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).
As i am driving down the road the service stable trak light and abs lights pop on and the brakes sieze up so bad you cant get the car to stop and brake pedal to unlock as well as when you try to turn the steering wheel locks
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving 25 MPH and approaching a red light, the brake pedal traveled to the floor and failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the technician could not find a failure. In addition, the contact stated that when the vehicle was parked on incline, it would roll backwards when the gear shifter was placed in drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 90,622.
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.
As described by hundreds, if not thousands, of other owners...obdii codes p0008 and p0017, in conjunction with "service stabilitrack, AWD disabled, traction control off". We have replaced multiple sensors, replaced throttle body(and sensor), replaced driver front wheel hub assembly (magnet that has to do with sensor came off). The above two codes persist. Purchased used vehicle with 118xxx miles and within a year these codes appeared. Took vehicle to dealer, who insisted it was timing chain, with estimate of $2300. However, second and third opinions disagreed...suggesting sensor issues, throttle body issues, etc. Why has the timing chain or tensioner not been recalled, if this is the issue? Fortunately, our vehicle does not go into limp mode...however, we've been told this could happen in the future. Would greatly appreciate it if the NHTSA would do a deeper dive and generate a recall. …
I purchased this 2011 Traverse used in 2013 with approximately 28,000 miles on it in aurora, co. It now has about 118,000 miles. I have had warning lights on the ABS and stability control systems come on, along with error messages indicating stability control and AWD are deactivated for about a week that do not reset upon restarting the car. Today, I experienced numerous losses of engine power, as though the car had dropped into neutral, while driving surface streets at approximately 30-35mph. Despite pressing the accelerator, the vehicle immediately dropped down to 10-15mph for several seconds. Research online in the Chevrolet forums indicates a throttle body issue, but shows no corporate investigation or recall into this, though many people report similar losses of power on highways at 60+MPH, suddenly dropping to 10mph. …
I was driving on the highway and the vehicle shut off while I was driving at 70 MPH. Lost power steering and brakes out of no where which is when I noticed the rpms was at 0. After we, by the grace of god, made it to the side of the road safely, we had it towed to a garage where the said the timing chain came off and ruined the engine and that it is a common problem and could be fixed for around $5600. The vehicle has 65K miles and blew up? Its a common problem for a vehicle to shut off on the highway and I wasn't warned that this vehicle has this kind of history and GM don't recognize this is a problem!
Driving the Traverse started to smell wires burning in the cabin dashlights started going crazy and dinging . Was about a mile to where I could pull over safely .. Started to pull off the breaks and steering seemed to stop working and the vehicle died.. I nearly hit bridge pillar not being able to steer or stop.. The car was full with myself 4 children and a newborn.. I am told the motor is ruined and no one can pinpoint the other problems.. The repair costs are around 6000$ which have not been done because honestly I'm scared for my life to fix this vehicle and drive it..
I got my car 6 months ago, so far the brakes went out, rotors went out, all struts had to be reolaced, heater broke, air conditioner leakes, and now timing chains need to be replaved. I found an inspection completed 2 weeks before I bought my car done at another dealership. The list of issues is scary.
Stabilitrack needs serviced , ABS light on , traction control failure . Power loss . Just driving through town approximately 30 MPH and all errors started flashing . This is a safety concern . I have read multiple complaints on the same issue with no results
Traverse traction control light and brake light come on and off all the time. Making think that car is not safe to drive. All of the time that the lights come on when we arr driving in a straight line on a flat surface.
Brake complaints in other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, 5% of the model year's 608 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Traverse brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.