Five problems related to lose power steering have been reported for the 2011 GMC Acadia. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2011 GMC Acadia based on all problems reported for the 2011 Acadia.
Power steering rack & high pressure power steering line. If this fails while you're driving on a highway you will lose power steering causing a serious accident. Also the timing cover is leaking. Both of these expensive repairs seems to be an issue with all GMC Acadia SUV's yet the NHTSA has not investigated or required the manufacturer to do a recall and cover the costs of repair. Costs for both repairs is $5000. 00 !!!.
When going slow and making a turn right or left I lose power steering this happens both forward or backward when I speed up the power steering come back to normal.
Loss of power steering at low speed. Had the entire rack replaced (prior to power steering loss), as well as the power steering pump replaced (after power steering loss and covered under the TSB) and within to weeks of having the power steering pump replaced, the exact same thing occurred. At very low speed, in a parking lot, making a right hand turn, I lost all power steering and heard a loud screeching noise as I attempted to maneuver my very heavy SUV to a safe area with no power steering. "service battery charging system" error came up on my in-dash screen and then it went away. I turned the engine off and re-started with no power steering still and then re-started again an that is when the power steering worked again. The entire time, the radio and lights were on and did not fail. I drove the car directly to the dealership and after a full day of having my car, they told me I needed a new alternator now at at cost of $1200!!!! I'm not sure how the alternator is related since I do not have electric power steering?!?!?! I feel like this defect is costing customers thousands of dollars for a defect from the manufacture and gm needs to wake up and issue a recall before someone is killed!!.
After a short but heavy down pour, I traveled through a puddle at approximately 25 mph and lost power steering for 1-2 seconds. I was unable to turn the steering wheel and needed to brake to avoid going off the road. For the next 2 miles the vehicle seemed to operate correctly, but then it happened again at a slower speed (approximately 10 mph) as I tried to make a 90 degree turn on to my street. I was unable to make the turn and came to a complete stop, then the power steering kicked in again. Called the local dealer immediately upon arrive home and left voice mail (they closed at 5pm). Called GMC customer service and was told there is no know issue.
The vehicle loses its power steering while backing into parking spaces and while the steering wheel is turned sharply. No power steering at all.