2010 GMC Acadia: steering wheel locks up

Filed Jul 17, 2020 · Steering · 135,000 miles · VA

Started to drive truck, turned out of driveway in residential neighborhood, max speed is 45 MPH and was able to drive and then the steering wheel locked up 2 miles down the city street. Couldn't turn left or right and almost crashed into a t intersection power steering fluid was at max and no engine light or status was lit.

Filed Sep 21, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 155,000 miles · IN

This has happened about ten times now all within the past 3-4 months. I will be driving and go to make a turn and the steering wheel locks up and the engine dies. The brakes still work so I am able to stop the car, turn they key off and restart it. It had happened to me once on the highway and the rest of the times have been stop and go turns in the city but once was while turning left onto on cmong traffic and my car died in the middle of it. I took it to 3 different auto places and all told me they couldn't find the problem. I then researched this and found several other people having this same problem. I contacted them and they set me up with a dealership to get it fixed. Gmc said if it was under 150,000 miles they would pay for it and if it was over then I would still qualify for a payment assistance program. However a day after dropping off my car to get fixed the dealership called me and said they don't know how to fix my car and to come get it out of their parking lot. We told gmc about this and they said it's not there problem. I'm at a loss at this point as no one seems to be able to fix the car and it is a death trap for me and my family. I'm also not just going to sell to the car to somebody like the dealership advised me to do because 'they wouldn't want their son or daughter driving that thing' (even though they seem perfectly fine to have me drive it off their lot asap and not be their problem anymore) because I wouldnt feel right selling a car to someone knowing it could kill them through no fault of their own. I don't know what to do here. The right thing to do would be to put that car in the junkyard and buy a new one but I don't have the cash. Would like somebody to tell me how to fix this.

Filed Aug 28, 2017 · Steering · 180,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 gmc acadia. While driving various low speeds, the steering wheel became stiff and seized while turning either left or right. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. After the steering wheel seized temporarily, it returned to its normal function. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that there was no recall. In addition, the contact was provided with the following case number by generla motors: c83224002597. The failure mileage was 180,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 26, 2016 · Steering · 75,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 gmc acadia. While driving 10 MPH, the power steering seized while making a left turn. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2016 · Steering · 72,341 miles · CO

Gmc acadia power steering unit went out, lost ability to turn at low speeds and the steering locked up while backing up. I took the SUV to the gmc dealer and I was told that gmc has had problems with their power steering units in the 2009 - 2013 year models and there was an an extended warranty on that class of SUV. Their is a class action lawsuit over the issue and gmc has extended their warranty, but it is so restrictive that gmc will do nothing about the problem. Gmc needs to issue a recall for the power steering unit before someone is killed.

Filed Jun 7, 2016 · Steering · 84,420 miles · NE

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 gmc acadia. While driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to maneuver the steering wheel in order to continue driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufcturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 84,420.

Filed Feb 25, 2016 · Steering · 72,695 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 gmc acadia. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the power steering locked up in the middle of the road without warning. The contact managed to drive home. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who stated that the failure was a known issue. The dealer diagnosed that the vehicle was leaking power steering fluid and engine coolant. The dealer further diagnosed and replaced the power steering lines, power steering gear, water pump, pipe, and hose. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and offered a discount toward a new vehicle. The contact rejected the offer. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 72,695.

Filed Sep 7, 2015 · Steering · 80,000 miles · NY

While turning at a low speed steering locked up making hard to turn. This now happens frequently while driving and making turns. Some times I am unable to turn at all and have to try again. I have read numerous accounts of this happening to this car, if I would have known I would have never purchased.

Filed May 27, 2015 · Steering · 108,000 miles · AR · crash

My son was driving on the interstate when the steering wheel locked. He was not able to turn the steering wheel to negotiate the curve of the road, so he crashed into a concrete construction barrier. The police report stated the cause of the accident as "defective steering." the vehicle was towed to the dealership, and a report was filed with gmc corporate. Their inspection of the vehicle found no defect with the steering. What this means for me is that my insurance and I must pay for all of the repairs (if the insurance company doesn't total the vehicle). It also means that, since they could not find anything wrong with the vehicle, the incident of the steering locking up could reoccur, causing serious injuries or fatalities. In doing research, it appears from the number of complaints and the class action suit filed against gmc that the 2010 acadia has defective steering. Mileage of vehicle is approximate.

Filed Oct 4, 2014 · Steering · 90,000 miles · PA

While trying to attempt a right turn on a green light at approximately 10 MPH my steering wheel did not turn. This was completely unexpected and I was caught off guard but managed to stop the vehicle inches away from traffic coming in the opposite direction. I brought it in for servicing and was told the r&p needed to be replaced. This was done but the issue persists. The dealer claims they can not find any issues with my steering even though we have been on test drives where the steering locks up. To this day the problem continues only at low speeds, but I will not let my family travel in this vehicle.

Filed Sep 18, 2014 · Steering, Transmission · 51,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 gmc acadia. While making a left turn at an unknown speed, the vehicle jerked violently and the steering wheel seized. The contact had to forcefully turn the steering wheel. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2014 · Steering · 77,000 miles · NY

While turning corners, power steering locks making it difficult to turn the wheel. Feels very dangerous as you never know when it is going to occur. I am getting to a point where I am getting nervous to drive the vehicle. Especially with my kids in the car! This occurs even if the vehicle is warm and also after a cold start. It appears as though this is an issue with this model and I cannot believe that gm has not done a recall. I was told by a mechanic the power steering rack needs to be replaced, but I have also seen other online complaints the pump also needs to be replaced. This repair is very costly and my truck is not that old! I have already brought the vehicle in for the previously named recalls.