Chevrolet Traverse
Problems & Worst Years
Every reported problem for the Chevrolet Traverse, model year by model year — ranked from 1394 federal NHTSA complaints across 2010–2025.
Few complaint histories divide as neatly into chapters as the Chevrolet Traverse's. Chapter one is 2010, the heaviest year on file at 319 occurrences: steering lockup at low speeds is the single most-reported problem of any Traverse year — 180 reports, safety-severity — and timing chain failure appears twice in the top five, totaling 68 more. Power steering fluid contamination and seat belt issues round it out. On a 2010, steering feel and any timing-related noise deserve real scrutiny.
Chapter two runs 2015 through 2017, and it's less about the vehicle than about getting it fixed. Airbag recall complaints dominate all three years — recall repair delays drew 42 and 40 reports in 2015, 62 and 40 in 2016, and a striking 109 in 2017, when four of the year's problems carried safety severity. Transmission issues and electrical warning lights persist underneath. For these years, confirming by VIN that every airbag campaign is closed out is non-negotiable.
Chapter three is the shift-to-park saga. In 2018 (283 occurrences), Shift to Park errors and notification problems drew 150 combined reports, with another 59 describing an engine that fails to shut off when in park. The 2019 (258 occurrences) is even more concentrated: a repetitive "shift to park" message alone logged 132 reports, plus 49 for a vehicle failing to recognize it's in park. Both years carry NHTSA recall 20V668; the 2020 adds 20V639 and 21V817 alongside exhaust system failures (36) and transmission shudder (28). The complaint persists at lower volume into 2022.
Recent years look comparatively cleaner — 62 occurrences for 2024, 96 for 2025 — though brake complaints lead both, including master brake cylinder failure and brake assist failure on the 2025. Remember, though, that these are owner filings rather than measured failure rates, and the newest Traverses simply haven't had time to accumulate a record. Whatever year you're considering, a pre-purchase inspection and a documented service history will tell you more than the totals do.
Chevrolet Traverse problems by year
Complaint volume by model year (bar = relative to the worst year). Theworst yearsare the most-complained-about, weighted by safety-risk problems.
| Year | Complaint volume | Problems | Safety / High | Most common problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010worst | 268 | 12 | 1/4 | Steering Lockup at Low Speeds Steering · 180 complaints |
| 2015 | 128 | 11 | 1/4 | Recall Issues with Airbag System Other · 42 complaints |
| 2016worst | 159 | 15 | 3/4 | Airbag Recall Issue Other · 62 complaints |
| 2017worst | 182 | 21 | 4/3 | Airbag Recall Repair Delay Electrical · 109 complaints |
| 2018 | 196 | 10 | 2/3 | Shift to Park Error Electrical · 79 complaints |
| 2019 | 173 | 11 | 0/3 | Repetitive 'shift to park' message Electrical · 132 complaints |
| 2020 | 99 | 9 | 0/3 | Exhaust System Failure Fuel system · 36 complaints |
| 2022 | 53 | 7 | 0/4 | Shift to Park Error Electrical · 26 complaints |
| 2024 | 57 | 10 | 1/4 | Brake Squealing and Persistent Issues Brakes · 16 complaints |
| 2025 | 79 | 10 | 0/5 | Brake system warning lights and malfunctions Brakes · 25 complaints |
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls, 2010–2025. Problem clustering and year rankings are derived from the complaint record; complaint volume reflects reports filed, not total incidence or fault rate. Vehicle image is illustrative.