Chevrolet Traverse years to avoid (and the best years)
5,007 NHTSA owner complaints and 28 recalls across 17 model years, 2010 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 5,007complaints
- 28recalls
- 142reported crashes
- 27reported fires
- 171reported injuries
- 3reported deaths
Which Chevrolet Traverse years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Chevrolet Traverse years to avoid are 2010 and 2011. The typical Chevrolet Traverse year has 291 complaints on file.
- 2010: 669 complaints, 2.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the steering (49% of complaints) and the engine (28% of complaints).
- 2011: 608 complaints, 2.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (35% of complaints) and the steering (27% of complaints).
What are the best Chevrolet Traverse years?
The Chevrolet Traverse years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (88), 2021 (89) and 2022 (98). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 24 | 0.1× | 1 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2025 | 176 | 0.6× | 0 | 4 | 3 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2024 | 135 | 0.5× | 0 | 0 | 2 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2023 | 88 | 0.3× | 2 | 5 | 8 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2022 | 98 | 0.3× | 1 | 3 | 5 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2021 | 89 | 0.3× | 3 | 4 | 6 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 226 | 0.8× | 8 | 11 | 7 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2019 | 405 | 1.4× | 3 | 15 | 17 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2018 | 461 | 1.6× | 2 | 9 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2017 | 361 | 1.2× | 3 | 13 | 11 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2016 | 291 | 1.0× | 5 | 8 | 15 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2015 | 313 | 1.1× | 5 | 10 | 11 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2014 | 547 | 1.9× | 7 | 8 | 15 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2013 | 162 | 0.6× | 4 | 7 | 6 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2012 | 354 | 1.2× | 5 | 10 | 14 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2011 | 608 | 2.1× | 5 | 16 | 30 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2010 | 669 | 2.3× | 5 | 17 | 12 | Approach with caution | Steering |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 2,123 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain840 (40%)
- Steering, suspension & tires503 (24%)
- Brakes229 (11%)
- Electrical & infotainment207 (10%)
- Other systems176 (8%)
Recalls (28)
Safety · 26V114000 · Feb 2026 · model year 2026
Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Airbags · 23V334000 · May 2023 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Transmission · 23V172000 · Mar 2023 · model year 2023
A half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 23V042000 · Feb 2023 · model year 2023
A missing retaining ring on the half-shaft can cause half-shaft inner joint separation, resulting in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 22V246000 · Apr 2022 · model year 2015
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 22V210000 · Mar 2022 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Transmission · 21V817000 · Oct 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 21V782000 · Oct 2021 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V472000 · Jun 2021 · model year 2021
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
Airbags · 21V246000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Tires · 21V115000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2020
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 20V684000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2020
Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 20V668000 · Oct 2020 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020
Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fuel system · 20V639000 · Oct 2020 · model year 2020
Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 20V446000 · Jul 2020 · model year 2020
If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Structure · 19V643000 · Sep 2019 · model year 2020
A crack in the frame rail may reduce crash performance, increasing the risk of an injury.
Airbags · 18V774000 · Nov 2018 · model year 2019
If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 15V833000 · Dec 2015 · model year 2016
If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
Body & glass · 15V609000 · Sep 2015 · model year 2016
A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Structure · 15V415000 · Jun 2015 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
Tires · 15V044000 · Jan 2015 · model year 2015
If the tire treads crack, a loss of tire pressure and possible tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 14V614000 · Oct 2014 · model year 2014
If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 14V266000 · May 2014 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
Electrical system · 14V223000 · Apr 2014 · model year 2014
An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 14V118000 · Mar 2014 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
Transmission · 14V092000 · Feb 2014 · model year 2014
If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Body & glass · 12V151000 · Apr 2012 · model years 2011, 2012
IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Seat belts · 10V375000 · Aug 2010 · model year 2010
THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.