2011 Chevrolet Traverse steering problems

Filed Oct 8, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · MI

Components related to timing chain failed, and vehicle is currently available with plans to sell to a salvage yard by 10/25/24. My 9 year old and I were at risk of collision when the vehicle failed. I was driving approximately 70-75 mph when we started to lose power. At 65 mph, I managed to cross 2 lanes of highway traffic and stopped on the shoulder. I turned off my vehicle and waited several minutes, hoping it would help reset or cool off a component or something. I had to try a couple of times before it started, and I attempted to drive as safely as I could, made it to 60 mph before it stopped running completely. I had to pull hard on the steering wheel to get to the shoulder again, only this time, the shoulder was pinched off in front of us and around a small blind spot behind us. I had my daughter move to the side closer to the cement barrier while waiting for a tow truck. She became very nervous about how close some of the other vehicles got. Afterwards, the error codes indicated several components pointing to a timing chain problem. I had the timing chain repaired around April or May of 2023 by a certified mechanic. I watched the oil life percentage and oil temperature gauge consistently. Everything indicated as normal, but I had difficulty pulling out the dipstick to check the oil level. Since it was hard to get a good reading, I tried to add some oil and recheck. The oil cap was nearly impossible to open, so I decided to wait for an oil tech to do it. Around 40-50% oil life, I had planned to have the oil changed. In spite of my efforts to maintain proper oil quality, the oil cap had to be opened with a wrench. Smoke rose out and dried out oil residue lined the inner walls. It was about a quart low. I don’t drive hard on it and it had only been around 3,000 miles between oil changes. It had been one year since the timing chain was replaced. Error codes remain and the vehicle runs rough if it stays on long enough after much effort to start it.

Filed Sep 18, 2024 · Brakes, Steering · OH

As i am driving down the road the service stable trak light and abs lights pop on and the brakes sieze up so bad you cant get the car to stop and brake pedal to unlock as well as when you try to turn the steering wheel locks

Filed Jun 8, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · KS

Care loses connection shuts off while driving and unable to accelerate. Loses steering control

Filed Jul 1, 2021 · Steering · PA

There was a service bulliton on this vehicle sb-10056456-3388 it has to do with the power steering pump and some rack and pinon steering parts. It is hard to turn when you are first starting out gets easier as you are driving though but is still a major concern and problem as it could happen to cause an accident at some point would like to see this problem get a recall on it

Filed Mar 4, 2021 · Steering · IN

I've owned my traverse for slightly longer than 1 year. I can hear a whiny sound coming from the steering wheel area and it is becoming harder and harder to turn the wheel while I'm going slow...as in I can't get it into or out of tight areas such as parking spots. Put in half bottle of fluid....didn't help. Is there a recall?

Filed Feb 16, 2021 · Steering · 140,000 miles · KY

I have been having problems with my steering when I drive at a slow speed. When I go to turn the wheel you have to use a lot of force to turn, if not you have to be on the gas to get the steering to work. I hate driving this vehicle with my kids in the car. I have almost wreaked it a few times. I don't understand what is going on. When it started happening last month I got my power steering pump replaced and then a week after I got it put in, it's not working properly again. This is very dangerous. I hope this issue gets fixed. I am going to replace the power steering pump one more time if it does it again.

Filed Jan 8, 2021 · Brakes, Steering · 175,000 miles · NC

It became very hard to steer as we slowed down to turn into a parking space. It felt like manual steering and not power. The dealership said we need a steering rack and steering pump. Is there a recall on this vehicle?

Filed Apr 4, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 77,000 miles · GA

So far I have had nothing but issues with my SUV, bought a 2009 for 6,000 and had to pt 7,200 in it to get it running right. I traded it in at the dealership it was being diagnosed at thankfully. Now I have a 2011 and starting to have many issues unfortunately. First it started 3700 miles after I got my 2011 by leaving me with no power steering while trying to make a turn and almost wrecked 3 times going to the hospital. I was able to put power steering fluid in and got my power steering back but immediately took it back to the dealer. They said if I came in at 3500 miles they would have replaced the pump and whole rack under warrenty, but they didnt. So I gotta top it off every few months, no big deal. Suspension has been replaced twice, rough idle, tuned up 3 times in 42,373 miles. A/c only blows cold on driver side now, it makes a different noise every day and the dealership says I need to have the engine dropped and timing chain replaced. I cant drop 2400 bucks on something that doesnt fix the problem! Way too many negative outcomes that I've read on the timing chain issue. People that have had the engine replaced had better luck than a rebuild. This is absurd because it's a great family vehicle but with these issues I really dont want to buy american made cars anymore.

Filed Nov 11, 2019 · Engine, Steering · 70,000 miles · IA

Car was powering down at highway speeds and check engine light came on. Now needs timing chains replaced. Also started having issues with the steering not working and the steering rack is bad and needs replaces. Suspension is no good and all has to be redone. Vehicle only has 70,000 miles on it for being a 2011.

Filed Nov 6, 2019 · Steering · 92,000 miles · MA

The steering on my traverse intermittently stops working, there does not seem to be any pattern and when it stops working the car is practically undriveable and I've almost gotten into accidents three different times. Most of the time it happens when driving, however, when stopped it happens as well.