1. Chevrolet Traverse
  2. Problems
  3. 2009
  4. Steering

2009 Chevrolet Traverse Steering Problems

222
Owner complaint records in our dataset

Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.

Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.

Among these 222 stored complaint records:

  • 5 indicate a crash
  • 0 indicate injury
  • 0 indicate fire

What owners report

  • power steering · 121 records
  • steering wheel · 34 records
  • rack pinion · 27 records
  • steering fluid · 15 records
  • steering pump · 14 records
  • hard turn · 13 records

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
60–100k mi112
30–60k mi47
100–150k mi26
1–30k mi14
150–400k mi8

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • July 3, 2013 · 92,000 miles

    Steering

    Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack and steering pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was…

    ODI 10543994

  • July 1, 2013 · 90,000 miles

    Steering

    When driving under 40mph the vehicle is hesitate to turn, seems to be a power steering issue. Took the car in for 100,000 mile inspection, told the dealership the issue and was told "we could not detect a problem". When i turn into a driveway, parking spot, etc it hesitates and becomes difficult to turn to the point that i think it isn't going to turn at all. One odd thing i have noticed is this occurs most often…

    ODI 10569053

  • June 30, 2013 · 50,000 miles

    Steering

    From reading all the post i don't see why chevy haven't recalled this traverse. My wife has a 2009 chevy traverse, she complained she was having a hard time turning the wheel. Then she says it got to the point where the wheel would lock up mid turn. I drove it and every now and then i felt it get a little stiff. But one day on the way home from store i'm driving, at a light turning red i turn, the car in on coming…

    ODI 10533871

  • June 14, 2013 · 48,000 miles

    Steering

    While trying to turn into a driveway the steering wheel became extremely hard to turn. This has happened multiple times- too many to count actually. Gm should stand behind their products and fix the steering issues with these vehicles. *tr

    ODI 10566001

  • June 12, 2013 · 76,000 miles

    Steering

    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…

    ODI 10519472

  • June 5, 2013 · 98,000 miles

    Steering

    Starting in june of last year, the power steering in my car goes out suddenly when making turns at slower speeds. It happened intermittently last summer, didn't happen much over the colder months and now happens just about every time i make a turn. Used to only happen when turning into parking spots, has now happened a few times when turning on to side streets. A few times i ended up on the berm or grass because the…

    ODI 10577993

  • May 27, 2013 · 75,450 miles

    Steering

    At low speeds the vehicle is extremely hard to steer. Parking lot maneuvers, turning at a stop sign or light, and other slow speed turns are very difficult to make for me and especially my wife who is the primary driver. I'm no body builder but i do workout but it is still very difficult for me to control the direction of the vehicle's travel at low speeds. Through traverseforum.com i have learned that other…

    ODI 10531634

  • May 27, 2013 · 78,000 miles

    Steering

    Tl* 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. *tr

    ODI 10520159

  • May 25, 2013 · 58,000 miles

    Steering

    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 +-$ 230.00. Asked if there…

    ODI 10522897

  • May 23, 2013 · 48,000 miles

    Steering

    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! *tr

    ODI 10514429

  • May 11, 2013 · 41,180 miles

    Steering

    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…

    ODI 10511958

  • May 8, 2013 · 68,000 miles

    Steering

    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. *tr

    ODI 10520812

  • May 1, 2013 · 95,000 miles

    Steering

    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. *tr

    ODI 10519862

  • April 29, 2013 · 43,000 miles

    Steering

    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…

    ODI 10514043

  • April 26, 2013 · 47,500 miles

    Steering

    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…

    ODI 10509894

  • April 20, 2013 · 69,248 miles

    Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Steering

    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. *tr

    ODI 10508939

  • April 12, 2013

    Steering

    Car in repair shop getting new intermediate steering shaft, mechanic stated that rack& pinion was seeping oil on both sides.will need replaced soon, vehicle has 51000 miles. *tr

    ODI 10508310

  • April 8, 2013 · 51,000 miles

    Steering

    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. *tr

    ODI 10511090

  • April 1, 2013 · 60,000 miles

    Steering

    Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the power steering stop working and a result, he crash into another vehicle. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the technician diagnosed that the power steering and rack and pinion might be defective. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vin was…

    Crash reported

    ODI 10576250

  • March 20, 2013 · 54,000 miles

    Steering

    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…

    ODI 10508740

  • March 17, 2013 · 50,000 miles

    Steering

    While driving experienced total steering failure. Could not turn car at all. Required complete sytem replacement of power steering pump and steering rack. Appears to be very common problem with car. *tr

    ODI 10503914

  • March 16, 2013 · 44,000 miles

    Steering

    My 2009 traverse lt1 has steering issues while turning at slow speeds. The steering gets extremely stiff, resulting in having to use incredible strength to complete the turn. I first noticed it when the car got over 40,000 miles. Took it to chevy service dealer and they stated it was a safety feature. I knew that false because i would have noticed it before 40,000. Now they're telling me they can't help me unless…

    ODI 10548752

  • March 16, 2013 · 50,500 miles

    Steering

    Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the steering wheel started moving without any response from the wheels. The contact mentioned that the traction control and the air bag warning lamps illuminated immediately after the failure. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a snow bank. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was inspected by an…

    Crash reported

    ODI 10503676

  • March 15, 2013 · 80,000 miles

    Engine And Engine Cooling · Steering

    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…

    ODI 10512609

  • March 13, 2013 · 95,000 miles

    Steering

    Tl* 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…

    ODI 10511728