Problems · by component

2012 GMC Acadia steering problems

46 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 GMC Acadia cite steering, 15% of all 302 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
46
15% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2012 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who discovered that the catalytic convertor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The mechanic also inspected the vehicle and determined that the steering rack, front struts, and suspension control arms were also faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2025Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine coolingODI 11670219
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2024SteeringODI 11576701
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2023Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11539579
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2022Steering, Unknown or otherODI 11465338
“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?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2021Steering, EngineODI 11395603
“TL* 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.*DT*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2020SteeringODI 11366843

Showing 6 of 46 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.