Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Buick Enclave owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
At low speed all power steering is lost. Almost ran into a parked car. When pulling from a driveway onto the roadway almost hit another car head on. My wife will no longer drive the car because of this.
The power steering pump failed. This failure caused the steering to tighten at slow speeds making the car extremely difficult to control and safety hazard. When taken to the dealer, I was told that power steering pressure inlet hose and power steering gear assembly needed repair. An independent mechanic told me that the additional repairs were the result of the failed pump. GM is denying coverage of the additional repairs under warranty. The power steering pumps should be recalled with all damaged parts replaced.
On three separate occasions in the past month my car lost power while I was driving. Fortunately, I was on city streets when this occurred and I was able to coast to the side of the road and restart the engine. I brought my car in to my Buick dealer after the 2nd occurrence and they could find nothing wrong with it. When it happened again last week I noticed that right before I lost power the small wallet that is part of my key chain had fallen from the top of the steering wheel (where I keep it so it doesn't hit my leg). Thinking it May have jerked the ignition slightly and that May have been part of the power issue, I googled "Buick Enclave ignition issues" when I returned home. …
December 2014 lift gate was up and suddenly came down and hit my wife with great force. This happened twice but not consistently. Subsequently was taken to a Chevrolet/GM dealership, found both struts not holding pressure and were replaced at owner's expense. On the morning of January 9,2015 driving during a snow storm on an interstate suddenly vehicle lost stabiltrab,traction control and engine power was reduced to 15 MPH. Due to the weather traffic was going slower than normal. Car driven to a Chevrolet/GM dealer where the throttle body was replaced at owner's expense. On January 14, 2015 owner brought car to have power steering pump replaced due to GM September 2014 notice and owner informed that power steering rack was leaking. Although not replacing the power steering rack would lead to failure of the new power steering pump, this component was not covered. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The power steering pump was replaced and the failure was remedied. The contact also indicated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine light had illuminated. The mechanic diagnosed that the timing change needed to be repaired. The failure was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 01/11/2017 timing chain was repaired by independent mechanic. Rear liftgate failed. After negotiations with GM liftgate was repaired as per prior recall. The power steering failed. The timing chain failed. Updated 9/7/18
We own a 2011 Buick Enclave with 84240 miles. After a routine oil change were shocked to find out from the dealer that there is now a leaking steering rack and steering pump that will need to be replaced neither of which are covered by GM . The cost is over $2300.00. This is my wife's car and is used daily to transport not only our own but other children as well. We have no choice but to remediate the problem. After doing very little research it is obvious that this is a known defect and that GM is choosing to ignore the risk to those driving their vehicles. This is actually our second Enclave and until know we have enjoyed their reliability and the service we have received. Based on this experience it will be the last GM car we buy. We will be seeking reimbursement from GM.
I took my 2011 Buick Enclave with 27,000 miles into my local Buick dealer for routine maintenance. The service manager called and advised that the steering rack was leaking and that the estimated repair cost is $1780. I chose not to have the repair done at that time, but now see that many Enclave owners have experienced power steering failures due to this defect. Some of these failures occurred in traffic and could have resulted in accidents. Now that I am aware of this I will take the car to be repaired immediately. Because there have been so many failures with potentially serious consequences, this should be investigated by NHTSA for a possible recall. I suspect that this would also affect GMC acadia and Chevy traverse models.
Vehicle made noise when turning the wheel. The dealer said the steering gear was leaking and as a result the low fluid resulted in power steering pump failure. I have read multiple reports online from customers stating that they had the exact same issues. This is clearly a manufacturing defect that GM should be held accountable to correct. The vehicle has just over 52K miles and I have owned it since it was brand new. Repair quote from a local dealership was $1100 for the steering gear, $360 for the pump, and $1000 for labor. These repairs are not covered under warranty despite the special extended warranty GM issued for power steering pump failure.
Over time our 2011 Buick Enclave experienced a whining noise at idle and lower speeds, particularly when turning. Dealership indicated that this was due to a leaking/defective power steering pump and potentially the entire steering column May need to be replaced. This vehicle is approximately 3 years old and approximately 50K miles - disappointed to discover that this issue is not currently covered under warranty/recalls. I would not expect to encounter an issue of this magnitude with a car at this point in the life cycle - this is a potential safety concern if this issue progresses to a situating where the steering totally fails.
Noticed a whining noise in my steering wheel when turning. Called the dealership and was told this was "normal". Not being satisfied with this took it in and insisted they check it. I was then told the rack and pinion is failing and needs to be replaced. The cost would be $2000. I bought this car new and it only has 41,000 miles on it. I feel that this should be paid by GM since this is a common complaint and very dangerous and could result in an accident. I will no longer buy anything built by GM if this is how they treat their customers. I paid $53,000 and I thought I would have this car for a few more years. I guess not.
Steering complaints in other Enclave years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2011 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Buick Enclave, 19% of the model year's 213 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Buick Enclave steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2011 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 2011 Buick Enclave steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.