This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Chevrolet Traverse steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse have filed 165 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 67,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
165
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Traverse | 231 |
| 2010 Traverse | 331 |
| 2011 Traverse (this page) | 165 |
| 2012 Traverse | 62 |
| 2013 Traverse | 18 |
| 2014 Traverse | 27 |
| 2015 Traverse | 27 |
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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power steering failures dominate complaints on the 2011 Traverse across nearly the entire model run. Owners describe loud whining or grinding noises when turning, sudden loss of power assist (steering wheel locks or becomes immovable), and puddles of fluid under the vehicle. The pump typically fails first—dealerships quote $700–$1,500 for replacement—but the real trap is the steering rack and pinion. After pump repair, owners discover the rack is leaking and requires another $1,100–$1,861 to fix. GM issued a "Special Policy" covering pump replacement on some vehicles but refused to cover the rack, leaving owners with $1,200+ bills for what feels like the same failure.
What's worse: failures repeat. One owner replaced the pump and rack within two years of ownership, then needed identical repairs again at under 70,000 miles. Another lost all power steering control while turning onto a busy street; a third was driving 70 mph on a highway when the system failed, forcing a panic maneuver to the shoulder.
Dealerships have acknowledged this is a design flaw—one told an owner they'd performed "multiple such repairs on 2011 models." Technical service bulletins exist (10-02-32-002A, 14329A, 361329), yet no recall was issued for 2011–2013 models despite recalls on 2009–2010 Traverses for the identical issue. Owners uniformly report being told the problem is out of warranty and their responsibility, even when a service bulletin documents the failure as known to GM.
Same Chevrolet Traverse steering reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Pump Failure
Power steering pump fails, causing loss of power steering function or loud whining/grinding noises. Fluid leaks from the pump area. Owners report the pump seized, leaked, or required replacement.
When: Typically 20,000–80,000 miles; some failures as early as 3,500 miles or within 1–2 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Loud whining, grinding, or squealing noise when turning steering wheel; Loss of power steering function, steering wheel locks or becomes extremely hard to turn; Power steering fluid leaking or low fluid level; Steering becomes difficult at low speeds (parking, slow turns); Whining noise that increases when steering wheel is turned
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement. Owners cited costs of $700–$1,500 for pump alone. Multiple complaints note dealership had pumps in stock, suggesting frequent failures. Some owners covered under special warranty or recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued a Special Policy/Warranty (14329, 14329A) covering power steering pump replacement on some vehicles, but not all failure modes or components. Service Bulletin 10-02-32-002A, Technical Service Bulletin 14329A, and Service Bulletin 361329 (Action 10052379) reference the issue.
Steering Rack and Pinion Leaks and Failure
Steering rack and pinion assembly develops internal leaks of power steering fluid or fails completely. Fluid pools under the vehicle or leaks after pump repair. Owners report the rack must be replaced, often at their expense even when pump was covered.
When: 20,000–80,000+ miles; recurring failures within months of initial repair in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Whining or whirring noise when steering; Power steering fluid leaking from steering gear/rack area (puddles under car, dried residue); Steering becomes tight, difficult to turn, or feels loose; Low power steering fluid level; Shuddering sensation in steering when making turns; Subsequent loss of power steering after pump replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement costs $1,100–$1,861. Often discovered after pump repair. Requires alignment. Owners report being charged full cost or only partial coverage despite pump being under warranty/recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Special Policy/Warranty covers power steering pump but NOT the rack and pinion in most cases. Service Bulletin 361329 acknowledged but does not compel repair coverage. Some dealers refused coverage on basis of 'normal wear and tear.'
Loss of Steering Control While Driving
Power steering fails abruptly during driving at various speeds (5–70 mph), forcing the owner to manually steer a heavy, unassisted vehicle. Steering wheel locks up or becomes immovable. Multiple incidents reported in single vehicle.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; failures at 3,500–80,000 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt loss of power steering function while driving (steering wheel locks or becomes extremely hard to turn); Steering wheel seizes without warning; Difficulty making turns at highway speeds or during normal driving; Multiple instances of power steering failure in same vehicle (recurring problem); Steering failure during turning maneuvers at low speed (parking, intersections)
Repairs/costs cited: Pump, rack, or internal seals replaced; costs $1,470–$2,100+. Some failures recurred within days or weeks of repair, suggesting root cause not addressed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Special warranty covers pump replacement. Rack and pinion repairs often denied or deemed 'normal wear and tear.' No manufacturer-wide recall implemented despite multiple complaints spanning years.
Steering Gear/Rack Internal Leaks After Overheating
Following engine overheating (e.g., water pump failure), the steering rack develops internal leaks. Owner reports fresh fluid leak in rack area immediately after overheating incident, suggesting thermal stress damage to seals.
When: Post-overheating event; one case reported within months of water pump recall repair
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid leaking from steering gear area after vehicle overheating; Fresh fluid puddle under rack assembly (not a slow leak); Steering remains functional but leaking
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement estimate $1,745. Owner believed overheating and pressure surge damaged gaskets.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No mention of coverage. Owner received water pump recall repair but not steering repair.
Steering Wheel Noise and Vibration (Rack and Pinion Design Flaw)
High-pitched squealing, squeaking, or popping noises emanate from steering column or wheel when turning. Shuddering sensation in wheel during turns. Dealerships acknowledge this is a design issue present since model introduction but do not replace components.
When: Early in ownership; as early as 29 months after purchase or around 20,000–31,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched squeal or squeaky noise when turning steering wheel left or right; Loud grinding or scratching noise during turns; Popping or clunking sensation in steering wheel; Shuddering in steering during turns; Whining sound at all speeds and when stationary; Noise worsens over time if not serviced
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosis: rack and pinion assembly defect. Repair cost $435–$1,861 for rack/pinion replacement. Dealerships stated issue would not worsen steering operation but noise would continue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for 2009–2010 Traverse rack and pinion but NOT for 2011–2013 models, despite identical design and symptoms. Dealership notes indicate they have performed multiple such repairs on 2011 models, suggesting pattern recognition by manufacturer.
Timing Chain Failure (Separate but Related Loss of Steering)
Timing chain breaks or fails, causing sudden loss of engine power. As a result, power steering fails and steering becomes extremely hard to control or impossible to maneuver. Multiple narratives conflate timing chain failure with steering loss.
When: 11 months to several years after purchase; 11,000 miles and up
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of engine power while driving at highway speeds (70+ mph); Vehicle stalls or shuts down abruptly; Loss of power steering coinciding with engine failure; Manual steering becomes impossible; driver must pull hard on wheel to reach shoulder; Multiple restart attempts required; rough idle after restart; Error codes pointing to timing chain and related components
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain repair ~$2,400 (engine drop) to full engine replacement ~$2,400+. One owner had timing chain replaced April–May 2023 but problems recurred with oil pressure and residue issues. No long-term solution documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented. Owners report difficulty with dealership diagnosis and high out-of-warranty costs.
Multiple Steering System Failures and Unresolved Root Cause
Single vehicles experience repeated failures of power steering pump, rack and pinion, or steering control despite multiple repairs. Root cause not addressed; failures recur after expensive repairs or only some components are replaced.
When: Recurrence within days, weeks, or months of initial repair; lifespans of 2–5 years with less than 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure repeats after pump replacement; Steering failure recurs shortly after initial repair; Hard steering returns after rack and pinion replacement; Multiple visits to dealership for same steering issue; Whining noise returns after service
Repairs/costs cited: Cumulative repair costs $2,000–$3,000+ per vehicle (pump ~$700–$1,500, rack ~$1,100–$1,861). Owner in narrative #25 replaced steering rack and pump within 2 years, then needed same repairs again at 68,906 miles within 5 years of ownership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Special warranty (14329) covers pump but not rack, leaving secondary components unrepaired. Dealerships and GM declined to investigate systemic failures or offer comprehensive recalls.
Steering System Fluid Leaks Not Visible Until Major Failure
Owners report whining noise or other symptoms, dealership service logs indicate slow leaks that are noted but not addressed. Years later, sudden catastrophic leaks occur or major repairs are needed. Dealerships cite 'normal wear and tear' despite acknowledged prior history.
When: Slow leak noted during routine maintenance, catastrophic failure 1–5 years later
Symptoms owners cite: Whining noise in steering noted during oil change but dismissed; Slow power steering fluid leak noted in service records as 'monitor' item; Years of complaints about noise ignored or called 'normal'; Sudden major fluid leak after years of minor leaks
Repairs/costs cited: Owner in narrative #3 complained for years; eventually charged $85 to top off fluid by dealership. Independent mechanic later diagnosed major leak requiring $1,800 repair. Rack and pinion ultimately replaced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership service bulletins and TSBs (e.g., 10-02-32-002A) exist but dealerships tell customers 'normal' or 'can't reproduce issue' for years. Once out of warranty, full repair cost charged to customer.
Synthesized from 165 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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.…
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.