Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 2% | 10,000 miles |
| 2023 | 5 | 5% | 55,000 miles |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% | 4,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% | 5,000 miles |
| 2018 | 12 | 3% | 46,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% | 6,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% | 93,000 miles |
| 2015 | 7 | 2% | 24,000 miles |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% | 79,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% | 36,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% | 67,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% | 65,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 1% | 66,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle shifted into LIMP Mode, causing the vehicle to decelerate unintendedly. During the failure the headlights and the interior lights flashed and flickered, and the ABS, traction control, and several unknown messages were displayed. While depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal extended to the floor and the vehicle failed to immediately stop. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who recharged the battery and performed a software update to the Crucial Control Module. The contact stated that three weeks later the same failure had reoccurred. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,995.
Vehicle: 2025 Chevrolet Traverse On [redacted] at approximately [redacted], while driving south on [redacted] , my vehicle suddenly shut off without warning resulting in a complete electrical failure. During this event, I lost the ability to accelerate, activate hazard lights, unlock doors, open or close windows, or use the OnStar system. The vehicle restarted briefly but then shut off two additional times before I could safely move it off the road. There were no warning messages or signals prior to this incident. This created a serious and immediate safety hazard, as I was unable to alert other drivers or exit the vehicle during the failure. I am requesting a formal investigation into this issue, documentation as a safety defect, and immediate corrective action. This incident poses a significant risk to driver and passenger safety. …
The contact's wife owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the right turn signal light illuminated and blinked intermittently. The contact's wife noticed that the rear passenger's side brake light and signal light failed to work as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake light had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that on a separate occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and made an abnormal sound. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on 4 separate occasions. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hazard warning light button was pressed. The contact stated that when the hazard warning light button was pressed again to turn off the hazard lights, the button became inoperable, and the hazard lights remained activated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the hazard light button needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
The headlight position on the 2022 Traverse is horrible and a tremendous safety hazzard. Driving in rain, at night, the headlights being lower on the front end dramatically inhibits visibility. Unless you drive with the high beams on, you can't see at all. Last week I drove in falling snow at night and visibility was again inhibited due to the position of the headlights. But also, I had to keep pulling over to wipe the headlights off because snow off of the vehicles in front of me was covering the headlights due to them being so low on the vehicle. This was a safety hazzard in that the visibility was horrible, but I was also sitting on the side of the road, during a snowstorm, every time I had to get out to wipe them off. I did not have this issue with my 2018 Traverse
Driving home tonight there was a car in front of me so my low beams were on. I saw a deer approaching from the right side of the roadway while at the same time dropping down into a small dip in the road and because the headlights are so low I lost sight of the deer as it was then in the shadows with no illumination because the headlights were now facing further downward. I had to turn my high beams on coming to a complete stop to then see the deer to avoid hitting it. This is very unsafe. Small hills and dips cause you to lose sight of the road up ahead at night.
Sunday night 4/7/24, I was on my way to the emergency department with my 5 month old baby to be seen. 30min into my drive i came to a stop light when my truck completely shut off (BLACKOUT) No Power, NO LIGHTS not even my hazard would turn on, my car wouldn't go into park or allow me to press on my breaks it was like they were glued stuck. all my doors locked and I couldn't get them to open, not even manually because of the nobs that go all the way in. I couldn't put the car into park or anything just got locked in my car and I couldn't even hit the OnStar because everything was off! …
19 Sep 2025. The headlights turn off at night while driving. With the switch in the "auto" position, I turned the switch to "off" then back to "auto" and they came back on for a short period of time. They turned off again, I turned them to "on", they came back on for a brief period. I had to keep switching the headlight switch from "on" to "off" and back to "on" every 20 to 30 seconds (estimated) to keep driving. The dealership could not schedule a diagnosis until 8 Oct 2025. This is a potentially fatal issue.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Traverse years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (12), 2014 (10), 2011 (7), 2015 (7) and 2009 (6) model years. Headlight complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Traverse headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for any Chevrolet Traverse model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Traverse headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles; 55% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the brake lights (3 mentions), followed by the headlights (2).
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.