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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,043 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Chevrolet Traverse steering problems

steering problem

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2009 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Comments (Page 2 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #209

Mar 012016

Traverse

  • 113,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle had no specific failures other than failing an inspection. The contact called a dealer (lannan Chevrolet, 40 winn St, woburn, MA 01801, (781) 897-0508) to inspect and diagnose the failure. The manufacturer did not send a notification of any extended warranty campaigns; however, the vehicle was included in a water pump seal leak, power steering, transmission, and additional service campaigns. After the dealer's repairs, the vehicle was rode roughly and the engine indicator illuminated two days later. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who indicated that further diagnostic testing was required. The vehicle had been at the dealer for longer than two weeks with no resolution. The manufacturer was notified and refused to provide a remedy for the several extended warranty campaigns, of which some were not completed, but the dealer specified on the invoice that the vehicle was serviced. The vehicle was not repaired and was unable to be driven. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

- Tewksbury, MA, USA

problem #208

Sep 082017

Traverse

  • 120,000 miles
Power steering just went out as I was driving. Power steering fluid full

- Barnesville, OH, USA

problem #207

Sep 032017

Traverse

  • miles
I was driving down the street I came to a stop. As I began to go I tried to turn right and I couldn't turn the wheel it was so hard. Reminded me of my first car I had when I had a leak with my steering fluid. So at that point I try to brake and my brakes failed. I don't know what happened I began to roll backwards and the first thing I thought of was to push down as hard as I could and slammed it into park. While all this was going on not one single engine light came on or brake light nothing. There was absolutely no warning. I turned the car off then back on and it was as if nothing had happened. Luckily it was on a very quite and non-busy street and my kids weren't with me.

- Belton, TX, USA

problem #206

Jul 112017

Traverse

  • 175,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On three separate occasions within the past year, the power steering has gone out in my 2009 Chevy Traverse while I am driving. On two occasions, it was raining and my power steering went out as I was turning - both instances on a city street. The third instance was on a city street (in a neighborhood) and the power steering again went out as I was going around a turn. There was a small amount of water on the road but it was not raining at the time. In all three instances, the vehicles was in motion, turning, and on a city street. It is unknown to me what the cause of the problem was, but quite scary when the power steering goes out. The last two incidents were close together and within the last couple of weeks (during July 2017).

- New Palestine, IN, USA

problem #205

Jun 012016

Traverse

  • 65,000 miles
There is loss of power steering assist when traveling at low speeds. It is unsafe as the vehicle becomes hard to steer when turning left or right. This issue is known to the auto-maker and they only want to replace power steering pump and fluid. The power steering gear is leaking and GM should recall this unsafe part. The steering function of an automobile is critical as human lives are at the mercy of this component of the vehicle to operate as designed.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #204

Jun 262017

Traverse

  • 99,000 miles
2009 Chevrolet Traverse steering "locks up" almost like losing power steering when turning (often at low speeds like around roundabouts) and need to use all my strength to make successful turn without hitting vehicles around me then all of the sudden it "gives" and is ok and overcorrecting occurs because I am using all my strength to make the turn.... very similar to many other complaints that I've read online about the same issue in the same make/model/year vehicle

- Westfield, IN, USA

problem #203

May 272017

Traverse

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Good afternoon. I have a 2009 Chevy Traverse ls. I was having problems with my power steering and received the special coverage notice number 14329 to have the repairs done. According to notice, the power steering system was supposed to be flushed, the steering pump replaced and a new steering gear installed. I recently went in for an oil change at the Chevy dealership in lowell and came across some issues with the steering. There was fluid leaking from the power steering pump and gear. It hasn't been a year and if these were replaced last July this problem should not be occurring again. How do I go about having this problem resolved? thank you

- Tyngsborough, MA, USA

problem #202

Jul 272016

Traverse

  • 74,218 miles
Loss of steering due to leaking steering gear assembly.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #201

Sep 132016

Traverse

  • 80,000 miles
Power steering completely fails when making low speed turns (ex. Into a parking space, at an intersection...etc.). steering gets very stiff that at times I cannot complete the turn. Have to stop and reverse to straighten out. Been very close to hitting vehicles because of it. From what I am researching, I understand this is a widespread problem with these vehicles. What I don't understand is why there hasn't been a recall to fix it. I guess the industry doesn't see it as big issue since they aren't the ones driving these cars and putting their own lives, family's lives and others on the road at risk. It's easy for them to say "fix it on your own" or "just buy another car". but for those who can't and depend on their vehicle day in and day out, it's a big problem. I would understand if it was normal wear and tear or if no one else was having these problems, but its not. It's a big problem all over the U.S. fix it please !!!

- Edinburg, TX, USA

problem #200

Jul 162016

Traverse

  • 90,000 miles
At low speeds it get hard to steer. Took it to the dealer not sure what is wrong with it.

- Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #199

Aug 312016

Traverse

  • 84,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

A periodic failure of the power steering had occurred from when the vehicle was new. Sometimes 2 to 3 times a month but sometimes not for several months. Dealer "unable to duplicate problem. Bring it in when it is doing it". only lasted through 1 to 2 turns and then it was fine. It has done this sense new. A month ago it started doing this all the time. 8 out of 10 turns you would loose steering. My wife ran off into the gutter several times. I took it to a local trusted repair shop and was told there have been hundreds of complaints regarding this same problem and G.M has not addressed it. Repair cost $900. I looked on-line and it was true. There is even a class action suit filed due to this issue. (mainly at low speed turns but not always).

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #198

Aug 042016

Traverse

  • 90,000 miles
When decelerating or moving slowly, the car intermittently experiences a complete loss of power steering. My wife is barely able to turn the steering wheel.

- Honeoye, NY, USA

problem #197

Jun 182015

Traverse

  • 95,000 miles
Sudden and unexpected loss of power steering at low speeds. Turning the vehicle at low speeds suddenly becomes very, very difficult as vehicle's power steering assist stops working with no warning.

- Iola, KS, USA

problem #196

Jun 202016

Traverse

  • miles
Takata recall...when im driving my steering wheel seems to lock up...and it also cause a bad shaking.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #195

May 232016

Traverse

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized. The steering wheel required excessive force. When making a left or right turn, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated at the time of the failure. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The manufacturer was notified and no repair was performed. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #194

May 232016

Traverse

  • 98,000 miles
2009 Chevy Traverse with 98xxx miles on it. We have been having issues for the past 40, xxx+ miles that we've had it. The steering will intermittently seize up while driving, making it near impossible to make a turn. It takes my entire body weight to turn the wheel and at times it lets loose almost causing me to overcorrect. I will sometimes have to make several corrections before getting into a parking spot. It is a very unsafe situation that GM needs to correct as it is seemingly a universal issue.

- Cottage Grove, MN, USA

problem #193

Apr 252016

Traverse

  • 134,000 miles
Steering whine, some loss of steering control. Called dealer first said rack covered on day of appointment, rack not covered. Called GM, won't cover. Case 8-2095354928.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #192

May 052016

Traverse

  • 68,000 miles
2009 Chevy Traverse with 68000 miles. Vehicle has had steering problems which I brought to dealer while under warranty. Was told that sound (squeel/rev) was normal. Now car not under warranty. Noise getting louder. Take to dealer. Says I need new power steering pump, and rack and pinion. I notice there is a special coverage 14329 which covers power steering issues (pump etc.). price quoted to fix everything was $2500. I asked for price relief given the history of the power steering problems, I had raised the issue while under warranty, and the special coverage. Dealer and GM refuse to offer any reimbursement. Not even for the pump which is covered under special coverage 14329. I am now out $2500. This steering system was a lemon from the get go. Steering is a major safety issue. This should have been recalled fro all vehicles in the 2009-11 range for Traverse/acadia/enclave. It is not only irresponsible, but gross negligence not to address this problem and pass the problem to the customer.

- West Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #191

Aug 012015

Traverse

  • 80,000 miles
I have been having issues for several months now regarding the steering. The problem is now occurring more often. At times the steering becomes stiff making it difficult to turn. Basically the power steering ceases to function mid-turn without any warning. The vehicle goes into manual steering and it is almost impossible to turn the wheel. I have had this occur when attempting to pull in or out of a parking space, turn in a parking garage, turn in a store parking lot, making a turn at a traffic light, etc. I have mentioned this issue to the dealer but said they could not find a problem with the steering. I had the rack and pinion replaced two years ago but it was not because of this problem. The dealership was making others repairs and noted that rack and pinion needed replacement. I have not received a recall notice regarding this issue. I noticed that there are numerous complaints regarding the same issue with the steering. Why is this problem not a recall? this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed before it causes a fatality. The steering problem concerns me and I am currently looking for another vehicle.

- Ravenel, SC, USA

problem #190

Mar 112016

Traverse

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. While turning right at 5 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure recurred numerous times while turning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump failed, which caused the rack and pinion to fail. The power steering pump was repaired under a customer satisfaction campaign, but the rack and pinion was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Bay Village, OH, USA

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