About 2yrs after purchase, steering rack and power steering pump had to be replaced, which was done prior to warranty expiration. Now at this time dec. 2015 with 68,906 mi on the od, I am experiencing the same problem again. Difficult to steer and turn the steering wheel, clunking sensation/feel in the steering wheel, and a pump whine sound. Hard to turn wheel from a starting point or stop.…
2011 Chevrolet Traverse steering problems
moderate 165 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
165
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 165 steering complaints filed for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Owners have filed 165 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 15 model years of Chevrolet Traverse in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Power steering whine diagnosed today with whine present while turning or accelerating after a turn. They are saying we need a new steering gear (rack) and that will only set me back $1700. It is a safety issue as the power steering can go out at any point. I have only had this car less than 2 years and there have been so many things needing attention. There is a whine with the a/c when one…
A weird noise started to happen when I turned and progressed to a constant whining noise that worsens while turning. We were told that it is a leak in the steering rack and would be an $1800 repair. *js
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet traverse. The contact was driving 15 MPH when the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified on the issue. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 60000.
Had steering trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 165 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 140 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 48,000 and 90,665 miles, with the median around 67,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 48,000; a quarter make it past 90,665. 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/2011/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.