2009 GMC Acadia: steering wheel locks up

9 of the 331 complaints about the 2009 GMC Acadia describe steering wheel locks up.

owner complaints: 9
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 82,200
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 30 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Steering wheel locks up by model year

2017
2
2015
2
2014
1
2013
1
2012
6
2011
4
2010
17
2009
9
2008
15
2007
7

What owners say

Filed Jun 27, 2022 · Steering · 123,000 miles · PA

The contact's daughter owns a 2009 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized without warning. His daughter restarted the vehicle and resumed normal driving operation. The contact stated that the failure recurred while his daughter's boyfriend was driving the vehicle later on that same evening. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a defective rack and pinion. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

Filed Dec 8, 2018 · Steering · 135,000 miles · NY

Steering locks up when you try to make a turn. Has happened often over a few months. Vehicle was in motion

Filed Jul 5, 2015 · Steering · 100,000 miles · NC

I purchased this vehicle on april 20, 2015. A few days later when making a left hand turn at approximately 20mph, the steering wheel locked up and the vehicle was extremely hard to turn, almost causing a head on collision with an oncoming vehicle. We were told that this is a common problem with these vehicles as the steering rack is faulty. We continue to have difficulty turning the vehicle. I am truly surprised that this issue has not become a recall after reviewing all of the complaints regarding this very same issue.

Filed Jun 30, 2015 · Seat belts, Steering · 120,800 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 gmc acadia. The contact stated that the second row rear driver side seat belt failed to latch in place without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, while making a left at approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering pump, steering gear, the front struts, and the driver and passenger side front axles needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v375000 (seat belts). The failure mileage was 120,800.

Filed Nov 19, 2014 · Steering · 65,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 gmc acadia. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The dealer stated that the steering rack and power steering pump failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Oct 9, 2014 · Steering · 72,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 gmc acadia. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel seized and excessive force on the steering wheel was required. The failure caused the vehicle to independently drive onto a curb and no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to resume driving the vehicle. However, the failure recurred multiple times intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic for diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

Filed Aug 26, 2014 · Steering · 82,200 miles · MO

Our 2009 gmc acadia's power steering locks up at low speeds. This happens randomly and typically always when the wheel is turned. Once the wheel locks it remains 'stuck' for a little over 1 second. While the wheel is 'stuck' it cannot be turned. This is a very common complaint on this vehicle and creates an very dangerous driving condition. A mechanic has diagnosed this issue as a faulty rack and pinion. The mechanic also claimed that this is very common on these vehicles. I was shocked the first time the wheel became stuck while I was driving; it instantly sent me in to a panic. There needs to be a recall on this vehicle.

Filed May 20, 2014 · Steering · 75,000 miles · IL

There should be a recall on this car!!! While turning at low speeds, the power steering locks up.it is impossible to muscle the wheel. I almost got into an accident several times. This has happened many times. I cannot drive the car anymore as it is very dangerous!! There are so many complaints of the power steering locking up!! Why isn't gmc looking into this?? Do we have to wait until someone is seriously injured or killed?

Filed Nov 11, 2013 · Steering · 62,000 miles · VA

The steering locks up at low speeds when trying to make a turn. It is extremely dangerous because it is almost impossible to get the vehicle to steer, I barely got mine off the road when it occurred. It is kind of a hit and miss situation, it does not happen on every turn you make; it might happen once and then the next turn it won't and then the next it locks up again. At this point I have my vehicle parked until it's repaired because it's too dangerous to operate because you never know when it will lock up and if you would be able to maintain control of your vehicle. This problem needs to be recalled, especially after so many complaints have been made of the same issue with the vehicle, before someone ends up injured due to the faulty steering. After reading all of the complaints I'm surprised gm has not addressed this issue.