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CarComplaints.com Notes: There are serious power steering concerns for the Traverse. Data shows that owners are having a difficult time with their power steering quitting, particularly at low speeds.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,540 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.

2010 Chevrolet Traverse steering problems

steering problem

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2010 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Comments (Page 6 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #223

Nov 272014

Traverse

  • 97,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was uncertain if the steering pump or the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

- Selah, WA, USA

problem #222

Jul 142014

Traverse

  • 70,689 miles
My 2010 Traverse had a power steering fluid leak in July, 2014. Took it to the local dealer who replaced the power steering pump at my cost of $800. Afterwards, I received a letter from GM stating this was a known issue and they would reimburse for any repairs. I continue to have power steering problems. Replacement of the pump was only a partial fix. This has created a safety issue. Today I was told the power steering gear needs replacing at my cost of $1,200. Based on GM's confession that there are known and documented power steering issues, all parts of my power steering system should be paid for and repaired by GM.

- Mt Pleasant, SC, USA

problem #221

Nov 272014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
I have a 2010 Chevy Traverse which has a problem with the power steering components. Chevrolet has issued a recall on the cheap part, the power steering pump but does not cover the expensive part of the defect which is the rack and pinion/steering gear. Why, because they don't care if people crash and they make more money with the steering gear in repair work. If you own a Traverse and hear the whining noise from the steering wheel don't let the dealer tell you its no big deal. Make them change the power steering pump and the rack and pinion before you lose steering control like everyone else with a Traverse. Even better, don't buy a Chevy. Now that I am aware of this issue and know that basically it cant be fixed with the Traverse and they aren't being forced to fix it, I will not have my wife drive this car with kids in it even though I just paid $1400 to have a repair that will not last.

- North Babylon, NY, USA

problem #220

Nov 182014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles

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

While driving lost all power steering. Dealer said the pump was to be recalled but the pump cased the rack and pinion to fail why is not covered under warranty with a cost of roughly $1200.

- Clyde, NC, USA

problem #219

Oct 222014

Traverse

  • 68,000 miles
At very low speeds (when parking in a parking stall or parallel parking) our power steering starts to seize up and the wheel becomes very difficult to turn...in fact it takes every ounce of my petite body to get it to turn. Upon bringing it in we have learned that there is a warranty extension out on this very issue and also received a letter indicating that. Unfortunately they could not duplicate the issue therefore the fix was not completed. I would think that any type of steering failure that comes without an indicator warning light should be considered a "safety item". we have also had a clunking noise coming from the steering column since we purchased the vehicle and gets worse when it's cold out. Also we now have a power steering wheel gear leak and the dealership indicated to us that they also thought that the leak might be a part of the problem which is also alarming for again the fact that I am losing power steering with no warning light indicator. I do not believe this to be the root of our issue because if it was a fluid level issue it would be more consistent rather than an intermittent issue. I find it kind of strange that all of the sudden we have all these power steering issues all at once and yet other GM models are being offered life time warranties on some of these same issues. I have opened a case with GM about the failure when it comes to turning the steering wheel because of the fact that it has yet to be resolved and GM has already recognized the issue in the warranty extension and has an obligation to fix it. We first noticed this issue since the middle of summer 2014. We will soon have a child taking driving lessons with this vehicle and we are almost afraid that we will lose 100% power steering because of these issues while he is driving and he will have no idea what to do which is a scary thought!

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #218

Aug 202014

Traverse

  • 85,000 miles
While trying to turn onto a street, steering was very hard to turn and made it difficult to complete the turn. This happened sporadically for several months until we took it into the dealership to have it fixed. It cost $2K to fix the steering pump.

- Nederland , TX, USA

problem #217

Nov 082014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 78,000 miles

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

Driving down a two lane highway. Needed to pass car in front of us doing 40mph in a 60. Signaled over into oncoming traffic lane, passed over, sped up, and signaled to transfer back into original lane. During transfer, power steering stopped, forcing me to pull harder than normal to move the vehicle over. Once the maneuver was almost complete, power steering returned, causing me to over correct right, then needing to correct back left. The quick maneuver caused my passenger to hit their head on their window. From that moment on, power steering only works when the accelerator is being depressed. When you are idle, coasting, etc., power steering is not present and requires excessive force to steer car. Called dealership today to get it looked at. I assume it might be related to special coverage adjustment #14329, but not sure.

- Casper, WY, USA

problem #216

Oct 202014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 83,550 miles
Hard to steer at low speeds; thumping sound. On Nov 8, 2014, I took the vehicle to burlington Chevrolet, however they stated it wasn't the power steering pump. They said it was the steering gear rack which will cost me about $1,600 plus tax (also includes flushing the line and wheel alignment). This is ridiculous. I've read similar common problems. This has to be related to the recent power steering pump issue letter that GM recently mailed (14329). I'm frustrated!

- Florence, NJ, USA

problem #215

Jul 152014

Traverse 4WD 6-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
July 2014 my Traverse had around 67,000 miles on it, and it had started overheating. We took it to a Chevrolet dealership and had the issue taken care of. We had also asked them to address the recalls that we had received notice on.one issue was fixed, and on the invoice they had made note that they would contact us when the other recall parts were in. For 2 months, no phone call from them.we had received no call that the parts were in.then the end of September while driving back from the coast, I heard a noise that sounded like a cap being clicked by a teen. Blamed my niece, but after reading the legal documents on the lawsuit, it had to have been the same thing. The next issue that would be what I consider the last straw with this vehicle.in the next day or so, it became hard to turn at low speeds.we checked steering fluid, and it was low but no where near empty.we added additional fluid and thought that was the fix.the steering issue continued to worsen.driving into work I needed to turn off the main hwy onto a St., during the morning rush hour.I was barely able to make the turn. It took all I could do to turn. Was very scary, and I was thankful that our children were not in the car.when I arrived to work, I was unable to pull into the parking lot of the office. I ended up having to park on the St due to being unable to effectively turn.we took the Traverse to a different Chevrolet dealership to find out that the pump, rack and pinion, strut and cv boot were failing. Found this to be very odd, most often a cv boot wears out on a vehicle with higher miles than the 70,000miles.cost to repair is at $2500, due to Chevrolet for the neglect. Now we are looking for a different vehicle and they only want to offer 14,000 trade in?a $40,000 vehicle worth near 1/4 of what we have paid for it in only 4 years.it is now worth nothing, but I'm upside down on an loan!

- Terrebonne , OR, USA

problem #214

Oct 272014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 51,192 miles
Increasing noise in steering column associated with turning the car. Chevy service man said I needed a new steering gear and pump.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #213

Jun 202014

Traverse

  • 75,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated when making a left or right turn, an abnormal noise emitted from the steering wheel. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Woodbury, MN, USA

problem #212

Oct 172014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 69,500 miles
The vehicle began to under steer intermittently while driving through a mountain pass during a Friday evening. While driving through curves the car had to be slowed considerably below the speed limit to negotiate the turns. Once near our destination approximately 40 miles after first noticing the problem, found turning the vehicle at lower speeds (in parking lot) nearly impossible and improbable after narrowly missing a ditch instead of a driveway of the hotel. The following morning made appt. With GM dealer to evaluate, while en route (approx. 4 miles) the steering became more and more difficult to turn, when we approached the dealership, the steering wheel needed to be turned several times under extreme duress (as if there was hardly any movement of the steering rack itself) only to slightly turn the vehicle enough to get in the driveway and into the parking lot. Once the dealership was able to look at the vehicle, we were informed that the power steering unit had failed (not under warranty) and that because it failed it did not lubricate the steering rack properly therefore ruining and rendering the steering system inoperable. The repair has been quoted at $2600 with parts and 12 1/2 hours of labor. The steering system is an essential component to any vehicle, therefore we are greatly concerned for our safety and others due to the nature of this failure considering the vulnerability exhibited by the steering rack in the event of a power steering unit failure. I am absolutely befuddled that a vehicle that is only 4 years old, with less than 70,000 miles can have such a catastrophic failure. Had I not had the strength needed to fight the steering the vehicle could have easily failed to make a turn and certainly have been in an accident.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #211

Sep 212014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
I bought this vehicle in 2012 and the steering column has always made a weird noise. In September of 2014 while driving with my 1 and 2 year old daughters in the vehicle the power steering went out altogether. I got the power steering pump replaced the following day. However, this was just a short, temporary fix (about a week). The steering column makes even a louder and greater noise but the power steering comes and goes. It is very stiff all of the time. Makes driving a real chore, especially when you live way out of time on curvy back roads. It's only a matter of time before an accident occurs because the steering will be fine for a minute then you go to turn and it vanishes and you have to pull on the steering wheel to get it to turn. This is not safe for myself, family, or others on the road. I see many others have had similar issues. I do not like the fact that I have to worry every time I get behind the wheel by myself or with my children in the car if I am going to make it somewhere safely. Please help me with this issue.

- Port Washington, OH, USA

problem #210

May 012014

Traverse

  • 50,000 miles
2010 Chevrolet Traverse. Consumer writes in regards to air conditioner and power steering failure. The consumer also stated there was an issue with the power window and driver side seat.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #209

Jul 012014

Traverse

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering intermittently failed while making a turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was not able to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Huntingburg, IN, USA

problem #208

Sep 122011

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 27,053 miles
Lost power steering, took vehicle to dealer for repair but to this day it is still occurring this problem is so dangerous that I can't see how GM wouldn't recall to repair so I've been waiting because of the expense associated. It's just a matter of time before someone is killed from this nationwide problem.

- Hartford, WI, USA

problem #207

Jul 012014

Traverse

  • 80,000 miles
When traveling at low speed and attempting to make a turn I lose all power steering. Very difficult to keep control of the car. Problem lasts for about 3 seconds but very unnerving.

- Hudson, WI, USA

problem #206

Sep 112014

Traverse

  • 70,000 miles
For the last several weeks the power steering has been going out intermittently while driving at slow speeds. It is dangerous and scary. We finally had to get the power steering pump replaced yesterday. This seems to have corrected the problem.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #205

Sep 102014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
We have been having trouble turning at slow speeds. Almost ran into another car head on because the car wouldn't turn. Ask our dealer service center and of course they said they never heard of anyone having problem. That we need a new power steering rack at $1400. Funny that this web site has tons. In today's world - where customer service should be top of the line it is at the bottom. No wonder people buy foreign cars.

- Duncannon, PA, USA

problem #204

Jul 012014

Traverse

  • 78,000 miles
Power steering gives out at low speeds. Took to Chevrolet dealer and they could not find any problems. This occurs frequently.

- St Charles, MO, USA

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