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 2011 Chevrolet Traverse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
As i am driving down the road the service stable trak light and abs lights pop on and the brakes sieze up so bad you cant get the car to stop and brake pedal to unlock as well as when you try to turn the steering wheel locks
Components related to timing chain failed, and vehicle is currently available with plans to sell to a salvage yard by 10/25/24. My 9 year old and I were at risk of collision when the vehicle failed. I was driving approximately 70-75 mph when we started to lose power. At 65 mph, I managed to cross 2 lanes of highway traffic and stopped on the shoulder. I turned off my vehicle and waited several minutes, hoping it would help reset or cool off a component or something. I had to try a couple of times before it started, and I attempted to drive as safely as I could, made it to 60 mph before it stopped running completely. I had to pull hard on the steering wheel to get to the shoulder again, only this time, the shoulder was pinched off in front of us and around a small blind spot behind us. I had my daughter move to the side closer to the cement barrier while waiting for a tow truck. …
While driving to work early January 18,2016 my check engine light and stability control light came on, not a minute later my steering went out and I hit a road sign. I had turned off the traction control before leaving my house as instructed by my service advisor at the Chevy dealership. I believe GM is responsible for the damage to my vehicle. Took my 2011 Traverse to the dealership that same day. Lights still on, and by the time I got it there the vehicle was shaking terribly, they diagnose it as throttle body codes po221-po121 & po300. They fixed that problem, but took no responsibility GM to take responsibility for this problem. I wanted a safe vehicle for myself and my family, now I am not sure if it is safe even with the repairs that were done.
My stabilitrak has been going in and out for years with no issues. I had it checked but told it was OK. Now it has started stalling on me. And I was slightly rear ended last night on vacation. I called the Chevrolet 1 800 # and told no recall on this. However on line is hundreds of issues with this model. So over the last 2 weeks it has been going frequently. The steering is just making noises and crunching sounds when turning
When driving my Traverse at low speeds around 5 MPH while trying to park, my steering gets very tight and it is extremely difficult to make the turn into a parking spot. In addition the vehicle is making a whining noise. We checked the power steering fluid and it is at the correct levels. I took it to my local repair man and they stated that the power steering pump was bad and needed to be replaced. I then contacted my local Chevy dealership to see if this was covered under my manufactures warranty and he stated that it was no longer covered and the warranty ran out at 3 years or 36,000 miles which ever come first. To make matters worse, when I spoke with the dealership, I was never informed about the service bulletin released in December 2014. I was informed by the dealer that it would cost between $1000-$1500 to replace the power steering pump. …
Early December I heard sound indicating steering issue, supported by local mechanic when getting oil change. Researched causes and prices online and found service bulletin #14329a from GM. I adhered to bulletin and took vehicle to dealer. They confirmed sb applied to my vehicle. Later received a call that the steering gear was also at issue but not covered by bulletin to the tune of~ $1200.00 for "necessary" replacement.. I tried to get local dealer service manager and agents for GM cares to explain how either original part was not poorly designed or manufactured or the fluid was not adequate for the steering assembly to have not caused this problem. Was not successful in discussions with them. There is obviously an issue with the steering GM is avoiding responsibility for. …
So far I have had nothing but issues with my SUV, bought a 2009 for 6,000 and had to pt 7,200 in it to get it running right. I traded it in at the dealership it was being diagnosed at thankfully. Now I have a 2011 and starting to have many issues unfortunately. First it started 3700 miles after I got my 2011 by leaving me with no power steering while trying to make a turn and almost wrecked 3 times going to the hospital. I was able to put power steering fluid in and got my power steering back but immediately took it back to the dealer. They said if I came in at 3500 miles they would have replaced the pump and whole rack under warrenty, but they didnt. So I gotta top it off every few months, no big deal. Suspension has been replaced twice, rough idle, tuned up 3 times in 42,373 miles. …
I was on my way home from dinner when the engine started revving on it's own and the car began jerking. I pulled to the side of the road and the engine killed. I restarted the vehicle and noted that the battery was suppling enough power and the temperature gage was normal. At this time, the lights started to flicker, the rpms were going up and down fairly quickly and the windows and locks were clicking. I was able to get the vehicle home (5 miles), but the problems persisted the entire drive. The second I would let me foot off the gas pedal, the engine would kill. I took it to the mechanic and he said when he hooked it up to the machine to see what the problem was, there was so much wrong he couldn't actually tell what was causing what. The computer and engine both were recommended to be replaced. …
Purchased a used Chevy Traverse that now has 57,000 miles. During a service appointment the dealership informed me that the power steering fluid was leaking from the steering gear. The repair was estimated at $1,600 usd. The repair is necessary to maintain the vehicle in a safe working order but im disappointed that im having to pay for a very expensive repair on a relatively new vehicle. Numerous consumers are experiencing the same issue, I would hope that Chevy would investigate the situation in more detail and offer to cover the cost of the repairs. I did notice a technical service bulletin on the issue (service bulletin 361329, action number: 10052379), but the existence of the service bulletin still resulted in me having to pay the full cost of the repair at the dealership. I believe that there is a problem that Chevy needs to take ownership for the situation. …
I began experiencing a whirring noise when I would steer my car. Then one day last week as I was driving the steering became difficult and it felt like something happened with the power steering. I took my vehicle in to the dealer for service to find that there was a special warranty on the power steering pump and that it would be replaced under that warranty at no charge but due to the steering pump failing the steering gear went out and had to be replaced which was not covered under the "special" warranty and I would have to cover the cost of this myself to the tune of $1157.62. The issue I have is that although I can afford to fix my vehicle, which I did pay to fix, I find that this is a recurring issue amoungst many consumers who own any of the vehicles on the lambda line which inlcudes GMC acadia, Chevy Traverse, Buick enclave and Saturn outlook. …
Steering complaints in other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA has 165 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, 27% of the model year's 608 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Traverse steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, though it has 5 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 2011 Chevrolet Traverse steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 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.