10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,610 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 GMC Acadia steering problems

steering problem

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2009 GMC Acadia Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #109

Apr 232024

Acadia

  • miles

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

The vehicle tire system lights came on the air bag sensor light Car did not fill safe driving no control on the road unstable on turns car was sold one lug muissing front tire, returned car several times last time I took the vehicle was due to drivesrs back wheel wobbling so bad, Someone followeing said it looked like tire was coming off. the owner said it was fine, put it on the rack let me drive off, I drove it and it was very unstable to drive and took it to Nor cal Tires Ukiah Ca they informed me it was not safe to drive.

- Willits, CA, USA

problem #108

Jun 132022

Acadia

  • 123,000 miles
The contact's daughter owns a 2009 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized without warning. His daughter restarted the vehicle and resumed normal driving operation. The contact stated that the failure recurred while his daughter's boyfriend was driving the vehicle later on that same evening. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a defective rack and pinion. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

- Manheim, PA, USA

problem #107

Jul 292020

Acadia

  • 137,745 miles
Slight pulse left then pulse right actually moves steering wheel but vehicle stays on track - unless driver is unaware - but drive becomes aware because it's a movement on a smooth road them is alarming - then it's always noticed

- Hebron, IN, USA

problem #106

Nov 162019

Acadia

  • miles

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

The vehicle has been looked over by many mechanical professionals. At slow rates of speed, intermittently the steering will stiffen and lock up making it very scary when driving. We have been told over and over that rack N pinion and pump are fine. After researching, this looks like a typical issue. Is there anything that GM can do for this?

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #105

Oct 232019

Acadia

  • 135,000 miles
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.

- Winchester, IN, USA

problem #104

Dec 122018

Acadia

  • 90,000 miles
Dec 2018 my Acadia was left at the service department of whitmore Chevrolet in West point va 23181 for a diagnosis. My vehicle ran when I left it there. Over a month later including illegal activity in the service department I get my vehicle back and it is dead. I would start my vehicle and drive away sometime stopping soon or randomly on the road. It's done that several times. I have three children too. I need my vehicle looked at and the possible recalls fixed. I am without transportation and it's unbearable. I am a mother of three wonderful sons and we need our vehicle to run please!!!my review is in the pictures as well

- King William, VA, USA

problem #103

Dec 072018

Acadia

  • 135,000 miles

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

Steering locks up when you try to make a turn. Has happened often over a few months. Vehicle was in motion

- Kerhonkson, NY, USA

problem #102

Sep 252018

Acadia

  • 160,000 miles
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.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

problem #101

Apr 302018

Acadia

  • miles
2009 GMC Acadia. Consumer writes in regards to loss of engine power, steering wheel power and faulty brakes. The consumer the liftgate and lamp were repaied under recall, but the failure continued. The consumer did not recieve notification for the recalls concerning the engine, transmission, and timing chain.

- Burton, MI, USA

problem #100

Feb 222018

Acadia

  • miles
Bought a 2009 GMC Acadia in February had it for 2 weeks and was pulling out of a fast food restaurant getting my 3 year old daughter some food as I was pulling out I lost all power steering. I could not get my SUV to turn I barely bumped a car thank goodness it did not do any damage and no one was injured but this is definitely something GM needs to fix!! I am a single mother and can not afford to have this fixed especially after spend 10,900 on purchasing the vehicle.

- Clarkson, KY, USA

problem #99

Jul 142017

Acadia

  • 72,000 miles

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

At low speeds, the power steering intermittently cuts out. The steering wheel almost seems to lock up.

- Milford, MI, USA

problem #98

Jan 062017

Acadia

  • miles
Power steering went out when rpms are low. In my incident I was transitioning from one freeway to another making a right turn about 40 mph. I took my foot off the gas to take the turn slowly. As my RPM went down my vehicle would not turn right any more. The wheel got stuck in the last position before I let go of the gas. I had to give it gas to make the vehicle power steering work again. My concern with this is not that the power steering failed but that steering in general was locking. I have driven cars with out power steering and never have to worry my wheel will lock. The dealer says I need a new power steering pump. But again it should not lock my turn. I had to give it gas to get the RPM up and then it would turn. Once of the freeway at the stop light I tried turning the wheel and it would not turn. Once I gave it gas we were fine. I should not have to worry about getting stuck in the middle of the road turning. My research has found many issues with Acadia steering pump. This is a safety issues that could of caused a major accident.

- Lakewood, CA, USA

problem #97

Dec 022016

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 31,068 miles
Our 2009 GMC Acadia was taken to GMC dealership on December 2, 2016 with noises coming from engine compartment when steering wheel was turned to the right or left, either standing still or moving. Service technician advised that the steering gear needed to be replaced, and the bill was $1,466. The Acadia has 31,068 miles on it, and my wife is now afraid to drive the car for fear the steering may go out again.

- Pine, CO, USA

problem #96

Aug 152015

Acadia

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 GMC Acadia. While driving 10 mph or less, the steering wheel became difficult to turn without warning. The vehicle operates normally at speeds above 10 mph. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.

- Meriden, CA, USA

problem #95

Jul 042016

Acadia

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 GMC Acadia. While driving approximately 65 mph, there was a sudden loss of engine power and the vehicle was unable to be driven over 40 mph. The stability traction control warning indicator illuminated. The dealer was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. In addition, while driving highway speeds, "engine hot" and "A/C off" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact noticed smoke under the hood. The vehicle was coasted over to the shoulder of the road and turned off. The vehicle was unable to be driven due to the failure and was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the part. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and indicated that they also had campaigns that needed to be addressed. The timing chain needed to be replaced, there was a loss of power steering assist, and the transmission cutlet leave plate failed. There were no recalls. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

- Alburtis, PA, USA

problem #94

Sep 182016

Acadia

  • 80,000 miles
There is an ongoing and unresolved issue concerning the power steering rack and pump on GM lambda chassis vehicles. The vehicle will intermittently and unpredictably lose power steering assist creating an incredibly dangerous situation. While under warranty the factory quietly supported multiple repairs of the same components- rather than recall this situation GM chose to continue to use their supply of deficient components while they seemed to "wait out" the warranty and thus no longer be liable.

- Old Bethpage, NY, USA

problem #93

Jun 252016

Acadia

  • 100,000 miles
While driving it's like the steering goes out and you can not turn the wheel have almost gotten into several wrecks because of this issue, it does not do it all the time but lately a lot more often the past few weeks, to the point that I'm almost scared to drive it. This is my means of transportation to and from work so I must drive it..

- Ponchatoula, LA, USA

problem #92

Apr 152016

Acadia

  • miles
While driving my power steering will go out. I have almost hit several vehicles due to this issue. I think this needs to be addressed asap. I travel with my kids in my vehicle on a daily basis and I am scared to put them in my vehicle due to this issue and I am still paying on my car and can't afford to buy a new one. Please fix this issue,

- Brighton, IL, USA

problem #91

Apr 282016

Acadia

  • 90,827 miles
April 26, 2016 - my wife was at a gas station and said the wheels on the GMC were very hard to turn either way. Shortly thereafter, she started to hear a whining noise when she would turn left or right. A day later, the noise was more pronounced so I went out for a test drive. The steering seemed ok and the whining noise didn't seem that bad too me. April 28, 2016 - my wife said the noise was louder so I test drove it again, this time, I experienced a momentary loss of steering power on low speed. One time I overcompensated when it was hard to turn the wheel but avoided having an accident. I performed the owner's manual checks, power steering fluid level was good. I then goggled for more information online about steering issues and how to resolve on GMC 2009 Acadia and then I ran into the GMC service bulletin sb-10056459-3388 online. The bulletin described the intermittent power loss we experienced. The condition is described as follows "vehicles may develop a power steering pump wear condition that can cause an intermittent drop of power steering hydraulic pressure that will cause reduced or loss of steering assist. The vehicle may revert to manual steering which requires greater driver effort, particularly at low vehicle speeds". I called our local GM's service department for an evaluation but have not received a callback yet. I am concerned because I believe, if not resolved, may turn out to be a safety issue for us.

- Albuquerque, New Mexico, NM, USA

problem #90

Apr 252016

Acadia

  • 80,000 miles
I own a 2009 GMC Acadia. While trying to turn my power steering will go out. I have almost hit 3 different vehicles due to this and barely made it in to a parking lot off of a busy street. This is a very dangerous and serious problem that GMC needs to address. I have a daughter that I am worried about letting ride in the car with me due to this.

- Carthage, TN, USA

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