Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that when she started her vehicle and shifted into drive (D) and depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that she attempted to drive the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle nearby her residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
I bought the car in August of last year and drove it for about 3 days before it started giving me problems. First incident I was driving my children home from the hairdresser and the car completely went out us on the highway, after repeated attempts for a half hour or so I was able to start it and drive it back home very slowly..this happened twice I went to get it diagnosed and codes came up for crank shaft sensor and o2 sensor, before I could even get that fixed more problems came up, the steering wheel began to become stiff and almost impossible to turn, while picking my son up from school I was trying to pull away from the curb in the drop off spot and almost hit another car and a child because the steering wheel stiffened up on me!!! I was told I would need an entire steering rack!!! …
This incident occurred on a Saturday evening as my husband and I were trying to return home after being out. I was driving at the time of the failure. I was trying to speed up to gain access to the highway and was already committed to the lane and I had others vehicles behind me as well. The transmission was not gaining speed as I was pressing down on the accelerator nothing was happening except the RPM's were raising but no response from the vehicle. We had a car swerve out of our way to let us gain access to the roadway.I had no more of the merging lane ahead I had to try and merge with traffic.... Thank god my son was not in the vehicle that night!!!! After dealing with frustrated drivers around us, we had finally got onto the highway and the vehicle made a bang as it tried to change gears.we stayed in the right lane and traveled ten miles approximately to make it home. …
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. …
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! …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, making a right turned the vehicle gear failed to shift to third without warning. The contact managed to veer to the shoulder of the road, turn the vehicle off and back on however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed by progress to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to the dealer myers garage 522 w 2nd st, lizton, in 46149 [phone] where a second diagnostic test was performed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but no further assistance was taken. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is a hazard to drive! This is the 3rd major break down in the last 4 years and is also currently under recall for bad airbags and seatbelts, whereas should there be an accident, the actual deployment of said bags would "injure the occupant" (recall words). In 2012 the entire power steering system failed. Later recalled and good thing I was in they driveway and not the interstate! 2013 the catalytic converter system failed to a tune of $2,020.84 - totally out of pocket expense, and once again, the engine could have caught fire and caused injury. 2015 just a few weeks ago, the transmission fails completely and is estimated at $3,896.36 at just over 100,000 miles, less than 5 years old. All Chevrolet traverses are potentially hazardous and should be totally recalled. Thank you
While driving our 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, lt, back from vacation, we experienced a sudden high RPM rate while noticing a decrease in acceleration. Took vehicle to a transmission repair center and was told it is a common issue with the GM models similar to the Traverse. The manufacturer recognizes the issue, as it relates to their service bulletin sb-07-30-012a. Had to have the transmission wave plate replaced, as well as some other internal parts. Total cost of $3500. Vehicle has 117,000 miles. Will be contacting gmac to discuss their knowledge of this issue while not offering a solution from a manufacturer's standpoint. I feel this could be classified as a safety issue and as such should be covered by the manufacturer, regardless of year of vehicle.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, GMC acadia, Pontiac g5, g6 and Saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge.
Transmission complaints in other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, 13% of the model year's 448 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet Traverse transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-073 (column shift, Mar 6, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Traverse transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.