Chevrolet Traverse Problems, Recalls and Mobile Repair
5,260 owner complaints and 31 safety recalls are on file with NHTSA for 2008–2024 Traverse models. Here is what owners report most, which years drew the most complaints, and which fixes a mobile mechanic can do where the car sits.
NHTSA data pulled September 2026.
The most reported Traverse problems
The systems named most often in NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 Chevrolet Traverse models, and whether a mobile mechanic can usually help. A complaint can name more than one system.
| System | Complaints | Share | Mobile mechanic? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,095 | 21% | Diagnose first |
| Airbags | 1,047 | 20% | Dealer or recall |
| Steering | 947 | 18% | Diagnose first |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 897 | 17% | Usually a shop |
| Electrical system | 790 | 15% | Often in the driveway |
| Stability control | 476 | 9% | Diagnose first |
| Throttle and cruise control | 296 | 6% | Diagnose first |
| Brakes | 289 | 5% | Usually on the spot |
Symptoms owners describe
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA, the federal vehicle-safety agency. NHTSA does not verify each one, and a year or model that sold more cars usually gets more complaints, so treat the counts as a map of what to check, not a reliability score. Data pulled from NHTSA's public complaint and recall databases in September 2026.
Complaints by model year
The 2010 Traverse drew the most complaints (669). Newer years have had less time on the road, so their counts are still growing.
Chevrolet Traverse recalls
31 safety recalls cover 2008–2024 Traverse models. The most recent 12 are below.
| Reported | Campaign | Model years | System | What can happen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-05 | 23V334000 | 2014–2017 | Airbags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 2023-03 | 23V172000 | 2023 | Transmission and drivetrain | 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. |
| 2023-02 | 23V042000 | 2023 | Transmission and drivetrain | 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. |
| 2022-04 | 22V246000 | 2015 | Airbags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 2022-03 | 22V210000 | 2020–2022 | Airbags | Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 2021-10 | 21V817000 | 2020–2021 | Transmission and drivetrain | A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2021-10 | 21V782000 | 2013–2017 | Airbags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 2021-06 | 21V472000 | 2021 | Airbags | Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury. |
| 2021-04 | 21V246000 | 2010–2019 | Airbags | Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 2021-02 | 21V115000 | 2020 | Tires | 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. |
| 2020-11 | 20V684000 | 2020 | Tires | 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. |
| 2020-10 | 20V668000 | 2018–2020 | Transmission and drivetrain | 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. |
Plus 19 older recalls. Check your VIN for the full list.
Safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls on your exact car. "Park it" means NHTSA and the maker say not to drive the vehicle until it is fixed.
What Traverse owners told NHTSA
“…also the key has gotten stuck in the ignition and wouldn't start and I had to have it towed to a mechanic for that as well.”
“Others check engine light, stabilitrak/traction control system, ABS sensor whenever the check engine light came early part of december.”
“Took our car for ride park w hills having problem w our 2009 Traverse transmission down sift out of cruse,down sift on its own,then no reversing then not going into drive then over heating had let cool down 2x it only has71,000 miles”
“It doesn't have speed only goes about 10-20 MPH, doesn't give any gas it'll stall act as if it wants to shut down.”
What a mobile mechanic can do on a Traverse
Most everyday Traverse repairs fit in a van, including work on the electrical system, brakes, suspension. A mobile mechanic can read codes, test the battery and charging system, replace brakes, starters and alternators, and handle most cooling-system parts where the car is parked.
Transmission rebuilds, internal engine work and anything under a safety recall belong in a shop or at a dealer – a good mobile mechanic will tell you that before driving out. What mobile mechanics can and can't do
What common jobs cost
| Job | Repair shop average | Mobile mechanics we list | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic | $125–183 | $85–130 | Usually credited toward the repair |
| Battery replacement | $456–493 | $125–250 | Some mobile prices are install only |
| Brake pads, per axle | $335–394 | $125–215 | Pads and rotors: $310–390 mobile, $549–629 at a shop |
| Starter | $565–796 | $200–440 | Some mobile prices are labor only |
| Alternator | $809–1,088 | $200–500 | Some mobile prices are labor only |
Repair shop average: RepairPal national estimates, parts and labor before tax (updated Sep 3, 2026); pads and rotors from Kelley Blue Book (Jun 2026). Mobile: the middle half of prices that 90 mechanics listed on MobileMechanics.ai publish on their own websites (checked Oct 2026); some are labor only, so ask whether parts are included. Prices vary by vehicle and city; the mechanic quotes after looking. How we got these numbers
More Chevrolet problem guides
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Chevrolet Traverse recalls and news
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Chevrolet Traverse: questions
What are the most common Chevrolet Traverse problems?
In NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 models, the systems named most often are the engine, airbags, steering. The 2010 model year drew the most complaints (669).
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Traverse have?
NHTSA lists 31 safety recalls covering 2008–2024 models. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to your car.
Are Chevrolet Traverse recall repairs free?
Yes, safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work, but can fix most other problems where the car is parked.
Can a mobile mechanic work on a Chevrolet Traverse?
Yes, for most everyday repairs: diagnostics, batteries, starters, alternators, brakes and many cooling-system parts. Transmission and internal engine work need a shop. Find a mobile mechanic in your city.
Where this data comes from
- NHTSA – vehicle safety complaints (public complaint database)
- NHTSA – recalls lookup by VIN
- NHTSA – Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing (vPIC)
Complaint and recall records for Chevrolet Traverse model years in range, retrieved September 2026. Owner quotes are short excerpts from public NHTSA complaint records, lightly cased for reading.