2017 GMC ACADIA Steering Problems

When I’m driving a warning comes on my DIC screen that says “ACTION REQUIRED STEERING ASSIST IS REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE”. The AC does not work and the temp gauge goes to cold with the radiator fan blowing at full speed. My car has done this since I purchased it used in 2019 and when I call dealer they say there is no recall and $1200-1800 to replace a sensor and thermostate. I have not had the issue fixed yet.

Vehicle keeps intermittently coming up with "Power Steering Reduced: Drive with Care," during this my steering is perfectly fine, however my A/C stops blowing cold air, the temperature gauge stops working and my engine fan is running constantly. This is obviously a well known issue since googling that warning and my vehicle it comes up with the issue and what the cause is. Which the cause is from the thermostat remaining open and allowing coolant to run through the system, even when the vehicle is not overheating. I just bought this vehicle used from my local dealership and am surprised that GM has not recognized this is an issue affecting numerous vehicle. This should at the very least be put as a warranty covered issue!

While driving at highway speeds, a warning appeared on the Driver Information Center (DIC): “Steering Assist is Reduced – Drive with Care.” Simultaneously, the temperature gauge was stuck on “C,” the radiator cooling fan ran at high speed, and the air conditioning stopped blowing cold air. After researching the issue, I discovered that these symptoms are commonly linked to a failing thermostat—a known and widespread problem with GM’s 3.6L LGX engine. Unfortunately, replacing the thermostat on this engine is not a simple repair, often requiring significant labor and cost. The most concerning aspect is the loss of steering assist, which poses a serious safety risk, especially at highway speeds. Given the frequency of this issue across many GM vehicles, it’s clear that this is a defective part and not an isolated incident. GM should take responsibility and cover the cost of repairs for affected vehicles. This is not just a mechanical failure—it’s a safety hazard that deserves immediate attention. I'm attaching a picture of the message as well a paid repair invoice from the work the dealer performed to replace the thermostat on my vehicle.

We were receiving a message stating steering reduction. Turns out the thermostat sticks open and the electronic control module reset was a temporary fix. We had the thermostat replaced and the issue hasn’t happened again. Steering issues should be a safety issue and be considered for recall. Your thoughts please.

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the warning light then turned off independently. In addition, the contact stated that the air conditioning failed to function as intended and the interior of the vehicle became extremely hot. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer in 2024 for the failure, and the contact was informed that the power steering assist feature had failed, and the software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test, and a case number would then be provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the steering wheel was inoperable, with the message “Steering Assist Reduced” displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loosened and became difficult to turn. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the thermostat coolant sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 80,510.

Mileage: 80,510

Within a day of taking possession of the car, September 20, 2024, with odometer reading 76,352 , warning message in instrument cluster appears stating action required “steering assist is reduced, drive with care”. Following day, A/C stop working while driving. When park, I can hear radiator fan, running full speed (louder than normal). While driving at night, headlights are not bright, specially the high beam. On September 23, 2024, took it back to dealership I purchased the vehicle. They have the vehicle in the shop to fix the issues. Vehicle was ready for pick up September 27, 2024. September 29, 2024. Message in instrument cluster screen re-appear stating “Action required, steering assist reduced drive with care”; check engine light came on, remote start key not working, A/C stop working again, radiator fan running full speed and loud , Headlights are still not bright, Infotainment screen glitching, will not stay in home button and making clicking sound. Went back to dealership so that they can fix it. Diagnostic code : P0128. They were able to have A/C working when I left the shop. and no messages on the instrument cluster. Following day, I have all the same issues I have before. My appointment to come back in to the shop to fix the thermostat issue I was October 10, 2024, on October 9, additional problems occur on top of the issue I am having. While driving and accelerating multiple lights on the instrument cluster screen appears on top of other issues and car decelerates. The check engine light came on, steering assist reduced drive with care , parking brake, car stability comes on and message stating engine power is reduced. This happened while driving on a highway at night on my way to work. I had to have the vehicle towed to the dealership..

Steering Assist is Reduced due to a faulty thermostat

I believe my vehicle has a software issue, the temperature gauge will read cold, I will get a “Steering assist reduced drive with caution” message, my A/C stops working, and the radiator fans come on full blast the moment you start the car because the temperature can not be read. I have read online forums where others are having this same exact issue. Resetting the codes seems to temporarily fix the issue, but it comes back within roughly 2 weeks. This vehicle has not even reached 60k miles yet.

• Steering and Air conditioning • Possible death and heat stroke •Yes •No •No, just came on all of a sudden

Vehicle will randomly drop into a lower gear which causes the engine to rev up, then a warning light comes on indicating that the steering assist and ABS system are offline. Not what you want to have happen when driving 70MPH on the highway. Problem has been ongoing for ytears and GMC insists it is a transmission problem but another thing I have noticed whenever it happens is that the battery voltage increases. Seems like GMC shipped these cars with weak alternators which would explain the myriad electrical problems this vehicle and others like it have had.

Sudden loss of power steering due to steering pump failure. Wife was turning onto a busy road and the power steering went out causing her to almost hit oncoming traffic on the other side of the lane. Very serious and upsetting experience. In doing so research it appears this has been an ongoing issue with this vehicle and the previous model. Life safety issues such as this should be recalled at once before someone else’s wife and children are killed. Vehicle is currently at shop for replacement.

Steering assist reduced, drive with caution message displayed. Steering wheel sticks when turning. Apparently caused by a faulty thermostat and/or temperature sensor. Had both replaced several months ago. however, both the message and symptoms have returned.

1. COULD NOT PUT CAR INTO PARK OR TURN OFF. CAUSED BATTERY TO BE DEAD AS IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN PUT INTO PARK. 2. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND JERKED REPEATEDLY. COULD NOT TURN INTO PARKING SPOT. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN AND COULD NOT STOP THE JERK. IT IS DANGEROUS AND SCARY ! 3. AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT THE ROAD. IT IS AS THOUGH THERE ARE NO LIGHTS AT ALL. IT IS DANGEROUS TO NOT SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT BECAUSE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT GIVE APPROPRIATE LIGHTING.

P0128 Apparently what happens when the temp sensor on the T-Stat housing goes bad it sends a signal to the ECM that the engine is overheating, causes the temp gauge to peg to "C", shuts down A/C Compressor Clutch engagement to not exacerbate the Overheat condition and super speeds the cooling fans. Of course it's a false flag warning and the engine isn't actually running hot. At the same time a signal to the ECM also tells the Power Steering Rack that it's Super Cold out and the lube in the steering system may freeze up causing loss of steering assist. NHTSA 17-NA-158 - MAY 2017 Needed to have Thermostat and Temperature sensor replaced. Was quoted by two dealers $1400-$1700. Very deceiving for GM to have SEVERAL "tech bulletins" advising their techs how to properly diagnose this common "error"... but it's not a recall so they won't foot the bill for what is clearly a defect. Car has only 59,400 / 2017 GMC Acadia All Terrain

My vehicle has serious issues that from my research seem to be a common problem/manufacturer defect experienced by other owners of this model. I believe the defect/issue is an electrical problem. While driving, the vehicle will often have problems using it's automatic transmission. It ranges from "rough" shifting (where the car jerks while shifting gears) to situation where the vehicle fails to shift gears completely leading to the RPMs shooting up. The cars power steering and traction control system also simultaneously fail. This leads to a dangerous situation when on highways etc This issue simultaneously causes all of the warning lights on the dashboard to light up while displaying the following messages on screen "Service stabilitrak" & "steering assist reduced -drive with care" & "service brake assist" & "service parking brake". The gauges also stop responding/reflecting accurate info when this happens. I have a video of what this all looks like. This has been on ongoing intermittent problem pretty much for the entire life of the vehicle. GMC informed me that they had never heard of this when I inquired about it a dealership but searching online makes it incredibly clear that this is an extremely widespread issue that they are aware of. I have also attached a file that has a list of all error codes detected by me for this vehicle.

I brought this car from STOOPS and have been having this same issue since I received this car in March of 2021. Check engine came on within two weeks of me getting this car. The Intake air pressure measurement system MAP sensor and MAF sensor on my 2017 GMC Acadia which is causing other issues. My car is only at 100k mikes and I shouldnt be having the same issue. The MAP sensor was replaced in July of 2021. Here it is a year later and my check engine light keeps coming on and saying the same thing which is causing all these other issues to happen such as steering power system reduced which driving. Notifications about of transmission and engine issues because of Intake Air Pressure Measurement System. Every time I take it to stoops they have it for a couple days and I’m out of a car which means no transportation for work and within 10 days after I get it back the same issue appears. The car sounds like it’s going to shut off at any given time I’m driving. It shutters while at a light or in a restaurant line. It drives smooth but when I shut the car off it makes a whiny noise sometimes. I don’t feel safe driving myself and my kids in the car when different things come up all because of this intake air pressure measurement system issue

The steering control system stops working abruptly , it happened to me numerous times while making a turn. It almost caused an accident and it made my wrist hurt from trying to move the steering wheel in order to not crash.

Loss of power steering: bought NEW late 2017: In 1st month a whining noise was present while turning the steering wheel in any direction (driving or in park) even when slightly turning the wheel. At the time, didn't seem to effect anything. Difficulty started around 80k miles & continued to get worse as time went on. Each time varies on type of turn, speed of turn, how long the car has been in use. On average: it starts (& continues to get worse) after the first 10/15 minutes of driving. Loss of steering comes & goes (not only happening while turning) for at least 4 -15sec. In the last year (mid 2021 - 2022) went to mechanic -couldn't find an issue. Husband checks fluid levels monthly (no changes/no leaks are visible ). As of May 2022 (130k miles) turning into parking lots/spots/driveways/etc I have NO power steering, my husband is barley able to turn the wheel during these events. Its unsafe to drive. Doesn't seem to be as bad if speed is 20mph or faster. Shudder issue (maybe @60kmiles): *We had this issue w/our 2012 Acadia too. Multiple GMC Certified mechanics have been used to correct this. Only one mechanic was able to witness the shuddering. All things tried have failed to correct it. First started happening between 35 - 55mph (now its at any speed: 10 - 80mph), speeding up used to make it shudder less, turning traction control off USE to make it shudder less. Plenty of forums abt this issue including all things tried & failed. No resolution. Shudder causes car to not accelerate at times. RPM jumps high & bounces around. AC would stop working (started @20k miles) it makes an air releasing noise when AC is in use. *2012 Acadia did this too. Adding Freon helps for limited time. No leaks. Mechanics "CND", its still not fixed. "Tighten fuel cap" warning comes on randomly. When checked, its tight. Automatic start fails randomly, since day 1. "Ck Engine" light comes on & off randomly. Main issue was the shuddering *Reporting date used for loss of power steering.

The vehicle makes a clunk and pop noise when making turns and upon acceleration and deceleration. Both dealer and repair shop could not visually locate the problem after checking. Suggested the problem was internal. Vehicle purchased March 2022 with 63,500 miles.

LOST THE POWER STEERING ...44050

Mileage: 44,050

'STEERING ASSIST REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE' WARNING LIGHT SHOWS UP AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. THE AIR CONDITIONER AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE DO NOT WORK WHEN THIS IS ON. WE HAD IT CHECKED AND THERE WAS ZERO FREON IN IT. HAD THAT REFILLED TOTALING OVER $400 BECAUSE IT'S A SPECIAL KIND THAT TAKES THE 1234 HOOK UP. STEERING ASSIST REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN LIKE IT DOES EVERY MONTH. HUSBAND POPPED THE HOOD TO TAKE A LOOK AND IT APPEARS FREON HAS SPEWED WHILE STEERING ASSIST LIGHT IS ON, EXPLAINING WHY IT WAS EMPTY WHEN WE TOOK IT TO BE CHECKED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALSO ON NOW TOO. WHEN POWERING VEHICLE OFF, A MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN SAYS 'CLIMATE CONTROL NOT AVAILABLE WHEN VEHICLE IS POWERED OFF'. ADDITIONALLY WE GET A 'SHIFT TO PARK' MESSAGE WHEN WE POWER OFF THE VEHICLE. READY TO SEEK LEGAL ACTION

Mileage: 49,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION, THE SHIFT TO PARK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS THEN UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE THE WARNING LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM FALK MOTORS OF MAUI LOCATED AT (260 HANA HWY #1, KAHULUI, HI 96732), WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO SAME DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LUG NUTS ON THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THIS VEHICLE HAS, WITH NO WARNING, EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING FOR 2-10 SECONDS PER EVENT. #1 JUNE - 2018 (APROX MILEAGE 30K+): WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY OFFRAMP AND SLOWING BELOW 40MPH, MY WIFE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FOR 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE REGAINING POWER STEERING. WENT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED TO BE OK, CND (COULD NOT DUPLICATE). #2 11-18-2018 (MILEAGE 46171): WHILE SLOWING AND TURNING LEFT INTO OUR DRIVE WAY THE CAR EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING FOR 5-10 SECONDS. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP AND SNAP A PICTURE OF THE FOLLOWING ERROR MSG: ACTION REQUIRED, STEERING ASSIST IS REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE. THIS TIME WE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH PICTURES AND AGAIN CND. #3 6-9-2019 (MILEAGE 64916): WHILE COMING OUT OF A LEFT HAND TURN, AT APROX 5MPH AND SLOWING, I BEGAN TO NAVIGATE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS AND RETURN OF POWER STEERING. THE INCIDENT LASTED APRON 2-3 SECONDS, ENOUGH TIME TO HER MY PASSENGER TAKE A PICTURE OF THE FOLLOWING ERROR MSG: ACTION REQUIRED, STEERING ASSIST IS REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE. I AM TAKING THIS VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH PICTURES OF THE WARNING AND MILEAGE FOR A SECOND TIME. I HAVE NOTICE THAT GM HAD RECALLED NUMEROUS VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM FROM 2017 TILL NOW. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V586. GM'S OWN NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS 18289. DO THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE ADDED TO INITIATE A FIX?

Mileage: 64,916

FRONT RIGHT DRIVESHAFT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A PULL TO THE RIGHT.

Mileage: 15,885

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HORN DID NOT WORK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAXON BUICK GMC (2301 U.S. 22, UNION, NJ 07083, (908) 964-1900). THE DEALER DUPLICATED THE FAILURE AND CONSULTED WITH THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE GMC MANUFACTURER WHO RECOMMENDED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BE REPLACED WITH A CUSTOM-MADE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAITED FOR FEEDBACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500.

Mileage: 500

POWER STEERING FAILED/ LOSE OF POWER STEERING ON 5 TIMES RANGING FROM 2 SECOND TO AT LEAST 6 SECOND/STEERING LOST AT LOW SPEED GOING INTO DRIVEWAY OF GARAGE/STEERING LOST WHILE CAR AT RED LIGHT IN TRAFFIC WAITING FOR GREEN LIGHT TO GO

Mileage: 7,799

THE STEERING HAS LOCKED BRIEFLY 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITHIN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. THE FIRST TIME I WAS CHANGING LANES ON I-8 GOING ABOUT 45 MPH. THE NEXT TIME I WAS TAKING A FREEWAY EXIT RAMP FROM I-805 TO THE I-8 DECELERATING AND HAD NO CONTROL AS I TURNED THE WHEEL TO MANEUVER THROUGH THE CURVE. THIS PAST SATURDAY, 4/8, I WAS EXITING I-805 AT SORRENTO VALLEY ROAD AND THE STEERING LOCKED FOR OVER 2 SECONDS. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THIS WAS A SUSPENSION ISSUE. HOWEVER, I FINALLY RECEIVED SERVICE RECORDS FROM HOEHN GMC IN CARLSBAD ON 4/7 THAT STATED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE I TOOK DELIVERY. THE SERVICE RECORD STATES '40 DTC P16E5 SENSOR COMM CIRCUIT 3 HIGN VOLTAGE' AND A PART WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON 3/2 AND THE SERVICE INVOICE HAS A DATE OF 3/22. I HAVE NOT BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER SINCE 3/2. I HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER ON 2/28 WHEN I SIGNED THE LEASE AGREEMENT BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL LOCKED. WHEN I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE ON 3/2, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAD 34 ADDITIONAL MILES SINCE MY INITIAL INSPECTION ON 2/28. AFTER SEVERAL UNANSWERED EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS TO JERRY BRUMMET OVER THE LAST MONTH, HE FINALLY SENT ME THE SERVICE RECORDS TO SHOW THE REASON FOR THE ADDITIONAL MILEAGE. THIS SURPRISED ME BECAUSE I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF AN ISSUE WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, NOR DID I RECEIVE ANY SERVICE RECORDS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICE SOONER HAD THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED THE SERVICE RECORDS INDICATING THERE WERE FACTORY DEFECTS PRIOR TO MY RECEIVING IT. I PLAN TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE IN THE MEANTIME. ULTIMATELY, I AM CONCERNED THIS IS A REPEAT SAFETY PROBLEM THAT MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER BODILY INJURY.

Mileage: 800

LESS THAN 30 DAYS OF TAKING POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW, WE NOTED A WHINE WHEN YOU TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. WE BROUGHT THE VEH IN TO DEALERSHP AND IT WAS REPORTED THE AIRBAG COIL WAS WRAPPED AROUND STEERING COLUMN CAUSING THE NOISE. THE COIL WAS REPLACED AND VEH RETURNED TO ME. WITHIN 24 HOURS THE NOISE RETURNED. THIS TIME THEY DETERMINED IT WAS THE FRONT LEFT STRUT AND REPLACED. A BRAND NEW VEHICLE SHOULD NOT NEED A NEW STRUT. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD ANOTHER ACADIA IN FOR SAME PROBLEM

Mileage: 800