GMC Acadia steering lock-up problems

Filed Mar 11, 2024 · Steering · WA

About 1 month ago While making a slow speed turn from a parking lot to a street the steering seemed to lock for no reason. After a brief moment the steering resumed normal function. I inspected the ignition switch and found nothing abnormal. Checked power steering fluid level, it was in the operating range. Unable to duplicate the issue at that time. On 3-9-23 while driving the vehicle started making an unusual noise coming from the engine. It seemed to be consistent with engine rpm. I believe it was the power steering pump. After stopping and starting the engine the noise was gone. A few minutes later while driving at slow speed the steering locked again, or the resistance was too great for my wife to overcome.

Filed Jan 19, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · MI

1. Could not put car into park or turn off. Caused battery to be dead as it would not turn off when put into park. 2. Steering wheel locked and jerked repeatedly. Could not turn into parking spot. The steering wheel had a mind of its own and could not stop the jerk. It is dangerous and scary ! 3. At night, the headlights do not light the road. It is as though there are no lights at all. It is dangerous to not see the road at night because headlights do not give appropriate lighting.

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 17, 2021 · Steering · 147,028 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel locked up. The contact's father, who is an independent mechanic, diagnosed that the power steering assist and rack and pinion were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,028.

Filed Jul 14, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · OK

While traveling approximately 75mph the Service Traction Control light came on followed closely by the Low Oil Pressure Stop Engine Immediately light. We attempted to travel to a more safe area along the interstate. Within seconds the engine immediately shut off causing the loss of power steering and power brakes. The steering wheel locked in place causing the total loss of steering control. We were able to bring the vehicle to a safe stop, I would attribute this success to my being a Defensive Driver Instructor and Transportation Safety Professional. The risk associated with the issues we were faced with could have easily ended in tragedy especially at this speed (75 mph, 80 mph zone) The diagnosis of the vehicle was inconclusive due to the number of codes that were shown. The vehicle was no longer functional and had to be replaced. No documentation, other than the bill for towing is available. Diagnosis was done at no charge.

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 Aug 31, 2019 · Steering · 47,000 miles · CT

The steering wheel locked up while driving. I also was not able to turn suddenly. This could have resulted in serious bodily harm had I been going at a speed on a highway. There were no warning signs, no check engine lights, no malfunctions, the steering wheel just stopped working.

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 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 Sep 11, 2018 · Steering · 61,000 miles · CO · crash

On september 4, 2018 I was getting on the highway when my steering wheel locked up and I hit a concrete barrier. The officer could not turn my steering wheel and the repair estimate guy said that when operating the vehicle to test the steering the power would come and go. The steering would be soft and when trying to turn, the steering would become difficult to operate. Most of the reviews that I read have the same issue but their models are older than mine. My acadia is a 2015 when is this safety hazard going to be corrected? It has been 8 years (2007) since this steering malfunction was discovered and my vehicle was put into production and gmc is still putting people at risk with their continued use of the same steering design, materials, assembly or whatever it is that causes this malfunction. Something needs to change in order to keep everyone safe.