On three separate occasions in the past month my car lost power while I was driving. Fortunately, I was on city streets when this occurred and I was able to coast to the side of the road and restart the engine. I brought my car in to my Buick dealer after the 2nd occurrence and they could find nothing wrong with it. When it happened again last week I noticed that right before I lost power the…
2011 Buick Enclave steering problems
moderate 41 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
41
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 41 steering complaints filed for the 2011 Buick Enclave, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Owners have filed 41 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Steering accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 11 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2011 Enclaves consistently report power steering failures starting around 50,000 miles, well before typical major component replacement intervals. The most common issue is a leaking power steering rack discovered during routine oil changes. The rack develops internal seal failures that spray fluid; dealers then note the pump will fail if the rack isn't replaced concurrently, driving repair costs to $2,200–$2,600.
A secondary pattern involves the pump alone—owners hear whining or squealing at low speeds and turns, which dealers initially dismiss as normal cold-start noise. The pump then fails, making the steering wheel extremely difficult to turn. Complete power steering loss has occurred while drivers were turning at 10–15 mph and while operating at 65 mph on highways.
Several owners report loss of all engine power combined with power steering failure, sometimes triggered by dashboard warnings for traction control or stability control. One owner observed this pattern three times in city driving, with the engine power returning after restart—suggesting a possible ignition switch sensitivity, though GM dismissed the concern.
Owners note fluid leaks frequently contain metal shavings, indicating internal component wear. GM issued Special Coverage 14329 for pump failures but excludes rack replacement, forcing owners to pay portions out-of-pocket despite identical failure mechanisms. No recall has been issued despite owners citing hundreds of similar complaints on forums.
Same Buick Enclave steering reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering pump failure and whining noise
Power steering pump fails or develops whining noise at low speeds, particularly when turning, accelerating, or decelerating. Noise escalates over time. Pump replacement required; some owners report dealer initially dismisses noise as normal cold start behavior or insufficient fluid.
When: 27,000–84,000 miles; typically around 50,000 miles; sometimes within first few years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Loud whining, squealing, or grinding noise from steering system; Noise worsens when turning, accelerating, or at low speeds; Noise present at startup and throughout operation
Repairs/costs cited: Pump replacement costs $360–$1,100+ labor; some repairs covered under GM Special Coverage 14329 for power steering pump, though coverage varies by dealer interpretation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Special Coverage 14329 ('Loss of Power Steering Assist') issued for pump failures; GM initially refused recall despite widespread complaints and offered partial reimbursement or warranty coverage deals to some owners
Power steering rack leakage and failure
Power steering rack develops internal leaks, typically discovered during routine service. Seals fail causing fluid loss and subsequent loss of steering assist. Rack-and-pinion assembly requires replacement. Not consistently covered by warranty or special coverage programs.
When: 27,000–84,000 miles; commonly 50,000–62,000 miles; well within typical vehicle lifespan
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel difficult to turn, requiring extra effort; Noticeable fluid leak visible under vehicle; Whining or squealing noise preceding leak discovery
Repairs/costs cited: Rack replacement $1,100–$2,300+; owners report paying $1,200–$2,600 for rack and pump together; some dealers note rack leakage will cause pump failure if not replaced concurrently; front-end alignment often required after repair ($200–$400)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; GM Special Coverage 14329 covers pump only, not rack; owners denied coverage and forced to pay out-of-pocket; some owners report GM offered partial reimbursement or warranty deals after complaints
Complete power steering failure while driving
Total loss of power steering assist occurs suddenly during normal driving, making steering wheel extremely difficult or impossible to turn. May occur at highway speeds or low speeds. Can happen without warning and may reset temporarily after engine restart.
When: 3–65 mph; occurs at low speeds (city driving) and highway speeds; some incidents at 56,000–138,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete loss of power steering assist; Steering wheel becomes extremely stiff and hard to turn; Steering may seize or lock momentarily; May reset temporarily with engine restart; then recur
Repairs/costs cited: Pump and/or rack replacement required; repair costs $2,200–$2,600; one owner documented metal shavings in steering fluid requiring full system flush
Steering wheel seizing and loss of control
Steering wheel seizes or locks without warning while vehicle is in motion, typically at low speeds (10–15 mph) during turns. Can resolve after engine restart but creates immediate safety hazard. Multiple owners report this recurs or persists.
When: 10–15 mph during turns; 56,000–62,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden steering wheel seizure without warning; Steering lock prevents turning; Steering may temporarily free up after engine restart
Repairs/costs cited: Pump and rack-and-pinion replacement required; typically $2,200–$2,600 total
Loss of power and steering assist combined with traction control warnings
Intermittent events where vehicle loses engine power, power steering assist, and transmission torque simultaneously. Often accompanied by dashboard warning messages for traction control off, stability control service, and reduced power. Occurs on highways at highway speeds (50–65 mph) or during adverse weather. Dealer inspections may find no problem or identify throttle body issues. Relates to broader electrical or engine control system faults.
When: 60,000–65,000 miles; during snowy conditions and highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power steering assist; Engine power drops or cuts to idle (15 mph or lower); Traction control off, StabiliTrak service, and reduced power warnings appear; Vehicle loses acceleration despite floor throttle; Hazard lights may not function during event; Speedometer may show higher speed than actual vehicle speed
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement noted in one case; one owner paid for throttle body replacement at dealer; root cause often unresolved by dealer diagnostics
Intermittent power loss related to ignition switch
Vehicle loses all electrical power and engine power intermittently, occurring three or more times over weeks. Owner observed key fob accessory item falling from steering wheel column immediately before power loss events, suggesting ignition switch sensitivity. GM used same ignition design as recalled models but claimed Enclave's design prevents the defect from occurring.
When: City driving at low speeds; three separate occasions over one month
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power; All electrical systems lose power; Vehicle coasts to stop; Engine restart restores function; No warning indicators before loss
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM stated ignition switch is same as recalled vehicles but claimed Enclave SUV design prevents the defect; GM refused to replace ignition despite three power loss incidents; owner demanded ignition replacement
Synthesized from 41 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The power steering fluid is leaking after hearing loud grinding noise and difficult to steer while driving. Gm said they didn't see a problem and not part of the "special coverage" that involves a steering pump. Apparently, you need to almost crash your car before that is replaced. I received a quote to repair and it's at least $800. The car has 67k miles and is 5 years old - only owner.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick enclave. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The power steering pump was replaced and the failure was remedied. The contact also indicated that…
Recently had to replace my power steering gear due to leaking seals that caused failure. Also power steering pump had to be replaced. Power steering pump is covered under special gm warranty (14329 'loss of power steering assist'), but not power steering gear. In doing research, it seems many consumers have experienced a similar issue, but gm has not issued a recall for the power steering gear.
Had steering trouble with your 2011 Buick Enclave?
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 2011 Buick Enclave?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 41 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?
Across the 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 53,000 and 74,000 miles, with the median around 60,441. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,000; a quarter make it past 74,000. 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/2011/Buick/Enclave.
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.