Chevrolet Traverse Problems by Year

We compared every Chevrolet Traverse model year from 2009–2026 using 5,501 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 32 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2025, 2024, 2011, 2023 and 2010, which drew far more complaints than other Traverse years at the same age. The best years are 2013, 2021 and 2020.

18model years
5,501complaints
32recalls
2025, 2024worst years
2013, 2021best years

Complaints by model year

’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26448669608354162548313292361464412234921009314118525
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Traverse. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2026253.6×1ElectricalCaution
20251857.5×—BrakeAvoid
20241413.6×—BrakeAvoid
2023931.5×2TransmissionCaution
2022100typical1TransmissionAverage
202192−48%3ElectricalGood
2020234−21%8EngineAverage
20194121.4×3TransmissionAverage
20184641.4×2TransmissionAverage
2017361typical3AirbagAverage
2016292−20%5AirbagAverage
2015313−19%5AirbagAverage
2014548typical7AirbagAverage
2013162−58%4ElectricalGood
2012354typical5EngineAverage
20116081.7×5EngineCaution
20106691.8×5SteeringCaution
2009448typical8SteeringAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Traverse year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Chevrolet Traverse problems

Latest Chevrolet Traverse recalls

Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual

NHTSA recall 26V-114 · Feb 26, 2026 · 5,861 vehicles

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible…

Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 23V-334 · May 10, 2023 · 995,085 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025.

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 23V-172 · Mar 16, 2023 · 8,744 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the sun gears, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2023. The remedy is expected to become available August 31, 2023.

Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft

NHTSA recall 23V-042 · Feb 2, 2023 · 10 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Blazer and Traverse vehicles. The left-side half-shaft assemblies may be missing a retaining ring.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left-side half-shaft assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 22V-246 · Apr 14, 2022 · 2,687 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the drivers air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300; Chevrolet customer service at…

All 32 Chevrolet Traverse recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Chevrolet Traverse should you avoid?

2025, 2024, 2011, 2023 and 2010 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Traverse years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2025.

What is the best year for the Chevrolet Traverse?

2013 has the fewest complaints compared with other Traverse years at the same age, followed by 2021 and 2020. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Chevrolet Traverse problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (1,209), air bags (1,051) and steering (955). Engine complaints peak in the 2011 model year.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Traverse had?

32 recalls across 2009–2026. The model year with the most is 2009. See all Chevrolet Traverse recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.