WHEN TRYING TO STEER THE VEHICLE BELOW 5 MPH'S (ENGINE BELOW 1200 RPM), THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND IS VERY HARD TO STEER. MY WIFE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO HER THE FIRST WHEN SHE WAS PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY (THANKFULLY IT DID NOT HAPPEN IN THE CITY). SHE TOLD ME ABOUT IT, SO I THEN TOOK IT TO TOWN SHOPPING. IT TOOK A WHILE BEFORE IT HAPPENED TO ME, BUT FINALLY IT DID WHEN I WAS MAKING A TIGH…
2009 GMC Acadia steering problems
moderate 112 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
112
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 $1,466.00. THE ACADIA HAS 31,068 MILES ON IT, AND MY WIFE IS NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR THE STEERING M…
POWER STEERING RACK IS LEAKING, POWER STEERING PUMP IS WHINING. GMC DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE EVENTHOUGH GM HAS SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS REGARDING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING THUS CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR
STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN YOU TRY TO MAKE A TURN. HAS HAPPENED OFTEN OVER A FEW MONTHS. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2009 GMC Acadia?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 112 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.
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