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 2011 Chevrolet Traverse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle stalls due to transmission issue at 40 mph, yes it is available for inspection. When vehicle stalls at 40 mph at that point you have no steering support and the vehicle is just coasting until you can stop. You could crash with no steering support at 40 mph into stationary object, another vehicle or pedestrians. I have had it inspected by GM dealership No warning lamps or messages or other symptoms and it is repeatable started to appear on June 9, 2021
In January 2016, my vehicle started having stability track issues. It got so bad I had the car sit up for a month then called a mechanic out to diagnosis the car. They sent me to the Chevy dealership and they fixed something within the steering, but that did not stop my stabilitrak from malfunctioning. While driving the stabilitrak light turns on and says it needs servicing. Then it makes the engine slow down and it starts stalling so we have to pull over and turn the car off and turn it back on for it to do the same thing again within minutes. If the cruise control is on it turns it off starts to stall and puts my family and I in danger, I just thank god we've been able to alleviate major accidents. It's been one minor accident but because we were already going slow it didn't affect either car, so we let it go especially because our vehicle was at fault not the people behind us.
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.
I was driving down the expressway going 70 miles an hour and my car all of a sudden went into safe mode and dropped to 10 miles an hour in a matter of seconds. I came very close to being rear ended by the car behind me and I had to swerve off the road into loose gravel and almost lost control of my car. I took the car to hank graff Chevrolet where I purchased it and they said the throttle body had went out along with the rack and pinion. I was told that it was not covered under warranty and I would have to pay $2500.00. I called the detroit zone office and [redacted] told me that everything would be covered under warranty except for the alignment. I then received a call from the service writer a few days later and was told that GM would not cover it. …
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. …
It has to do with power to the engine being reduced. It has happened to me three times. Each time, I received three error messages ("traction control off", "service traction control", "service stabilitrak"), each time power reduced to my engine, and each time I paid substantial sums to the dealer to have it fixed, but each time it happened again. The first time I paid dealer #1 about $150 (if I recall correctly) to have them clean carbon from a sensor on the throttle body (which, coincidentally, I've had several problems caused by "carbon", according to the dealer #1). The second time, same thing, but paid only about $45 (to dealer #2 because I was out of town). The third time, I paid $600 for a completely new throttle body, including all of such sensors, from dealer #1. …
I just recently purchased this 2011 Chevy Traverse last night from the dealer. My first time buying a used vehicle. Within 3 months, my heat stopped working in my vehicle. I purchased the vehicle at 40,000 miles. Brought it to the dealer, and asked if there was anything they can do as I just purchased this vehicle not too long ago, and they stated there wasnt any recall. I would have to pay out of pocket to have this fixed. Just recently this month I have been having an issue with a whining noise when I am driving, and when I am turning the wheel. I took my vehicle to a mechanic and they filed all of my fluids, including power steering which was low. Found out that I have a leak. I started doing some research on this, and found out that all of the 2011 Chevy Traverse vehicles had this same issue. …
2nd owner. At 91K miles whole electrical system blew out. Cost $600 to fix. At $111K miles engine light came on. Went to dealership and timing chain needed to be replaced. Parked the vehicle as dealership said it keeps happening for 2011 Traverse and they are waiting for recall. 6 months later decided to take car back to dealership to get fixed quoted $3800. On way to dealership (20 minutes away) going 40 miles an hour car started making machine guns noises and slowing down. Pulled into a neighborhood and parked car. Called a tow company and had them tow it back to the house. Luckily, our neighbor works at a mechanic shop and came over. He turned the car on and it shut right off. After his examination he said my engine had seized and would need to replace it. Already having to reset the electrical system now I need to replace a timing chain and replace an engine?? …
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. …
Bought car certified used in 4/2014 from dealer who performed recall 13079 (water pump shaft leak). While driving on highway at 68 MPH, car lost power, overheated with smoke coming from hood. Wife was driving with kids in back - could have gotten into an accident or car could have caught fire. Local shop says water pump leaked and failed causing coolant leak. Called GM reg. Defective recall work and for reimbursement for repair costs - they refused saying its not a safety issue and that the original work wasn't a recall but a customer satisfaction program. I disagree - car could have gotten into accident due to lost power and could have caught on fire. GM should issue recall and reimburse costs for defective worksmanship.
Transmission complaints in other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA has 79 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, 13% of the model year's 608 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Traverse transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 18% 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.