This service bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed power steering system to correct a power steering noise or fluid leak concern that is caused during extremely low temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Buick LaCrosse steering problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse have filed 17 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 69,800 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 LaCrosse | 26 |
| 2007 LaCrosse | 22 |
| 2008 LaCrosse | 14 |
| 2010 LaCrosse (this page) | 17 |
| 2011 LaCrosse | 12 |
| 2012 LaCrosse | 24 |
| 2013 LaCrosse | 24 |
| 2014 LaCrosse | 12 |
3crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 17 steering complaints filed for the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe five main steering problems across this cluster. The most common is a hard pull to the left present from new, which multiple dealerships and GM tech support have tried—and failed—to fix through alignment adjustments. GM classified it as a "characteristic of a Buick" without resolution; owners report it gets worse at highway speeds and requires constant steering pressure.
Power steering pump failures appear in several complaints, with loud whining during turns and excessive steering play before 1,000 miles. Dealerships found loose pump wiring contacting the chassis; repairs involved replacing the pump and rerouting cables, though one owner required a full rack-and-pinion replacement.
More serious are complete steering lockups at highway speeds (50+ mph and during turns), resulting in crashes with injuries and towed vehicles. Owners also report a "Service Power Steering" message followed by engine shutdown at operating speeds, requiring 15–20 minute waits to restart. One complaint mentions violent shaking and instability after an evasive maneuver. Warning lights (power steering, check engine, stability control) appear intermittently in some vehicles with no diagnosed root cause at certified dealers.
Same Buick LaCrosse steering reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Steering Pull to Left
Vehicle pulls sharply to the left, requiring constant steering pressure to maintain straight-line travel. Multiple dealership visits and GM tech support documented the issue but classified it as a 'characteristic of a Buick' without resolution. The pull is more prevalent on concrete surfaces.
When: Present from new or early ownership; noted within first days to weeks of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Distinct pull to the left requiring constant steering correction; Severe enough that hands-off steering results in lane departure; More noticeable on concrete than asphalt; Present at all speeds, particularly problematic at expressway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships recommended increasing camber split; multiple alignment attempts failed to resolve issue. No permanent fix achieved across multiple dealer visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Tech Support case filed; issue documented as 'characteristic of a Buick' by GM District Field Representative. No recall or TSB mentioned.
Power Steering Pump Failure with Loose Wiring
Faulty power steering pump combined with damaged cables that contacted the chassis. Owners report loud whining noises during turns and progressive looseness in the steering. One vehicle also experienced low or depleted power steering fluid.
When: Before 1,000 miles on one vehicle; at 18,199 miles on another; within weeks of purchase on another
Symptoms owners cite: Loud whining noise when turning, especially left turns; Thumping noise from engine bay; Excessive play in steering wheel; Progressive looseness when steering; Power steering fluid loss
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships replaced power steering pump; re-insulated and rerouted pump cables away from chassis. One vehicle required replacement of the entire power steering rack and pinion.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB mentioned; repairs completed at dealership.
Steering Lockup at Operating Speeds
Steering wheel locked completely during normal driving, causing loss of all steering control. Resulted in crashes with injuries and property damage. One incident occurred at 50 mph, another during a left turn at low speed.
When: At 73,000 miles (crash incident); during normal driving after years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of steering ability while driving; Steering wheel locks suddenly; Vehicle unable to respond to steering input
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles towed; crash-related damage required extensive repairs. One vehicle's damage noted as 'ruined entire front end.'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One manufacturer notified of crash; complaint mentioned that another report to GM/NHTSA received no response.
Service Power Steering Message with Engine Shutdown
Service Power Steering warning displayed on instrument panel accompanied by vehicle shutdown while driving. Vehicle required 15–20 minutes before restart. Independent mechanics unable to duplicate failure.
When: At 94,400 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service Power Steering message displayed; Vehicle shuts off while driving; Extended restart delay required
Codes mentioned: Service Power Steering message
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired; independent mechanics unable to reproduce issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Neither dealer nor manufacturer notified per owner report.
Steering Instability and Violent Shaking on Evasive Maneuver
Vehicle exhibited severe shaking and instability when owner attempted emergency swerve to avoid roadway obstruction. Car bounces excessively at small bumps and pulls sharply to the right during braking.
When: During normal highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking on hard left swerve; Concerns about rollover; Excessive bouncing at road imperfections; Sharp pull to right when braking; General instability and wobbling
Repairs/costs cited: Owner noted odd tire may have been on vehicle; no repair mentioned.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I was driving out a navy federal bank in augusta georgia and when making a left turn, my steering wheel locked and caused me to crash into a light pole and ruined my entire front end of my vehicle. It locked as if the car wasn't there in motion and as if it was a safety procedure for the steering wheel.
Engine quit causing brakes and steering to become inoperative. This is the 5th time this has happened. I have previously reported this to NHTSA and general motors.I never received a response from gm. I took the vehicle to my dealer and the only thing they did was reprogram the vehicle but apparently it did no good. I think the problem is in the ignition system. *tr
Lost steering on my 2007 Buick lacrosse on the highway while taken a sharp turn the steering would not turn which resulted in a high speed crash. *tr
Had steering trouble with your 2010 Buick LaCrosse?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2010 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 18,199 and 83,000 miles, with the median around 69,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,199; a quarter make it past 83,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Buick/LaCrosse.
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.