Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Chevrolet Traverse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Limp mode. It doesn't have speed only goes about 10-20 mph, doesn't give any gas it'll stall act as if it wants to shut down. Transmission Shift Cable. Stalls want let me get gas or nothing slowing down in traffic, it just gives up. No. yes. others Check engine light, Stabilitrak/traction control system, ABS sensor Whenever the check engine light came early part of December.
I just bought the car from sb auto . The car I had for 4 days wasn't making funny nosies nothing. The timing went when I was driving the car it came to a dead stop lost power steering . Had me and my son in the car thankfully I was Turning into a complex when it happened. It's got 159163 miles
I bought my car and not even a month later I was driving off the interstate and it shut down on me. I had it towed to my house and it won't start anymore. The car makes a funny clickin noise. It could have killed me if I would have wrecked.
2/12/2014:car would not start in driveway -towed to jpchevrolet: control module fuse blown;replaced fuel pump control module -engine started and ran properly per dealership. (all covered under warranty).7/24/14-check engine light on: timing chain issues gaskets/seals all under warranty.remote lock transmitter stopped working could not reprogram - had to buy new one 0n 1/19/15 at same time asked to check surge of vehicle when drivg 40-45 MPH - could not diagnose. On or about 2/15/2015: check engine light on - next day car would not reverse -again in the driveway -pushed car to road drove to dealership.needed a transmission-only 62780 mi.on car-no choice had to fix and no help from GM in michigan - "could not help me" car is not even 6 years old -bought in December 2009 and cost $3473.19 to fix. Also again replaced fuel pump after exactly one year - under warranty...... …
As soon as my vehicle reached just over 102,000 miles, my engine completely shut down while we were driving our kids to practice. I have taken it to the Chevy dealership that has been repairing my vehicle since we purchased it (1.5 years prior to the engine shutting down) and they have informed us we need a completely new engine because the crankshaft is completely blown. When they finally got it started up, it sounded like a bag of hammers being violently shaken. In the 1.5 years that we have had the vehicle, the timing belt has gone out, an electrical issue that caused the car to shut down completely as well, and another repair that my husband handled shortly after we got the car. Chevy has told us we are out of luck and that we have to pay for a new engine. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle had no specific failures other than failing an inspection. The contact called a dealer (lannan Chevrolet, 40 winn st, woburn, ma 01801, [phone]) to inspect and diagnose the failure. The manufacturer did not send a notification of any extended warranty campaigns; however, the vehicle was included in a water pump seal leak, power steering, transmission, and additional service campaigns. After the dealer's repairs, the vehicle was rode roughly and the engine indicator illuminated two days later. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who indicated that further diagnostic testing was required. The vehicle had been at the dealer for longer than two weeks with no resolution. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. While the contact's brother was driving 35 MPH, all the warning indicators illuminated. The driver informed the contact that there was a burning wire odor under the hood, which entered the vehicle throught the vents. The vehicle stalled on an incline, but the driver was able to place the gear shifter into neutral. The vehicle rolled backwards and the driver was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. The following day, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the high pressure fuel pump failed due to fuel in the oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no open recalls. No further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Driving on a highway went to change lane. While accelerating the car started to shake, buck and slow down. Engine light came on. Brought it to the dealer found intermittent code p0306. Performed emission service. Happened again 60days later. Back to the dealer found code p0305 and p0306. They cleaned spark plugs. Happened again 30 days later. Back to the dealer. Codes p0300, p0305, po301, p0304, p0306. OnStar diagnostics: cylinder misfire, engine misfire. Back to the dealer. Soak engine with GM cleaner. Happened again 1 day later. Back to the dealer. Same codes as above. Dealer wants to do a valve job on the car. Waiting to find out what that will cost. Don't know when the misfires will happen. If am trying to pass another car on a highway at high speed and a misfire happens I am sure a accident will occur and it could be fatal.
While driving to work my Traverse completely shut down. I had to coast to the edge of the road and then push it into a parking lot. While driving the lights seemed to go dim and the vehicle shut off! . The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who said the timing chain went and when it did it basically blew the engine. A new engine cost more then what I owe on the car. After calling around I found out that mechanics do not like to replace the engine in the Traverse because the timing chain issue. My mileage is about 140,000. I called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. I was told they do have a 'special warranty on the timing chain however it's only up to 120,000 miles and I am 20,000 over the special warranty. If engine dies completely at 70mph on freeway a bad wreck can happen this is unsafe and Chevrolet should replace these engines.
This is in reference to the GM timing chain problem special warranty coverage # 11340. I brought my vehicle into the shop and they said it's over on mileage to get it fixed under the coverage. The concern that I have is what happens when this timing chain slips or breaks. The engine will lock up and could cause a crash. GM knows about this problem with the timing sprockets being too shallow of a pitch. I called GM and they said there's nothing they can do to fix it under that problem. I was thinking this could be a problem for a-lot of people owning these vehicles. As far as my vehicle it's still in the shop waiting for an answer on what I want to do. They have to remove the engine to replace the timing chains. Thank you [redacted]
Engine complaints in other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, 14% of the model year's 448 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet Traverse engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Traverse engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 104,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.