Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Chevrolet Traverse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When sitting in a parking lot when the car was running, many different service now lights flashed across the dashboard. The lights on the side mirrors were on and still on. We turned off the car and the heater engine was still running even without the key in the ignition. When we tried to restart the car, it did absolutely nothing. Would not turn over or even click. It was worked on in the parking lot for 3 hours to get it to start. We had to disconnected a cord on the side of the dash and door locks, all wheel drive, driver side windows and the rear door would not work. A day later we plugged the cord back in and all the components worked except the lights on side mirrors were still on. After taking it to a dealer they confirmed that they had serviced other Chevrolet Traverse's that had the same problems. If this would have happened in traffic it could have caused an accident. …
Blind spot side detection modules failed due to water intrusion / corrosion (known design defect). As a result, the computer system shorted out, which caused the computer to go into a type of fault mode. While we driving down the road, the blinkers stopped working, the gauges (including speedometer) stopped working, the screens turned off, and the airbag and tire pressure warning lights activated. This is a known issue, according to the dealer repair department. A basic Google search indicates that many people are having this problem. This is a big safety issue because all of these things happened spontaneously while we were driving the vehicle. Repairing the faulty blind spot side detection modules fixes the problem--a $1,900 repair bill. GM should be made to recall these vehicles. GM should be made to reimburse customers for these repairs.
While driving on highway, experienced sudden/acute loss of engine power. Depressed acceleration pedal, but no response from engine. No CEL. Pulled to the shoulder and vehicle couldn't start. Key starter clicks but won't turn over. No CEL. Still have some electrical power because radio, dash lights, and AC remain on. Could not jump start, batt indicated 12V. Car has been to repair shop 8 times since Nov 2020 (purchased April 2019 used 38k miles) for same issue. Mechanics find they cannot replicate the issue. Has caused accident by sudden deceleration in high speed traffic conditions (highway).
Vehicle stalled going down the road. Warranty covered for new engine replacement. Then it was found that the transmission was no good. Warranty paid for new transmission. Vehicle still acting like it wants to stall after new engine, transmission, and battery. Would like to know what caused the problem to begin with and would like a full repair of the vehicle.
I had to replace the timing chain. I had to replace the Torque Converter. New issues: Interior lights on the dash and radio have been going out while driving. Message center warning has been not working sometimes when using remote start in winter. Sometimes it just goes blank while driving.
We bought a used vehicle from acadiana Mazda, lafayette la. About a week from having it the emergency brake light comes on. We bring it in, they say they can't find anything wrong so we take it back. The next week, the salesman gives us a call and says that they need to replace the windshield, after asking for a sales ticket for several days, they give us a sales ticket from the week before that says that they think the vehicle has a water leak. (service ticket is enclosed) I come home that night before bringing it in and I find rust dripping from the emergency brake, standing water under my flooring, rust / corrosion all over the bottom parts of the car. What is suspected by the car dealership is that the windshield wasn't sealed right and when it would rain it would come in from the windshield and drip down through the emergency brake. …
My car, on four separate occasions, while I'm either driving on the freeway, or long stretches of roads, has malfunctioned, starting with the service stabilitrak indicator coming on, then traction control off function flashing, then the engine reducing speed until you're able to pull over and eventually stop before the car cuts off. I have taken it to the dealer twice in an effort for them to tell me what's wrong, and each time, they either didn't know, or were unsure. The last time I took it, after being instructed to make sure the check engine light was on, they still were unable to tell me precisely what was wrong, and that they changed a relay, and if that wasn't the problem, the whole fuse box needed to be replaced. …
While driving 75 on a freeway the service stabilitrak, service traction control, and check engine lights all came on. The engine power was reduced and I couldn't go over 40mph all at once. The vehicle was limped off the freeway without any incident with another vehicle, thank god and brought to a mechanic. He said that he has seen hundreds of the same issue over the past few years on the same vehicle and other Chevrolet vehicles. He told me that this will happen to diagnose a more general issue that could be wrong with the vehicle and that it could be a number of things that need to be tested without replacing hundreds or potentially thousands of dollars worth of parts. It could be even be one of a variety of sensors on the vehicle. …
Stabilitrack message comes on and reduced power for no reason. Loses power instantly and have to pull over. Turns back on and check engine light still on, but can drive as normal until I turn it off and who knows when it comes back. Several times has acted like it is stuck in 4th gear while in drive. Reverse is okay. Other times it has not started, at all. I brought it in and dealership said it was battery. Replaced it, then worked OK for couple days, then same problems started showing back up. Brought back in and code p2138 showed up indicating pedal position sensor. I replaced pedal and the issue of reduced engine power has not come back yet (3 weeks). Other issues have recently shown back up (not starting sometimes, stuck in 4th gear). …
The module that is supposed to be for the side detection on both side mirrors does not work. When I brought it to the dealership, the module had a small space that condensation could have gotten in and the module actually ended up bulging. When asked if it could be replaced, they said that the specific piece needed to be replaced is not made by GM any longer and I would need to contact GM, but it could possibly be a recall at a later time. The notification inside the car went off while driving. I checked all settings to make sure nothing was hit by accident. Everything was the way it needed to be. The vehicle was brought in that very next week to be checked out and that's what they told me about the piece (written above). So I have no side detection on a vehicle I just purchased in feb 2019. I know it's 3 years old, but I should be able to replace a piece that I have no control over.
Electrical complaints in other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, 9% of the model year's 292 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Chevrolet Traverse electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2016 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 2016 Chevrolet Traverse electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.