Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Chevrolet Traverse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping and there was a delay while the transmission was shifting gears. The vehicle was sputtering and jerking while driving. While turning out of a driveway and driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was contacted and informed that there was no recall on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but referred the owner back to the local dealer for assistance. There was no additional assistance provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150,970.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered. In addition, the contact stated that the gear shifter sometimes failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed and the contact was unable to turn off the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jolted abnormally while accelerating. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed since the VIN was not under an open recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while the vehicle was shifted into the park(P), the message "Shift to Park" was display on the instrument panel. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shifter was shifted out of park and back into park several times before being able to turn off the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P); however, the "Shift to Park" message was displayed. The contact shifted the gear shifter back and forth and then shifted into park(P) before the proper gear was recognized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the gear shifter. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,818.
I own a 2020 Chevy Traverse with currently 16,000 miles. I am currently dealing with a know shudder issue that has returned. I have already taken the vehicle under warranty to the dealership where the transmission was replaced on 6/29/2022 at 4919 miles for "catastrophic failure" where the fluids were dark, burnt, and several burnt up clutches. Then the torque converter was replaced separately on 9/20/2022 at 8106 miles for engine shudder. Took the vehicle again in on 7/21/26 for shudder returning at 16,450k miles where diagnostic shows dark, burnt fluid, with metal debri. Repair recommendations are to flush again and if not fixed to again replace the torque converter. There are no open recalls on my vehicle when there should. …
Ive got this vehicle on 5/12/2025 and all of this need to be done CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT. DURING INSPECTION FOUND LOUD EXHAUST ON STARTUP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND BANK 1 CATALYTIC CONVERTER CRACKED CAUSING EXHAUST LEAK. BOTH EXHAUST FRONT PIPES DAMAGED AS WELL(BROKEN MOUNTING BRACKETS BETWEEN BOTH PIPES) . RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND BOTH EXHAUST FRONT PIPESBRAKE SYSTEM FLUID EXCHANGE-PERFORMED PRESSURIZED FLUID EXCHANGE OF OLD BRAKE FLUID, REMOVED MOISTURE AND AIR CONTAMINATION FROM BRAKE SYSTEM. INSTALLED NEW DOT SPECIFIC FLUID TO MEET MANUFACTURE SPECIFICATIONSAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERVICE FLUID EXCHANGECF - COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE 6830/5881-01 INCLUDES FLUSH COOLING SYSTEM, PRESSURE TEST, CHECK HOSES, CAP AND CHECK CONNECTION. …
I recently had to replace my transmission (2020 Chevrolet Traverse) due to shuddering from manufacturer's fault in assembly process. Now I'm having to replace the transmission in my mother's 2018 Chevrolet Colorado that has less than 65k miles. These issues cause power loss while driving. I was in the middle of passing another vehicle when my vehicle experienced power loss. This is a HUGE safety issue, not only for my family but many others that I know that are experiencing or have experienced the same issues. I have 3 family members that have had to have the same repairs as well as over 40 acquaintances. …
The flywheel teeth broke off and became jammed in the starter, which apparently caused a short to the fuse block. The dealership hasn't commented on exactly what the root cause was though for why that may have happened. I don't have the original part(s) but the dealer might. I was in the car at the time with my entire family. We were in the middle of driving everyone home from school. The power to the car stayed on but the engine completely died. Given we don't know what happened with I'm terrified the starter may have tried to engage while driving which would have broken the teeth off. The problem was confirmed by the dealer only in the sense that the parts were broken, but they don't have root cause. The vehicle was never inspected by insurance as it still fell under the 100k mile certified pre owned warranty. …
Transmission shudders when warmed up. After driving Transmission will shudder pulling hills. It becomes worse and more noticeable the longer it is driven and when hot out. Numerous times after driving for a few hundred miles and then stopping, the vehicle will shudder trying to take off. Has been back to the dealership 4 times now for the same issue. First time was told it needed a torque converter, when taking it in to have the torque convertor changed a TSB was located advising to change the transmission fluid instead (January of 2022). After about 1000 miles issue has came back. Dealership is unable to duplicate it due to it being worse on hot days and unable to drive for long periods of times. There have been numerous complaints after researching online about this with the Chevy traverse. This vehicle has almost left me sitting in the middle of intersections due to Shuddering.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible vehicles with Power In-floor Ramp conversion. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the screw and clip, and inspect for signs of contact with the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021.
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020.
Transmission complaints in other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, 17% of the model year's 234 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2020 Chevrolet Traverse transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-817 (automatic transmission, Oct 18, 2021); NHTSA recall 20V-668 (automatic transmission, Oct 29, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2020 Chevrolet Traverse transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 107,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
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.