What 280 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Acadia Limited

Looses power while driving. Cannot jump the battery it needs to be recharged every time. Power steering stops working while driving( low rpm and when stopped) dangerous for merging or lane changes. Engine shudders when trying to accelerate. TCM/ ECM replaced 2020. Problem still persists. Whining noise upon start of the vehicle. Auto start will not work. traction control light, check engine airbag and

NHTSA ODI 11485397

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 $5000.00 !!!

NHTSA ODI 11477083

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.

NHTSA ODI 11473668

The steering randomly gets tight and then let's loose while driving or turning.

NHTSA ODI 11442441

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.

NHTSA ODI 11439190

Vehicle stopped turning, steering to turn and driver ran off the road.

NHTSA ODI 11434617

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.

NHTSA ODI 11351179

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331136

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

NHTSA ODI 11256114

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.

NHTSA ODI 11230300

RACK IS LEAKING ON THE STEERING.

NHTSA ODI 11209292

POWER STEERING QUITS WORKING AT LOW IDLE AND TURNING FROM A STAND STILL. THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO SOMETIMES ENTER ON COMING TRAFFIC. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI 11194235

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.

NHTSA ODI 11186235

TL* 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. *TT CONTACT STATES THIS OCCURRENCE HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. *TT

NHTSA ODI 11110918

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.

NHTSA ODI 11100160

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.

NHTSA ODI 11092482

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI 11084362

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.

NHTSA ODI 11062238

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.

NHTSA ODI 11023725

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI 11022079

THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WHEN TRYING TO PARK OR MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED. I AM IN GOOD SHAPE AND IT TAKES ME ALL MY POWER WITH TWO HANDS TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE IS NO WARNING IT CATCHES YOU OFF GUARD AND MULTIPLE TIMES ALMOST HIT CARS IN SPOTS NEXT TO WHERE I PARK. WE ALSO HAVE HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING FIXED TWICE SINCE WE'VE BOUGHT IT AND STILL DOESN'T BLOW AS COLD AS IT SHOULD. THE CAR HAS 78,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11014096

SQUEAKING/WHINING IN STEERING COLUMN. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS, POWER STEERING GEAR LEAKING (RACK & PINION) AND MUST BE REPLACED. COST, $1432.00 PLUS TAX. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 17948 MILES. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR MANUF. RECALL. OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO AGE OR TIME. POWER STEERING COULD FAIL AS IT HAS IN OTHER VEHICLES. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. GMC SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES AS THIS IS A DESIGN OR ENGINEERING FLAW. THIS CONDITION IS NOTICED WHEN EVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION.

NHTSA ODI 11014273

AT SLOW SPEED TURNS POWER STEERING SEEMS TO LOSE POWER ASSIST

NHTSA ODI 11013038

LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT LOW SPEED. HAD THE ENTIRE RACK REPLACED (PRIOR TO POWER STEERING LOSS), AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED (AFTER POWER STEERING LOSS AND COVERED UNDER THE TSB) AND WITHIN TO WEEKS OF HAVING THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED, THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED. AT VERY LOW SPEED, IN A PARKING LOT, MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AS I ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER MY VERY HEAVY SUV TO A SAFE AREA WITH NO POWER STEERING. "SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM" ERROR CAME UP ON MY IN-DASH SCREEN AND THEN IT WENT AWAY. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND RE-STARTED WITH NO POWER STEERING STILL AND THEN RE-STARTED AGAIN AN THAT IS WHEN THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. THE ENTIRE TIME, THE RADIO AND LIGHTS WERE ON AND DID NOT FAIL. I DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER A FULL DAY OF HAVING MY CAR, THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR NOW AT AT COST OF $1200!!!! I'M NOT SURE HOW THE ALTERNATOR IS RELATED SINCE I DO NOT HAVE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING?!?!?! I FEEL LIKE THIS DEFECT IS COSTING CUSTOMERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURE AND GM NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!!

NHTSA ODI 11000348

MY POWER STEERING HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY LOUD AND DIFFICULT TO HANDLE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS SIMILAR PROBLEMS OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVE HAD. I AM NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IF IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ACADIA. RECENTLY, APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AGO, I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY "STABILITRACK" IS OFF AND MY VEHICLE TELLS ME TO "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" AND IS NOT BECOMING DIFFICULT TO STOP AND SHAKES QUITE A BIT WHEN DOING SO. I TRAVEL FROM HOME TO TOWN AND OFTEN HAVE TO TRAVEL ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MULTIPLE CARS TRAVELING IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS MYSELF IN CLOSE VICINITY. THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM IS ROUGHLY $1300 TO FIX AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS ROUGHLY $800 TO FIX. WHY ARE THERE NOT RECALLS ON THESE PROBLEMS IF IT IS SO COMMON? GMC NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING POORLY MADE VEHICLES THAT COST A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY ONLY FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON TO FIX AND MY MILEAGE IS ONLY 72,000 MILES...THESE PROBLEMS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS, LIVES LOST, AND GMC SUED.

NHTSA ODI 10955050