Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Chevrolet Traverse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Components related to timing chain failed, and vehicle is currently available with plans to sell to a salvage yard by 10/25/24. My 9 year old and I were at risk of collision when the vehicle failed. I was driving approximately 70-75 mph when we started to lose power. At 65 mph, I managed to cross 2 lanes of highway traffic and stopped on the shoulder. I turned off my vehicle and waited several minutes, hoping it would help reset or cool off a component or something. I had to try a couple of times before it started, and I attempted to drive as safely as I could, made it to 60 mph before it stopped running completely. I had to pull hard on the steering wheel to get to the shoulder again, only this time, the shoulder was pinched off in front of us and around a small blind spot behind us. I had my daughter move to the side closer to the cement barrier while waiting for a tow truck. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at 4 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The brakes failed and the vehicle had to shift to neutral. The vehicle crashed into a tree. The contact received leg and ankle injuries which medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle remains at the scene. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.
The first time this happened, I was driving a hilly back road from school the service stabilitrac and traction control warning lights came on then the engine power is being reduced warning light came on and the car immediately slowed to a crawl with very little steering control. I was able to drive it on the shoulder to my mechanic at no more than 20 MPH and he said that 4 of the 6 coils needed to be replaced. A $700 repair. Second time it happened (12/3/14) I was driving on I-95 doing 65 and all the same lights came on again but this time the car instantly reduced the speed and I was crawling at 10mph. I had several near misses with other cars as we were all traveling at the posted speed in rush hour traffic. I struggled to get the car to the shoulder. I stopped the car and restarted and everything reset and I was able to drive for about a mile or two and it recurred. …
While traveling on the hwy at 65 MPH I got a message on the dash that read "service traction control" then "service stabilitrack" then "engine power reduced" all simultaneously. Then I lost power and went drastically from 65 MPH down to about 40 MPH. I almost got ran over by a semi truck!! I pulled vehicle to the side and slowly made my way to the nearest exit. Once I got off the hwy I tried to make my way back home, but the power was reduced to a crawl, so I pulled into a parking lot and ended up having to get it towed to the shop. They diagnosed the car and found no mechanical issues, only what seemed to be a "glitch" in the computer system. Suggested that I May need to replace the throttle body. I picked up my car and it drove fine for 5 days then it did the same thing again, luckily I was in my neighborhood. Drove it home and parked it. …
I was traveling to work this morning (2/18/15) on a missouri state highway and suddenly power was reduced dramatically on my 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. I immediately looked at my dic and noticed the following readings listed: "service stable track", "engine power reduced", "traction control off", "service traction control". Also, my check engine light came on as well. I was able to pull over to the shoulder of the highway but my maximum speed was only 15 MPH. I stopped on the shoulder of the highway and put the vehicle in park and then put back in drive. I went back in to traffic but my maximum speed was only 40 MPH. After arriving at my office, I noticed the engine appeared to not being running properly, as if it wasn't getting the right fuel/oxygen mixture. I called the GM dealership to inform them of the problems and took the vehicle to them for testing. …
Stability traction control system problems. I have a 2011 Chevy Traverse. Problems erupted after I finished paying it off. I had this car for 7 years now and 100K miles now. For the past year the traction control system has failed multiple times. At first I took it to the dealer and spent over $3500 to fix it. A few months after the problem came back. The dealer was asking for almost $4000 stating that it was something else not fixed before. Even a mechanic from the dealership told me to get rid of it because lots of people were complaining with same issues. At first the "traction control system off" comes on the screen every time I drive for a long period of time. Followed by "service stability traction control system". Now as soon as I turn the car on the same messages appear. Just a week ago I was in the highway and "power loss warning" came out in the screen. …
My wife driving to work on busy highway..all of a sudden the speed goes from about 60 MPH to like 25mph...stabilitrak light comes on. Cars honking, yelling,almost hitting her because her speed reduced to fast. She got to work when she left for the day the car seemed OK. Thought maybe she hit the stabilitrak button by mistake. A few days later same thing happened. After this incident it happened even more. I've been reading blogs re this and e mailed Chevy, said it wasn't a recall..I don't know why. This problem could kill someone. I had it fixed at the Chevy dealer costing over $400. From what I've read I think this problem occurred in some earlier traverses. It's like you put your foot on the gas and the car doesn't go anywhere. They replaced the throttle body assy. This should not be happening!! They will wind up with lawsuits if this isn't taken care of. …
While driving normally on a freeway where speed limits are 65+ the car suddenly lost engine power and its impossible to reach speeds above 15 MPH. Several codes appear "service traction control" "reduced engine power" "traction control off". The cause is a faulty throttle body, which is not a serviceable part it just randomly fails. Online forums show reports of this problem 100s and 100s of times dating back to at least 2014, on low mileage vehicles no less. Dealers deny knowing of a problem. Chevy has been notified many times by many customers yet no recalls have been issued and dealerships aren't aware of the problem in order to fix it. A loss of engine power like this could be fatal. If your fortunate enough to be near a dealership you might find a repair. Otherwise your stuck trying to limp it to a shop, find the part and reset the idle codes. …
As I was driving, I received three messages on my vehicle: service traction control, service stabilitrak and engine running at reduced power. Took the car to my local mechanic and they flushed out something (I don't remember what exactly). It ran fine for a few weeks then as I was on the freeway the same messages appeared and as I was trying to accelerate up a slight incline, the car's speed was decreasing even though I was pushing on the gas. Luckily I was in the right lane and there was light traffic or there could have been a major accident as I could not increase speed. Took the car to the dealership who says I need the throttle body replaced and it will cost $600. After looking at this site, I see there are many, many complaints for the same issue. This should definitely be a safety recall!
2011 Chevrolet Traverse: while driving all the lights start flashing and the vehicle turns off and on, not letting you accelerate and slowing the car down rapidly. Then the traction control turns off and vehicle idols rough. If I step on the accelerator there is no repose from the vehicle. We do not treat the vehicle hash or drive wild. I dont have the money for a lot of repairs. I change the oil when it's time and make sure its running smoothly. I have looked online and have seen many other complaints about the same issue and GM has not done anything about it. This is a major safety issue especially for someone driving at a high speed. Death is a major possibility if this were to happen in front of another vehicle. This has happened once before today.
Acceleration complaints in other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, 10% of the model year's 608 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Traverse acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2011 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 2011 Chevrolet Traverse acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.