I have a 2011 Equinox V-6. I have grumbling noise almost shutter when I turn the steering wheel a slow speed. It is louder when the vehicle is put into reverse and the wheel is turned. The dealership said I had a bad power steering pump from the factory. They installed the new one today.....same problem. I wanted to know if anyone else with a V-6 Equinox or Terrain has had this same issue?????? Thanks!
power steering noise on 2011 equinox v-6
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ours did this too while on the test drive, sounded like the tires scrubbing the pavement more then anything else. I suppose i'll see in the coming weeks.
My V6 2011 Nox has the same problem, the dealer replaced the power steering unit once and still has it, I will take it to another dealer, GM has to do something about this, is driving me crazy a brand new car and the steering sounds like a clunker "old junk car".
It's normal, you can take it to every dealer around you and they won't be able to correct the issue. Just drive the car - I have noticed the same thing in several other cars that are completely different. You shouldn't be turning the wheel when the car isn't moving anyway as it puts a lot of strain on the power steering pump, rack and all the front end parts.
I bought a 2011 Equinox LTZ in October, 2010. The car now has 11000 miles on it and I started to hear a "moaning" sound from the steering at about 3000 miles. I mentioned it to the dealership at the first oil change. The service tech said it was a little low of steering fluid and sent me on my way. It has gotten progressively worse since than. The noise only happens with severe turning and low speeds (backing up..parking, etc) with engine RPMs less than 750. I took it back to the dealer this morning and I had a long talk with a service tech. He told me something was definitely wrong but he just didn't know what it was. He assured me that he would talk to technical assistance and get a plan of action to fix this problem. I have noticed that a couple of members here are saying "it is normal". To you guys I say you are DEAD WRONG. How can you advise someone who has spent thousands of dollars on a new vehicle that sounds like a 20 year old worn out car that it is "normal". It is NOT normal and I hope each of you with this problem will be presistent with GM to fix this problem. I am new to this forum and hope that in the future I don't see advice here that is clearly in error. Maybe those guys are affiliated with GM. I hope not.
To Alexleblanc--
I noticed your Nox is AWD. Have the dealer check the rear end of the car. That might be where the problem is. I heard about a guy with a similar problem that he thought was a steering problem. Turned out to just need the rear end fluid changed. Pretty pricey at $30 per quart for 8 quarts, but it fixed the problem. After the fluid is changed out, the car must be driven in a tight circle turned first to left for 5 minutes, then to right for 5 minutes. (Or vice versa) As you make the turn, the noise will gradually subside. This sounds crazy, but it came from a Chevrolet service tech with over 20 years experience. Mention this to your mechanic. Hope it works.
I noticed your Nox is AWD. Have the dealer check the rear end of the car. That might be where the problem is. I heard about a guy with a similar problem that he thought was a steering problem. Turned out to just need the rear end fluid changed. Pretty pricey at $30 per quart for 8 quarts, but it fixed the problem. After the fluid is changed out, the car must be driven in a tight circle turned first to left for 5 minutes, then to right for 5 minutes. (Or vice versa) As you make the turn, the noise will gradually subside. This sounds crazy, but it came from a Chevrolet service tech with over 20 years experience. Mention this to your mechanic. Hope it works.
I bought a 2011 V6 Equinox LTZ in May and it too has a whining steering pump. It's so loud backing out of the driveway I can hear the silly whizzing over everything else all the way down the street. Sounds like a clunker about to drop tranny fluid right down the street! This is not normal. Certainly not on other US mfg automobiles, let alone the German, Japanese or Korean. And certainly not normal for a brand new car. My dealer tells me there's nothing they can do which may be true in light of messages posted here. Honestly, if I were aware of the problem before I bought this brand new car, I would have labelled the car faulty and passed.
I really wanted a good new car purchase experience so I could sing GM's praises. Sadly this problem will prevent me! GM fix this problem or you'll lose my future business and a net promoter!
I really wanted a good new car purchase experience so I could sing GM's praises. Sadly this problem will prevent me! GM fix this problem or you'll lose my future business and a net promoter!
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Have you had the chance to get a second opinion from another dealership? Please keep me posted.NoCal said:
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
I am new to this forum and plan to purchase the 6cly model in the Fall. Frankly, I am very disappointed to see such a lack of response from GM and it's reps on this matter since there has been so much publicity over a lengthy period of time. Getting a second oppinion from another dealer is in my opinion.....kicking the can down the road. I hope to see a solution to this issue before next Fall or I'll probably be looking elsewhere. If the real answer is "we know there is a problem and there will be a recall when we are able to correct this" might keep me in the family.GM Customer Service said:
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We got our 2011 V6 LTZ in December 2010. I have never noticed any noise from the power steering pump and I am very anal about such things.
Wonder if their is any chance that GM switched suppliers of the pump at some point.
Wonder if their is any chance that GM switched suppliers of the pump at some point.
Hi, Like many on the forum I have power steering noise and pulsing. 2011 V6 LTZ 19" wheels, 2134 miles. Been to dealer twice about problem. Talked to Service manager who promised to call factory and get back to me by Friday. That was three Fridays ago no call. Going to try one more time then go the lemon law route. I think GM is covering up a very dangerous situation that will cause big problems later, after all they can't tell whats wrong so is it safe for my wife to drive or a dangerous hazard. If you are considering buying a Equinox or GMC equal ask the sales rep what the deal is about the faulty steering. I wouldn't. Just my .02 about my mistake in buying one.
To insinuate GM is "covering up a very dangerous situation" is just plain wrong. They are very aware of what that law suit would cause vs fixing the problem once they know what it is. Once a car manufacture KNOWS what the solution to a known problem is....they FIX it. Past history proves that. We often get frustrated waiting on the process to work its way through. As to asking a salesman about a forseen problem....you gotta be kidding! Finding one that knows all about the car's bells and whistles is hard enough.raygun said:
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I can also look into this issue further. In order to do more research, I will need some more specific information from you such as your name, address, phone number, the VIN for the vehicle, current mileage, and dealer name. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me either on the thread or via private message. Thank you.raygun said:
Tricia, GM Customer Service.
The power steering on the V6 inherently makes noise and passes a very slight vibration through to the steering wheel at very slow speeds (less than 2 MPH). It's been discussed several times on here, mine does it and it is not a safetly hazard. It's just an operating characteristic of the vehicle.
Our 2011 2LT V6 does this as well. These noises typically originate in the upper strut mounts, or other suspension bushings - not the rack or p/s pump.
Agree, its an annoyance (but still love the car overall). The only way it will be fixed is if enough people complain to their dealers & it gets some attention @ GM. Tell your dealer & tell GM in your new vehicle customer survey.
-cheers!
Agree, its an annoyance (but still love the car overall). The only way it will be fixed is if enough people complain to their dealers & it gets some attention @ GM. Tell your dealer & tell GM in your new vehicle customer survey.
-cheers!
I'm in the midst of this as well with our 2011 Equinox V6, FWD. I disagree completely with comments about it being normal and just learn to live with it. I expect a modern 30K vehicle to not feel and sound like they just invented power steering. Ridiculous.
Current status is the vehicle has been taken to the dealer who cannot repair the condition, in fact a new vehicle did the same thing as comparison. I look at this as a design flaw. Seems that low engine speed translates to too low pump pressure. Whether this is pump flow or pressure issue, I don't know or really care but what I do care about is getting it fixed. It's not acceptable. Personally, I think it needs a redesigned pump.
No complaint with the dealer, they tried but they don't have anything to work with. Its on GM to get it right and if they can't they can have it back.
Current status is the vehicle has been taken to the dealer who cannot repair the condition, in fact a new vehicle did the same thing as comparison. I look at this as a design flaw. Seems that low engine speed translates to too low pump pressure. Whether this is pump flow or pressure issue, I don't know or really care but what I do care about is getting it fixed. It's not acceptable. Personally, I think it needs a redesigned pump.
No complaint with the dealer, they tried but they don't have anything to work with. Its on GM to get it right and if they can't they can have it back.
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