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).
We have had multiple issues with the 09 Chevy Traverse. The check engine light came on so we ran test on it. The test came back that there were 4 sensors that went out. We went and purchased those 4 sensors and reset the computer and within an hour the check engine light was back on for those sensors. We then went and replaced the sensors once again and the same thing happened. The next thing that happened was the headlights went out while driving down the road. Changed both headlights and a month later they went out again. Only way to help this issue was to turn off daytime lights. About 2 months ago the ac unit just stopped working while driving down the highway. Thought the ac might need recharged so we recharged it and it worked again for about an hour. Now it will not even allow you to turn the ac on at all. …
Unsafe car to drive in with my kids. I have no traction control and very sporadic power loss! I was driving with my kids going about 30mph and spun out of control around a curve with my kids in the car. Thank the lord no one was hurt and neither was the vehicle. I try to take off from a light or stop sign and it'll either take off super fast and almost hit the car in front of me, or take off slow with no power and almost get rear ended. I bought this car used 6 months ago and the last 3 months have been very frustrating with issues of this vehicle. I've already put $300 into it and now it's saying to change the cat converter. I called the #1 local shop to get a quote and he actually said his number one supplier has stopped issuing this part to Chevy Traverse because of all the recalls! So what do I do now????? I am a medical courier and this Traverse is my source of income. …
This is the 13th issue we have had with this vehicle. Some covered under warranty, some as recall, some at our cost. Driving on the highway, alarms went off, messages appeared that stabilitrak was off. Told us to service braking system. As per manual we turned the car off to let system reset. OK for about 1/2 hour driving time, did it again. Turned off, reset. Did it again but this time the stabilitrak will not come back on. Going to dealership on Thursday to address this issue. We also have a bulletin about transmission failure where we can lose 3rd, 5th & reverse. This is a serious safety issue which GM will not address until there is a problem. After 30 loyal years we are finished with GM. We are trading in this vehicle after repair & buying another brand. We feel that no one cares about the consumer until deaths happened. At this point our $35000 vehicle is unreliable & unsafe! …
I was coming back from dropping off my kids at school when I heard a beeping noise and then I realized that I had loss of power, I then looked at my dashboard and the traction control light and the brake light was on, I didn't think nothing of it since it only lasted for a few minutes but the next day it happened again:( I'm so scared to drive on the freeway because I have 4 kids from ages [redacted] to [redacted] months and I can't afford to risk getting into an accident if all of the sudden my truck does that and I get hit from the back. I been looking into this issue and I can't believe how many people have the same issue I can't afford to be paying unnecessary money for a problem that needs to be looked at more deeply please help. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. …
Numerous ac issues, dealer has never been able to repair.now we receive engine code stating the #4 cylinder misfireing. Before we can have it repaired the vehicle just quit. No power from engine, no brakes, all kinds of electrical sensors are giving alerts and car just turns off. Seems to also be affecting cooling fan and steering. Also ever since we purchased the vehicle has made a wierd noise in the front end. Dealer claims it was nothing and after warranty expired we took it in for ac again and was told the front struts were needing to be replaced along with all kinds of ac parts. How come this was never mentioned until warranty expired? I am so tired of getting ripped off with vehicles. Had issues with Ford, Dodge and now GM. Guess its time to try an import?
The wife complained about brakes sounding odd, a week after having new brakes installed. Took it in, they said they looked fine. Then all of a sudden her anti-lock break light and stabilitrak light go off while driving to work on a major surface street (50mph). Take it in to have it checked out, they find a sensor in the brake cylinder is bad, and the cylinder is gushing brake fluid. $800+ to fix. Plus our power steering is going bad. There is an internal leak in some boots that are not working properly. $1200 to fix. It's like they had a bunch of parts lying around, and they slapped them together to build a vehicle, even though none of the parts work together. The government should never have wasted the money to prop up a horribly inefficient company.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, while driving, the vehicle would not shift into third gear which resulted in a lack of acceleration. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wave clutch plate was defective and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
In motion on highway uphill the stability track, reduce engine power went on. Suddenly lost power from 70mph to barely 40 MPH. Immediately had to pull over on highway emergency lane. Serviced 3 times and problem continues. Very unsafe as the engine looses power. I have had tmc replace, connector replaced, throttle body replace. Big issue everyone is having!! This problem has been going on for over 3 years. Problem gets "fixed" and months later it comes back. Fustrating and has cost lots of $$$$ we don't have to spare. Please view link. [redacted] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6).
I have been battling my check engine light all 2018 and now 2019. Not to mention the stabiliztrak and hard to turn steering wheel. I have been getting a misfire in all my coils. This issue has caused the vehicle to stutter, drink high volumes of gas and almost sent me broke. I have changed every coil, every plug, changed the stabilizer, tentioner, bearings, swaybar links and much more. I am completely done with Chevy. They know this make and midel is horrible and we as customers need to do a class action lawsuit. This vehicle sounds like a tin can when it starts. It rattles and stutters while driving and it shakes when stationary.
The covers for the second row seatbelts seem to have strchech out of it caseing. Main issue the check engine when off and have been having issues with traction control, engine power reduced, misfire of different, oxygen sensor (after getting it replaced about 6 months ago, at Chevy dealer) over $5,000 in different repairs and update and everything seems to still be having issues. Recently the ABS has been going of and was unable to drive it, at least 3 times. Most happen on highway. The engine reduces power and the car feels like being pull back if the gas is release the ABS start going off.
Traction Control complaints in other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, 6% of the model year's 448 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet Traverse traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to stability & traction control 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.