Chevrolet Traverse 2018–2023 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation · GM C1XX
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,392 complaints, 391 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
Close- Median failure report
- 32,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 464
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2018
- Transmission and driveline196 reports · median 33,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise105 reports
- Electrical system102 reports · median 22,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — critical fasteners · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2019 Chevrolet Traverse
Close- Median failure report
- 42,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 412
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2019
- Transmission and driveline170 reports · median 57,000 mi
- Electrical system114 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise95 reports
Recall areas Air bags — critical fasteners · Power train — automatic transmission · Air bags — air bag/restraint control module
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse
Close- Median failure report
- 51,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 233
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2020
- Engine70 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise56 reports
- Transmission and driveline39 reports
Recall areas Air bags — side/window · Power train — automatic transmission · Tires
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 92
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2021
- Electrical system22 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise19 reports
- Transmission and driveline16 reports
Recall areas Air bags — side/window · Power train — automatic transmission · Air bags — sensor
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 99
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2022
- Transmission and driveline43 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise29 reports
- Electrical system18 reports
Recall areas Air bags — side/window
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 92
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2023
- Transmission and driveline31 reports
- Electrical system20 reports
- Engine18 reports
Recall areas Power train — automatic transmission · Power train — driveline
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2020; earliest: the 2018, and the 2018 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age). 3 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2018–2023 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 37,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 97,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 391
- Recalls
- 13
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Transmission and driveline35.6% of complaints · median 43,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise22.5% of complaints · median 15,000 mi
- Electrical system21.8% of complaints · median 26,000 mi
Owners filed 1,392 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018–2023 Chevrolet Traverse; the transmission and driveline leads with 35.6% of them, and half of the 391 that record an odometer reading came by 37,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 14,000 to 66,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2018–2023 Chevrolet Traverse last?
On the 2018–2023 Chevrolet Traverse, half of the 391 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 37,000 miles and 90% by 97,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
5 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 1 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Traverse reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Chevrolet Traverse 2018–2023 · 391 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 80 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 1 complaints (0.3%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 3,000
- 25%
- 14,000
- Median
- 37,000
- 75%
- 66,000
- 90%
- 97,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 80 | 20.5% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 46 | 11.8% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 43 | 11.0% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 32 | 8.2% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 44 | 11.3% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 35 | 9.0% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 22 | 5.6% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 15 | 3.8% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 25 | 6.4% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 12 | 3.1% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 8 | 2.0% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 9 | 2.3% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 7 | 1.8% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 3 | 0.8% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 5 | 1.3% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 3 | 0.8% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 1 | 0.3% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Traverse problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Chevrolet Traverse 2018–2023
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Problems owners could not categorise313 reportsmedian 15,000middle half 6,000–40,000
- Engine264 reportsmedian 20,000middle half 8,000–46,000
- Brakes98 reportsmedian 20,000middle half 2,000–40,000
- Fuel and propulsion system82 reportsmedian 22,000middle half 12,000–31,000
- Electrical system304 reportsmedian 26,000middle half 11,000–46,000
- Transmission and driveline495 reportsmedian 43,000middle half 20,000–69,000
- Engine and its cooling system57 reportsmedian 74,000middle half 55,000–92,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 495 | 35.6% | 43,000 | 20,000–69,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 313 | 22.5% | 15,000 | 6,000–40,000 |
| Electrical system | 304 | 21.8% | 26,000 | 11,000–46,000 |
| Engine | 264 | 19.0% | 20,000 | 8,000–46,000 |
| Brakes | 98 | 7.0% | 20,000 | 2,000–40,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 82 | 5.9% | 22,000 | 12,000–31,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 57 | 4.1% | 74,000 | 55,000–92,000 |
| Steering | 49 | 3.5% | 3,000 | 480–17,000 |
| Seat belts | 39 | 2.8% | — | — |
| Suspension | 32 | 2.3% | 45,000 | 12,000–58,000 |
Known problems with the 2018–2023 Traverse
Transmission 2018–2023
9T65 9-speed automatic hesitation, harsh 1-2 engagement and shift-quality complaints, plus 'shift to park' message faults from the electronic shifter/park interlock.
Engine 2018–2024
3.6L LFY direct-injection intake valve carbon buildup and, at higher mileage, timing chain wear inherited from the LLT/LFX family.
Before you buy a 2018–2023 Traverse: the 3-minute check
Generated from 391 mileage-tagged complaints, 13 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 13 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check transmission on 2018–2023 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine on 2018–2024 cars.
- Years differ here: from 92 to 464 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Traverse problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi72% below | At 90k mi87% below | At 120k mi95% below | At 150k mi99% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 20,000–69,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 6,000–40,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 11,000–46,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 8,000–46,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 2,000–40,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 12,000–31,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 55,000–92,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Chevrolet Traverse 2018–2023 · 391 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 72% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 87% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2018–2023 Chevrolet Traverse recalls (13)
NHTSA records 13 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (5), the transmission and driveline (4), the tyres (2) (why one area can repeat).
Mar 2023 · 2023 · Power TrainA half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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. Owners may contact Cadillac…
Feb 2023 · 2023 · Power TrainA missing retaining ring on the half-shaft can cause half-shaft inner joint separation, resulting in a loss…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. 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. GM's…
Mar 2022 · 2020–2022 · Air BagsRoof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags…
What can happen. Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at…
Oct 2021 · 2020–2021 · Power TrainA transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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. Owners may contact Braun…
Jun 2021 · 2021 · Air BagsAir bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.
What can happen. Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and…
Apr 2021 · 2018–2019 · Air BagsUnsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
What can happen. Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick…
Feb 2021 · 2020 · TiresOver cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC…
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267…
Nov 2020 · 2020 · TiresOvercured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that…
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began…
Oct 2020 · 2018–2020 · Power TrainMissing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. 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. Owners may contact…
Oct 2020 · 2020 · Fuel System, GasolineInsufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked…
What can happen. Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at…
Jul 2020 · 2020 · Air BagsIf the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing…
The defect. General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag…
What can happen. If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac…
Sep 2019 · 2020 · StructureA crack in the frame rail may reduce crash performance, increasing the risk of an injury.
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The right-hand frame rail in the engine compartment may be cracked.
What can happen. A crack in the frame rail may reduce crash performance, increasing the risk of an injury.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at…
Nov 2018 · 2019 · Air BagsIf the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in…
What can happen. If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,392 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 47 (3.4%)
- Fires
- 6
- Injury reports
- 34
- Fatality reports
- 0
Traverse problems by model year
The 2018 drew the most complaints of this generation, 464, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 2021 the fewest, 92. A typical year drew about 166.
That makes the 2018 stand out at roughly 2.8 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 464 | 186 | 32,000† | Transmission and driveline (196) | 2 |
| 2019 | 412 | 97 | 42,000† | Transmission and driveline (170) | 3 |
| 2020 | 233 | 56 | 51,000 | Engine (70) | 8 |
| 2021 | 92 | 16 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (22) | 3 |
| 2022 | 99 | 15 | under 30 reports | Transmission and driveline (43) | 1 |
| 2023 | 92 | 21 | under 30 reports | Transmission and driveline (31) | 2 |
What Traverse owners reported
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving at 5–8 MPH, the transmission slipped. After coming to a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate for five seconds before jumping forward 3–5 feet. Several unknown warning lights briefly illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond while in…
2018 · 148,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on the driveway, the contact's sister-in-law became aware of a burning odor. The contact stated that while walking towards the vehicle, the contact became aware of smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact…
2021 · 105,000 miles · Firerelated
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the exhaust system was sagging due to an improperly welded mounting bracket. The contact became aware that an exhaust system bolt was cracked and missing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a technician confirmed that the weld on the exhaust…
2020 · 82,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
The contact owned a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving 3 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle decelerated, and the vehicle was uncontrollable. The vehicle crashed into the brother's vehicle parked in the driveway and pushed the…
2019 · 60,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 391 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Traverse generations
- Traverse 2009–2017 2,458 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system