10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,480 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 2010 Chevrolet Traverse:

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

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #148

Aug 072013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 48,200 miles
When driving at a low speed, the vehicle makes a terrible whining noise. I took it to the dealership in March 2014 and was told the power steering pump and rack need to be replaced which would cost me close to $3000 out-of-pocket, which I cannot afford. Upon researching, I saw numerous complaints regarding the same issue with the Traverse that have resulted in power steering failure. I also see that GM recalled Chevy Malibu and cobalts in March 2014 for the same issue, however, a recall was not issued for the Traverse. I feel this is a huge safety concern that GM should issue a recall for. Does there have to be fatality before they are held accountable"!"!

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

problem #147

Jun 022014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 79,804 miles
Occasional hard steering/loss of power steering during low speeds when maneuvering. In 01/2011 GM replaced steering gearbox due to leaking seals as a warranty item. Now this issue has come up and their answer is to replace the gearbox again, and they expect me to pay for it now that the extended warranty has expired. Had an independent ase certified mechanic check this out and he said he's seen the same issue 3 times at his shop. They've been replacing the power steering pump. Contacted GM corporate customer case and now is going thru district level review.

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #146

Mar 192014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
I bought this Traverse in may of 2013. We have been having a problem with the power steering off and on for over a year. The SUV only had 58000 miles on it when we bought it. We just dealt with it, because we either don't have the time or the money to fix the problem. That was until recently, I was driving home from work and almost ran off the road, because the steering locked up on me. I consider this a hazard and one I don't want to lose my life for. There is no reason to have to replace a lifetime part like this. I have had other cars that I have yet to replace this item on, one is 11 yrs old and has 200000 miles on it.

- Gatewood, MO, USA

problem #145

May 292014

Traverse

  • 14,200 miles
Bought a 2010 Traverse 2 weeks ago. Only 14,145 miles, had the steering pump and rack and pinion changed already. Still making weird noise. Surely there needs to be a recall, is GM waiting for fatalities first?

- Uniondale, NY, USA

problem #144

Aug 092013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
Steering pump not functioning properly, hard to steer at low speeds. The dealership has told me I need a new one. Why is this happening? this should be a recall item. Mileage is not high enough for such an important item to give out. Occurred after a 5 hour trip.

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #143

May 272014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 79,832 miles
When making a left or right turn steering locks up occasionally. If you make a sharp left or right turn its as if you have no power steering. Power steering reservoir fluid is at appropriate level. In my research of this problem, its wide spread. Internet forums have much discussion on this problem. Its a safety issue, when the steering locks up and is too hard to turn the potential for an accident is great.

- Woodbine , MD, USA

problem #142

Jun 022014

Traverse

  • 93,000 miles
Almost crashed into a concrete medium. Had to make a left turn and then a right when the power speeding gave out for about 3 seconds. This happened when slowing down while turning. It has happened before but today was the longest. I am afraid to make right turns onto 2 way roads because I may end up on the opposite side. My powering steering fluid level is good and there is no noise or other unusual sound when this happens.

- North Port, FM, USA

problem #141

May 292014

Traverse

  • 45,000 miles
I first noticed an occasional hard steering into parking spaces or turning corners. The problem now occurs every time the vehicle is driven. Power steering fluid levels have been checked and noted to be adequate. No leaks from under the hood exist. The difficult steering, and I mean absolute loss of control of my steering happens at low speeds, from a complete stop to less than 20 mph, as when pulling into parking spaces or maneuvering around street corners, curbs, or medians. I have also noticed the loss of control when decelerating around highway on/off-ramps when my speed nears 30 or less mph. The steering becomes worse than "manual" steering and requires absolute force/man-handling of the steering wheel to complete the intended task, then as rapidly as the steering went out, it comes back again when I least expect it, causing over-steering through my maneuver. My husband also has difficulty maneuvering the vehicle when it converts to "manual" steering. The problem is so incredibly dangerous. I have ran into curbs and medians, thankfully not a pedestrian or fellow driver's car. Multiple complaints about the same issues, even after costly replacement/repairs of power steering pumps and steering rack and pinions, leads me to believe there is a serious defect with my steering system and GM needs to investigate and correct the problem immediately! it is a matter of time before fatalities begin to occur from this problem.

- Rose Hill, KS, USA

problem #140

May 062013

Traverse

  • 88,678 miles
My 2010 Chevy Traverse lt loses steering power in situations when I am slowing down and initiating a turn or when maneuvering in a driveway or parking lot where short turns are required. The wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn. I am concerned that it will put me in a dangerous situation since there is no telling when it will happen. It does not happen every time I drive, but it has become progressively more common. Steering fluid is full and there is no evidence of leaks. Given GM's recent history in stonewalling necessary recalls, I hope they make this right or a recall is required before anybody is injured or killed.

- Roxbury, CT, USA

problem #139

May 262014

Traverse

  • 71,175 miles
During slow speed turns (~20 mph), as when turning in a parking lot to park the vehicle or turn into a driveway, there is a sudden loss of power steering making it very difficult to nearly impossible to continue turning the vehicle. When the problem first started happening months ago it was an intermittent problem for part of the turn and only when you turned to the left. Now it is happening more frequently and for longer durations of time as well as when you turn to the right. Had to stop, backup and retry parking the vehicle a few times. Power steering fluid level is fine. No fluid leakage that I've noticed. Extremely concerned this may start happening at higher speeds / highway / expressway driving. Lack of confidence in this vehicle now for long trips.

- Forsyth, IL, USA

problem #138

May 012014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 116,000 miles
Currently at low speeds trying to manuever in traffic, parking, etc., there is complete loss of power steering. Steering is not returned with increased engine RPM. Because of the conection of rack and pinion and actual manual steering it is virtually impossible to steer the vehicle. General Motors declines to recognize there is an issue. Dealer ship denied any knowledge of a problem but a mechanic told the cs rep that some people were having success with increased engine RPM. Hmmmm strange if they never heard of the problem before. How many people have to be injured or killed? I read on the internet of similar complaints from many people. It was suggested ther could be low power steering fluid. This was not true but fluid was topped off.

- Fife Lake, MI, USA

problem #137

Apr 172014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
I purchased my GM vehicle from a dealership in South burlington, Vermont, in September 2010. I have driven it for just three and a half years with just 55,000 miles on it, and now after a routine service visit (lube oil and filter, transmission fluid, air filter, and winter tire change) I am now being told that the steering rack and front struts are leaking and will cost $2,262 to repair. Absurd. I was told that it's a safety issue and must be done because my car will now not pass inspection. I have never had to spend that much money on a car repair, much less a car that is relatively new with so few miles on it. In addition, on a side note, my check engine light is now on after the dealership completed the air bag recall on the vehicle. Because my husband and I were so shocked at the steering rack and strut quote, I decided to do some research and have now discovered it's a very common problem in these vehicles, and there is a class action lawsuit out of California. General Motors has allegedly been aware of this problem for several years and continues to sell the vehicle. I have four children in my car, and although the service technician told me that my car is safe to drive until I need it inspected in August, after all I have researched, I am afraid my steering will give out on the highway. I truly hope that something will be done to address this apparently widespread safety defect in these cars.

- Shelburne, VT, USA

problem #136

Nov 072013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 95,500 miles
While turning the vehicle at relatively low speeds (under 25 mph) the steering suddenly locks up and becomes very hard to turn. Initially, the problem was somewhat intermittent, causing over-compensation in mid-turn. However, it has become increasingly more of a problem, creating a dangerous situation. While googling this issue online, it appears there are numerous people having this same problem.

- Plain City, OH, USA

problem #135

May 072014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
My wife was driving our Chevrolet Traverse in a parking lot. When she tried to turn into a parking space, the steering became very difficult and she was barely able to avoid hitting a parked car. The problem has been repeated over the weekend during a trip to Tennessee where I had to force the steering wheel to turn in a gas station lot. This problem seems to be widespread based on my limited research.

- Wagoner, OK, USA

problem #134

Jul 012013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
We have a 2010 Traverse and like many owners the power steering has quit working at slow speeds and is a safety hazard. It is impossible at slow speeds to turn the steering wheel. It is very bad when trying to park the car or even turn at red lights. This is something that numerous owners have had issues with and is a faulty system. It started with a small noise coming from the steering wheel then progressed to every once in a while not turning to now never working at slow speeds. If this was not a common problem with these cars then I would send it to mechanic to get fixed but since there are many cars effected and even a class action lawsuit over this issue it does not seem right to pay so much money for a car that is such a safety hazard. Please for all the adults and kids riding in these cars check into this issue and get GM to fix all their safety issues and not just a few select models. This system from my understanding uses some of the same technology that the safety recall in place on certain models.

- Columbia, TN, USA

problem #133

Mar 152014

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 38,000 miles
The power steering began failing at low speeds and following stops. The wheel requires extraordinary effort to complete a turn, power steering returns after the vehicle speed increases. As with the other 2010 Traverses reporting on this site( now at well over 100) we would like some accountability on the part of the manufacturer. So far there has been no consensus on what is causing this failure in the power searing system. The ignorance of problems like this has caused damage, injury, and cost lives. To repeat, where is the accountability ?

- Bozrah, CT, USA

problem #132

Dec 282013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
The 2010 Traverse first incident happened while driving cross country. The steering went out. You could not turn with out brute force. It was taken to a Chevrolet dealer ship and an new power steering pump was put on. Once back to our home town same problem happened. Took to our local Chevrolet dealer they replaced same power steering pump (dealership didn't charge for previous Chevrolet dealerships work). Third incident we almost hit a parked car and a building because the steering locked up and would not turn. Took back to our local Chevrolet dealership and the replaced more parts and the power steering pump again. And not to sound like a broken recorded but its back at the dealership for another power steering pump. There is no more trust in this vehicle. Someone's going to get hurt if they don't diagnose the problem.

- Grangeville, ID, USA

problem #131

Sep 102013

Traverse

  • 60,000 miles
At low speeds the steering becomes unresponsive as in locks up and will be very hard to turn if at all for a many seconds, which can seem like an eternity when you are turning from an off ramp or across traffic. Shifting the card to neutral and increasing the RPM's has not effect, keeping the vehicle in drive the problem will eventually fade and the power steering will come back to normal. It doesn't do it every time, but seems more likely to happy when coming down from speeds above 30mph and then slowing down to make a sharp turn into a drive way or ramp.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #130

May 012014

Traverse

  • 98,000 miles
Nearly ran into another vehicle as the power steering suddenly stopped working. This occurs every time the vehicle is being turned at low speeds. It does not matter whether you are traveling forward or in reverse. This problem has been ongoing for over 3 months. This is very dangerous and needs to be taken seriously by GM as a recall situation.

- Riverton, WY, USA

problem #129

Feb 012014

Traverse

  • 51,000 miles
Power steering goes without warning. Usually at lower speeds. Hit a curb while trying to turn into a parking spot.

- Leesport, PA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »