Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Buick Enclave owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the power steering failed at speeds of 15 mph or less. In addition, the failure occurred while making a turn. The contact stated the vehicle would have to use manual steering in order to operate the vehicle. There were no warning lights. The dealer was not informed of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
Purchased new, dealer twice during warranty kept vehicle for 6 weeks to do recall notice repairs. Now this 2010 has 42,000 miles and the steering is going bad. SB10056459-3388 describes the exact problem. During these two periods that recall repairs were done that should have addressed the problem even though the problem had not surfaced yet. This was a wear condition i was never informed of. It is getting worse now.
The power steering has issues when turning it seems to not work. Been have this problem for about a year. I've talked to other Buick owners and they have the same problem. I also have electrical issues on the drivers side door panel, where none of the switches work. Just all of a sudden quit.
I was driving at 75 MPH and my engine shut off; car began to slow, fuel dropped, power steering went out, brakes didn't work. I was able to, thankfully, get to the side of the road safely and use the rumble strips to slow me down. I turned the car off and 5 min. Later turned it on and was able to drive to a safe location. This is a common issue and all of these conditions are related to the "limited warranty protection" that GM issued nov. 2015 (14582). This is a safety hazard. My car experienced all the other condition, malfunction indicator light came on multiple times ( May, sept), was issued a letter in nov. 2015 and then this occurred in jan. 2016. Stipulation for this to be covered, under 120K miles of 10 years whichever first. My car experienced initial troubles at 110K in May and this potential fatal incident at 125. Arguing with GM over this. …
The power steering stops working intermittently. Without warning, the ability to steer the car becomes very difficult. This happens mostly in turns in intersections. Turning the vehicle back straight out of a sweeping 90 degree turn is almost impossible until a 5 to 8 second pause elapses. This is extremely dangerous, usually causing the driver to brake heavily in an intersection for what looks like no apparent reason. This is dangerous not only because of the lack of driver control, but you never know when it's going to happen. This is becoming more frequent and it can be purposefully reproduced if the steering wheel is turned rapidly while at a low speed. Also noticeable is a strange noise coming from the steering column just below the steering wheel at times, heard mostly at low speed in a quiet environment. …
Jan. 10 at 8 am my daughter and I left salt lake city to drive home to las vegas. At 8 am, everything was fine, no noise from the vehicle no clanking, no smell. I could do u turns and sharp turns to park the vehicle before stopping to get a bagel. We entered the 15 south to head home, we are driving at speeds of 70-80mph. At approximately 11:00 am we are reaching the town of beaver, utah. I needed to pull off the freeway to gas up and wanted an espresso. We exit the freeway and as I start slowing I can tell my power steering has gone out, I almost hit on coming traffic while turning to the right when coming off the exit because it was so extremely difficult to steer. The other driver had to swerve in to the dirt area to avoid hitting my daughter and I, followed us to the gas station and yelled at me until he realized something was wrong with my steering.. …
Power steering pump wear condition received a recall notice from Buick September 2014 in regards to a power steering pump wear condition, but the letter advised not to take to the dealer for repair until it was an issue. The letter did not state specifics as to how an individual would know that there was an issue but while taking the vehicle to holzhauer motors in cherokee, ia (authorized dealer) on June 17, 2015 for service (lube & filter change) I mentioned to the service advisor that when I turned my steering wheel there was a whining sound. I was later contacted by the service advisor stating that the power steering pump needed to be replaced and the cost of replacing the actual pump and labor was covered under said warranty. The service advisor also informed me that the rack and pinion also needed to be replaced. …
Mileage 85,717: driving on interstate at 70 MPH vehicle lost power, was luckily able to pull off and restart to make it home. Next morning vehicle would start, but immediately shut off. Towed vehicle to local mechanic who stated it was stretched timing chain, common occurrence in Enclave, acadia, and transverse. Reported issue to GM who referred me to certified GM dealer, vehicle was towed to that location at my expense, sat there for a week before I received any info which was stretched timing chain, already known information. I called GM back who stated they my case had already been closed out for power lift gates and there was no documentation for the stretched timing chain, after 1 hour and 25 minutes on the phone I was told that there was no assistance for the timing chain that I would be responsible for the $2000 repair bill along with $105 for the diagnostic test. …
Check engine light went on. Car was seemingly working alright, however, after fueling up, it was difficult to restart the car. In fact, at the last fill up I was unable to start the car for over 20 minutes while at the gas pump. This caused a great deal of anger, frustration, and rage in the other drivers who were waiting to fuel their cars at very busy gas station near lax. The dealership stated the fuel sensors needed to be replaced at a total cost of $1700.00. Two months prior the air conditioner/heater required repair as a hose needed to be replaced due to a leak, a $425 repair, furthermore, the steering problem we seemingly had corrected 3 years ago is occurring again and is need of another repair. And lastly, 50% of the time when I turn off the engine and pull the key out of the car, the engine continues to run. The occurred around 80-85,000 miles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the on position, the service engine warning light illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chains failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. One week later the contact observed a leak from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Two days later while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
Steering complaints in other Enclave years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2010 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA has 126 complaints about the steering of the 2010 Buick Enclave, 46% of the model year's 275 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Buick Enclave steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2010 Buick Enclave, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Buick Enclave steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.