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 2010 Chevrolet Traverse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This vehicle is dangerous. Looks great on the outside but horrible on the inside under the hood! Since my son bought one for me it's had problems with engine revving and not shifting gears, and air conditioner continually going out even after repairs, and power steering leaks. I kept taking it to repair and oddly no technician anywhere could help! Read the reviews and watch the youtubes! This vehicle (all years) should be stripped from the market and considered under lemon law no matter the age! The culmination of my problems happened when leaving town, entering highway and accelerating and clicking cruise control! Immediately the car revved past 7 rpms and out of control! I had all I could do to stop it - then it died completely! The tow truck driver was also in an unsafe situation with many cars passing at high speed when he had to put special lifts on the back wheels! Scary! …
2-18-2022 Complaint Previous NHTSA report #11339183 Ongoing complaint with additional information. Tag #[redacted] Georgia. Onstar failed with direct manipulation from Emergency Management Agency Statesboro Georgia daily mapping and stopping my vehicle Chev Traverse ([redacted]) to harass, threaten and obscene language under High density radio communication and mobile cellular tower use blocking my cell phone [redacted] for GAMES. Human not Robot. [redacted]
June 2016, approx. 114,000 mi - felt a lurch in stop & go traffic; flashed "service stabilitrak," "service traction control," "backup alerts = off". The check engine light appeared. A few miles down the road when traffic sped up, I realized I only had one gear and could not accelerate above 60mph. A serious problem on the interstate! Several hours later, the check engine light remained on, but the car drove normally -- straight to the repair shop, where it was deemed to need $2400 in transmission repair due to the following fault codes: p182e & c0561. They will replace the transmission mode shift sensor and the transmission control module. The mechanic also informed us that we will eventually need a $700 repair for the control arms in the rear suspension -- ge has corrected a known fault in the parts. All this is on top of a $3000 repair done in April 2015 at 92,500 mi. …
Our 2010 Traverse has just over 91,000 miles on it. We took our vehicle to a local GM dealer to have a check engine light diagnosed. The dealer came back and informed me we needed to have our timing belts replaced and would cost at least $3000 to repair. The more I dug into this diagnosis, I've come across numerous posts from other '09-'10 owners with the same issue. Some had experienced sudden loss in power while traveling at highway speeds and others hadn't even had a check engine light come on. There were some owners that had to have these items replaced at around 60,000mi. I have reached out to GM and they informed me that there is nothing they can do to help alleviate this cost, nor are they in a position to issue a recall. They also informed me that we missed the 'warranty period' by a year and a half and that there are no 'special bulletins' related to my vehicle. …
I have had the power train repaired twice, once while under warranty, and then at cost. I have paid more than $2K on the repair and yet the check engine light stays on and a check of the error codes reveals the same problem. The vehicle has failed emissions testing as a result of the problem. I've seen numerous complaints on this site with the same issues. There's definitely a defect within this model year's engine system involving the power train. I am requesting an investigation and possible recall. I can't put out more money to fix a maintenance problem that will never be fixed. The car shakes as if it's idle when driving and the check engine light blinks off and on profusely. I'm afraid to drive it fearing something terrible will happen. The car was taken to waldorf Chevrolet. They are not cooperative with providing service details, one because they claim to have a new system. …
Purchased car used 47011, a little over 2 wks "check engine"=fuel pump control module , next was seat assembly. & alternator...whining. Engine noise reported, nothing done...no problems detected at time due to problem being "intermittent"! Contacted GM exec office reported issues, got file number--no resolution! Received special coverage letter from Chevrolet dated sept 2014 're: #14329 @ power steering pump with extension of warranty coverage. Took vehicle to chev dealership for two recalls (14030 & 14187) and check power steering...recalls handled, power steering pump replaced and installed new gear housing kit. One month later took back for state inspection, failed because now power steering rack leaking on both sides!!?! …
While driving around 40 MPH several DTC codes appeared on the dic including stability service and engine power reduced. Vehicle speed reduced significantly (20-30mph) while in moving traffic and extremely bad weather conditions. Took vehicle to the dealer who reported codes of p0008 (timing chain stretched), p2610 (ECM faults) and p2101 or p1122 (not sure but dealer stated throttle body control error). Vehicle is under 5 years old (purchased in aug 2010) and under 100,000 miles to timing chain and ECM were covered in full under GM warranty. Throttle body coverage was removed in 2009 (per what I've read on the internet) and was not covered. Dealer agreed to split cost (they covered labor, I paid for parts at dealer cost). …
Soon after purchasing my 2010 Chevrolet Traverse in January of 2017, I brought it to a transmission specialist to have it serviced. They indicated that it was about to fail and it needed major work. I contacted a local GM dealer to see if there were any recalls and to see if I should have it serviced by GM staff. They said that there were no recalls and I should have the transmission specialist, buffomatic transmission service, do the work. I did so and buffomatic found that the transmission wave plate had failed causing other components to also fail costing me $4860.00. I did some research, which was confirmed by buffomatic, that this wave plate problem is common in GM transmissions and a recall has been issued on other GM models but not the Traverse. I sent requests to both the dealer and GM directly that this recall be extended to my Traverse. Both denied my request. …
There have been so many things wrong with car since we bought brand new in 2010 from the complete fuel system replaced to 3 entire brakes replaced, to transmission slipping, to tracktion stilbility control lights failing, to power steering pump , to faulty control box issues, replacement of window shield wiper motor, air conditioning/heating module. Most of this under warranity or not covered still at all in first 4 years of owning this car. Its literally a pile of junk. So many safety issues that GM wont list as a recall. People have been killed but still fail do anything. …
Engine was running rough; vehicle was sluggish. Check engine light came on. Dealership, burlington Chevrolet, ran a diagnostic and there were some failed codes (p0011 and p008), all related to the camshaft and timing chains. To repair, it would cost about $2,700 since I was six months over the powertrain warranty. They contacted GM and they stated that it would cost me $681 plus tax. I agreed to have the repairs completed which also included replacing the waterpump which was leaking. I have read online that timing chain problems on have occurred more frequently on 2007-2010 Chevy Traverse, Saturn outlook, GMC acadia, and Buick enclave. All of these SUV's have the 3.6 liter v6 engine with dual overhead cams. What is happening on these vehicles is that the timing chains are stretching which leads to correlation errors with the cam sensors and actuators. …
Transmission complaints in other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, 10% of the model year's 669 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Chevrolet Traverse transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, though it has 5 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 2010 Chevrolet Traverse transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire 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.