NHTSA Complaint #10260425 — 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE

I WAS DRIVING ON RANDALL ROAD TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH. I SLOWED TO ENTER A RIGHT TURN LANE AND THE STEERING BEGAN TO SHUDDER WHEN I MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL. I BRAKED AGGRESSIVELY AND WAS ABLE AFTER MUCH EFFORT TO MANEUVER THE ENCLAVE INTO A PARKING SPACE. I PHONED MY HUSBAND AND UPON ARRIVAL FOUND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. HE PHONED THE DEALER AND BUICK ASSISTANCE. AFTER 3 HOURS THE CAR WAS LOADED ON A TRUCK AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE PERSON STATED THAT THE COOLER LINE HAD DEVELOPED A PIN HOLE LEAK AND LOST FLUID TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. I AM STILL WAITING SINCE THE STEERING PUMP WAS ALSO DAMAGED. NO MENTION OF REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION (MY HUSBANDS HELP WITH THAT TERM). I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING A CAR THAT THE STEERING LOCKS UP IF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL OUTCOME UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. THIS IS THE THIRD SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS DELIVERED DECEMBER 31, 2007. THE DRIVER WINDSHIELD WIPER CAME LOOSE (HUSBAND FIXED) AND THE RIGHT REAR STRUT WELD FAILED LEAKING OIL ALL OVER THE GARAGE FLOOR AND MAKING THE CAR FEEL LOOSE DRIVING IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. WE HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT SIGN DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. I DO NOT TRUST THIS CAR. THE ONLY BRIGHT SPOT IS THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN VERY RESPONSIVE. *TR