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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:
68,480 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 1 of 17)

problem #328

Jun 072023

Traverse

  • miles

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

No power steering at low speed. Makes it dangerous to turn sharp corners. Almost impossible to park in a parking spot if there-??s other vehicles.so I park way out away from vehicles. I have had two power steering pumps and lines replaced. And still have the same issue..

- Lake, MI, USA

problem #327

Feb 082022

Traverse

  • miles
I have now been told that my rack and pinion is leaking by 3-4 different mechanics. In doing a google search, I see that through various years of the chevy traverse, the rack and pinion leaking and needing to be replaced at a high cost (and also being a big safety risk to not replace) is a very common issue in the traverse.

- Elkton, SD, USA

problem #326

Aug 022023

Traverse

  • miles
Power steering is going out. Will only turn when rmps are up. Just bought car a few months ago

- Carsonville , MI, USA

problem #325

Aug 022023

Traverse

  • miles

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

This vehicle is dangerous. Looks great on the outside but horrible on the inside under the hood! Since my son bought one for me it-??s had problems with engine revving and not shifting gears, and air conditioner continually going out even after repairs, and power steering leaks. I kept taking it to repair and oddly no technician anywhere could help! Read the reviews and watch the youtubes! This vehicle (all years) should be stripped from the market and considered under lemon law no matter the age! The culmination of my problems happened when leaving town, entering highway and accelerating and clicking cruise control! Immediately the car revved past 7 rpms and out of control! I had all I could do to stop it - then it died completely! The tow truck driver was also in an unsafe situation with many cars passing at high speed when he had to put special lifts on the back wheels! Scary! Towed to local Chevy dealer and without giving us the computer codes and no actual written estimate for repairs, they bluntly said metal shavings in engine and possibly a bearing and $11,500. And it-??s typical for transmission problems and steering so up to $18,500! Really"! And if no one could ever detect and fix it before, how can they now" All this with the added comment, we can-??t guarantee once we get into it that it will run properly and not need more repairs! LEMON! This is a very unsafe vehicle with notorious problems all in the face of competing with looks of other competitor cars! I praise God I was alone when this happened and no other passengers. If you love your life, family, and others, definitely join me in this recall / removal from market effort. Don-??t take my opinion, read the huge number of complaints by many other owners and past owners of any and every chevy traverse! Horrifying! Thank you for reading and acting! God Bless you!

- Hines, MN, USA

problem #324

Feb 182023

Traverse

  • miles
Two items: Item 1. Transmission switched to neutral by itself traveling at 65 mph. At about 5-6 seconds after the incident, transmission resumed with no further problem. This has happened 3 times. First time was mid 2022. Second and third times happened in late 2022. Appeared to be an intermittent problem. Took to dealership. It happened to a mechanic who drove the vehicle. Dealership thought they fixed the problem. A dealership mechanic, while addressing item number 2 below in 3rd week of April 2023, experienced the motor going into neutral. They had replaced the ignition switch to possibly fix item #2, and were test driving the car, when during the test drives, the motor went into neutral by itself two separate test drives. Item 2. While driving at highway speeds on a freeway in mid February 2023, the engine stopped (speedometer and RPM gauges went to zero). The whole dashboard went black. Power steering was lost. Was lucky to be able to pull over to side of road and stop. Turning ignition key off and on did not restart the car. Took ignition key out, replaced the ignition key, and the car started right up and we were able to continue our journey. This has happened 3 times total so far since February 2023. It has happened at random times. The dealership has not seen any computer feedback to indicate what is wrong for item 1 or item 2 here. So now, there is a new ignition switch, and we are hoping item 2 will not happen on a freeway, or on a crowded road, or anywhere!. I feel fortunate we had a way to pull off to the side of the road. If I was in a middle lane, I don-??t know what could have happened. It could have been a pileup accident.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #323

Dec 252022

Traverse

  • miles
I was driving at approximately 30mph on a road the traction control/stability track light came on and my car lost almost all power. it went from 30 to about 5mph. thankfully i was on a slower road and close to my house so I was able to get home. If I would have been on a highway I could have been killed. i quick google search showed thousands of other complaints with the same problem, my question is why is nothing being done. are they waiting for a certain number of deaths??

- Middle River , MD, USA

problem #322

Jun 082021

Traverse

  • miles

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

The steering on vehicle is intermittently nearly impossible to turn. GM has a service bulletin that addresses problem and extends warranty. My vehicle is beyond the warranty time but still under the mileage. I called GM and the will not offer any assistance of warranty or cost share. This should be a recall as it-??s a serious safety issue!! There-??s likely been injuries and deaths because of this very problem. You never know when it may act up and when it does it-??s extremely dangerous. GM customer service reference # 9-6768504646. Let me know if there-??s something you can do to help and/or if not. Thanks

- Wolf Point , MT, USA

problem #321

Dec 212020

Traverse

  • miles
My hatch/liftgate doesn't stay open it shuts as soon as you let go. Even when you use the auto liftgate button it does the same thing it opens and then just shuts now this is a major safety hazard especially since I have two little boys. Also my power steering pump is not running.

- Raymond, OH, USA

problem #320

Jun 202013

Traverse

  • 60,000 miles
Difficult to turn at slow speeds. While I had it at dealer for other recall issues I was told the rack and pinion system was bad and needed to be replaced at my cost as it was not a recall.I was told this was a very dangerous driving situation. I asked if that were the case why GM doesn't have a recall for it.a car that was only 3 yrs. Old and under 60,000mi. Should not have this problem.I googled what would cause this to go out in such a short time frame and read that most likely it was not greased or assembled properly! a friend who had the same make and model had to replace hers at her cost. This should be a recall issue as it is a dangerous driving problem. As far as electrical problems while driving the back seat heat control will sometimes just randomly turn on. GM should back their work on this rack and pinion steering defect!

- St. Joseph, MI, USA

problem #319

Aug 082020

Traverse

  • miles
I got a brand new power steering pump for the mechanic to change he told me he would change it and stop the leak because my steering wheel locked on me. However I was called the first time and was told the part was disinfecting then made me return the part for a new part because he said it was still leaking. I went to buywise got the new part he said he'll call when my car is ready. He called me told me my car was ready nomore leaking, literally the next day my car steering wheel locked up on the highway in danger of my life. As I call the mechanic and tell him I'm bringing my car back because he didn't do anything he tells me he'll look at it I get there he's telling me it's a leak. So you let me leave your shop knowing it was a leak because he just sent me for a new part because of the leak so he tries to tell me he gonna have to charge me again after I already paid him for the job and he didn't do anything I still have the same problem I almost got into a accident because he told me my car was ready to go and it wasn't. instead of checking the problem he wants to charge me more after he already got over 500$ and he didn't do anything to the car. The place is called reliable auto center location 789 sanford ave newark NJ 07106. I really want my refund for my money because I gave him over 500$ cash and he literally didn't do anything to my car and lied and said my car was ready and almost got me into a accident.

- Newark, NJ, USA

problem #318

Aug 012020

Traverse

  • 130,000 miles

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

When going at low speeds and/or dle the power steering completely goes out. This makes turns and parking very dangerous. The fluid is full and there is no noise from the power steering itself. At higher speeds it operates normally. When I first noticed it we were on vacation had been driving approx 6 hours at about 70mph. When coming out of the mountains I slowed down dramatically for a tight right curve and found that I had absolutely no power steering. We stopped immediately and checked the fluid. Fluid was full. Problem persisted at low speed, turns and parking. Haven't noticed any noise or other problems. I see there is a extended service for some 2010 Traverse for this problem but apparently mine is not included. If this is such a big problem I believe the extended coverage needs to be extended. This could have easily caused a major accident.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #317

Mar 202020

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 138,000 miles
Rack and pinion is loose and wore out. Power steering does good turning to the right way but it is very hard to turn to the left. Acts like it grabs turning to the left, it does this every time I drive or a mechanic drives the car, 2010 Chevy transverse.

- Pulaski, VA, USA

problem #316

Mar 092020

Traverse

  • 150,000 miles
The steering to so hard in to car when trying to turn. Like car chooses when to loosen up or not

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #315

Mar 022020

Traverse

  • miles
Sometimes when trying to turn the steering wheel locks up and makes it really hard to turn sometimes when doing so it loosens up all of a sudden causing it to jerk/ turn to fast which could cause and accident. A lot of times when taking off the Traverse does not want to shift then having to pull over on the side of road to put in park and put back in gear then go and also sometimes when driving the car shifts really hard jerking the vehicle when shifting!! the 2nd row heat/ air controls get really hot even when not in use.

- Woodville, AL, USA

problem #314

Dec 022019

Traverse

  • 78,000 miles
After some major maintenance work summer of 2018, car began to show more work needed. Summer of 2019 while driving on flat city road, power steering became difficult to turn & control curves and, check engine light came on. Parked the car until able to repair. Mechanic repaired power steering module car seemed ok. After about 2-3 weeks, check engine light & power steering problems again, now engine power reduced while driving w/stabilitrak warning & back up cam sometimes works. Whle driving, hard to turn on curves, corners and at appropriate posted speeds bc engine slows on its own and wont give enough power for flats or hills. Heating takes much longer to warm cabin and window button sometimes wont work.

- Edgewood, WA, USA

problem #313

Jun 162019

Traverse

  • miles
Stabilitrak continues to pop up affecting sed etc I have already spent over $2000 replacing parts and it continues

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #312

Apr 242019

Traverse

  • 122,970 miles
Power steering stop working while driving vehicle. After it started happening I read online that alot of customers been having same iasue.

- Dorchester, MA, USA

problem #311

May 072019

Traverse

  • 0 miles
Tried to call NHTSA number for assistance. It is disconnected. Need to update complaint number 11205680. Date occurred is inaccurate and want it to be accurate if questioned by representative. Accidentally put April 19th as timing chain problem date. It was actually April 25th. Please update.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #310

Apr 192019

Traverse

  • 130,000 miles
2010 Chevrolet Traverse 130K miles(told it is in kil.) 2nd owner. All oil changes and services done. 2 major issues. SUV made loud noise and lost all control of steering and other functions and car shut down while on a freeway, going high speeds, while traveling with 3 children. Almost hit from behind by 2 cars. Was told by GM service center that the timing chain fell off/mechanical failure due to skipping. Other components damaged and all needs to be replaced. Does not seem right for the timing chain to fall off. Seems to be a mechanical defect, not normal wear and tear. Called GM cs several times to explain recent issues and worry of safety and reliability due to multiple repeated timing chain failures on same vehicals with same owners on 2010 and newer Traverse. Told by cs no warranty no recall so can't help. Service manager requested assistance from GM for repairs and it was denied. I called GM again, was told they would communicate with service center and call me back later this week. Prior the power steering failed twice within months. Repaired power steering twice as well as power steering rack. First failure we almost crashed while on a circular icy on ramp to freeway with 3 children because of sudden loss of control. Called GM about possible defect and concerns for safety. Told no warrant no recall. Recently found out there is a special payout for issues. Was told we could be reimbursed. Possible underlaying undetected defects to timing chain and power steering need to be addressed before fatal crashes occur.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #309

Mar 102019

Traverse

  • 205,400 miles
Just bought 2010 Traverse w/204xxx miles. Power steering pump started leaking at 205xxx. Vehicle was operating fine. No leaks, no noises or vibrations or anything. Drive 15 miles from home 1 day and after exiting highway, I noticed stiff steering and whining/groaning when turning steering wheel. Problem came on so quickly. Vehicle didn't want to turn and almost went into the ditch while I was attempting to make a turn. I quickly pulled over and checked under hood and under vehicle and noticed I was suddenly leaking steering fluid very quickly from pump. Took to local mechanic and was told I have a bad steering pump. They recommended I report this issue as they noticed that this pump had been replaced before and there have been many issues relating to my model year and similar models regarding faulty steering systems. Upon my research, I have seen numerous blogs and posts from other owners verifying this issue. Mileage on other models was 8xxx and up. With kids in my vehicle all the time, this makes me very nervous about current safety regulations and recalls. This is a major safety issue and I seem to be among numerous owners having this issue regardless of vehicle mileage

- California, MO, USA

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