this year I received a letter from gm stating that there may be a problem with the power steering pump and to bring it to the dealer.I brought it to the dealer and was told there is a charge of $130 to determine if it is the pump and no charge if it was bad. I was told the pump was in fact bad and that the rack also needed to be replaced at a cost of $1400. I politely told them that the rack should not leak at 56k miles and the pump caused the problem and that gm should pay the entire bill after I was told that a certain amount of leakage was ok. They said gm would only cover the cost of pump. I also replaced 4 low beam head lights in the past year.

Filed Jan 14, 2015 · Steering, Transmission · 92,000 miles · MA

Brought it to the gmc dealer to replace the power steering pump which was on recall notice only if there were problems. Loss of power steering at low speed so I took it to dealer. As a result, pump was replaced as well as rack and pinion. Pump covered, rack and pinion not, $1700. The day after I picked up the car, the transmission failed. As I got on the highway, motor revved but transmission did not engage. Was able to make it into the breakdown lane. Had to have a flatbed pick it up and bring it to the transmission shop recommended by the dealer. Transmission replaced...$3,140.00. I feel that I was lucky to have been in the lane closest to the breakdown lane when this happened. Dealer offered no assistance. Eight months past warranty.

Filed Dec 9, 2014 · Steering · 61,919 miles · PA

Power steering rack is leaking, power steering pump is whining. Gmc dealer refused to replace eventhough gm has sent letters to owners regarding power steering problems. The problem could result in the loss of power steering thus causing unsafe driving conditions.

Filed Oct 16, 2014 · Airbags, Body · 97,000 miles · LA · crash

My son was driving down a residential street which has a right turn/merge over a canal. Upon reaching the right turn the power steering failed and he was unable to navigate the turn. The acadia drove forward into a large pipe which crosses over the canal. The front of the acadia was crashed including the front bumper, radiator, head lamps, engine, driver side front panel, passenger side panel, and the frame. None of the air bags deployed during this crash. There is a recall on the side airbags at this time but not the front airbags. There is no recall on the power steering on this gm model. I have had experienced the power steering intermittently fail when turning both left and right. My daughter also experienced power steering failure one week prior to my son's accident. I was in the vehicle with her. This power steering failure is not exclusive to my gmc acadia 2009. Consumer reports as well as the acadia forum also has mentioned this power steering failure in other gmc acadias. The airbags not deploying during this incident is also very concerning. This air bag failure could have caused major injury given another scenario.

Filed Sep 18, 2014 · Steering · 91,972 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 gmc acadia. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the power steering failed without warning and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. The vehicle operated normally after it was restarted. The dealer stated that both the power steering pump and steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 91,972..updated 10/14/2014 *bf the consumer stated his/her vehicle was fixed. Updated 10/21/14