10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,144 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Buick Enclave steering problems

steering problem

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2009 Buick Enclave Owner Comments (Page 4 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #46

Oct 012013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While turning (both left and right) at low speeds the vehicle randomly loses power steering control and becomes very difficult to complete the turn. Completing the turns becomes so difficult, my wife has to stop the vehicle forward motion and back up, or when crossing traffic, has to continue in a straight path from where control was lost and hope she can make it across to avoid a wreck. Times of occurrence are at random when making turns across traffic from low speeds, turning in parking lots and any other time low speed turns are required. Frequency seems to be increasing as time goes on.

- Fate, TX, USA

problem #45

Jun 032013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
Power steering intermittently fails when turning. Very dangerous when crossing traffic during a left turn, or when maneuvering around pedestrians in parking lots.

- Bulverde, TX, USA

problem #44

Feb 202013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 82,000 miles
At speeds between 25 and 45 mph, the power steering fails and the wheel is hard to steer to the left or right. The problem was intermittent; however, the problem is progressively getting worse. On one occasion, I attempted the make a right-hand turn at an intersection and almost hit a car to my left. After that incident, I brought the vehicle to a certified dealer and was told the power-steering gear and pump need to be replaced at a cost of approx. $3,000. Additionally, the condition did not qualify for warranty work. I continue to drive the vehicle because I have no choice at this time, but I have to be cautious at every turn and strong-arm the steering on occasion. Not bad for a $45,000 vehicle! thanks Buick!

- St Charles, MD, USA

problem #43

Feb 132014

Enclave

  • 53,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car became almost impossible to steer when doing slow turns or in a parking lot. The dealer said it was the power steering pump. It was replaced along with all the other parts and supplies needed. After that it seemed to work okay.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #42

Aug 102012

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 32,000 miles
The steering began making strange noises intermittently soon after we bought it. We didn't know if it was just something that would go away, but other than slight noises, it was just a small distraction. Soon, it became harder and harder to steer at times, and the noises have increased. Now, we sometimes are scared we will not be able to turn the wheel effectively at the necessary times, and my wife has had it lock up on her. We are scared for our safety. In looking online, it is clear that this is a manufacturer defect. We have taken it to the GM Chevrolet dealership, but they can't really fix it because there is no "recall" on it, and we are out of the warranty period. However, had we taken it initially, we would not have known that the initial problem would get worse and worse, but it was there all along.

- Macclenny, FL, USA

problem #41

Feb 122014

Enclave

  • 75,000 miles
At low speeds the power steering fails intermittently causing severe difficulty maneuvering near parked cars or pedestrians.

- Newcastle, WA, USA

problem #40

Feb 032014

Enclave

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While trying to execute a U-turn, the power steering failed. Oncoming traffic was able to swerve around me or this would have resulted in a collision. The power steering often fails when attempting to turn while going slowly. This is a serious problem and safety concern.

- Pocatello, ID, USA

problem #39

Jul 242013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 56,000 miles
At parking lot speeds when you try to turn into a barking lot space the power steering locks up it takes a lot of strength to turn it any further. I can't let my wife drive it any more because she could not turn it.I am waiting for this to happen at higher speeds.from what I see on the internet I am not the only one that is having this problem.I think this should be added to the rest of the recalls that GM has if this would happen at higher speeds it could be a real problem.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #38

Aug 012013

Enclave

  • miles
I have already issued a complaint regarding this issue and continue to have issues with not being able to turn the vehicle in traffic. There have been over 60 complaints filed with the NHTSA regarding steering failure of this vehicle and similar platforms while in traffic. GM has already been shown to fail to correct safety issues despite having knowledge of such (hence the current significant media coverage). There is a class action suit against GM in relation to this issue (the judge so far has ruled against GM to have the suit dismissed giving validity to the issue). I kindly request NHTSA re-evaluate this issue and initiate an investigation. I apologize for using this section to inquire but did not locate any other means of inquiry.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #37

Dec 202012

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 55,666 miles
My 2009 Buick Enclave started out with a feeling in the steering when turning to the limits either left or right which was checked out by the dealership as being nothing. Then the power steering pump started making noises which was determined by the dealership as something the occurs in this type of pump but is not a safety issue. Then the noise became louder and loss of power steering when the engine is initially started and at lower speeds ie in a parking lot. Now there feels like a detent in the steering at the straight foreword position and it is noticeable when turning (on the highway) and takes some strength and awareness to overcome the problem. The dealer advises that there is no recall and the car is no longer covered on warranty.

- Moira, NY, USA

problem #36

Mar 132012

Enclave

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Hard to turn. My wife almost hit by a tractor trailer. Appears to be a common problem with most Enclaves.

- Wellington, FL, USA

problem #35

Mar 042014

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 76,500 miles
I was heading out my neighborhood up a hill to make a left turn and all of the sudden the steering wheel would not move and almost caused me to get into a wreck. I already had the steering pump and pinions changed 1 week ago and now this happens. Apparently this is an issue GM knows about and nothing has been done. I have 2 kids and I am concerned about their safety. Not to mention how costly this is and as a single mother I cannot afford to buy another vehicle or repairs, by the way I did just purchase this vehicle 2 weeks ago. Yes I did just purchase it from a dealer.

- Tucker, GA, USA

problem #34

Oct 012012

Enclave

  • 60,000 miles
My 2009 Buick Enclave has intermittent loss of power steering, mainly at lower speeds to make turns. This is a very dangerous situation. When this occurs, it takes a lot of strength for me to turn my vehicle. I have read numerous complaints of the same problems of other Enclave owners and many different attempts to repair without success. I also came across a web site that states there is a class action lawsuit against GM for said problem. This is such a safety issue that immediate action is needed today! peoples lives are in danger, inside and outside of these vehicles. This failure happens without warning! your prompt attention is appreciated! recalls need to be ordered asap.

- Carriere, MS, USA

problem #33

Sep 112012

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 72,345 miles
My power steering, in my 2009 Buick Enclave, has caused me problems for almost two years. The power steering has made weird (and loud) noises, when doing slow speed turns. There always seemed to be resistance when turns are made (especially if a slow, sharp turn is needed), above the norm. Finally, today, the entire power steering/rack pinion drive went out. I almost got into an accident, when trying to turn left out of an intersection today. It now requires a huge effort to turn the wheel and the car is not safe to drive.

- Oxford, MI, USA

problem #32

Dec 062013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering failed without warning. The contact stated that he had to increase the amount of effort in order to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 84,000.

- Geneseo, IL, USA

problem #31

Dec 062013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
While wife was driving her Buick Enclave with the kids the power steering pump failed and she narrowly averted being in an accident while trying to turn on an intersection. She was unable to maneuver the vehicle after the pump failed. Vehicle was taken to the dealership and it was confirmed that the pump was indeed bad. The dealer also stated that the need to keep the pump in stock because of the amount of failures they see on the Buick and also the Chevy traverse. A search on the internet revealed hundreds of complaints of people losing power steering on the Chevy and Buick models with nothing being done by GM to remedy the situation. Losing the ability to steer a vehicle without any warning is a fatally or serious accident waiting to happen(if not already). Something needs done to have these known faulty parts recalled or a fix in place. Other Buick Enclave owners as well as the dealership have stated that replacing the pump does not permanently fix the problem but only delays the problem until it occurs again. Hopefully my wife and kids will stay out of harms way when it happens again. Please press GM for a fix to this problem before someone is injured.

- Geneseo, IL, USA

problem #30

Nov 222013

Enclave

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while sitting at a complete stop, smoke emitted into the cabin from under the hood. The engine compartment then became engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene and the vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where it was discovered that the power steering components had failed and allowed fluid to leak onto the manifold. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

- Andover, MA, USA

problem #29

Nov 292013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
I took my car in to be fixed again. I needed the running lights and a hesitation in the car fixed. So they fixed the problems, but when they went to test drive it the power steering failed. Now the power steering needs to be replaced. It seems this car is needs to be fixed all the time. I have had a lot of cars and this is the most I have ever had problems with a car. It really scares me that this can be fixed but will most likely fail again due to the problems with GM's steering.

- Westfield, WI, USA

problem #28

Nov 132013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • miles
I brought my car into the dealership in late 2012 for a sound that it was making when I turned my steering wheel. They told me it was "an air bubble in the power steering line" the sound never went away and only got worse- I brought it back into the shop this week- 11/13/13- not the dealership- and I am not being told that my power steering is going out and it has been leaking fluid and damaged my rack and pinion. Clearly there are numerous other customers with this same issue and people have had their power steering fail on them while driving- this is a huge safety issue and in my opinion due to the rate of occurrence should be addressed by the manufacturer.

- Lafayette , LA, USA

problem #27

Sep 272013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 68,295 miles
I own a 2009 Buick Enclave that started experiencing intermittent steering lock-up issues at approximately 55,000 miles. The steering would intermittently 'lock-up' especially at speeds below 35 mph without warning, the problem became much worse over time. We frequently travel to the nc mountains where there are many 2 lane curvy roads going up/down the mountains, the problem was especially noticeable when traveling in the nc mountains. A vehicle having the steering 'lock-up' is a definite safety issue. I had the vehicle repaired by the dealership when it reached 68,295 miles for $2186.50 due to safety concerns of harming one of my children or wife should a wreck occur due to not being able to steer the vehicle. The repairs consisted of replacing the defective 'steering gear' as well as the power steering pump due to metal shavings from the disintegrating steering gear getting into the power steering pump. In searching encvlaveforum.net many users complained of the same issue with vehicles in the lambda family (Enclave, traverse, acadia). A recall should be issued for this defect.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

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