This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Buick Enclave steering problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Buick Enclave have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 51,800 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
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Enclave | 108 |
| 2010 Enclave | 126 |
| 2011 Enclave | 41 |
| 2012 Enclave | 17 |
| 2013 Enclave (this page) | 12 |
| 2014 Enclave | 11 |
| 2015 Enclave | 12 |
| 2016 Enclave | 3 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 12 steering complaints filed for the 2013 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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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 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 ↗This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two distinct steering problems in the 2013 Enclave, sometimes occurring together.
The first involves sudden power steering loss or extreme stiffness during driving. Several owners report the steering becoming rock-hard mid-drive, sometimes for just seconds before returning to normal, and sometimes while braking or parking. One owner hit a tree when power steering failed completely while reversing. Another experienced it at 20 mph on a town road, combined with traction control and ABS warnings. One owner reported a steering pump replacement ($600) followed by diagnosis of a failed steering rack (estimated $2,000 repair). Noise accompanies some instances—a rubbing sound as the wheel stiffens.
The second involves a broader electrical cascade: dashboard lights, warning announcements, A/C controls, and entertainment systems flicker and black out. During these events, steering becomes difficult or sluggish; transmission shifting issues also occur. One owner experienced this every single drive over a two-week period, sometimes multiple times in 10 minutes. Another had repeated reduced-engine-power warnings alongside steering failure, slowing the car from 60 mph to under 30 mph on the highway—a near-accident scenario. A third owner found an electrical pattern: a stiff steering wheel, rubbing noise, and static shock from the door starting on the same day.
One separate report involves a driveshaft yoke bracket falling out, leaving the owner to recover it from their driveway the day before the drive shaft dropped during service.
Same Buick Enclave steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering loss or excessive stiffness
Steering wheel becomes suddenly very hard to turn or loses power assistance entirely during normal driving, parking, or braking. Failure may be intermittent (seconds to minutes) or prolonged. Stiffness occurs with full fluid and no visible leaks in some cases.
When: 29,515 miles and up; reported at 20 mph town driving, highway speeds (60 mph), parking, and reversing
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly becomes very hard to turn; Power steering fails without warning; Steering wheel stiffness while braking or at complete stop; Rubbing or squeaking noise from steering column when turning; Steering goes hard then returns to normal within seconds or minutes
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement ($600 cited); steering rack replacement (estimated $2,000); dealer diagnosis of failed steering rack
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty repairs performed at dealerships for some cases; no recalls mentioned for steering system on this complaint cluster
Electrical system cascade with steering impact
Dashboard lights, warning messages, A/C controls, and entertainment system flicker or go dark. During these electrical events, steering becomes difficult or sluggish, and transmission shifting problems occur. Events may repeat multiple times within short intervals or occur on every drive.
When: Two weeks of daily occurrence (owner reporting); ongoing over six months (another owner); during various speeds and road conditions
Symptoms owners cite: A/C controls black out and flicker; All warning lights and service lights illuminate; Warning announcements trigger repeatedly; Entertainment system shuts down and goes black; Steering becomes hard or sluggish during electrical event; Transmission downshifts or upshifts abnormally during and after event; Engine power reduced warning; Stabilitrack warning; Traction control warning; Engine speed cuts (60 mph to under 30 mph reported)
Repairs/costs cited: Relay switches replaced (temporary fix); ECM replaced (temporary fix); fuse/NOx issues cited by dealer at ~$600; problem recurred after part replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership service performed multiple times; class action suit was filed but dismissed; recalls noted for 2012 models but not confirmed for 2013
Driveshaft yoke bracket failure
Bracket and bolt securing the front driveshaft yoke came loose, causing the driveshaft to separate and fall out. Owner found the fastener on their driveway the day before the failure occurred during routine service.
When: During standard oil-change service
Symptoms owners cite: Front driveshaft fell out of its yoke; Bracket and bolt found loose on driveway prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Driveshaft yoke repair at dealership
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Lights on the dash board came on while driving in town at approximately 20 MPH indicating AWD, traction control and anti-lock breaks were not working. Power steering also was not working. Vehicle taken to local gm dealer for repair. Assessment indicated need to replace power steering pump and electronic break module. The lights came off and on repeatedly over the next several weeks waiting on…
Brake seemed as if it had a sound when purchased but dealership said it was inspected. I now find that it leaks fluid and I spent over $600 to replace the pump. Now as the dealership was diagnosing and repairing a separate issue they've notified me that there is a failed steering rack. The power steering rack repair is estimated to be $2,000. As this is a definite safety issue I am reporting in…
While driving my 2013 Buick enclave, I made a left turn into the stop and shop supermarket entrance when I felt the steering wheel become very hard to turn, seconds after it went back to bein normal. This all happened while a young lady was in the cross walk. No one was hurt, but I don't wanna it to get to that either.
Had steering trouble with your 2013 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 2013 Buick Enclave?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 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 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 35,000 and 104,000 miles, with the median around 51,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 104,000. 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/2013/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.