NHTSA Complaint #10532303 — 2008 GMC ACADIA

IN THE WINTER OF 2012, THE STEERING STARTED TO GET MORE DIFFICULT WHILE PARKING AND BACKING OUT OF SPACES. IT WHINED A BIT. SERVICE AT COLLECTION AUTO TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE POSITION SENSOR. NO CHANGE. THE STEERING GOT WORSE, FLUID BEGAN LEAKING, AND I WAS INVOLVED IN TWO NEAR CRASHES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR. ONE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT UPON ENTERING A FREEWAY RAMP. IT RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. IT THEN AGAIN HAPPENED, BUT TOTAL STEERING FAILURE WHILE TURNING INTO A SHOPPING CENTER ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. WE TOOK IT BACK AND WERE TOLD THAT THE PUMP AND RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER A GOOD DEAL OF DIGGING AND SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL DEALERS OTHER THAN THE ONE THAT RECOMMENDED THE CHANGE FOR PUMP AND RACK AND PINION, WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO REPLACE THE POSITION SENSOR AND THERE WERE SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS TO DEALERS TO REPLACE THESE WITH REDESIGNED PARTS DATING TO 2012. IT CURRENTLY IS AT A DEALER WHO IS WORKING WITH GM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR