Chevrolet Traverse steering lock-up problems

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · TX

driving at about 10:30 pm on 10-3-26 light rain and was on a katy rd. app 25-30 mph went to slow down and the sevrice saftey restaint system light came on and i looked at the message and then it went off the info center and the side curtain air bags deployed a loud pop i , the steering locked and i was trying to stop on hte brake and car stopped as it nosed the frt in to the ditch

Filed Aug 9, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · MO

electrical, drivetrain, powertrain. While driving the vehicle a message popped up on the speedometer saying service battery chargeing system and battery saver mode. the is the second time that those messages have come up in the four years of ownership with the first time being in 2024. The second issue we have had with this vehicle was injectors going bad and causing a bad misfire making driveability rough. We have gone through three O2 sensors in the past 4 years. we have replaced the alternator and are fixing to replace it again. the driverside axle seal leaked. transmission slips bad. there is a current random misfire. Back in may of 2025 we were driving to Florida from missouri and had to slam on the brakes and when we released the brake the car refused to move and when i pressed the gas harder there was a loud bang like we had been hit but it was like the brakes had locked up completely. It shudders bad when starting. Two months ago the steering locked up while driving. Vehicle has been inspected several times by the dealer we bought it from but driving this vehicle is becoming my families worst nightmare.

Filed Oct 8, 2025 · Steering · FL

A few months ago I was driving and without any warning the steering wheel would lock up and I couldn’t turn it at all. I had to use my strength to wiggle it to unlock it. It happened several times on busy roads and highways. It’s currently at the dealership for the past 2 months because there is a short and the steering gear box needs to be replaced but the part is on back order with no date of when it’ll become available. I obviously can’t drive it due to the steering locking up and that it’s a danger to not only myself and my family but other drivers on the road. Anyone could have been seriously injured or killed had it locked up and caused an accident. It would happen no matter what speed I was going.

Filed Sep 19, 2025 · Electrical · 52,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the battery warning light and power steering assist warning light illuminated. The steering wheel seized, and the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with battery failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that eight days later, after stopping at a gas station, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) system purge valve had failed. The canister purge solenoid valve was replaced. The contact stated that two weeks later, the alternator failed and was replaced; however, six months later, the failure reoccurred with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) leak. The SOP solenoid and the Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) canister were replaced. After the vehicle was repaired, the contact stopped by the gas station, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the purge valve had failed. Most recently, the vehicle hesitated, and the engine was running rough. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact went to several dealers for the repairs, and each dealer retrieved several electrical codes. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and several claims were filed. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

Filed Sep 11, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MD · 1 injury

On July 31st, while backing up on a clear road in rain the brakes locked suddenly. The brakes applied & a message saying Emergency Parking brake engaged. Must be manually released. This happened twice in a 30 second period before there was enough room for me to pull forward out of the spot. I called the dealership on August 1st to see if this was a known issue and they said no. Brought the car in on August 2nd. They scanned for errors & found a message Lost Communication with Parking Assist Control Module with 9 other error message. They said this was not a known problem and to them it appeared to fix itself but would let me know if there was any way to fix. Car has just been in for regular multi point inspection on July 24th. On August 20th went to get in the car but none of the key fobs would open it. Called two dealerships but neither could come up with answer. Chevy Roadside was called & came to get into the car and ended up jumping it. At that time the battery was tested and it appeared fine. It was recommended to run it for a half hour. I ended up driving it for an hour with no extras on. On August 25th the next day I went to drive it the battery of this 1 year old car was dead. Called the two dealerships to see what could be done & was told to bring it in. Called Chevy Roadside Assistance who dispatched someone to open the car and jump the battery. This person found the battery was not holding a charge & said nothing when I said I was driving it to the dealership. Got 3 houses away & a message that the Brakes have failed. Press hard to brake popped up. In addition the steering locked up. I missed hitting a lady with a kid in a stroller by 6 ft but managed to get it to the curve & with 3 pushes into park. It was towed to the dealership. When it arrived at the dealership the brakes locked up so it would not back up off the flatbed. It had to be forced off. Dealer blames poor battery but can't explain July 31st or why battery readouts say okay.

Filed Feb 14, 2025 · Steering, Transmission · FL

The car displayed a message on the board advising the following: "Steering assist is reduced, drive with care" right after the message popped out my steering wheel locked and I couldn't turn, and move the car to a safe place was very hard, almost had a crash. I was able to park, and turned the engine off. When turned back on the message disappeared and turned on again. Next day, no message, the car was running fine and after 8 miles of drive did the same and it required towing.

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 Sep 21, 2023 · Airbags, Driver assistance · WY

For the already known air bag recall for my vehicle, I have called GM and clearly stated how uncomfortable and unsafe I feel driving my vehicle with such a dangerous malfunction that is meant to save my life, not take it. They told me there was no way they could help, but for me to be patient. I live in a bumpy and windy area, and from other reports, I know can set off the airbags. As for the automatic braking system, we were driving on the freeway with no vehicles or objects in front or even beside us when the system kicked in with the red light and alarm sound while braking immediately and even had my steering wheel lock up. I was able to regain control a minute later, but we were close to a curve in the road that I may have not been able to turn with my steering wheel locked up, as well as a vehicle behind me having to hit their own brakes and quickly change lanes due to our vehicle suddenly braking. I have been to a dealership for diagnosing but they told me they could find nothing out of ordinary. Given I did not trust these mechanics as they have lied before to get money from us and have missed other problems that were easily diagnosed at another mechanic we have seen. Our small town only has few choices of mechanics or dealerships.

Filed Jan 17, 2022 · Engine, Steering · NY

Stopped at a red light in left lane of a two way highway. When light turned green car stalled out. Steering locked and brakes locked. Got truck to side of road. Lights and radio still worked. Truck would not turn over or start. Dashboard was fully lit. Had towed to dealer. According to dealer it was starter and flywheel

Filed Oct 26, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · AR

With no warning the steering wheel locks up and the engine reduces power and starts saying service traction control and stability track. It doesn’t his in rush hour traffic going 75 miles an hour.