Power steering failure. At speeds between 0-40 MPH the power steering goes out causing a very dangerous situation. Typically at low speeds like turning into a parking spot, but it has occurred as high as 40 MPH while going around a sharp turn on-ramp to access the freeway. Even worse yet is when the power steering quits and you are man-handling the steering wheel and the power steering kicks back in causing you to swerve resulting in a very dangerous situation. No recall on this is crazy with the number of complaints filed by doing a simple internet search. What is gm thinking? Yet, they will do a recall on windshield wipers that may break when a vehicle is jump started with ice buildup on the windshield. I know around here the acadia platform is the most popular selling vehicle that chevy/gmc sells. How about recalling something that could potentially kill passengers and other drivers? Sure they will fix it if you are fortunate enough to have the failure while still under warranty. If not, the costs are very excessive!
2010 GMC Acadia steering complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 148, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Driving into a small downtown area to meet some friends and heard a whirling noise coming from under the hood (belt, bearing or power steering). As I slowed down the noise intensified, dissipated as I sped up. Notice the steering was tighter and more difficult to turn the steering wheel at slower speeds. The next day I attempted to "check the fluid" secured under the engine cover but was unable to remove it even with the star bit required. I then google'd auto-steering for acadia and found numerous issues related to failing power steering units. Took it to the dealer frustrated after finding that this is not an isolated part failure. He stated that the bellow was leaking due to a failure (the power steering is under a lot of pressure I was told) and it needed to be replaced. The dealership completed the repair after keeping the car a day. Seems to me this is a potential ticking time bomb and the part may have been under engineered. I have been a long time gm customer but with all the current press I'm not sure I can support them any longer with my patronage.
While making low speed turns while in motion the power steering intermittently will cut out. When it first start to occur it would cut out briefly before re-engaging. The issue was brought to the attention of the gmc dealer when I brought my car in to have the steering rack replaced; I was told it was probably due to low fluids but they would check it out. After I picked my car up, the problem did not arise for me again for 1.5 weeks. However, it is worse, the power steering cuts out unexpectedly after having already started to turn the wheel at low speed in-motion turns and does not re-engage until after the wheel has returned to the neutral position.
While driving I lose power steering, whether it's 10 miles per hour or 50 miles per hour. Difficult to turn while driving. It seems to have gotten worse over the last few months and the power steering makes a noise while moving the steering wheel.
When taking any type of corners, whether it be going around a round-about, turning into my driveway, or turning to park in a park space the power steering goes out and the steering wheel locks up. This has been an unground problem for 8 months or more. I took the vehicle to a certified gm dealer and they were unable to find a trouble code, and unable to duplicate the concern. Recently the steering issue is becoming worse and I am concerned with driving and the safety of the loss of power steering.
Grinding noise came from steering column. Dealer replaced steering gear under warranty. Noise came back at 47,535 miles and dealer replaced steering housing in a kit. Power steering pump needed to be replaced at this time.
Power steering goes out at low speeds while parking. Recently, the steering has been going out while sharp turning at speeds of 25 to 30 MPH.
As car was accelerating to 30 MPH in a lane of traffic into a turn, I heard a loud noise. Then, I couldn't move the steering wheel. I tried to pump the brakes, but the car did not stop immediately. I had no control over the steering, and the car eventually stopped in a parking lot. I was petrified. The radio was still on, and the key was still in the on position, but the key could not be turned. Gmc simi valley says the problem was a rod to a cylinder that snapped, and was not due to an ignition problem, or related to a current recall. The whole engine needs to be replaced, almost the value of the car, given its current resale value. I would like to request an investigation into another recall event.
Power steering pump is making lots of noise when I turn the wheel. Currently am afraid to drive it anywhere due to potential loss of power steering.
Steering has intermittent loss of power making vehicle control difficult.
The acadia loses power steering at slow speeds. Turning into parking spots, backing up and similar slow moving maneuvers make it very difficult to turn the car. I have not located my model listed on the recall list and I want you to be aware that it is also having a power steering problem. I am waiting for a loaner car to take my car into the dealer for repair.
This has happened several times since I've bought this truck last year. Right after I bought it, I had to pay out of pocket to have the power steering box replaced ($1200.00) since then, while driving my steering gets hard to turn either way and the engine even stopped running a few weeks ago while on the interstate, I had to pull off the road. The truck also makes a popping sound while turning too. Since I have bought the truck, I have had nothing but problems, within 2 weeks of buying it, I had transmission leak and oil leak that had to be fixed. I want so bad to get out of this truck. I am the sole provider in my home, single mother of 3 kids and this vehicle is used for our daily commutes and my job. When slowing down to come to a stop the truck also lunges forward a few times before stopping completely. Also when going down the road the RPM will lunge up for no reason and you can hear it like it is trying to shift to a higher gear or like I have pressed the gas, which I had not.
When I was making a right hand turn at a green light the car acted like I lost my power steering. I really had to fight the wheel so I didn't hit another car. This happens randomly about twice a month. Sometimes it happens when I make a left turn. Sometimes it happens when pulling into a parking spot. I have had so many close calls of hitting other cars that I try not to drive it unless absolutely necessary.
Potential safety issue - while approaching a traffic light with the intention of turning left, I slowed down to a suitable speed to negotiate the turn. Suddenly the steering was very heavy and required extreme force to get the vehicle to navigate the turn. After this incident I noticed that the steering was extremely heavy at low RPM. If it had been a less experienced driver behind the wheel, or if the driver were to panic I believe the outcome of this failure could be more serious. A panicked driver might hit the gas and crash into the traffic stopped at the light coming from the other direction, or stop in the middle of traffic flow in a no-filter left turn junction. The solution was to replace the power steering pump, and judging by the number of others that have experienced this issue it is a true defect with this car. I believe the solution for this issue is to replace the power steering pump with a know reliable model. Another solution would be to implement a monitoring system to detect a failing pump.
I have been experiencing loss of steering with my 2010 gmc acadia for several weeks. It seems to happen most when I am at low speeds and turning, especially into parking spots, and my garage. The steering gets so tight it makes it almost impossible to turn. I use my car solely as a means for transportation for kids...why has gmc not done anything about this? You read post after post on may different websites and blogs about the exact same situation... Surely this is a defect that gmc needs to address. I am disappointed and truly hope that gmc will address this action.
At low speeds the power steering system fails and you can't turn the vehicle. This happens pulling out into the street or into a parking spot. It has progressively gotten worse over the course of a year and the dealerships can't figure it out. They just want to change parts costing up to 2k and won't ensure me that it will be fixed. They are seeing it on many acadia's and enclave's and this vehicle needs to be recalled due to this before someone is injured or killed. I am worried about my wife and family being in a vehicle that won't turn. Just reviewing the complaints on this website, I can't believe that the government has not done something yet. Take a look at the gmc acadia blog or owners site and you will see lots more complaints exactly like this one. Please do something.
My 2010 acadia has periodic loss of power steering, mostly at low speeds, when backing up, parking, turning, etc. This happens sporadically, and at times can be very dangerous. I have been advised that my car is not under warranty, and there are no recalls.
Steering was hard to turn. The gmc service dept. Found the power steering cooling coil rusted through causing power steering fluid to drain. This vehicle is not old and should not have rusted.
At random times, my car's steering becomes extremely stiff, sometimes to the point that I cannot make the turn. Usually happens when turning into a parking space or making a tight turn at an intersection. I've noticed that it usually occurs when applying my brakes while turning. I've learned to make these turns without using the brakes. I had the fluid changed, but didn't help the problem. The service technician stated that this is a very expensive "fix", as he thinks it is the pump. Shame on gm for not recalling this product. Are they waiting for someone to get injured? How sad is that! I'm surprised to read of so many complaints that are very similar to mine. Because of this... Gm's turning a blind eye... I will most likely never again purchase a gm.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 gmc acadia. The contact stated that while attempting to park at 3-5 MPH, the power steering assist became inoperable. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The dealer informed the contact that the power steering pump was defective and caused the power steering to malfunction. No repairs were performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000. The VIN was not available.
It seems that everytime I am at a low speed <15mph (such as pulling into a parking space, turning at a four way stop, etc) the steering wheel feels like it wants to lock up and it takes all my strength to turn it to go the correct direction. It is dangerous. Pulling in a straight line isn't bad, but backing out of a public parking space or something similar could be bad. I just noticed it every now and then sometime in august, however, within the last few weeks it has gotten significantly worse. Fluids appear fine. It only has 63,000 miles on it. This is ridiculous. I have a 2010 gmc acadia fully loaded, all the awesome gadgets, paid out the wazoo for a car like this, I should not be having these problems. Waiting on the dealer to tell me whats going on now, however, they are saying it could cost me over $1000 to fix. I have the 100,000 power train warranty on it but the other ran out at 60,000 miles. This is no way to take care of your consumer. I will not pay for that, especially after reading that this seems to be a common problem in year models 2009-2012. Seems like a recall is in order! Not the best way to keep your consumers. Before this problem, I swore I would never have anything but an acadia, depending on this outcome, that decision could be drastically changed. And so I have read from several other consumers.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 gmc acadia. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the vehicle became extremely difficult to steer. There was a clunking sound coming from the steering wheel whenever the contact was making a turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the failure was due to low power steering fluid. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 61,000 and the current mileage was 62,834.
The steering will quit working randomly when making turns almost causing accidents, gm does not feel this is a safety issue so they wont pay to have it fixed but yet they recalled it to fix a little plastic piece on a rear seat belt. At this point we can not afford to have it fixed so we must drive around in fear of losing steering control.someone should be held responsible since researching the problem there are alot of other people with the same problem.
Power steering fails at low speeds and tight turns. Vehicle safety is very questionable. The dealer says that it is the pump or rack. I have seen numerous complaints about the steering issues with the acadia.
As everyone else is complaining, power steering feels like it's out. Especially noticed in parking lots when turning into a spot at a low speed and pulling out into traffic at intersections. I bought this $40k+ vehicle to haul my wife and 4 kids around and it's literally falling apart. Serious issues with the steering, the gas gauge only works half of the time, the hot/cold buttons are wore down as you can't even tell what the '+' & '-' are anymore (and we had these replace once already under warranty) and the windshield fluid washer pump is out (and no, it's not just a fuse-already checked). All my kids are involved in sports and we put a lot of miles on per year. Very worried about the steering with my family, trying not to drive it much as we're trying to get rid of it asap before the entire country knows that they're junk! It's out of warranty, and I can't even imagine how much it costs to repair it, so just trying to get rid of this headache of a vehicle! We are actually driving around an old 1999 subaru outback with almost 200k miles, and it's much more dependable than our $40k+ acadia. Very disappointed! First question is, with all the complaints, why hasn't it been recalled yet? I'm guessing there has to be so many fatalities before a recall is appointed?? Second question, do the makers of the gmc acadia sleep well at night knowing their product is very dangerous and it's just a matter of time before people start getting killed?
When attempting to make a left turn at an intersection, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn and I had to use both hands to turn the wheel. During the month, there were several more instances with slow turns to the right and left. There is also a bumping noise (thump, thump) coming from somewhere underneath the steering wheel. It is not all the time but increasing as time goes on. The steering wheel is more becoming more difficult to turn and the incidents are increasing. I went to a chevorlet/gmc dealership this morning and was told it was either my power steering pump or the rack and pinion that would need to be replaced. They would have to have my vehicle for 2 days, one to test it to determine the exact nature of the problem and one day to fix it. The cost would be anywhere from $300-$600, depending on the cause. I have read several forums on the internet of acadia owners with the same issue but power steering problems going down interstates when attempting to exit onto an off ramp at a high rate of speed.
When trying to turn corners it's almost as if the power steering has gone out. Pulling into a crowded parking lot is scary because I never know if my car is going to turn enough to fit into the parking place. I have come close to hitting other cars when making turns onto smaller streets. This started in 2012 and I took my car to classic buick gmc, in arlington texas they stated they could not recreate the problem so nothing was done. Now a year later it is bad enough that they have been able to recreate the problem and wanted to charge me 1714.13 to fix it. I called gmc customer service and they were able to get the dealer down to 850.00 to fix it. After reading all of these complaints about the same issue I am very curious as to why no recall has been issued. I have another call into gmc.
I purchased vehicle used on june 1 2013 around 3 weeks later the vehicle started being hard to turn at turns and slow speeds the steering locks up.I took it back to dealership they ended up charging me 75.00 for power steering fluid now its getting a little out of control at first it was everynow n then now its about 5-7 times a day. I called gm taking it in on service on this matter and waiting to see what happens I barely drive the vehicle now cause of the problem to me its a safety issue and I found out im not the only one with this issue when will gmc realize this needs to be recalled I dont find it fair to have to pay out of pocket with such a known issue god forbid if me or my grandkids get hurt its scary to drive my truck now.
While leaving a parking lot - tried to avoid a pole - was not able to turn steering wheel - it was as though I had no power steering -
Vehicle has been experiencing intermittent issues with steering at low speeds. While trying to park, pull into traffic or make low speed turns, the steering will seize. No current recalls so issue reported to gmc on 8/13/13 for consideration.
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