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 …
2009 buick Enclave steering problems
moderate 108 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
108
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
TL* 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 …
PERIODICALLY AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND PUT IN DRIVE HAVE EXTREMELY HARD TIME TURNING THE WHEEL TO GET CAR TO TURN. EXAMPLE WOULD BE IF YOU ARE IN THE CAR KEY ON ENGINE NOT RUNNING AND YOU TRY TO TURN THE WHEEL AND IT DOESNT WANT TO MOVE. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS.
While driving 65 mph on the hwy, in rush hour traffic my entire steering column came completely out and I lost control of my vehicle causing a 3 car wreck. The only indicator that something was wrong was that just prior to this happening the tilt on my steering wheel came undone 2 times and by the 3rd time when I pushed the wheel back up to lock it into place it came out entirely. There was no lig…
THE STEERING WILL BIND UP AND ALMOST LOCK UP RESULTING IN A VERY DIFFICULT TURN. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS IF THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN THERE COULD EASILY BE A CRASH. THIS "STEERING LOCK UP" ISSUE SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHILE TURNING INTO AN ENTRANCE, OR PARKING LOT OR TURN SIGNAL OR ONTO ANOTHER ROAD. THERE ARE NO ISSUES WHILE DRIVING BUT HAVING A VEHICLE LOCK UP WHILE TRYING TO TURN IS A PROBL…
TL* 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 T…
IN AUGUST OF 2014, AROUND 60K MILES, I NOTICED A MOAN WHEN I STEERED AS WELL AS A "KNOCK" THAT I HAD HEARD PREVIOUSLY AND TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY (THEY SAID IT WAS A TIRE ROD; CLEARLY IT WAS NOT). I WAS AWARE THE MOAN MAY BE MY POWER STEERING PUMP, SO I BROUGHT IT IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. NOT ONLY DID I FIND MY POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT, B…
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 …
THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION IN THE DIRECTION OF THE CAR BEING ON AND WONT TURN BACKWARDS SO YOU CANT TURN VEHICLE OFF. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE VIN WAS U…
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2009 buick Enclave?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 108 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.