Chevrolet Traverse owners filed 2,644 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse drew the most complaints (461); across all years, owners complain most about air bags (23% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2018, with 461 complaints, led by transmission / powertrain (195) and 2 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Air bags drew 617 complaints and 8 recalls.
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2017 (1.6 times as many complaints), 2018 (2.0 times as many complaints), 2019 (1.8 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: automatic emergency braking / collision warning complaints came at a median 4k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 12 complaints mention a fire and 82 a crash, with 92 injuries and 2 deaths reported.
Chevrolet Traverse complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 5 recalls | 313 | Air bags (162), Engine (37), Electrical system (28) median 52k mi · 10 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2016 5 recalls | 291 | Air bags (163), Transmission / powertrain (36), Engine (31) median 49k mi · 8 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2017 3 recalls | 361 | Air bags (263), Engine (25), Electrical system (22) median 38k mi · 13 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2018 2 recalls | 461 | Transmission / powertrain (195), Electrical system (101), Engine (84) median 32k mi · 9 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2019 3 recalls | 405 | Transmission / powertrain (167), Electrical system (111), Engine (62) median 42k mi · 15 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2020 8 recalls | 226 | Engine (70), Transmission / powertrain (39), Electrical system (28) median 50k mi · 11 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2021 3 recalls | 89 | Electrical system (22), Transmission / powertrain (15), Engine (11) median 54k mi · 4 crashes |
| 2022 1 recall | 98 | Transmission / powertrain (43), Electrical system (18), Engine (17) median 50k mi · 3 crashes |
| 2023 2 recalls | 89 | Transmission / powertrain (29), Electrical system (19), Engine (18) median 37k mi · 5 crashes |
| 2024 no recall | 135 | Brakes (52), Engine (31), Electrical system (24) median 9k mi · 1 fire |
| 2025 no recall | 176 | Brakes (107), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (61), Electrical system (45) median 10k mi · 4 crashes |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 32, more than the 19 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Chevrolet Traverse problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 617 | 23% | 8 | 50k mi | — |
| Transmission / powertrain | 595 | 23% | 4 | 43k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Electrical system | 444 | 17% | 0 | 27k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Engine | 398 | 15% | 0 | 32k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Brakes | 281 | 11% | 0 | 19k mi | Brake repair cost |
| Steering | 117 | 4% | 0 | 50k mi | Power steering repair cost |
| Fuel system | 113 | 4% | 1 | 31k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
| Automatic emergency braking / collision warning | 110 | 4% | 0 | 4k mi | — |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Chevrolet Traverse owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Air bags
Takata recall - I took my car into the dealership because my airbag warning sensors lit up on my dashboard. The dealership told me the entire passenger seat needed to be replaced at about $1100, and it was my responsibility as there was no recall on it. The vehicle is only 1.5 years old and has never had any accidents/airbag issues.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11175159
I have been in contact with gm to find a remedy since they do not have a repair option for my vehicle yet. My car now is displaying the service airbag warning light, and I cannot get any service department to take a look at this to make sure it’s safe to be driving without paying a $260 diagnostic fee. I am a single mom, I do not have an extra $260 to pay without knowing if it’s something they can fix.
2015 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11553108
Related recalls: 23V334000 (2015–2017): An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. 22V246000 (2015): An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. 21V782000 (2015–2017): An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Transmission / powertrain
9T65 auto transmission failed at 115,000 miles. It won't change past 3rd gear, and engine has reduced power. Towed it to the chevy dealership where we bought it in york sc. They told me it needed a new transmission and it was not covered by any warranty. I then took it to a transmission repair place and was told it needed a new transmission and the cost was estimated at $7300.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11662168
I noticed that the transmission has a shutter really bad before I crossed over a hundred thousand miles it is gotten so bad that you cannot drive the vehicle without it shuttering it almost every gear. Took it to the dealership dealership said it had too many miles and all the warranties in all that couldn't help US they want $10,000 to replace it.
2022 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11733778
Related recalls: 20V668000 (2018–2020): Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire. 23V172000 (2023): A half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. 23V042000 (2023): A missing retaining ring on the half-shaft can cause half-shaft inner joint separation, resulting in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
595 owners reported transmission / powertrain problems; the transmission repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Electrical system
The alternator failed randomly while driving down the road. The vehicle only has 26500 miles. There was no lights on prior to the car stalling. When it failed my whole car started to flash every warning at the screen to me. My car then stopped working and I barely was able to coast into a parking lot. Luckily I was not on the highway and no one was behind me when the car stopped working.
2020 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11681260
Dashboard alerts “shift to park” after the car is turned off. Car is in park. Contacted dealer and it $480.00 to repair and apparently not covered by the gm bumper to bumper extended warranty protection plan. A recall was issued for the same issue on the 2018 Traverse but not issued for the 2019. This is ridiculous and gm needs to issue a recall for this issue for the 2019 model.
2019 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11580060
None of these 444 electrical system complaints is matched by a recall on these model years, so a repair is covered only by warranty or paid by the owner.
444 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Chevrolet Traverse recalls
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23V334000 | 2023-05-10 | 2015–2017 | Air bags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 23V172000 | 2023-03-16 | 2023 | Transmission / powertrain | A half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 23V042000 | 2023-02-02 | 2023 | Transmission / powertrain | A missing retaining ring on the half-shaft can cause half-shaft inner joint separation, resulting in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 22V246000 | 2022-04-14 | 2015 | Air bags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 22V210000 | 2022-03-31 | 2020–2022 | Air bags | Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 21V817000 | 2021-10-18 | 2020–2021 | Transmission / powertrain | A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. |
| 21V782000 | 2021-10-07 | 2015–2017 | Air bags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 21V472000 | 2021-06-24 | 2021 | Air bags | Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury. |
| 21V246000 | 2021-04-08 | 2015–2019 | Air bags | Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 21V115000 | 2021-02-25 | 2020 | Tires | Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V684000 | 2020-11-05 | 2020 | Tires | Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash. |
| 20V668000 | 2020-10-29 | 2018–2020 | Transmission / powertrain | Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire. |
| 20V639000 | 2020-10-15 | 2020 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V446000 | 2020-07-30 | 2020 | Air bags | If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 19V643000 | 2019-09-06 | 2020 | Body structure | A crack in the frame rail may reduce crash performance, increasing the risk of an injury. |
| 18V774000 | 2018-11-01 | 2019 | Air bags | If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury. |
| 15V833000 | 2015-12-11 | 2016 | Seats | If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury. |
| 15V609000 | 2015-09-29 | 2016 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire. |
| 15V044000 | 2015-01-28 | 2015 | Tires | If the tire treads crack, a loss of tire pressure and possible tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash. |
What this data can and can't tell you
2,644 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Chevrolet models in the index
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (7,160)
- Chevrolet Malibu (3,192)
- Chevrolet Equinox (3,023)
- Chevrolet Tahoe (2,306)
- Chevrolet Colorado (2,241)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.