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 ↗2015 Buick Enclave steering problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Buick Enclave have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Enclave | 41 |
| 2012 Enclave | 17 |
| 2013 Enclave | 12 |
| 2014 Enclave | 11 |
| 2015 Enclave (this page) | 12 |
| 2016 Enclave | 3 |
| 2019 Enclave | 3 |
1crash
1injury
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 informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2015 Buick Enclave describe a pattern of steering failures starting early in ownership. The most common complaint is power steering pump leaks—fluid pooling under the vehicle as early as 36,000 miles, requiring pump or assembly replacement. Some owners report the pump fails again shortly after replacement, followed by rack-and-pinion leaks at higher mileage. One technician told an owner he'd seen a 2016 model needing the same repair at 52,000 miles.
Steering also vibrates and shimmies noticeably at highway speeds, producing a wind tunnel-like sound. This condition showed up from day one for one owner, persisted through multiple dealer repair attempts, and was brushed off as normal by GM's district rep.
Owners consistently hear grinding or cracking noises when turning the wheel, and steering becomes stiff or difficult to turn, sometimes with a squealing sound that doesn't improve with warm-up. One dealership quoted nearly $3,000 to fix the problem.
The most serious failures involve complete power steering loss—the wheel won't turn or becomes nearly immovable at low speeds—and steering that locks or shudders violently at highway speeds. One owner's steering locked while driving, causing the vehicle to veer off-road, hit a curb, sidewalk, light pole, and concrete bench before stopping. The car was totaled. Another reported steering that shudders and "takes over driving" at random times on the highway.
Same Buick Enclave steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Pump Failure & Leaks
Power steering pump develops leaks from high-pressure hoses and pump seals, requiring replacement. Fluid pooling underneath vehicle.
When: 36,000 miles (complaint #3); 62,000 miles (complaint #2); early in ownership (complaint #5)
Symptoms owners cite: fluid visible beneath vehicle; power steering system leaking
Repairs/costs cited: Pump replacement at 36,000 miles (complaint #3); power steering assembly and pump replacement at 62,000 miles (complaint #2)
Rack and Pinion Seal Leaks
Steering gear (rack and pinion) develops significant leaks early in service life. Owners and technicians suspect premature deterioration of internal seals or material defect.
When: 83,480 miles (complaint #3); 52,000 miles on another 2016 model (complaint #3)
Symptoms owners cite: visible leak from rack and pinion; grinding noise when turning steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement needed (complaint #3); technician noted suspected part fault causing premature deterioration
Steering Wheel Vibration & Highway Shimmy
Sustained vibration and shimmy in steering wheel during highway driving, producing wind tunnel-like sound. Persistent problem unresolved by multiple dealer attempts. Reported as normal by GM district representative.
When: From vehicle purchase (complaint #1)
Symptoms owners cite: vibration in steering wheel at highway speeds; shimmy in steering; wind tunnel noise; headaches after prolonged driving
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer repair attempts unsuccessful; dealer stated condition is normal for vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM district representative informed vehicle is normal; no recall or corrective action offered
Grinding Noise During Steering Turns
Grinding or scraping noise heard when turning steering wheel fully left or right, especially during parking maneuvers. Source not identified by technicians.
When: 73,000 miles (complaint #4); 26,000 miles (complaint #6)
Symptoms owners cite: grinding noise when turning wheels; noise when backing up and turning; cracks and screeches from steering rack; noise felt through steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: GM technician unable to determine source of grinding sound (complaint #4)
Steering Stiffness & Difficult Turn
Steering wheel becomes difficult or stiff to turn, especially at low speeds. Some cases produce squealing noise. Condition worsens over time and does not resolve with warm-up.
When: Various mileages; complaint #7 noted condition happening daily
Symptoms owners cite: hard to turn steering wheel; stiff steering; slow steering response; squealing noise from steering; burning smell associated with steering; difficulty turning even after warm-up
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted approximately $3,000 for resolution (complaint #7)
Steering Wheel Play & Loose Tie Rod Components
Tie rod components loosen, causing excessive play in the steering wheel. Difficult to maintain vehicle control at both high and low speeds.
When: 26,000 miles (complaint #6)
Symptoms owners cite: steering wheel play; difficult vehicle control at high and low speeds; tie rod components loosening
Complete Power Steering Loss
Power steering system completely fails, leaving steering wheel extremely difficult or impossible to turn. May be accompanied by warning light illumination.
When: 62,000 miles (complaint #2); variable mileage (complaints #8, #9, #10)
Symptoms owners cite: steering wheel will not turn; steering completely out; extremely hard to turn wheel at low speeds; light burning smell (complaint #9); blind spot warning light stays lit (complaint #8)
Repairs/costs cited: Suspected electronic power steering sensor or power steering pump (complaint #8)
Steering Lock & Loss of Control
Steering locks or seizes while driving, causing loss of vehicle control. Critical safety failure resulting in off-road veer, collision, and vehicle totaling.
When: During normal driving (complaint #11)
Symptoms owners cite: steering locked while driving; sudden loss of steering control; vehicle veered off road
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled following collision with curb, sidewalk, light pole, and concrete bench (complaint #11)
Highway Steering Shudder & Autonomic Behavior
Steering wheel shudders or takes over vehicle direction at highway speeds at random intervals. Unpredictable loss of control.
When: Highway speeds (complaint #12)
Symptoms owners cite: steering wheel shudders; steering appears to take over driving control; happens at random times
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2015 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 2015 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?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 87,667 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2015/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.