Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 12% | — |
| 2025 | 13 | 7% | 3,000 miles |
| 2024 | 19 | 13% | 2,000 miles |
| 2023 | 31 | 33% | 69,000 miles |
| 2022 | 44 | 44% | 50,000 miles |
| 2021 | 16 | 17% | 137,000 miles |
| 2020 | 39 | 17% | 107,000 miles |
| 2019 | 170 | 41% | 57,000 miles |
| 2018 | 196 | 42% | 33,000 miles |
| 2017 | 18 | 5% | 83,000 miles |
| 2016 | 37 | 13% | 43,000 miles |
| 2015 | 23 | 7% | 75,000 miles |
| 2014 | 36 | 7% | 54,000 miles |
| 2013 | 28 | 17% | 90,000 miles |
| 2012 | 46 | 13% | 87,000 miles |
| 2011 | 79 | 13% | 70,000 miles |
| 2010 | 66 | 10% | 84,000 miles |
| 2009 | 58 | 13% | 90,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My car is available for inspection upon request. AWD Service and 4WD Service messages appeared at 389 miles and 2104 miles on the odometer. Messages appeared during operation of the vehicle, shutting down AWD as an option and defaulting to 2WD. Messages would go away and AWD would come back online after a few hours of leaving the car off. AWD system was in use when error messages appeared and deactivation of the AWD/4WD system increased risk during icy road conditions. When taken to the Houston Mac haik Chevy dealership service center, I was refused at the door, stating that the messages needs to be on for them to take a look. No warning lamps or other messages appeared prior to failure. Message first appeared during normal operation with AWD on at 389 miles on the odometer. The components have not been inspected by anyone.
Purchased the car in August 2025 and have had into service 3 years for the same issues. When driving the car, the RPM will get "stuck" between 5-6 when only driving 20-30 mph. Once I slow down/brake, it will jump into a park effect, but still be in drive. The car has been inspected by Chevy 3 times, but they can't get any fault code on the vehicle, so they can't "fix" the issue. This puts myself and my small children at risk because if it jumps into the park effect, while still in drive, I can not move and someone could rear-end me. I do have video evidence.
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the RPM revved up to the "RED Zone". The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was not depressed at the time of the failure. The contact stated that the "Check Engine" and "Reduced Speed and Traction" warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact pulled off the highway turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to shift to drive (D); however, the vehicle was hesitating while accelerating. The contact stated that while shifting into gear the vehicle jolted. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. …
Hi, I purchased a 2025 Chevy Traverse High Country back at the end of November. It only had 2200 miles on it when my transmission started slipping. I was really enjoying this SUV too. On January 13th I noticed something weird happening when I would accelerate. When I would accelerate if felt like my tires were slipping on ice followed by a jerk. I knew it wasn't ice after accelerating at each stop. This worried me because my 10 month old son was in the vehicle with me. I was worried it was going to stop mid traffic. I drove it home and called the dealer and asked them to get me a loaner ASAP because the Traverse felt unsafe to drive. Luckily I got a loaner that same evening after dropping it off. When I returned home I saw the tranny leak on garage floor. A large reddish pink puddle. It's been in the shop since Monday. The Service department is trying to find parts to repair it. …
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to several dealers and the contact was informed that the issue was related to the OnStar feature. The contact called OnStar but was informed that the App was not responsible for the check engine warning light being illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and a reset was performed of the check engine warning light. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted without warning. In addition, the contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle, an abnormal, banging sound was coming from the engine. …
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that there was fluid leaking from the vehicle onto the driveway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission was leaking transmission fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 2,200.
The contact's husband leases a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that after the vehicle had been parked for approximately 10 minutes, the contact who was occupying the front passenger's side seat turned off the vehicle while the driver's seat was unoccupied. The contact stated that the vehicle started rolling backwards and crashed into a tree that was 100 ft. away. The contact husband, who attempted to stop the vehicle from outside, sustained a partial tear of his hamstring and calf muscle on the right leg and received assistance from an Orthopedic. The contact sustained a contusion on the left hand but did not seek medical assistance. The contact and her husband were able to drive away from the scene and pulled into a parking lot, where the failure was reproduced. The vehicle was then driven to the residence and parked in the garage. …
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the engine Auto Start-Stop system engaged, and the ESC warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving the following day, the vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH and gradually decelerated. The vehicle later failed to exceed 6 MPH and failed to respond upon shifting to reverse(R). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where several diagnostic tests were performed, and the dealer determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V172000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to cover half the cost of the repair. …
Related recalls (6)
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sun gears, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2023. The remedy is expected to become available August 31, 2023.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Blazer and Traverse vehicles. The left-side half-shaft assemblies may be missing a retaining ring.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left-side half-shaft assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014.
Show 1 more recall
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, GMC acadia, Pontiac g5, g6 and Saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Traverse years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (196), 2019 (170), 2011 (79), 2010 (66) and 2009 (58) model years. Transmission complaints make up 42% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Traverse transmission problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 23V-172 (automatic transmission, Mar 16, 2023); 23V-042 (driveshaft, Feb 2, 2023); 21V-817 (automatic transmission, Oct 18, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Traverse transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (17 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission (12).
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.