NHTSA Complaint #10406391 — 2006 BUICK TERRAZA

THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL/STEER THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAVE SINCE HEARD THIS REFERRED TO AS "GM POWER STEERING SYNDROME." IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM OF GM CARS WHERE THE VALVE IN THE POWER STEERING RACK HAS PROBLEMS. THE POWER STEERING FLUID CANNOT GET THROUGH, PARTICULARLY AT LOW SPEEDS, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. (AT HIGHER SPEEDS - WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED - THERE IS EXTRA PRESSURE FORCING THE FLUID THROUGH, SO IT IS A BIT EASIER TO STEER AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE VALVE FAILURE RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE RACK, PUMP, AND WHOLE SYSTEM.