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 2012 GMC Acadia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Acadia was traveling at 55 MPH when heard/felt a pop/bump. Steering wheel started spinning to left then right. Steering wheel straightened out. While steering wheel was still facing straight, the car started veering sharply to the right. The Acadia hit a culver then flipped 4 times, coming to a stop over 160 feet from where it left the road
Almost crashed into a tree with my 5 year old in the car after going through a puddle on a rainy day. There was a very loud squealing noise and then the steering wheel froze. I needed to shut the car off and turn it back on to unfreeze it. It happened a second time after going through another puddle which thankfully was in my driveway! Brought it to get my belt checked and the GMC dealer said they think I have a small steering fluid leak and would need a new rack and pinion? I had a private mechanics second opinion and they said they did not see a leak and the fluid was not low? However my transmission fluid was a bit low? My car does stutter from time to time but no lights have come on to tell me there is a problem? Not sure what to do I cant afford the $1400 to supposedly fix the car. We just purchased it a year ago and it only has 70,000 miles on it! …
We bought this used car from a dealer drove it about 4 to 5 months and the left signal light failed, so we changed it worked for one day and then went dead again. Turning left from my street the steering was really hard and had problems turning left but I did finally on another occasion the same thing happened. Finally driving suddenly we saw a turn engine off and the engine started making loud noises and went dead in the middle of the street. So we kept gliding with no engine running and went into a parking lot. Lucky for us the car stopped right in the parking lot. Had to be towed few miles to a mechanic that told us the timing chain is broken and in need for new engine. We towed it to another mechanic and the same thing was told. So now it is been sitting at the mechanic's shop for two week waiting for new engine to come in . …
Purchased a GMC Acadia denali in sep 2015. Had to have transmission repaired, struts replaced in nov 2015. Began having problems with steering locking up when turning wheel hard and making a loud whining sound as well as burning fluid smell in jan 2016. Took vehicle to dealer and was advised by service department that the power steering pump/motor was leaking and requires replacement, and the rack and pinion is bad and has to be replaced. Further research indicates this is a very common issue with this vehicle and GM is aware of the defective power steering pump/motor and rack and pinion. Even dealer service techs advised it is a very well known and documented problem with this model vehicle yet the repair is not covered by the manufacturer. This is a very dangerous condition to the driver of the vehicle as well as to the driving public and pedestrians in general. …
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. …
Loss of steering assist at low RPM. Result: hard to turn on either direction. When parking, reving up the engine helps steering assist return to "normal". Problem is at it worst after driving for 20 minutes or more. Near death experience: I was coming of the freeway and attempting to make a turn (at slower speed) when the steering wheel "felt locked and I nearly ended up driving over an busy overpass. It was only due to luck, very hard braking and hard manual steering that I was able to get the car to turn a little and stop before driving over overpass. Steering fluid level is normal. I am very converned as somoene could get hurt when I lose the ability to steer the vehicle (no warning lights and engine running as normal). I can't allow my wife to drive this death trap. Dealer recommended new stering pump new hoses and new rack and pinion gear. …
Steering complaints in other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2012 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the steering of the 2012 GMC Acadia, 16% of the model year's 296 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 GMC Acadia steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2012 GMC Acadia, though it has 5 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 2012 GMC Acadia steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 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.