2.5
hardly worth mentioning- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 61,309 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
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 !!!
- Salem, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Acadia. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he used his knowledge of vehicles to depress the accelerator pedal, which raised the RPM and caused the steering wheel to become operative. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while the vehicle was idling. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel would seize while driving and steering to the left. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 174,300.
- Chicago, IL, USA
The steering randomly gets tight and then let's loose while driving or turning.
- New London, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the steering wheel would shake uncontrollably without warning while driving at various speeds. She also stated that the steering wheel would lock in the middle of turning the steering wheel in either direction without warning. After taking the vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance, several warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The contact called that dealer and was informed that the vehicle would reset itself upon restart; however, the failure persisted. A few days later, the Push to Start button failed to operate after multiple attempts and the key was used to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the dealer and she was informed that the purge valve was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle and referred her to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
- Westchester, IL, USA
Vehicle stopped turning, steering to turn and driver ran off the road.
- Pine Bluff, AR, USA
At 89,000 the "service all wheel drive" light came on several times on dash. Mechanic states that "rear differential drum" needs to be replaced in order for vehicle's all wheel drive system to operate properly.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
Steering binds up and becomes very hard to turn on low RPM or sitting stationary. It feels as if no power steering at all. Have been told by dealership that it is a huge safety issue that GM has failed to recall.
- Ayden, NC, USA
While driving encountering a dangerous loss of power steering intermittently especially during braking (low engine revs). Steering appears to lock and bind. Dealer states failure of power steering pump and rack and pinion gear. Rack and pinion gear. Rack failure should be covered under recall. Car is not safe unless rack and pinion is replaced. This is second failure reported. 1= previous owner 70K / 2=current owner 105K
- Dacula, GA, USA
At slow speeds my steering gets very hard as if I have no power steering at all. Very difficult to parallel park. Loud whining sound as I turn the steering wheel. Numerous times when driving on either highway or city street..changing lanes has been difficult and manual steering was needed.
- Burbank, IL, USA
Rack is leaking on the steering.
- Hanceville, AL, USA
Power steering quits working at low idle and turning from a stand still. This causes vehicle to sometimes enter on coming traffic. Extremely dangerous.
- Lead Hill, AR, USA
While driving encountering a dangerous loss of power steering intermittently especially during braking (low engine revs). Steering appears to lock and bind. Dealer states failure of powersteering pump and rack and pinion gear. This is 2nd time. Power steering first failed at 36,000 miles requiring full rack and pump replacement under warranty. Now, at 100,000 miles pump fails again and requires pump, seal and full rack and gear replacement. Car is not safe. Service bulletin #14329A acknowledges problem with pump and covers pump and gear *seal* but not rack and pinion gear. Rack failure should be covered under recall.
- New Canaan, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Acadia. While driving below 10 mph, the power steering failed and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (mayse automotive group Inc, 2032 S elliott ave, Aurora, mo) who was unable to duplicate or determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. Contact states this occurrence has happened three times.
- Shell Knob, MO, USA
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.
- Zephyrhills, FL, USA
Power steering went out and almost hit another vehicle. Works going down a 2 lane highway over 35 mph, but stops working as you turn into parking lots, road, etc at lower speeds. Steering is extremely difficult and have noticed many Acadia owners are having this issue. Car is a 2011 denali Acadia with 103,000 miles.
- Harrison, AR, USA
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.
- Farmington Hills, MI, USA
I have a GMC Acadia 2012, 61000 miles. Around December 22, the car started making a weird noise when steering to the right or left on slow speeds. The noise got worse few days after and we scheduled a service in the dealership. Few days later they called me to inform that there was a oil leakage in the the power steering and that they would need to replace the oil pump. Total cost of repair $5000. After doing some research became clear this is a common problem on GMC Acadias. And multiple people reported even loosing (suddenly) ability to steer the car while driving. Very concerning. So decided to open a case with GMC corporate to explain that they should be responsible for the repair cost of this issue and that it is unacceptable to have a car with 61K having such serious issues. Even more importantly, tried to emphasize the importance of them taking a careful look on this safety issue reported by many people. After long back and forth and multiple days after, they claim there is nothing they can do about. After 10 days, I still don't have the car repaired. It is still on the dealership. So making everyone aware of this problem. In my case this is the first and last time I buy a GMC car. Please be aware of this safety issue with GMC Acadia. Also beware that there were already law suites open against GM for hiding problems. And for Acadia 2008-2011 models they had a recall on the power steering. Looks like the problem is still not fixed on newer models like mine. Very concerning that GMC is not doing anything about this and still allowing people to drive their car with such safety issues. I guess until someone die they are not going to do anything about it. Very irresponsible and unprofessional. Done. GMC Acadia drivers be safe.
- Cary, NC, USA
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.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that air conditioning system failed to operate properly. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (courtesy Buick GMC, 7 autocenter drive, louisville, ky 40299) where it was diagnosed that the auxiliary vapor line failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the failure occurred due to the power steering hose chafing the auxiliary hose. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 11,100.
- Louisville, KY, USA
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA