Today I started to develop a whining noise and the steering has started to become increasingly harder to turn in the past week. It is hard to turn at low speeds. There have been various times where I have been unable to maneuver the vehicle when trying to park due to the steering becoming very stiff. I've also had a close call getting into an accident while making a u-turn due to the steering…
2017 Chevrolet Traverse steering problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2017 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 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2017 Traverse has documented power steering failures ranging from progressive stiffness to sudden complete loss of steering assist while driving—a critical safety issue. Failures have occurred as early as 40,000 miles, and some occur intermittently making diagnosis difficult; purchase only if you can have a pre-buy inspection focus specifically on power steering system function and fluid condition.
Owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse describe two main steering problems. The first is progressive stiffness and loss of power steering function. Most commonly, the steering wheel becomes increasingly difficult or impossible to turn at low speeds and during parking maneuvers. Some owners report the wheel suddenly becoming inoperable while driving. A whining or squeaking noise frequently accompanies the stiffness. In one case, a dealer diagnosed a failed power steering module at 72,000 miles; another owner at 56,000 miles reports a faulty steering pump. One owner cites a Technical Service Bulletin issued in December 2017 (13-02-32-001E) addressing high-pressure power steering line leaks caused by contact between power steering and coolant lines.
The second pattern involves total loss of power steering while driving, sometimes accompanied by engine shutdown. One owner lost all electrical power and steering assist at highway speed, resulting in stiff brakes and loss of control. Another owner lost steering capability on a city street and the vehicle shut off simultaneously.
A few owners report mechanics found no issue during testing or diagnostics, despite confirmed stiffness during normal driving. Fluid levels have checked adequate in at least two cases. These failures occur across a range of mileages—some as early as under 40,000 miles, others at 72,000 miles and higher.
Same Chevrolet Traverse steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Pump Failure
Steering pump develops hole or internal failure, causing loss of power steering fluid and increasing difficulty turning the steering wheel.
When: As early as under 40,000 miles; one confirmed failure at 56,000 miles; another around 72,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes progressively stiffer and harder to turn; Whining or squeaking noise from steering area when turning; Inability to turn at low speeds or during parking; Loud noise from engine area when accelerating and turning steering wheel; Steering wheel becomes completely inoperable or immobilized
Repairs/costs cited: Pump requires replacement; one owner reports cost involved replacing pump and a pin; another owner had pump replaced but issue recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner cites Technical Service Bulletin 13-02-32-001E issued December 2017 addressing power steering line leaks from contact between power steering and coolant lines; one owner reports dealer opened a case after module failure diagnosed at 72,000 miles
Total Loss of Power Steering While Driving
Complete loss of power steering assist occurs suddenly while vehicle is in motion, creating severe control hazard. In some cases accompanied by total engine shutdown and loss of electrical power.
When: Occurs at various mileages; one case under 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly becomes impossible to turn; Complete loss of power steering with no warning light; Loud clanking sound from steering wheel area; Vehicle loses all electrical power, lights shut off; Engine shuts down while coasting; Brakes become stiff and difficult to apply
Repairs/costs cited: One case: power steering module diagnosed as failed and required replacement (not completed at time of report); diagnostics often cannot replicate the problem during testing
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported manufacturer was made aware and case was opened after dealer diagnosis
Intermittent Steering Stiffness
Steering wheel randomly becomes tight and difficult to turn, with the problem disappearing and reappearing unpredictably. No warning lights illuminate.
When: Occurs intermittently with no predictable pattern
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel randomly gets tight and stiff; Difficulty turning the wheel at times; Problem resolves temporarily but recurs; No warning lights illuminate when stiffness occurs; Mechanics unable to replicate during testing
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic flushed and refilled steering fluid, but problem recurred shortly after
Power Steering Line Abrasion Failure
High-pressure power steering lines leak due to contact with coolant lines. Rubbing occurs over time, eventually causing line failure and loss of steering function.
When: Progressive failure over time
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering fluid; Loss of power steering function; Increasingly stiff steering wheel
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin 13-02-32-001E issued December 2017; owner states GM failed to notify customers of this known issue
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Engine idle down coming off expressway power steering was hard to turn ran off the road. Drove car the rest of the way home steering was still hard to turn in either direction, check power steering fluid and found it to be ok
Had steering trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 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?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 40,501 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2017/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.