Power Steering Fluid Problems of GMC Acadia - part 1

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact indicated while driving at various speeds the vehicle had experienced random jerking and hesitation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine control module was faulty. The engine control module was replaced but the failure continued to occur. The vehicle was then taken the local dealer who diagnosed that the rack and pinion and power steering pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

See all problems of the 2016 GMC Acadia 🔎.

Failure of power steering system - at low speeds, power steering assistance is not active. Very difficult to turn steering wheel from a stopped position or moving at low speed. This presents a safety risk in the ability to avoid pedestrians, vehicles or other objects while driving at slow speeds, most notably parking lots. Condition started around the 50,000-mile mark. After further examination, fluid appear to be leaking from the vehicle. Had vehicle taken to gm-certified dealership for service, and was advised that the power steering system required immediate attention. After further research there appears to be concerning history of power-steering related failure on the GMC Acadia. Prior model years (2007-2011) had the warranty extended on the system upwards of 10 years and 150,000 miles. In addition, a variety of technical service bulletins have been issued on the power steering system of the 2016 GMC Acadia. Nhsta database also points to a number of similar incidents, typically occurring around the 50,000 mile range. This indicates a latent manufacture defect in which further action must be taken to address this ongoing safety issue.

My 2016 GMC Acadia was brought in for a basic car inspection. �the car has 54,000 miles. �I was told it failed inspection due to the leaking of steering fluid. �I needed a new gear assembly. �the car had no issues prior to this and I take the car regularly to GMC. Fortunately, I did not get into an accident, but I drive 60 miles a day to work and this could have been much worse. The total cost to have it fixed was almost $3,000. �I did not have the extended bumper to bumper warranty, so I had to pay out of pocket. ��after reading many complaints about this specific problem, I called GMC corporate to make an official complaint with them. �if you own this car and are anywhere from 40-70k miles, please have this checked out. �I have 2 small children and I could have easily crashed if I didn't have my car inspected. �this needs to be a recall immediately. �people buy this specific car, because they have children and want a safe vehicle. �the fact that they have not recalled this issue is awful. �I love american cars, but I am losing faith in them. �please report this problem, so that maybe GMC will be forced to recall the issue and save lives.

Steering wheel making a whining/rubbing noise. Fluid leaking under the car. Took to the dealer and was found to have tack and pinion is bad spraying out power steering fluid everywhere. Was told that the steering will lose power and become either hard to turn or not turn at all causing danger to ourselves and others. This is a known issue that has not been recalled by gm.

See all problems of the 2009 GMC Acadia 🔎.

Power steering pump failure. While driving my 2016 GMC Acadia on a trip of about 350 miles (mostly highway) everything seemed to be working fine until near the end of the trip. As I exited the highway and started slowing down the steering became very stiff and by the time I came to a stop light I could not turn the steering wheel at all. When the light turned green I pressed the gas pedal and as the rpm increased the power steering pump worked good enough to make the turn and get me home. Luckily I only had about a mile to go. I checked the fluid and it was low so I topped it off and raised the front tires off the ground in order to turn lock to lock to try to get any air out of the system. After lowering the vehicle I tried to drive it and I still could not turn the steering wheel without pressing the gas. As I looked further I noticed that the hose that leads to the power steering pump has fluid all over it where it goes through a grommet attached to the rear of the engine. The grommet in the metal bracket was falling apart and the hose appears to be chaffing on the metal bracket. The leak is very small and there's no telling how long it has been rubbing the bracket. The vehicle is out of warranty but only has 50k miles on it and has never been wrecked or had any repairs done that could have caused this. It appears to be an improperly installed bracket/grommet that caused the problem.

On Saturday (8/31/2019), I noticed that the ac in my 2016 Acadia (about 79,000 miles) wouldn't turn on. My vehicle has two evaporators, one in the front for the front ac, and one in the rear for the rear ac. They are connected by an aluminum tube (gm part #23199274). When I took the vehicle into the GMC dealer, they showed me that a connector on the power steering fluid (psf) line, which runs beside this aluminum tube (see photo 1), had rubbed up against the aluminum and worn a hole in it, allowing all the refrigerant to leak out (photo 2). There is supposed to be a little rubber piece that fits over and protects the coolant line (you can sort-of see it in the pictures), but that piece is small and slides down, exposing the aluminum tube. The technician then told/showed me how he usually bends or moves the psf line so that it doesn't rub against the aluminum coolant tube. This indicates that gm is aware of the issue and has done nothing in an attempt to fix it, even though this inherent design flaw allows the entire coolant charge to leak into the atmosphere. Needless to say, since refrigerant is not exactly environmentally friendly, I find it concerning that gm is apparently aware of this issue and hasn't taken the necessary steps (like a voluntary recall) to fix it. I called the gm customer service line and made them aware of the situation, and they said "there is nothing they can do. " I'm hoping this complaint forces them to resolve the issue and stop leaking full refrigerant charges into the atmosphere. Note that this would also be an issue if the situation were reversed and it was the ac coolant tube that chafed through the psf hose. If the psf connector was even 1 cm off, then hypothetically the coolant tube could rub through the psf hose and cause a failure of the power steering system. It is also desirable to avoid this as well, for obvious reasons.

Vehicle started making grinding / squealing noises while driving when I turned. Steering was very tight and hard to turn wheel. Brought vehicle into shop and power steering pump was leaking. $1,100 dollars later my vehicle was fixed and I was told that I could have lost my steering all together if the power steering fluid was depleted anymore.

See all problems of the 2015 GMC Acadia 🔎.

Power steering fails while driving due to sudden substantial fluid leakage. Complaints to gm are unresolcved while gm continues to sell flawed vehicles.

Found leaks on driveways. Took it get an oil change and asked them to take a look they said they couldnt see anything leaking. Jump forward 2 months leak is larger on my driveway from a dime to size of a baseball. And my steering was difficult while driving I had no control causing me to stop dead in road with my 8 year old in back seat . . . Scary , my husband checked fluids and put in some power steering fluid and in morning fresh power steering fluid was found on cardboard took it to a body shop for minor body repair and asked if they would look into it to find the problem. The seal power steering pump to pulley is leaking. Not covered under any warranty I have or power train. Cost is about 1,300. 00 to fix I bought this GMC in February 2019 from carmax I havent even had it for 4 months before it started leaking. Carfax on this has no major problems of any accidents. Looked up this problem and found 16 other people this same moth having same issues.

I just got my GMC 4 months ago and after every light and alarm has gone off the leak of power steering fluid has cause me to take to a dealer and I have been given a $2600 bill to replace the rack and pinion and pump. This is not just an issued with my GMC my sister has a 2011 Acadia and had the same problem. This for sure needs to be recalled as there is something wrong with it.

My steering fluid pump broke and the tube had to be replaced both leaked. Car made noise when turning corners. Complained to GMC but they refused to take responsibility.

See all problems of the 2014 GMC Acadia 🔎.

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Acadia. While operating the vehicle, the steering wheel felt loose and a whining noise was heard when it was turned. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (sellers Buick GMC, 38000 grand river Ave, farmington hills, mi) where it was diagnosed that the power steering fluid leaked from the vehicle and the power steering fluid seals needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 140,000.

See all problems of the 2011 GMC Acadia 🔎.

My first incident on my 2015 GMC Acadia sle fwd purchased brand new was this year at 40000 miles. One head light went out and then the other in which the dealer wanted 400+ bucks to replace. The lighting is actually bad from the headlamps. They lights do not extended in front of you to see if you will be coming upon anything and can possibly run it over. My second issue at 41000 was the power steering. One day I heard a loud whining as I turned the corner on a city street and suddenly the power steering stopped. I looked in the manual and it says to put a certain type of transmission fluid in there, but I had just had a free oil change at the dealer about 3 weeks ago and they do not top off any other fluids. After putting the fluid in the power steering place, I noticed a leak. Come to find out the power steering pump is leaking on my car with only 41000 miles. A brand new car practically that cost 30,000 should not have issues so soon. Today, driving to work I almost lost it because my car all of a sudden started jumping codes "service stabilitrak; service traction control; traction control off; engine power is reduce' and my speed went from about 40 to 30 instantly. I was driving on a city street traffic while this happened and was unaware. Just think, if I did not put on brakes and was going at a certain speed and the person behind me is as well, and my car's speed just drop dramatically, what type of injuries could have occurred. I am very perturbed because this is the second gm car that I purchased with defects and my car just so happen to be omiited from any recalls. I own a 2010 chevy malibu as well and the power steering completely stopped working in 2015 and I had to pay 1300 to get it fixed, while other cars where on recall for the same issue. I'm so done with gm!!.

Almost crashed into a tree with my 5 year old in the car after going through a puddle on a rainy day. There was a very loud squealing noise and then the steering wheel froze. I needed to shut the car off and turn it back on to unfreeze it. It happened a second time after going through another puddle which thankfully was in my driveway! brought it to get my belt checked and the GMC dealer said they think I have a small steering fluid leak and would need a new rack and pinion? I had a private mechanics second opinion and they said they did not see a leak and the fluid was not low? however my transmission fluid was a bit low? my car does stutter from time to time but no lights have come on to tell me there is a problem? not sure what to do I cant afford the $1400 to supposedly fix the car. We just purchased it a year ago and it only has 70,000 miles on it! I have done research and others have the same issue! gm needs to recall this safety issue before someone gets hurt or worse!! they also need to figure out why so many have stuttering transmissions! I almost got into a collision because my car stuttered as I was turning! the other person had to slam on the brakes as I tried to hit the gas harder! I had a 3 kids in the car on the way to baseball!! figure this out gm please before someone get hurt in this so called family car!!!!.

See all problems of the 2012 GMC Acadia 🔎.

My steering in my 2008 GMC Acadia seems to lock up intermittently. There doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason why this happens and I cannot predict when it happens. Power steering fluid is full and not leaking. Was told the power steering is not "gone" but it is very hard to turn the vehicle when this happens. I feel unsafe considering I travel with multiple kids all the time. This is not something I can afford to go out on my vehicle at this time. Due to the other complaints I have read I feel this is a recall issue and it should be deemed so immediately by the manufacturer.

See all problems of the 2008 GMC Acadia 🔎.

My power steering will intermittently stop on my when turning at low speeds. Never had any issues up on till last week when I was taking my son to school. I have no leaks so it's not due to fluid loss.

Noticed a slight squeak when steering so took car in for service and dealer performed nearly $5400. 00 of work on my car. Here is what they wrote on the bill: c/s vehicle making a squeaking noise when turning the steering whell at lower speeds found to be leaking to a drop on to other components. Replaced steering rack and cleaned fluids. Then they also did this service: c/s to fix oil pna leak found in mpvi as well as frnt cover to engine found to beleaking two seperate oil seeps found during mpvi. Due to failed seals replaced said parts and researled. Cleaned parts and test drove and due to these "fixes" performed they also did alignment: c/s to perform 4 wheel alignm. Ent for steering rack performed alignment to me the oil leaks seems to be result of power steering leaks due to errosion of the gaskets and was wondering if this has been reported as an issue as $5400. 00 for repairs seems extremely high. Was there recalls on the power steering issue? thanks, lisa stinebuck-jones 8954 summer crest drive cincinnati, OH 45251 859. 743. 8948 stinebuckjones@me. Com.

I was driving in my neighborhood when my car started making a loud noise as I turned the wheel to the right. I turned onto my street and my car started smoking, smelled like something was burning, and the power steering went out. Luckily I was near my home. I looked underneath the vehicle and fluid was spraying out and the power steering pump busted out of nowhere. Not only was the power steering pump bad but the water pump is leaking also at the same time at 85000 miles. Another issue is that the service air bag has been on since I purchased the vehicle and I took it back to the dealership the next day and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it but it remains on. What if I'm in an accident and the air bags aren't working properly.

At less than 70000 miles steering started locking up at low speeds and has slowly gotten worse at over 70000 miles with fluid level at proper range and no leaks.

See all problems of the 2010 GMC Acadia 🔎.

While driving around a corner on either side, the steering wheel has a jerk and roughness to it. Fluid checked out within the operating range. Shortly thereafter a leak started on the right side next to the power steering pump/rack and pinion. Mileage is around 43000. Huge safety concern after reading about the steering issues that others have had.

In 2015, the gm dealer replaced the power steering pump due to failure under a recall. On July 7, 2016, I took by car back to the dealer and now the rack is leaking power steering fluid. This continues to be an issue with these vehicle. Very unsafe to operate when the steering system keeps failing. This issue has made the vehicle difficult to steer.

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.

Purchased a GMC Acadia denali in Sep 2015. Had to have transmission repaired, struts replaced in Nov 2015. Began having problems with steering locking up when turning wheel hard and making a loud whining sound as well as burning fluid smell in Jan 2016. Took vehicle to dealer and was advised by service department that the power steering pump/motor was leaking and requires replacement, and the rack and pinion is bad and has to be replaced. Further research indicates this is a very common issue with this vehicle and gm is aware of the defective power steering pump/motor and rack and pinion. Even dealer service techs advised it is a very well known and documented problem with this model vehicle yet the repair is not covered by the manufacturer. This is a very dangerous condition to the driver of the vehicle as well as to the driving public and pedestrians in general. There is an open class action lawsuit as well. Nhtsa should require gm to recall these vehicles and make the required repairs as to prevent a clear danger to the public.

Received notice from gm re power steering, do not take to vehicle for service unless problem is known. I took vehicle for tire rotation and mechanic noticed power steering fluid leaking, caused damage to rack, pinion, etc. (estimate attached). Called gm dealer and gm cust service, will only cover defective power steering pump not the damage caused by defective pump. Since gm advised not to get fixed until issue occurs (I still have power steering, was not aware of the issue until tires were rotated) why should I be liable for the additional damage caused? also, this morning 12/08/15, while taking my daughter to school, the car buckled and stabiltrak, check engine light came on with a message "power reduced", only able to drive 20-25 miles. The same issue occurred appx. A year ago and I filed a complaint. The light goes and off just like a year ago. After reading several bulletins for the 2008 GMC Acadia, all the above issues are a known issue. I should not have to pay for vehicle defects that are common in all of the vehicles.

Rack & pinion was leaking. Was replaced at dealership. Power steering pump also replaced. GMC did not make this public that there was a problem with pump. Replaced pump fluid with a different type than was originally installed. Many GMC veh. Have this prob. The fact that GMC changed fluids in the steering system could have caused the original to fail. GMC will not admit there is a problem with the steering system. Please check with GMC amd get the truth.

Vehicle was purchased from union park GMC dealership in wilmington delware on 7/24/15. I took it to my local mechanic on 7/27/15 after noticig a whinning noise when steering at low speeds. He recommended returning oit to the dealer for repair. The dealer made no repair and claimed "all these Acadias have this whining noise". I then took it to maryland state inspection where it failed inspection due to "moisture on rack", indicating a leak and replacement of rack required to pass inspection. Dealer service department claims it viewed the boot and found a stain and referred me to TSB # 3352321. However, it was not made clear if they actually pulled the boot and inspected the rack and inside of boot to determine if fluid was accumulating inside the boot. They also claimed they do not guarantee vehicle will pass inspection. I did notice that when the delaer returned the vehicle it had added power sterring fluid, rasing the level from just below min to just above max level.

I was just told by the GMC dealer that my steering column is leaking fluid. Apparently, this is an extremely common problem, as it is all over every GMC Acadia forum as well as logged in your database. Why is a recall not being issued for this? it is obviously a design engineering or manufacturing defect. Why do we have to wait until there is a crash, injury or death before you are willing to issue a recall? this is absurd. My family is now spending $1,700 for this repair.

As I was driving on the interstate, my power steering suddenly went out. I got to my destination and fluid was just leaking everywhere. I had my vehicle towed to a dealership after I researched my problem. I was aware there was a special notice out about this vehicle and the power steering issues. Gm was initially only willing to fix the power steering pump, not the power steering cooling line and power steering gear. After complaining and questioning, the dealership was able to get the cost down, but gm would not cover the cost entirely to make my vehicle drivable again. This is a known issue and they have admitted to it being a problem, yet they aren't willing to foot the bill to fix it back to the condition it was prior to this issue. While they offered me a much better price to fix it, they should fix it at no cost to me. The wording in the special statement was "steering pump wear" and "sudden loss of hydrolic pressure. " both of which would lead me to believe the word leak should be covered as well. Wear to me mean things being less than perfect and sudden loss of pressure means leak. Inexcusable for gm to weasel out of fixing this issue completely.

I was just told by the GMC dealer that my steering gears are not working and are leaking fluid. They said if it would have been the boot, it would have been covered under warranty. Apparently, this is an extremely common problem, as it is all over every GMC Acadia forum as well as logged in your database. Why is a recall not being issued for this? it is obviously a design engineering or manufacturing defect. Why do we have to wait until there is a crash, injury or death before you are willing to issue a recall? this is really frustrating. The GMC dealer quoted me $1,700 for this repair.

Just as others here, I was notified by the technician that the steering gear/rack and pinion assembly required replacement due to power steering fluid leak. The dealership stated this would not be covered under a warranty and only the power steering pump has been recalled if steering fails while operating the vehicle. There seems to be several complaints regarding this issue with the 2011 GMC Acadia. Please consider taking the time to investigate these particular complaints. It very alarming to be informed that a reoccurring issue will not be resolved unless the power steering fails while operating the vehicle. It's also concerning that several consumers have experienced the same issue with power steering fluid leakage and malfunctioning steering gear/rack. This is a obviously a consistent complaint and should be addressed.

During a recent oil change, I was notified by the technician that the steering gear/rack and pinion assembly required replacement due to power steering fluid leak. The dealership stated this would not be covered under a warranty and only the power steering pump has been recalled if steering fails while operating the vehicle. There seems to be several complaints regarding this issue with the 2011 GMC Acadia. Please consider taking the time to investigate these particular complaints. It very alarming to be informed that a reoccurring issue will not be resolved unless the power steering fails while operating the vehicle. It's also concerning that several consumers have experienced the same issue with power steering fluid leakage and malfunctioning steering gear/rack. This is a consistent complaint and should be addressed. Thank you for your time and consideration.

GMC sent a letter out saying there is a problem with the power steering pump and that they extended the warranty on it. In my case the power steering pump would quit at times and it had no power steering felt like manual steering. But before I could bring it in to get replaced it was leaking fluid which caused the rack and pinion to go bad. I explained this to the manager and he said the rack and pinion wasn't under warranty and I had to pay for this which cost me $1372. 00 I sent GMC a email to complain and they called back saying the dealer would call me which they never have I left them a message to call me and a number to reach me but now nobody wants to call me back I think they want me to forget about this. I said a rack and pinion should not go bad on a truck with just 48800 miles on it and the power steering pump caused this which they should stand behind their product.

I have a 2010 GMC Acadia. Several months ago I received the gm special coverage extended warrant letter # 14329. At that time, I had already noticed extreme difficulty in turning the wheel at low rates of speed and brushed it off as probably needing power steering fluid I also noticed a "whining" noise along with this action. I began to worry as the matter kept worsening and already still had trauma from a prior accident in 2010 which left me to purchase this vehicle in 2011 which I thought would be a more safe stable vehicle for me. Upon a few weeks later, while trying to make a left hand turn manuever, the steering wheel completely "locked" up! luckily, no oncoming traffic was in sight, otherwise, I would have been unable to get out of the way as I was in the middle of the highway! I immediatly contacted the dealer and explained my issue and named the letter I had received a few months prior. Thus, an appointment was scheduled. I took my vehicle in on that specific day. The dealer contacts me to inform me that the pump was covered in the warrant but not the rack which they said was leaking on both sides (which is the most expensive part). My out of pocket expense of $1200. 00 after labor and the alignment!! all the parts of the power steering system should be paid for all expense by gm!! this is a tremendous safety issue and peoples lives are at danger! no one has $1200 to just drop on auto repair and I had to take out a loan!! what is gm waiting for hunders of deaths?!! there's already a class action lawsuit filed gm 4-1-13. Gm needs to reimburse me and all others!! gm's ceo's need to do a major recall and take care of their customers. This is no joke and an extreme hazard! I'm also filing a complaint with gm as well.

7/12/15 cincinnati, ohio just as others here, I was notified by the tech that the steering gear/rack and pinion assembly required replacement due to power steering fluid leak. The dealership stated this would not be covered under a warranty and would cost $1200 and only the power steering pump has been recalled if steering fails while operating the vehicle. There seems to be many complaints regarding this issue with the 2011 GMC Acadia. Please consider taking the time to investigate these particular complaints. It very alarming to be informed that a reoccurring issue will not be resolved unless the power steering fails while operating the vehicle. It's also concerning that several consumers have experienced the same issue with power steering fluid leakage and malfunctioning steering gear/rack. This is a obviously a consistent complaint and should be addressed.

While attempting to turn into a parking spot at a shopping center, I lost power steering completely. I was able to man handle the vehicle into a parking area that was sparsely occupied and did not hit anything. If I had been in a different area of the parking lot, there were a lot of pedestrians, pushing strollers and most had children with them. I could have hit several of them and had no control over the vehicle. I took it to the mechanic and he said that the rack and pinion needed replacing. I have now received a bulletin from GMC advising that if I have had a problem with steering, I should take it to my closest dealer for them to run a diagnostic. However, if the diagnostic didn't show specifically that the problem was the power steering pump, then I would be responsible for the cost of the diagnostic plus any repairs needed. My mechanic has advised me that the pump is fine, but the rack and pinion needs replacing since the seals or cylinders have been leaking. I had to add power steering fluid at about 23k miles, but the dealer stated it was probably just not filled up when it was off the factory line. So, I have to leave the vehicle at the mechanic until I can afford to have it repaired since I don't want to drive it. I could have killed someone due to this power steering failure. My research show that this problem is common for the 2008 Acadia and I feel gm should stand up and do the right thing for those of us who bought this vehicle.