10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,386 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 GMC Acadia steering problems

steering problem

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2012 GMC Acadia Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #44

Mar 092024

Acadia

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

About 1 month ago While making a slow speed turn from a parking lot to a street the steering seemed to lock for no reason. After a brief moment the steering resumed normal function. I inspected the ignition switch and found nothing abnormal. Checked power steering fluid level, it was in the operating range. Unable to duplicate the issue at that time. On 3-9-23 while driving the vehicle started making an unusual noise coming from the engine. It seemed to be consistent with engine rpm. I believe it was the power steering pump. After stopping and starting the engine the noise was gone. A few minutes later while driving at slow speed the steering locked again, or the resistance was too great for my wife to overcome.

- La Center, WA, USA

problem #43

Aug 122023

Acadia

  • miles
No warning light when transmission went out. Traction control/stabiltrac service light came on, doors locking and unlocking, not stating what gear acadia was in. Check engine light eventually came on, after it stalled twice on highway. Vehicle is at gmc dealership service department and they are saying its not communicating and are checking wiring harness wires. I have replaced transmission and torque converter and now i dont know what to expect now. Only had it for 3 years so far. I almost got rear ended when it stalled twice before backfiring and a rough swift shift.

- Bluefield, WV, USA

problem #42

Mar 312021

Acadia

  • miles
Every single GMC I have ever ran into there is an Acadia, the air conditioner never works. Maybe you guys should reconsider the assembly of your air-conditioning It-??s exhausting spending money having air for all of five minutes and then it-??s right back to the heat.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #41

Feb 092021

Acadia

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have 2 ongoing issues, 1st is the car will be driving fine then get a check engine light and have a code for cylinder misfire. Car was at dealer multiple times with issue and could not duplicate while under extended warranty. Mysteriously the intake has to come apart and be reworked since the warranty expired, and still has same issues. The 2nd and more concerning issue is the power steering. Initially took in and told the rack and pinion needs changed. Still had same issue and told power steering now needs to be changed, so we did. Sound and still stiff after 2 racks and 2 pumps. Mechanic refused to work it again. Took to dealer yesterday. Says needs new power steering pump. So dealer took for a test drive and said it's still doing it and needs another rack and pinion. At what point is GMC that has a known safety issue with steering going to fix this issue. I can't keep throwing money at this thing and I can't feel unsafe in it. What can I do?

- Hoschton, GA, USA

problem #40

Oct 272020

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 100,750 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle loss power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering failed to operate intermittently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering pump and steering gear valve housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to nielsen Chevrolet (1 us-46, dover, NJ 07801) where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The contact was informed that there was a fee for the diagnostic testing and repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,750.

- Rockaway, NJ, USA

problem #39

Jun 152020

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 156,957 miles
I started having steering problems when I would slow down to make a turn on a city street. The steering was very tight. Unsafe condition without warning. I had the power steering unit replaced, then I was told the rack and pinion had metal in them and needed to be replaced. Mechanic was unable to flush out the metal. I picked up the car today after a cost of $2,200. Drove home on city streets, same problem only tighter turning. Called the mechanic and was told to return the car. Just luck I have another car to drive. Should be a recall on this very unsafe condition.

- Manteca, CA, USA

problem #38

Jul 312019

Acadia

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While going under 10mph on a roadway, (3) different occasions, my steering wheel completely locked up. I braked and then after a few seconds it resumed steering. Got home and my husband checked the power steering fluid, all full. Called local dealer and they said there is no recall on my specific vehicle but many surrounding years have the same issue and have been recalled.

- Batavia, OH, USA

problem #37

Jun 172019

Acadia

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Acadia. While driving approximately 25 mph, the steering shook and made noises. In addition, the service traction control and check engine indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but they could not diagnose the failures. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Tracy, CA, USA

problem #36

Feb 022019

Acadia

  • 84,000 miles
We bought this used car from a dealer drove it about 4 to 5 months and the left signal light failed, so we changed it worked for one day and then went dead again. Turning left from my street the steering was really hard and had problems turning left but I did finally on another occasion the same thing happened. Finally driving suddenly we saw a turn engine off and the engine started making loud noises and went dead in the middle of the street. So we kept gliding with no engine running and went into a parking lot. Lucky for us the car stopped right in the parking lot. Had to be towed few miles to a mechanic that told us the timing chain is broken and in need for new engine. We towed it to another mechanic and the same thing was told. So now it is been sitting at the mechanic's shop for two week waiting for new engine to come in. I can not believe that around 84000 miles this car needs a new engine and it is not cheap at all. The car has a salvage tilte but this does not have anything to do with the problems since too many people have been documenting this problem, steering, electrical and failed engine. Why GM did not recall these cars for these failure. They are putting people and families at risk and we are stuck with the repairs and the bills piling up.

- Dearborn Heights, MI, USA

problem #35

Oct 022018

Acadia

  • 112,000 miles
I was driving very slow and the power steering stopped working. It has happened a couple times in the 6 weeks

- Flushing, MI, USA

problem #34

Jul 042018

Acadia

  • 94,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was driving straight and attempted to make a right hand turn and could not turn the car. Almost got in an accident. Third time this has happened. No previous accidents, 90,000 miles. Repairs included: New stering pump, new hoses and new rack and pinion gear

- Apple Valley, MN, USA

problem #33

May 252018

Acadia

  • 96,000 miles
Loss of steering assist at low RPM. Result: Hard to turn on either direction. When parking, reving up the engine helps steering assist return to "normal". problem is at it worst after driving for 20 minutes or more. Near death experience: I was coming of the freeway and attempting to make a turn (at slower speed) when the steering wheel "felt locked and I nearly ended up driving over an busy overpass. It was only due to luck, very hard braking and hard manual steering that I was able to get the car to turn a little and stop before driving over overpass. Steering fluid level is normal. I am very converned as somoene could get hurt when I lose the ability to steer the vehicle (no warning lights and engine running as normal). I can't allow my wife to drive this death trap. Dealer recommended new stering pump new hoses and new rack and pinion gear. Car has only 96,000 never been in accidents. Over $4,000 in reppairs!

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA

problem #32

May 092018

Acadia

  • miles
74,000 miles on my 2012 GMC Acadia. As of today I will have had 3 power steering pressure hoses on this vehicle. The last one I just had for 2 years and they are replacing it now at the dealership. The dealer tells me this is a known problem and GM has not made an update to the part. So this new part could last maybe a year or two and I will be back in replacing it at a cost of $1300 each time. Fortunately for me my car did not seize up, my mechanic found the leak and I had it repaired immediately.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

problem #31

Jun 012017

Acadia

  • 70,000 miles
Continued issues with power steering fluid ejects from the power steering pump when wheel is turned near exhaust pipe and have noticed flames and smoke. Vehicle was stationary

- High Point, NC, USA

problem #30

Mar 302018

Acadia

  • 69,000 miles
The vehicle has less than 70,000 miles. Steering wheel got jammed right by house when I was turning in to my parking lot. Thank god I was not on freeway when it happen became it was very difficult to turn the steering wheel after I took it to GMC dealer service it was determined that both the power steering pump and the power steering gear box has to be replace as a significant cost as they were seized up and would have posed a serious driving risk.

- Beaumont, TX, USA

problem #29

Feb 132018

Acadia

  • 55,000 miles
The vehicle has less than 55,000 miles and recently while getting off the highway, in cold conditions, it became very difficult to turn the steering and then after about 500 feet of driving there was a grinding noise. After having the vehicle towed, it was determined that both the power steering cooling pump, the power steering pump and the actual rack and pinion steering all needed to be replaced as a significant cost as they were seized up and would have posed a serious driving risk if they had seized while driving. There are noted tsb on these items as well

- North Royalton, OH, USA

problem #28

Feb 142018

Acadia

  • 50,000 miles
The steering rack on our 2012 GMC Acadia had to be replaced at age 6 years 3 months and mileage of 54,954. I would expect the steering rack should last the lifetime of the car or at least much longer than 6 years and 55,000 miles. Car was bought new from GM dealership. Regular maintenance was performed. At around 5 1/2 years after purchase, there were loud shuttering and clicking sounds when making sharp turns both left and right. Car is only just over 6 years old with 54,954 miles when taken to a GM dealership. Dealership determined the steering rack needed to be replaced at a total cost of $1751.96. A quick google search yields numerous complaints of this problem.

- West Chester, PA, USA

problem #27

Oct 242017

Acadia

  • 70,500 miles
Almost crashed into a tree with my 5 year old in the car after going through a puddle on a rainy day. There was a very loud squealing noise and then the steering wheel froze. I needed to shut the car off and turn it back on to unfreeze it. It happened a second time after going through another puddle which thankfully was in my driveway! brought it to get my belt checked and the GMC dealer said they think I have a small steering fluid leak and would need a new rack and pinion" I had a private mechanics second opinion and they said they did not see a leak and the fluid was not low? however my transmission fluid was a bit low? my car does stutter from time to time but no lights have come on to tell me there is a problem" not sure what to do I cant afford the $1400 to supposedly fix the car. We just purchased it a year ago and it only has 70,000 miles on it! I have done research and others have the same issue! GM needs to recall this safety issue before someone gets hurt or worse!! they also need to figure out why so many have stuttering transmissions! I almost got into a collision because my car stuttered as I was turning! the other person had to slam on the brakes as I tried to hit the gas harder! I had a 3 kids in the car on the way to baseball!! figure this out GM please before someone get hurt in this so called family car!!!!

- Leominster, MA, USA

problem #26

Nov 012017

Acadia

  • 50,000 miles
Power steering failed both power steering pump and steering gear. Car has ~50,000 miles. Vehicle would have feedback in steering at low speeds. No warning light, could have failed at high speeds causing injury.

- Sammamish, WA, USA

problem #25

Oct 232017

Acadia

  • 76,800 miles
Noticed odd noise when turning steering wheel. Upon having noise checked discovered that the rack and pinion box as well as the power steering pressure line were both leaking. Auto technician advised repair/replacement necessary as noise would get worse and steering would become more difficult in a short time. Technician stated that they have replaced numerous rack/pinion units on this make of vehicle. Check of the internet finds that this statement is true. Only 76000 miles on vehicle. Replacement/repair not covered by warranty. Rack and pinion and pressure hose replaced at a cost of almost $900.

- Lapeer, MI, USA

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