This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Traverse steering problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 18 steering complaints filed for the 2013 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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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 procedure to flush and bleed power steering system to correct a power steering noise or fluid leak concern that is caused during extremely low temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a serious pattern of steering and control failures in the 2013 Traverse. The most dangerous complaint is complete loss of power steering with no warning while driving at highway speeds—some describe the steering going from normal to immovable in seconds, with no leaks or prior noise to alert them. Several owners report this happening multiple times in a single day.
Engine stalls are another recurring problem. Vehicles shut down completely while traveling at 55-70 mph, and when they stall, power steering and power brakes go out simultaneously. Getting the vehicle restarted often requires multiple shutdown and restart cycles. One owner's dealership found a factory assembly defect—an engine piece not tightened properly that eventually broke.
Power steering pump failures are chronic and expensive. One owner replaced the pump three times in just over a year; another replaced it six times in six months, with new pumps failing within days of installation. Owners report spending hundreds or thousands out of pocket because dealers won't cover repeated pump failures. Hose leaks at connections occur even at low mileage—one at 40K miles—though dealers acknowledge it's a common defect. Owners also report intermittent reduced power mode activations while driving, accompanied by StabiliTrak and traction control errors that seem unrelated to actual grip problems. These often coincide with dashboard warning lights flickering or going dark.
Same Chevrolet Traverse steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering loss while driving
Intermittent loss of power steering assistance occurs without warning or visible leaks while driving at highway speeds. Steering becomes difficult or impossible to control, creating immediate hazard to occupants and others on road.
When: Occurs at highway speeds (55-70 mph) and during normal driving; #6 happened within weeks of purchase; no correlation to mileage in most reports
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering assistance; Steering becomes manual-effort heavy; No warning before failure; No visible leaks or prior noises; Loss of steering control during turns and lane changes
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite replacement of power steering pump (multiple failures on same vehicle), power steering gear with leaking boot ($1700 repair cited), and rack and pinion replacement; #16 reports two pump replacements did not resolve issue, mechanic suspects programming problem
Engine stall with loss of power and steering
Vehicle stalls while driving at highway speeds. After stall occurs, vehicle loses all power steering and braking capability. Restart is difficult, often requiring multiple restart cycles.
When: #1 occurred on highway in newer vehicle; #3 occurred at 65 mph, happened 3 times in one day; #8 stalled several times; #9 at 65 mph on straight road
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine shutdown while driving; Complete loss of power steering upon stall; Complete loss of power brakes upon stall; Unable to restart immediately; Requires multiple restart/shutdown cycles to get vehicle restarted
Codes mentioned: P1682, C042-00
Repairs/costs cited: #1 involved catastrophic engine failure (broken engine piece damaged piston, cylinder, head); GM determined piece was not tightened properly at factory; engine was replaced; #3 owner replaced ignition relay switch 3 times already; #8 steering wheel locked and ignition would not turn over
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: #1 involved full engine replacement at dealership; #2 vehicle equipped with recalled ignition switch but not included in recall despite similar problems in other GM vehicles
Reduced power mode activation with loss of steering and brakes
Vehicle randomly enters 'reduced power mode' while driving, triggering traction control and StabiliTrak errors. This mode causes simultaneous loss of power steering and power brakes, making vehicle difficult to control until stopped.
When: Occurs randomly while moving or stationary; #2 reports most recent incident 10/02/2020; #3 happens about twice a month for 6 months; #13 occurs during highway drives
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard displays 'Reduced Power Mode' message; StabiliTrak and traction control warnings light up; Loss of power steering during the event; Loss of power brakes during the event; Vehicle speed reduces significantly; Symptoms clear after restart; Events triggered by random, unrelated engine codes
Codes mentioned: Multiple random engine codes reported
Repairs/costs cited: #2 notes vehicle equipped with recalled ignition switch from other GM models but not included in Traverse recall
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: #2 vehicle has same ignition switch as recalled models but was not included in recall despite identical symptoms
Power steering pump failure and noise
Power steering pump fails repeatedly on same vehicle, with some owners experiencing multiple replacements within short timeframes. Pump failure often accompanied by squealing noise before complete failure.
When: #4 on 3rd pump (first failed May 2019, second July 2019, vehicle purchased July 2018); #12 replaced 6 times in 6 months; pumps fail within days of new installation
Symptoms owners cite: Squealing noise from steering column/pump; Pump makes whining noise; Loss of power steering assistance; At low RPMs, steering becomes manual-effort; Difficulty turning wheel when parking; Growling noise from steering column when turning
Repairs/costs cited: #4 replaced pump three times; used Dext. IV fluid as recommended; $600 labor each replacement; #12 pump replaced 6 times in 6 months with new pump failing within days; rack and pinion also replaced; dealer will not cover failures; #5 power steering gear leaking at right front boot, $1700 total repair
Power steering hose leaks at connections
Power steering hoses leak at connection points after just a few years and low mileage. Leaks occur from faulty connections rather than hose degradation.
When: #7 at 40K miles; #14 has small fluid leak at pump and rack pinion boot
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid leaking at hose connections; Fluid spills on engine floor; Potential fire hazard from hot fluid on motor; Difficult steering at slow speeds; Hard to turn wheel when parking
Repairs/costs cited: #7 reports hoses are backordered, indicating common issue; Chevy acknowledges it is 'very common issue'; #14 small leak at pump and rack pinion boot
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: #7 Chevy told owner issue is very common and expressed hope it will be recalled; did not provide warranty coverage to second owner; #14 Chevy admits it is a common issue but no recall has been issued
Steering wheel lock during operation
Steering wheel locks or becomes immobilized while vehicle is running or during operation, preventing steering input.
When: #8 steering wheel locked during incident; #15 steering wheel locks when vehicle cuts out on freeway
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks; Hard to steer; Vehicle difficult to control
Repairs/costs cited: #8 ignition switch would not turn over; #15 occurs with no warning
Dashboard and electrical system intermittent failures
Dashboard lights, gauges, and radio experience intermittent flickering or failure. Passenger seat belt and airbag warning lights activate when seat is unoccupied.
When: #8 radio failed several times and sensors/gauges flickered intermittently; #2 airbag light alerts on occasion when front passenger seat unoccupied; #17 dashboard lights dim then bright then dim again while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Radio failures; Intermittent gauge flickering; False airbag/seatbelt warnings; Dashboard lights dimming and brightening; Instrument panel lighting up erratically
Repairs/costs cited: #17 steering wheel vibrates when parked
Traction control and StabiliTrak system malfunctions
Traction control and StabiliTrak systems activate or error out randomly, often triggered by unrelated engine codes. Messages appear on dashboard but issues are not related to actual traction or stability problems.
When: #2 activates randomly while moving or stationary; #3 happens about twice a month for 6 months; #9 rapid uncontrolled deceleration with StabiliTrak issue
Symptoms owners cite: Random traction control activation; StabiliTrak warnings appear; 'Service traction control' message; 'Service StabiliTrak' message; Dashboard states 'engine reduce speed'; Vehicle shudders; Rapid uncontrolled deceleration
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: #3 vehicle not included in recall despite issue being known in 2009-2010 Traverse models
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
While driving about 65 MPH on us-59 in my 2013 Chevrolet traverse ltz , the instrument panel lit up like a christmas tree, followed by a rapid, un-controlled deceleration, loss of power, and loss of steering. This was while driving on a straight road, and no surface impediments such as rain, snow, sleet, ect.. The issue was "stabilitrak! As a 30 year, career law enforcement officer who…
While driving 65 to 70 mph on the freeway, vehicle suddenly shudders and dash state "engine reduce speed" and "service stabilitrak" and "service traction control". It has happen about twice a month 6 months back. Took it to the dealership, no code so they couldn't find the issue even though I should them multiple videos. Today the vehicle shut off while driving 65 mph this morning in the fast…
Took my traverse to the dealership as I needed new tires due to dry rot. This was discovered when I took it in for an oil change. It stated to them that I could hear a growling noise coming from the steering column when turning the wheel to the right. I was told that the power steering gear was leaking at the right front boot. The total cost to repair $1700.00. No recall on this important part…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 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 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 55,389 and 109,000 miles, with the median around 71,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,389; a quarter make it past 109,000. 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/2013/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.