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 ↗2016 Chevrolet Traverse steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have filed 24 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 56,100 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
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Traverse | 62 |
| 2013 Traverse | 18 |
| 2014 Traverse | 27 |
| 2015 Traverse | 27 |
| 2016 Traverse (this page) | 24 |
| 2017 Traverse | 11 |
| 2018 Traverse | 14 |
| 2019 Traverse | 16 |
| 2020 Traverse | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 24 steering complaints filed for the 2016 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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 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 informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
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 ↗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 2016 Traverse, with issues emerging across a broad mileage range—from under 30,000 miles to over 100,000. Owners describe two main patterns.
Intermittent pump failure is most common, especially at low speeds or idle: the pump loses pressure suddenly, making the steering wheel extremely difficult or impossible to turn. This typically happens during parking maneuvers, low-RPM deceleration, or stops. The wheel may lock up, then restore function after a restart or acceleration. Multiple owners report near-misses: nearly hitting parked cars, colliding with shopping carts, and one case where a driver nearly sideswipe other vehicles while attempting to park.
Fluid leaks compound the problem. A design flaw allows the power steering hose to rub against the air conditioning line during normal operation, wearing a hole in the hose. Pressurized fluid then drips onto the oxygen sensor and sensor box, triggering check engine lights, misfire codes, and rough idle. One owner's repair bill exceeded $2,100 after fluid damage. A TSB exists for the hose/AC contact issue, but GM has told customers there is no permanent fix and no recall planned.
Related steering symptoms include grinding noises during turns, moaning sounds from the steering column, and temporary loss of control during highway driving. One owner had a replacement pump fail immediately after installation. Another required transmission repair in addition to steering work. Owners consistently note the absence of warning lights preceding pump failure, making the problem undetectable until it happens.
Same Chevrolet Traverse steering reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering pump failure—intermittent loss of pressure
Pump loses pressure at low speeds, RPMs below 2000, or when stationary, causing steering wheel to become extremely stiff or immobile. Function may return after vehicle restart or acceleration.
When: Under 30,000 miles to 73,737 miles; commonly 30–61,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel extremely difficult or impossible to turn; Intermittent stiffness during parking and low-speed turns; Wheel locks up or becomes loose unpredictably; No warning lights or dashboard indication before failure; Power steering works normally at higher RPMs or after restart
Repairs/costs cited: $1,060–$1,309 for OEM pump replacement; one replaced pump also failed; serpentine belt damage from fluid spillage requiring additional repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM noted that replacement pump is a 'superseded part' (newer version) suggesting original was defective; dealership diagnostics inconclusive without active warning lights
Power steering hose rupture from rubbing AC line
Design flaw allows power steering hose and AC line to contact and rub during normal operation, wearing a hole in the hose. Pressurized fluid leaks onto oxygen sensor and sensor box.
When: 80,000 highway miles; 56,000 miles; mileage varies
Symptoms owners cite: Winding noises during turning; Check engine light and misfire codes; Rough idle and sluggish acceleration; Fluid leaking from hose (may not be visible under hood); O2 sensor (B1 S1) failure from fluid contamination
Codes mentioned: Running lean codes, O2 sensor faults
Repairs/costs cited: $2,115 out-of-pocket repair including hose replacement, sensor replacement, and system flush; not covered under powertrain warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB issued for power steering pump/line; GM told customer no permanent fix exists and no recall is planned despite safety concerns
Power steering pump noise—moaning and grinding
Abnormal moaning or grinding sounds emitted from steering assembly while turning or during operation, sometimes accompanied by stiff steering wheel.
When: 108,000 miles and various mileages during turning maneuvers
Symptoms owners cite: Moaning sound from steering wheel when turning in either direction; Grinding noise during sharp turns or lane changes; Stiff steering wheel during turns; Vehicle pulling or slowing during turns
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealership flagged issue as '911' priority; vehicle had prior power steering service
Traction control and engine light with unrelated steering issues
Vehicle displays traction control and check engine lights with engine shaking and loss of acceleration; issue clears after restart. May or may not be directly steering-related but reported alongside steering concerns in same vehicle.
When: 10/23/18 and 10/30/18; vehicle continues to operate normally after restart
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control light on dashboard; Check engine light illuminated; Engine shaking and severe vibration; Loss of acceleration; speed drops from 40 to 10–15 mph; Difficult maneuvering turns during episodes; Symptoms clear completely after engine restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose without active warning lights present
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM customer service acknowledged issue as safety concern but dealership diagnostics inconclusive
Rack and pinion steering failure
Steering rack and pinion assembly loses function at relatively low mileage, making vehicle difficult or unsafe to operate.
When: 66,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of steering function; Noticeably delayed wheel return to center; Play or lag in steering wheel input at speed; Near-total loss of power steering during parking
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Replaced the transmission in 2018, transmission went out again in 2021. Power steering also had to be replaced in 2021. The initial transmission repair was covered under warranty but not the subsequent transmission nor the power steering were covered under warranty. There are less than 95,000 miles on the car.
I purchased a 2016 Chevy traverse lt new from the dealer. It has approx. 80k miles that are mostly "highway miles". I brought my traverse into the dealer on 12-9-19 for a brake service and ask that they check the power steering which has been making "winding" noises during various turning radiuses. I was informed by the dealership of a tsb regarding the powering steering pump/line. Apparently due…
Had steering trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 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 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 50,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 56,100. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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/2016/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.