2018 Chevrolet Traverse
Common Problems
Ranked from 196 federal NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
10 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Shift to Park Error
79complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe vehicle displays a 'Shift to Park' error when in park, preventing the engine from shutting off.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Shift to Park Notification Issue
71complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe vehicle displays a 'Shift to Park' notification when the car is already in park, preventing the vehicle from shutting off properly.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Engine fails to shut off when in park
59complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine does not turn off when the car is in park, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if left running in an enclosed space.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Electrical system issues including dashboard warnings and system shutdowns
35complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system displays warnings and shuts down various features, such as entertainment systems and climate control, while driving.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Transmission Shudder and Slipping
16complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission shudders and slips, causing the vehicle to shake and make unusual noises during operation.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V668000
- 6
Transmission failure during operation
7complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission fails to shift gears properly, causing the vehicle to jerk and stall.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V668000
- 7
Exhaust System Issues
4complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThere are multiple reports of exhaust leaks and issues with the exhaust system, including broken brackets and failing catalytic converters.
- 8
Steering Locking Issues
4complaintsLow severitySteeringThe steering locks up when the engine is turned off, requiring the battery to be disconnected to reset the system.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Transmission Fluid Overheating
4complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe transmission fluid overheats and causes the vehicle to smoke, potentially leading to engine damage if not addressed.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Transmission Issues
4complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission frequently malfunctions, including issues with shifting and going into reverse, leading to safety concerns and difficulty operating the vehicle.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V668000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.