2020 Chevrolet Traverse Steering Problems

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.

[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] 4/16/2025 General Motors Customer Assistance Center P.O. Box 33170 Detroit, MI 48232-5170 Subject: Power Steering Issue – 2020 Chevy Traverse (VIN: [XXX] ) To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my concern and frustration regarding a serious issue with my 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, VIN [XXX] . On [XXX], while driving, the steering wheel suddenly became very stiff, making it extremely difficult to turn right or left. A warning message appeared on the dashboard that read: "Reduced Steering Assist." I immediately took the vehicle to a certified dealership, where it has now been sitting for over two months. Despite multiple follow-ups, I have not been provided with a clear repair date. When I contacted the manufacturer, I was informed that the required part is currently on backorder, but again, no estimated time of resolution has been given. During this extended wait, I have been forced to rent a car to manage my daily responsibilities, and so far I’ve accumulated close to $1,000 in rental expenses. My case number is: [XXX]. I am requesting the following: 1. A clear update regarding the repair status of my vehicle. 2. Urgent assistance in obtaining the necessary replacement part. 3. Reimbursement or compensation for the rental car expenses caused by the extended delay, which has not been my fault. I trust that General Motors values its customers and the reliability of its vehicles, and I hope for a prompt and fair resolution to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND WHEN VEHICLES A HEAD OF HIM STARTED TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES, THE CONTACTS HUSBAND THEN DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE LOCKED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLID CRASHING INTO THE REAR END OF A UTILITY TRUCK IN FRONT OF HIM. THE VEHICLE THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE UTILITY TRUCK DRIVER ON THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS NEEDED AT THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A IMPOUND WHERE THEN THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED WHERE THEY PLAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME FIRM, WITH THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CONTACTED HER HUSBAND AND INFORMED HIM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON JUNE 25, 2020 WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 75 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BY HER HUSBAND TO FREMONT CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 5850 CUSHING PKWY, FREMONT, CA 94538, (510) 445-8700, WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN SENSOR NEEDED TO UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.

THIS STARTED AROUND MAY 2020... I WAS AT ABOUT 2K MILES IN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO WEATHER. AND THAT THEY HAD OTHER CHEVY WITH SAME ISSUE- "SO IT'S NORMAL". I BOUGHT THE 2020 CHEVY TRAVERSE BRAND NEW RIGHT OFF LOT. AFTER WE PACKED UP AND VISITED FAMILY I NOTICED IT HAD SOUNDS. THE SOUNDS WERE LIKE WHINING NOISES JUST LOUD AND SERIOUSLY OBNOXIOUS. IT ONLY HAPPENED WE WERE TURNING VEHICLE AT FIRST. SO WE GET HOME AND IT STARTED BEING LOUDER. I THEN NOTICED AS I WAS DRIVING AND AFTER I SLOWED DOWN TO LIKE 20 HEADING FOR A STOP SIGN THE CAR SUDDENLY HAS THIS BURST OF ENERGY AND SPEEDS UP TO LIKE 33 CAUSING ME TO HIT BREAKS. I TOLD MY HUSBAND AND HE WAS LIKE I DON'T KNOW MAYBE IT IS EXPUNGING GAS. AFTER I SLOW DOWN? ISN'T THAT DANGEROUS. I IGNORED IT BUT IT CONTINUES EVER SO OFTEN AND THIS IS ON REGULAR STREETS -SPEED LIMIT IS 35. THEN THE WHINING NOISE FROM WHEEL HAD ME TERRIFIED. SO WE WENT TO DEALER. THAT WAS COMICAL. DUDE WAS LIKE "IT'S A CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CAR". I'M LIKE WHAT? WHY WOULD THEY MAKE A CAR WITH AN ANNOYING SOUND - ITS DISTRACTING. I DON'T WANT TO DIE BECAUSE OF MY WHEEL. I READ ONLINE OTHER PEOPLE HAD PROBLEMS SO WE WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND ANOTHER. THE GUY AT LAST DEALER WAS LIKE THIS IS NOT NORMAL. THEY CREATED CARFAX REPORT AND SWITCHED PART OUT. I COULD GO ON. SO THAT LOUD NOISE NEVER WENT AWAY- AT FIRST IT WAS LOW AND NOW LOUDER. I CALLED CHEVY AGAIN AND THEY ARE LIKE A DEALER HAS TO ACCESS SITUATION AND CALL US. THIS IS NOT SAFE. ALSO THE OTHER PROBLEMS ARE SEATBELT LOCKS. THE MIDDLE SEAT DESIGN IS TERRIBLE. MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING THERE WHEN IT WENT BACK IN BETWEEN SEAT AND LOCKED IT WOULDN'T LET UP NO MATTER WHAT. HAD TO TAKE SEAT APART TO FIX SEAT BELT. MY SEAT IN FRONT LOCKS AND ITS RELENTLESS. SO UNCOMFORTABLE AND IT CHOKES ME BECAUSE I'M SHORT. TERRIBLE DESIGN BECAUSE IT CAN'T ADJUST LIKE THE GM VERSION. I HAVE VIDEO PROOF/RECEIPTS.