Power Steering Fluid problems of the 2010 Buick Enclave

The contact owns a 2010 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the vehicle's power steering fails at speeds 15 mph or less, especially when turning the vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle would have to use manual steering in order to operate the vehicle. There were no warning lights. The dealer was not informed of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

Power steering is leaking fluids. Hearing a slight howling sound when turning the steering wheel.

Often when turning the vehicle power steering seems to loose power. It feels like I am driving a old car with no power steering. It happens at any speed. I seldom feel this from a stopped position. I seldom feel it when going straight. Some times I can feel it as I slow down to start a turn. It happens most in town. It can happen when coming off the interstate to make the first turn at an intersection. . . But not often. I see no leaks. The fluid is at the proper level.

I was experiencing rubbing and resistance when making turns at slow speeds. I was driving with 6 kids in my car and was turning left across a major street and the power steering failed as I entered oncoming traffic. I was able to get the car turned. Got home and checked the steering fluid was empty. I refilled the steering fluid and it began leaking. Took the car to my mechanic and they found that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced ($1,000) and there is a service bulletin about the boots getting wet from some steering fluid, but my vehicle the steering fluid leaked so badly that the steering fluid needed to be refilled daily. The steering components in this vehicle are faulty and creating very dangerous situations. After searching online there are many many complaints from customers on similar dangerous situations of them turning into oncoming traffic and the steering failing. It is only a matter of time before something tragic happens. My vehicle is a 2010 with 65,000. It should not have this sort of issue. It is no longer covered under manufacturer warranty.

At low speeds, the steering assist freezes the steering momentarily so that the driver loses control of the vehicle while driving. Steering fluid reservoir has been confirmed full, no leaks. Issue was intermittent, and now occurring more frequently.

I purchased this car used with around 70,000 miles. I noticed after driving it for a short time after the purchase that the power steering shuts off when conducting low speed turns, nearly causing me to have a few wrecks. This is especially noticeable in parking lots that require precise steering. I have not noticed any issues driving around curves at highway speeds, only slow turns at 20 mph or less. The power steering fluid level is normal, and there are not any leaks that I could find. After getting a recall notice about the water pump shaft (notice 13079) and looking it up on-line, I saw that the power steering issue I have is very common, however there are not any recalls for that. . . Yet, although there needs to be.

Inspection reveals power steering fluid need replacing, found rack and pinion leaking into boots.

Shortly after purchasing the vehicle from a dealership (used), the steering started to get very difficult when turning left or right at slow speeds. As this was a used vehicle, there was no warranty. The power steering fluid level was checked and was at the correct level and there were no noticable leaks of fluid. When turning the vehicle into the driveway, into a parking spot, or turning from a stop sign (left or right), the steering will randomly almost lock up requiring additional force to complete the turn. We have been fortunate to date that this has not caused us to turn into oncoming traffic or run off the road into a ditch. This seems to be a serious problem with the Buick Enclave that gm has not yet saw fit to address. Sadly there is a new power steering pump and rack & pinion assembly in the near future for my Enclave that I feel should be covered by the manufacturer as a design flaw. With it affecting the basic functionality of the steering, this definitely is a safety issue! simple research on the web turns up multiple hits for people complaining of the exact same problems.