Took vehicle in to get check engine light issue looked at (timing belt issue, not a recall, but covered by Chevy). While they had the engine tore down, they informed us that there was a fluid leak with the power steering gear and was going to cost $1,400 to fix as it was not covered under warranty. This was hard to believe given that the car only has 34,000 miles. Chevy subsequently reduced…
2010 Chevrolet Traverse steering problems
moderate 331 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
331
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
6crashes
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 331 steering complaints filed for the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 15 model years of Chevrolet Traverse we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 331.
Steering accounts for 50% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was uncertain if the steering pump or the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN…
Since october of 2013 I have been having issues with my power steering locking up or becoming so tight while trying to turn at slow speeds that I have to force a turn. I have take it to my dealership to have it looked at after reading the numerous complaints for the same issues. I was told that I would need a new pump and rack pinion steering, which was told it would cost me $1300 and is not…
Power steering and timing chain failed in vehicle at 74k miles. There are several complaints regarding the same issues from other owners of this vehicle. General motors has not accepted responsibility for this issue which has been widely reported. While in motion on november 4, 2017, our vehicle became difficult to maneuver eventually shutting off. Upon trying to restart the vehicle we heard a…
I was driving at approximately 30mph on a road the traction control/stability track light came on and my car lost almost all power. it went from 30 to about 5mph. thankfully i was on a slower road and close to my house so I was able to get home. If I would have been on a highway I could have been killed. i quick google search showed thousands of other complaints with the same problem, my question…
After some major maintenance work summer of 2018, car began to show more work needed. Summer of 2019 while driving on flat city road, power steering became difficult to turn & control curves and, check engine light came on. Parked the car until able to repair. Mechanic repaired power steering module car seemed ok. After about 2-3 weeks, check engine light & power steering problems again , now…
My 2010 traverse had a power steering fluid leak in july, 2014. Took it to the local dealer who replaced the power steering pump at my cost of $800. Afterwards, I received a letter from gm stating this was a known issue and they would reimburse for any repairs. I continue to have power steering problems. Replacement of the pump was only a partial fix. This has created a safety issue. Today I…
Everytime when the steering wheel is turned, it makes a grinding noise. It keeps getting worse. Even when the steering wheel is barely turned.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The failure was recurring and on one occasion, the contact was forced to crash into a mail box in an attempt to regain control of the vehicle. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis however, the…
Had steering trouble with your 2010 Chevrolet Traverse?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 331 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 297 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 53,000 and 87,598 miles, with the median around 69,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,000; a quarter make it past 87,598. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Chevrolet/Traverse.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.