Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Chevrolet Traverse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
A year a go the steering at low speed would act like the power steering just stop working, very hard to turn. but not all the time, but now it more often. when a kid ran out between two parked cars I went to turn and hit the brakes the steering went out. Luckily he stop in time, but after that I needed it repaired. Went to GM web site and was amazed of all the people with this, called chevy dealer about repairs and was told its my problem and it would be $ 2100.00 to replace a faulty power steering pump, how is this not a safety problem. Try turning in a parking space and the wheel locks up its hard not to hit the car beside you. WITH NO WARNING
I bought the car in August of last year and drove it for about 3 days before it started giving me problems. First incident I was driving my children home from the hairdresser and the car completely went out us on the highway, after repeated attempts for a half hour or so I was able to start it and drive it back home very slowly..this happened twice I went to get it diagnosed and codes came up for crank shaft sensor and o2 sensor, before I could even get that fixed more problems came up, the steering wheel began to become stiff and almost impossible to turn, while picking my son up from school I was trying to pull away from the curb in the drop off spot and almost hit another car and a child because the steering wheel stiffened up on me!!! I was told I would need an entire steering rack!!! …
The steering gear in my 2009 Chevy Traverse has failed prematurely for a second time. The problem was diagnosed during a routine oil change at my local dealership. The original steering gear was replaced at 46,000 miles in 2011 and my vehicle requires a new unit approximately 43,000 miles later. Failure to replace the componant will result in steering difficulty that can lead to a crash. To put this in perspective, I am replacing the steering gear at the same frequency one would normally buy new tires for vehicle. There are several indications there is a problem with general motors' lamda platform. Via a 2012 service bulletin, GM modified the steering gear part number and made changes to the replacement process to prevent steering gear seal failures. …
On Saturday August 1, 2015 around 7 pm I was driving back from a family theme park with my 5 children. I had to drive 2 hours to get back home. I couldn't even get out of the parking lot because I couldn't turn the wheel it was very hard both right and left. I got scared because I am pregnant and I wanted to get back home safely. I manage to get out but on our way home every time I stopped and had to make a turn it got really hard and had to put my emergency lights on because I had to make slower and wide turns and sometimes back up and try again to turn. I manage to get home around 10 pm. This is my only car, I just bought it 8 months ago and still have 3 more years to pay it off. This is the second time it does this. When I first got it out of the dealer I took it back the next day because it was doing the same problem but only when turning to one side not both. …
My power steering stopped working. The dealership replaced the pump, but said it stopped working becasue the rack and pinion steering was leaking. The rack and pinion steering replacement cost is $2100, which I need to pay. I do not understand why the rack and pinion steering is not part of this special coverage adjustment, when it is the cause of the part replaced as a result of the special coverage adjustment. I am also concerned that this is not a recall. When the power steering stops working, it is very dangerous. If there has not been an accident or death as a result of this problem, there soon wlill be, in the past year I havee spent $6,000 on repairs for this car, which has 82,000 miles. I have replaced the brake line for $1500, $2000 for replacement of 3 ignition coils and 3 spark plugs and a gasket. This is the second time I have had to replace a spark plug. …
I have been having issues for several months now regarding the steering. The problem is now occurring more often. At times the steering becomes stiff making it difficult to turn. Basically the power steering ceases to function mid-turn without any warning. The vehicle goes into manual steering and it is almost impossible to turn the wheel. I have had this occur when attempting to pull in or out of a parking space, turn in a parking garage, turn in a store parking lot, making a turn at a traffic light, etc. I have mentioned this issue to the dealer but said they could not find a problem with the steering. I had the rack and pinion replaced two years ago but it was not because of this problem. The dealership was making others repairs and noted that rack and pinion needed replacement. I have not received a recall notice regarding this issue. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle had no specific failures other than failing an inspection. The contact called a dealer (lannan Chevrolet, 40 winn st, woburn, ma 01801, [phone]) to inspect and diagnose the failure. The manufacturer did not send a notification of any extended warranty campaigns; however, the vehicle was included in a water pump seal leak, power steering, transmission, and additional service campaigns. After the dealer's repairs, the vehicle was rode roughly and the engine indicator illuminated two days later. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who indicated that further diagnostic testing was required. The vehicle had been at the dealer for longer than two weeks with no resolution. …
Unsafe car to drive in with my kids. I have no traction control and very sporadic power loss! I was driving with my kids going about 30mph and spun out of control around a curve with my kids in the car. Thank the lord no one was hurt and neither was the vehicle. I try to take off from a light or stop sign and it'll either take off super fast and almost hit the car in front of me, or take off slow with no power and almost get rear ended. I bought this car used 6 months ago and the last 3 months have been very frustrating with issues of this vehicle. I've already put $300 into it and now it's saying to change the cat converter. I called the #1 local shop to get a quote and he actually said his number one supplier has stopped issuing this part to Chevy Traverse because of all the recalls! So what do I do now????? I am a medical courier and this Traverse is my source of income. …
2009 Chevy Traverse with 68000 miles. Vehicle has had steering problems which I brought to dealer while under warranty. Was told that sound (squeel/rev) was normal. Now car not under warranty. Noise getting louder. Take to dealer. Says I need new power steering pump, and rack and pinion. I notice there is a special coverage 14329 which covers power steering issues (pump etc.). Price quoted to fix everything was $2500. I asked for price relief given the history of the power steering problems, I had raised the issue while under warranty, and the special coverage. Dealer and GM refuse to offer any reimbursement. Not even for the pump which is covered under special coverage 14329. I am now out $2500. This steering system was a lemon from the get go. Steering is a major safety issue. This should have been recalled fro all vehicles in the 2009-11 range for Traverse/acadia/enclave. …
Power steering completely fails when making low speed turns (ex. Into a parking space, at an intersection...etc.). Steering gets very stiff that at times I cannot complete the turn. Have to stop and reverse to straighten out. Been very close to hitting vehicles because of it. From what I am researching, I understand this is a widespread problem with these vehicles. What I don't understand is why there hasn't been a recall to fix it. I guess the industry doesn't see it as big issue since they aren't the ones driving these cars and putting their own lives, family's lives and others on the road at risk. It's easy for them to say "fix it on your own" or "just buy another car". But for those who can't and depend on their vehicle day in and day out, it's a big problem. I would understand if it was normal wear and tear or if no one else was having these problems, but its not. …
Steering complaints in other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA has 231 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, 52% of the model year's 448 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › pump (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet Traverse steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Traverse steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.