NHTSA Complaint #10652407 — 2008 GMC ACADIA

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A SHOPPING CENTER, I LOST POWER STEERING COMPLETELY. I WAS ABLE TO MAN HANDLE THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING AREA THAT WAS SPARSELY OCCUPIED AND DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. IF I HAD BEEN IN A DIFFERENT AREA OF THE PARKING LOT, THERE WERE A LOT OF PEDESTRIANS, PUSHING STROLLERS AND MOST HAD CHILDREN WITH THEM. I COULD HAVE HIT SEVERAL OF THEM AND HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED REPLACING. I HAVE NOW RECEIVED A BULLETIN FROM GMC ADVISING THAT IF I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH STEERING, I SHOULD TAKE IT TO MY CLOSEST DEALER FOR THEM TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC. HOWEVER, IF THE DIAGNOSTIC DIDN'T SHOW SPECIFICALLY THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THEN I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTIC PLUS ANY REPAIRS NEEDED. MY MECHANIC HAS ADVISED ME THAT THE PUMP IS FINE, BUT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS REPLACING SINCE THE SEALS OR CYLINDERS HAVE BEEN LEAKING. I HAD TO ADD POWER STEERING FLUID AT ABOUT 23K MILES, BUT THE DEALER STATED IT WAS PROBABLY JUST NOT FILLED UP WHEN IT WAS OFF THE FACTORY LINE. SO, I HAVE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE MECHANIC UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED SINCE I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE IT. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE DUE TO THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE. MY RESEARCH SHOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON FOR THE 2008 ACADIA AND I FEEL GM SHOULD STAND UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THOSE OF US WHO BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. *TR