CarComplaints.com Notes: Buying the first model year of any vehicle is rarely a good idea. You become a guinea pig for the automaker and they are really not nice to guinea pigs.
Purchased the car used in 01/2018 and a few months later had to replace the power steering pump and the rack with only 159,000 miles. Since when do pumps and racks go out this early? Fortunately my great mechanic was wise enough to convert the system over to take Dexron VI transmission fluid so hopefully wont have this issue again. SHAME ON YOU GM for horribly manufacturing this vehicle which causes problems that could put lives at risk!!!
The power steering pump had been replaced when we bought the Enclave in 2012, at the time it had 80,000 miles. The power steering went out again a little over 2 years ago, and we replaced it out of pocket was about $1200. Power steering went out again last month, this time we was told the damage from the power steering going out so much has caused other issues that must be fixed to be road safe! The total cost last month was $3500, got the car back 2 weeks ago.
Drove to Indiana last Friday, guess what.... Power steering pump went out again. These are power steering pumps from the dealership, authentic Buick replacement parts. We drive a lot, and now have 200,000 miles on the Enclave. We had planned to buy another Enclave, or Traverse, but the last time the power steering pump went out, I was on a 2 lane highway passing a semi truck, out of the blue no warning I could turn the wheel without using a lot of muscle.
Last night we bought a Chrysler Town and Country, the dealership did not want my car. The mechanic told me the Buick Enclave was notorious for having power steering problems, and that Buick knew about these problems in 2007. Its been 11 years, and Buick will not have a recall. Someone will die or be seriously injured from this problem.
I am a 2008 Buick Enclave owner, who will not purchase another Buick Enclave!
Power steering pump failed back in Nov 2017. I replaced pump and it worked good for a while, most recently problems have returned making it difficult to steer whenever engine RPMs drop under 1000, such as when braking for an upcoming turn. This is a serious safety issue!!!
my hatch dont work at times . just replaced the alternator ,now while driving truck will not turn left or right. nothing but problems since i bought it.
The electronics within the rack and pinion failed. There is no reason a modern vehicle with 82,000 miles should have this type of problem. Apparently it is common with this type of GM vehicle.
This problem occurs everyday and when I'm trying to turn left or right!!! Of course it's going to cost over 3000 dollars to fix, of which I don't have!!!! They need to have a recall!! 2 of my friends own the same vehicle and it happens to them too.
Just paid 4,000 to put a new transmission in the car due to the wave plate bursting. Drove the car for 2 days and steering wheel hardly turns at low speed or turning from a stop. Its definately a saftey issue and i see many other folks experiencing the same problem with their enclaves. I cant afford to get this fixed. Im tapped out from the transmission (with no help from Buick or Buick service center. I will be calling and complaining to the national safety folks again. I thought bought a good car for my family. Silly me and thanks for the royal screwing Buick! It will be October until i can get it fixed. When i see the ceo and collegues on tv I get sick to my stomach!
Pwr Steering works marginally, was told by Service tech that Buick knowingly under engineered these PS pumps for 08 buick enclaves and decided to use Dextron Transmission fluid (high viscosity rating) instead of "normal" PS fluid. The Joe Consumer was not made aware of this and I used regular PS fluid to top off the pump when we purchased the vehicle. now the PS pump seals are gone and there is what appears to be an air bubble in the system so it randomly will loose pressure at a stop or slow turn. very dangerous situation. why is there not a class action on this for buick enclave owners?
Complete failure of power steering and cooler pump for the SECOND TIME. Unfortunately for me my warranty had expired. Buick is apparently aware of the issue but does nothing to address it.
At slow speeds, power steering is lacking in power and very noisy. Accelerator needs to be pumped to provide enough power to complete tight turns through underground parking.
Will NEVER buy another GM product!!!! Our 2008 Buick Enclave had a blown engine after its 1st year, it's had constant transmission problems, stabilitrak problems, steering problems, electrical problems and the interior is falling apart. Buick dealership "fixed" the transmission and steering problems several times while under warranty but the problems always came back. Now that it's not under warranty anymore, they suddenly found THE fix that would cost us thousands of dollars. Dealership or GM are not willing to help at all even though these have been the same ongoing problems.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Purchased the car used in 01/2018 and a few months later had to replace the power steering pump and the rack with only 159,000 miles. Since when do pumps and racks go out this early? Fortunately my great mechanic was wise enough to convert the system over to take Dexron VI transmission fluid so hopefully wont have this issue again. SHAME ON YOU GM for horribly manufacturing this vehicle which causes problems that could put lives at risk!!!
- drmello, Cincinnati, US