10.0

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

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #49

Jul 092013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 42,999 miles
The power steering does not work I have seen online many complaints about this problem, ia lower speeds the powering steering cuts out not I have the strength to turn the car with much effort but a woman will not be able to turn the car and if they are facing oncoming traffic someone is going to be hurt the steering on the Traverse need to be fixed a recall on this vehicle for safety reasons.

- Roy, UT, USA

problem #48

Jul 092013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 69,577 miles
While backing into a parking stall, I could hear loud banging coming from the steering component (both left and right side while turning steering wheel) brought vehicle in to GMC dealer in merced, ca and service advisor stated it was the rack and pinion steering that needed to be replaced. Stated the repair was $1400. I brought the vehicle in for recall on water pump found out the engine was leaking oil on the left side (that will be covered under power train warranty) water pump covered by recall that will be covered. Did some research and found hundreds and hundreds of complaint of the same component failure. When is the government going to make GMC llc real on this issue!!!!! ps this is not the first time we have had a problem with this vehicle. Vehicle accelerated out of control at approx 50,000 miles and complained to NHTSA and GMC llc on that issue also. Going to use the 1400 buck to buy another vehicle. Just hope the next person getting this vehicle doesn't get injured.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #47

May 072012

Traverse

  • 90,000 miles
Making slow speed left hand turn steering would stiffen and start bucking, would occur intermittently and now on a regular basis; took veh to dealer and was advised bearing issue would cost around $900 for part and was not under warranty. This is a serious safety issue and someone is going to die from this particular problem if responsibility is not accepted and issue corrected. Would be cheaper to accept than face all the wrongful death/injury lawsuits;

- Ellisville, MS, USA

problem #46

May 252013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
Steering started to very sluggish when making a slow turn (parking, turn to driveway etc.) some low noise developed and a loud squeaking in the steering column followed. Loud enough to make passengers ask about it. Went to dealer and asked if they had a fix. Was told that I needed to have the oil in the power steering removed and unit cleaned, and new oil added...........price quote was +-$ $230. Asked if there was a recall as this seemed a little strange, was told no ! so I asked if this was a fix for the problem" was told no! that this problem would return almost at once. Asked if this was in anyway dangerous" got a no comment. Am now waiting a call from dealer after telling service mg. That I had mis-givings about letting my wife drive as he had mentioned the possible failure of the unit. To say nothing of the possible loss of any resale value.

- Milton, FL, USA

problem #45

Oct 072010

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 21,129 miles
Since mid-'10, our '09 Traverse has had issues with the power steering. When the problem first surfaced, it was primarily limited to sharp turns into parking spaces. The steering would seize and it would be difficult to turn into the spot. We took the Traverse to the dealer in 10/10 when the mileage was 21,129. The problem was diagnosed as an "internal steering gear failure (binding). The power steering gear was replaced and the power steering system bled. The problem seemed better. The seizing occurred much less. However, in the past few months we noticed a rapid decline. Now the problem has surfaced when driving down the road and trying to make a turn (left or right) onto another road/driveway/etc. The wheel seizes so much that my husband is almost incapable of turning the wheel. This is a serious safety hazard. We brought the vehicle into the dealer on 5/22/13 when the mileage was 61,287. This time the problem was diagnosed as "steering gear leaking". the dealer stated that the problem was not covered under warranty, but because the problem was not properly addressed back in October 2010 (when it was covered), they would do us a favor and cover it at a pro-rated amount. The repair (replacing the power steering gear for a second time and bleeding the power steering system) only cost us $456 out of pocket. Two days later the problem resurfaced, and even worse than before. I will not drive the car anymore, out of fear that I am not strong enough to turn the wheel if the problem occurs. I fear for my family's safety when we are riding in it. We have an appointment at the dealership for this Friday. Hopefully this time it will be repaired. I am not optimistic. It is inexcusable that there is not a recall on this issue yet. This website, and several others, reveal that hundreds -- if not thousands -- of vehicle owners are experiencing this same issue.

- Mableton, GA, USA

problem #44

May 082013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
I was told at the annual inspection that the rack and pinion was slightly leaking and will need to be replaced in the future. It also knocks when ever I turn at slow speed.

- Macungie, PA, USA

problem #43

May 272013

Traverse

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 78,000.

- Richland , VA, USA

problem #42

May 012013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
At slower speeds, driver periodically unable to turn steering wheel. Never happened above 40 mph, but got more and more frequent over one month period of time. Was most frequent when turning into parking spots or when making sharper turn at slow speeds. This was not a case of oversteering.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #41

Jun 122013

Traverse

  • 76,000 miles
The rack and pinion on my Traverse is leaking. The mechanic said they had the same thing on a couple other 2009 Traverses that have come through their shop. This is a $1,000-$1,200 repair that is common for these vehicles at this mileage. This will also make the power steering pump go out and not be able to turn. Why hasn't this been recalled yet? this is something that needs to be looked into by the government/GM as to how many of these similar issues have been repaired by dealers. This needs to be a covered recall. Obvious weak workmanship of this part.

- Seymour, IN, USA

problem #40

Dec 192012

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 107,000 miles
The steering is hard to turn when driving in law speed for example making a U-turn, while entering a parking spot, while performing a parallel parking, when exiting the high way into a street.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #39

May 232013

Traverse

  • 48,000 miles
2009 Traverse that will not turn!! no noise from the power steering pump, just driving along and all of a sudden the car will not turn!! this needs to be recalled!! this is ridiculous Chevy won't cover this problem! researched online and there are hundreds of customers with this same problem!

- Potlatch, ID, USA

problem #38

Jan 312013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
The Traverse will not turn at certain speeds without excessive pressure to the steering wheel. I can't park in tight spaces, making turns greater than 20 degrees are increasingly difficult. Random turns are also difficult, like changing lanes on the freeway etc. The pressure needed to make these turns on the steering wheel can be overwhelming to the average driver. I am concerned that this may cause an accident. GM refuses to address the problem, and says that it is electrical and must be fixed at my expense even though the car is still under warranty. This seems like a power steering problem, yet GM says the steering is electrical.

- Belleville, MI, USA

problem #37

Apr 292013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
While parking the car, the steering wheel would not turn. It was as if the power steering quit working. I have also noticed the vehicle is becoming harder to turn while in motion. After doing some research on the 2009 Traverse, I found this to be a common problem with the steering. This is a huge safety issue. I would not be reporting this except that it is a common problem. I feel that the power steering and the rack and pinion should be recalled asap for this safety concern. We don't need anyone's steering to go completely out and not be able to control the vehicle with has also happened according to my research causing accidents.

- Grand Forks, ND, USA

problem #36

Mar 152013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
I just purchased my 2009 Traverse in March and within 2 weeks of owning it I noticed it was hard to park, unfortunately there was not a warranty on the car. Now its been almost 3 months since I purchased my vehicle and it is getting worse by the day. I not only have problems parking but also when I make turns. I have taken to be looked at and they said it is a common problem with this vehicle. My concern is if it is so common why has it not been recalled. It is obviously a dangerous problem. I have had to stop my car in order to get it to turn so that I could fihish parking. Also have noticed a clunking noise when the ac is on.

- Pueblo West, CO, USA

problem #35

May 112013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 41,180 miles
On my way to an appt traveling about 45 mph. Heard a loud whining sound, so I decreased my acceleration. Noise went away. There were no sensors/lights signaling that anything was wrong nor did the car perform any different than before the noise occurred. I noticed that something wasn't right when I tried make a turn that lead to my destination. It was much harder to turn my wheel. I continued to my appt but when I tried to park, I really had issues because my steering wheel would barely turn in any direction. After my appt, took my car to pep boys for them to check the power steering fluid levels. The employee showed me that the levels were fine & that I should contact my dealership. I drove home but I had a very hard time especially when I was traveling at speeds lower than 25 mph. I didn't attempt to drive the car until Monday morning when I took it to the dealer I bought it from. I told them what it was doing & asked that they look at it. They called me at work and said that I needed a new power steering pump and a rack & pinion steering gear plus an alignment. All total I would be shelling out $1100 for an issue that I shouldn't have with a 3-yr-old car with only 41K miles on it!! I called General Motors to file a formal complaint because none of this was under the powertrain warranty on the car. I also wanted to file a complaint because I noticed that this is a common issue after I researched it on the internet. They took my complaint but told me there was nothing they could do since there was no recall on the car for this issue. I am making this complaint here because someone is going to die if this issue doesn't get fixed through a recall. And it's a shame that hard-working people have to make a costly repair such as this on a car that's not even 5 years old & with minimal mileage. Please make GM recall this!!!!!

- West Mifflin, PA, USA

problem #34

Mar 132013

Traverse

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic replaced the power steering fluid however, after the repair the failure continued. The mechanic stated that the rack and pinion would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was not available.

- Roanoke Rapids, NC, USA

problem #33

Apr 082013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 51,000 miles
When making turns into parking spaces, a driveway, sharp or wide turns it seems the power steering goes out. I can hardly turn the car and have almost been in several accidents. Based on the complaints online and on this site it appears to cost several hundred to thousands of dollars to repair. To me this is a serious safety issue.

- Marshall, WI, USA

problem #32

Apr 262013

Traverse

  • 47,500 miles
My wife is the primary driver of our 2009 Traverse. I was driving it about a week ago and noticed the power steering motor whining. We had an appointment for service on the 26th and I reported it to them. Basically at slow speeds when turning you could here the motor whining. They stated that the power steering pump needs to be replaced along with the rack due to leaking (which we hadn't noticed previously). The repair is estimated at $1800. I have read where people have lost their power steering riding down the road, that hasn't happened to us, yet..

- Mardela Springs, MD, USA

problem #31

Apr 202013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 69,248 miles
I took it in because the A/C stop working and they founded the leaked. Also mentioned a recalled but didn't list on my receipt. My low beam headlights burned out too. I think there is an electrical problem but the dealer won't admit. Claimed repairs are normal wear and tear. I wish they had told me this before I bought this car brand new.

- Haymarket, VA, USA

problem #30

Mar 202013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 54,000 miles
At slow speeds such as entering a parking space or making a turn onto a side street the steering simply locks up. More difficult than simply driving a car without power steering. No accident yet but my wife drives it daily and I'm afraid its only a matter of time before she gets hit due to lack of ability to react quickly. I have found hundreds of Traverse owners having the same issues with the same vehicle at the same mileage. This needs to be addressed by GM. A recall needs put into effect as repairs are costly. I've seen from$850 to over a thousand. This is too costly and important a repair for an automobile with such low mileage. Fluid levels were found to be low once. Fluid was topped off but issue remains. Absolutely no signs of leak under vehicle. It is spotless.

- Republic, MO, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »