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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 5 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #149

Sep 052014

Traverse

  • 70,000 miles

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

I wanted to highlight that I believe the Traverse 2009 model is a safety risk. Over the last couple of days on multiple occasions my power steering has completely stopped working at low speeds. It seems that at low speeds - I.e parking or changing direction at slow speeds, the power steering fails and becomes almost impossible to turn the wheels to change direction - I have been told by the dealer it is a steering pump fault that needs replacing and is out of warranty. This can potentially be very dangerous if I needed to change direction quickly - I.e moving out of the way of cars or children. Please raise this as a major concern.

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #148

Sep 042014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 141,000 miles
Power steering locked up when turning right into a parking space making it very difficult to turn then it freed up almost causing me to hit the car next to me. Steering seems a little jerky now. Does not feel safe at all and was very scary. This is not the first time it has done this and it seems to be getting worse.

- Coxs Creek, KY, USA

problem #147

Jul 092014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 99,100 miles
A problem with the steering started about a month and a half ago in which the power steering would stop working. At first it was infrequent, but now the power steering quits on every significant turn. So far it has not happened at high speeds on lane changes and the like. Took it to the GM dealer who stated the gear box needs to be replaced at just under $1200. I asked them to check if GM would assist with (not fully cover) the cost of the repairs since it began at under 100,000 miles. GM stated they would not help. This is a serious safety issue with a lot of complaints regarding the same problem.

- New Baden, IL, USA

problem #146

Oct 212013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles

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

At low speeds, in both drive mode @ 20 mph or less and in reverse, steering loses power. The first sign of trouble came @60K miles when trying to turn left and gradually affected turning in either direction. It is nearly impossible to navigate the car in a parking lot and don't even try to parallel park. It is so hard to turn the wheel I break out in a sweat from having to crank it so hard. It has now been going on for 10 months. My daughter would like to take her driving test but can't because of the steering issue. I have to rent a car so she can get her license. Reported it to my local Chevy technician back in December 2013 when I was in for an oil change. Car port said he noticed it as well when bringing car around front after my appointment. Have had three separate technicians look at the issue, over the last 6 months, two different Chevy dealerships and ntb, and they had only guesses as to what might be causing the problem or how to fix it.

- O'fallon, MO, USA

problem #145

Oct 072013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 102,310 miles
In October 2013 I noticed that I was losing power steering whenever I made a left hand turn. It was intermittent and did not occur when I took it to dealership to be checked. It continues when turning left and now also occurs when turning right from a stop. In addition when I am trying to back out, it locks up completely then releases once I start moving. I have only experienced this at low speed 20-30 mph and hope I never have to find out that it happens at high speed too.

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

problem #144

Aug 012014

Traverse

  • 53,089 miles
At first when making left turns only if would make a funny noise, then going around a curve it felt like the Traverse was trying to die, warranty conveniently ran out in May 2014 I will have this vehicle 1 year end of October. Did not get extended warranty due to note was already high, took my Traverse to mechanic was told I needed a rack and pinion and a steering pump due to leaking, which would end up costing anywhere from different places $1600 to $2100 you would think with GM going into debt so much they would make things right to keep from losing business!!! sooooo wish I would have done more investigating when I need a bigger vehicle for my 3 small children!!!

- Benton, LA, USA

problem #143

Aug 092013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 99,000 miles

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

While attempting to perform a left hand turn after receiving a green light, the steering wheel became extremely stiff. Continues to be a constant problem with a whining noise coming from steering wheel. Took to Chevy dealer and they said rack "beginning to seep." Quoted me $1300 to fix but I believe there should be an investigation into this issue since so many other Traverse owners are experiencing the same problem.

- Kankakee, IL, USA

problem #142

Feb 122014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 75,212 miles
The power steering failed on our 2009 Traverse at low speeds while pulling out of a median into traffic. This type of power steering failure has happened before.the Chevrolet dealer ship said we could have the rack and pinion replaced but could not say it would fix it and if you read the other complaint on here it didn't even fix the problem so I didn't have $1500 to throw away. This is a serious safety issue. It would be impossible to avoid an accident by turning the vehicle. Your only options are to stop and "man handle" the Traverse into position. An elderly person or a smaller person would not be able to control the vehicle at all. GM has re-designed the newer Traverse/encore/acadia steering systems, so they know a problem exists. One day someone will get killed from this steering problem and everyone will wonder why a recall wasn't issued. Some type of action needs to take place with this problem.

- Blountsville, AL, USA

problem #141

Jul 062014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
Driving on country road when a deer ran onto the road, tried to steer around it and was unable to steer, thus striking deer on front passenger side. Have had several near misses in parking lots because of loss of power steering. Have checked power steering fluid levels and that is not the problem as it has always been at the recommended level.

- Rushford, MN, USA

problem #140

Jul 012014

Traverse

  • 123,000 miles
Power steering cut out at low speeds -- intermittent. Worked some days and other times it wouldn't had pump replaced.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #139

Jan 032014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles

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

The power steering on my 2009 Chevy Traverse does not work at low speeds (15 mph or less). Pulling into parking spaces is a major issue as it reverts to manual steering or no steering. It became an issue in January, but was not as reproducible. Now any time at low speeds there is no power steering. GM want to charge 1300 to fix, but based on other complaints, the work they want does not solve their issue. With GM's track record of hiding the truth and the number of people reporting the same issue, this should be taken seriously. I understand GM's stance that it is only an inconvenience when parking, but I would like assurances that it won't start to fail at 20mph or higher.

- South Lyon, MI, USA

problem #138

Jun 022014

Traverse

  • 60,000 miles
Noticed a couple of months ago hard time turning the wheel when turning into parking spots. Has gotten worse over time now it's hard to turn when making a U turn. Even once turning at a light it went out. Also when backing into our driveway it gets stiff but as soon as I put the car in park the wheel turns fine.. I have seen there are lots of complaints on this.

- Fort Benning , GA, USA

problem #137

Jul 072014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
When driving at low speeds, between 15 - 25 mph, the power steering goes out and becomes difficult to almost impossible to steer. We have had several near misses while entering traffic. This happens randomly and we never know when it will occur. We took the vehicle to the dealership, and they believe it to be the rack and pinion steering, but they were unable to rectify the problem.

- Crestview, FL, USA

problem #136

Aug 142013

Traverse

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. While turning the vehicle at 20 mph, the power steering failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Hot Springs , AR, USA

problem #135

Jun 252014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
The steering my 2009 Chevy Traverse has become difficult to handle when slowing down, while making left or right turns. The steering wheel becomes very stiff, and causes my turns to be wider than expected. I have had situations where I have had "near misses", because the lack of response of the power steering. When the car is moving at speeds of the less the approximately 10mph, the steering becomes almost impossible to handle. When the car is idle, the steering wheel will not turn with considerable amount effort. I have taken the car for service, the rack and pinion were replaced/fixed. I am still experiencing the issue, and have concerns over potential accidents if this is improved.

- Freeport, NY, USA

problem #134

Jul 182014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • miles
I noticed while trying to make right turns the power steering begins to go out. I thought it was just that one time, but then felt it while driving on the highway. I drive with my daughter a lot and want to make long distance drives but I'm very hesitant because of this issue. Like the other customer stated the dealers are saying there are no recalls out about this issue.

- Lowell, MA, USA

problem #133

May 072014

Traverse

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while turning at low speeds, the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact mentioned that the failure was experienced multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Galion, OH, USA

problem #132

Jul 032013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
When parking it feels like power steering goes out. It is very hard to turn in or out of the parking stall. This usually only happened to my wife and I when we are parking or attempting to make a U-turn after a short time it seems to start working.

- Brawley, CA, USA

problem #131

Jul 192014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 97,650 miles
On the listed date, I was driving the listed vehicle. I was being accompanied by my wife and our three children. As I attempted to make a right turn onto a street, my power steering went out, and I nearly struck a vehicle. I thought I lost power, but then my power steering kicked in and I was able to correct my lane of travel. This occurred half a dozen times. My wife experienced the same thing right before I drove, and I wanted to see first hand what she was referring to. When I drove on the highway (60mph), I could feel the power steering wanting to go out. I felt the steering wheel get hard just for a split second, but it never when out. I called GMC, and they advised they haven't recalled any power steering parts. My concern is that my family could have sustained serious injury or could have been fatal.

- Yakima, WA, USA

problem #130

Jul 112014

Traverse

  • 100,400 miles
2009 Chevrolet Traverse suddenly lost power steering when it reduced speed to turn on to highway on ramp. Stopped at the earliest opportunity to check power steering fluid. Topped off fluid but continued to have problem with random loss of power steering. Problem occurs now anytime that vehicle is not accelerating.

- Spokane, WA, USA

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