2009 Chevrolet Traverse: harsh or hard shifting

Filed May 22, 2015 · Steering · 55,000 miles · NY

During the winter season, I periodically started hearing a clunking sound as I was making directional turns in my vehicle (a 2009 chevy traverse). Therefore, during my previous oil change, I asked my mechanic to take it for a test drive, but he did not hear anything at that time. Yesterday, I was in for another oil change and again I asked my mechanic to test drive it, but this time he did hear the clunking sound and ultimately found that the rack & pinion steering unit needed to be replaced. Both professionally and on computer "on-line" web sites, there are numerous complaints of early failures of the rack & pinion steering, on the gmc acadia, buick enclave and chevy traverse, SUV type vehicles. I have owned several vehicles over the last 30 years and never had to replace the entire rack & pinion steering unit on a vehicle that was less than ten years old (only six, in this instance) and had such low mileage (recently passed 60,000 miles). Obviously, there is a flaw in the design or in the production of this steering mechanism. There are too many premature failures on these series of vehicles. Gm should own up to their mistakes, but as with their ignition switch problems, they would rather ignore the problem. I have owned several gm vehicles and have mostly been satisfied with their products. If I have to spend almost $2000 to fix their mistake, this will be the last new (or used) gm car I purchase. My previous SUV was a 2002 toyota highlander. I purchased it "new" and kept it for over ten years and drove over 100,000 miles on it. Other than wear and tear items (brakes, tires, battery, etc.), I did not experience any "abnormal" failures, in any of the vehicles major components.

Filed Dec 31, 2013 · Steering · 87,000 miles · OR

I have a 2009 chevy traverse, bought brand new. When backing out and turning out of my driveway, my steering was beyond stiff. I had to use excessive force to turn and there was a loud clunking noise when I did. This steering problem occurred at lower speeds up to about 20 MPH or so. It occurred whether I was turning right or left, moving forward or backwards. When turning left and/or right, (not from a stop sign) I had to pull the wheel very hard to keep from going into the oncoming lane. Assuming the problem was a lack of steering fluid, I went to a les schwab to have it checked and filled, but that wasn't the problem. The next day I took it to a shop and the mechanic believes the problem to be the power steering sensor?? The car is there now so I don't know the results yet. Prior to this incident, I was driving down the freeway and when changing lanes the steering stiffened and resisted almost causing me to hit the median. I have had many issues with this vehicle since buying it. Issues that wouldn't be expected from a vehicle this new.

Filed May 17, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 80,000 miles · CO

I just purchased my 2009 traverse in march and within 2 weeks of owning it I noticed it was hard to park, unfortunately there was not a warranty on the car. Now its been almost 3 months since I purchased my vehicle and it is getting worse by the day. I not only have problems parking but also when I make turns. I have taken to be looked at and they said it is a common problem with this vehicle. My concern is if it is so common why has it not been recalled. It is obviously a dangerous problem. I have had to stop my car in order to get it to turn so that I could fihish parking. Also have noticed a clunking noise when the AC is on.

Filed Aug 31, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 25,226 miles · PA

Vehicle seems to hesitate also stalling while at highway speed trying to accelerate to pass (feels like a miss in the engine) RPM drop about 500 - 700 rpms when this happens. It also feels like the torque converter lockup is engaging and disengaging not sure if the new transmissions have that anymore. Have taken the vehicle to the dealership and they were unable to find any problems. The dealership last month reprogrammed the transmission to eliminate the hard shifting problem with a bulletin issued from chevrolet .

Filed Mar 29, 2011 · Steering · 40,000 miles · MO

Loud thumping noise when turning the steering wheel. Sounded like something fell out of the front end of the car. Car dealership replaced rack and pinion and bled power steering and set toe. Found noise traced to internal rack failure which caused clunk when turned back and forth. Repaired 3/2011