Owners filed 608 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 5 times.
When it fails
07070070,700 milesMedian miles at failure
496 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine
131
2
1
1
Steering
127
0
0
0
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
81
3
0
0
Electrical System
41
0
2
1
Air Bags
39
6
0
19
Power Train
37
0
0
0
Service Brakes
23
2
0
1
Vehicle Speed Control
22
0
0
0
Seat Belts
17
1
0
1
Unknown or Other
13
0
0
1
5 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Critical Fasteners21V246000
Filed Apr 8, 2021108 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc
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.
Risk. Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy. 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 customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate15V415000
Filed Jun 30, 2015691,144 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc
Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
Risk. If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
Seat Belts14V266000
Filed May 20, 20141,339,355 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc
Defect. General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Risk. 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.
Remedy. General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.
Air Bags › Side/Window14V118000
Filed Mar 17, 20141,176,407 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc
Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk. 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.
Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.
Defect. GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Tires
Filed Oct 6, 2025TX
In summary, a business is selling unsafe "sidewall patched" used tire. On Sep 20, 2025 I purchased four used tires for my 2011 Chevy Traverse in this business. Mike's Tires Plano [XXX] ) [XXX] [XXX] Ten days later, one of the tires started to have a slow leak. On Oct 5, 2025, I visited a nearby National Tire & Battery store to have it checked. And was told that the tire is not repairable, since it already had a sidewall patch and the same patch had a leak again. After some research, I found it was illegal to sell and install sidewall patched tires in Texas, since it is unsafe to drive with such tires. (A failed patch on the sidewall dramatically increases the risk of a sudden and catastrophic tire blowout, Most professional tire shops will refuse to repair sidewall damage because of the significant safety risk and liability involved) A common criterion for an unsafe used tire is one that "has a repair to the tire in the tread shoulder, sidewall, bead area or belt edge area." On Oct 6, 2025, I went to the tire shop to ask for a refund or to replace other safer used tires. But the owner refused to do any, and even refused to admit that his tire is a sidewall patched tire, saying it is safe to use and legal to sell. I am writing this letter to complain that this business unlawful and unethical practice puts people's lives in danger. Texas Transportation Code Sec. 547.612 [XXX] “(f) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a person who owns or operates a business that ins
Engine
Filed Oct 8, 2024MI
Components related to timing chain failed, and vehicle is currently available with plans to sell to a salvage yard by 10/25/24. My 9 year old and I were at risk of collision when the vehicle failed. I was driving approximately 70-75 mph when we started to lose power. At 65 mph, I managed to cross 2 lanes of highway traffic and stopped on the shoulder. I turned off my vehicle and waited several minutes, hoping it would help reset or cool off a component or something. I had to try a couple of times before it started, and I attempted to drive as safely as I could, made it to 60 mph before it stopped running completely. I had to pull hard on the steering wheel to get to the shoulder again, only this time, the shoulder was pinched off in front of us and around a small blind spot behind us. I had my daughter move to the side closer to the cement barrier while waiting for a tow truck. She became very nervous about how close some of the other vehicles got. Afterwards, the error codes indicated several components pointing to a timing chain problem. I had the timing chain repaired around April or May of 2023 by a certified mechanic. I watched the oil life percentage and oil temperature gauge consistently. Everything indicated as normal, but I had difficulty pulling out the dipstick to check the oil level. Since it was hard to get a good reading, I tried to add some oil and recheck. The oil cap was nearly impossible to open, so I decided to wait for an oil tech to do it. Around 40-50% o
Service Brakes
Filed Sep 18, 2024OH
As i am driving down the road the service stable trak light and abs lights pop on and the brakes sieze up so bad you cant get the car to stop and brake pedal to unlock as well as when you try to turn the steering wheel locks
Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2024ND
My timing and my energy is going bad..I don’t know the problem.Im new on having my own car..And when I got it everything was great at first but Two trips going too Chicago it started going bad
Air Bags
Filed Apr 10, 2024TX
This vehicle is notorious for multiple electrical failures. The alternator fried the battery fried, both of which were replaced. This vehicle still wouldn't start. The wiring harness to the PCM is notorious for having shorts. The pcm itself is notorious for going out really early. This vehicle is almost undrivable and it dies while you're in the middle of driving where you can't stop. I do not know how this vehicle has been kept on the market without being recalled. I do not know how more people haven't been in accidents because of it. And even worse, it's notorious for the airbags messing up. I think I would be more understanding if it weren't for the fact that this vehicle has been well maintained. It has regular maintenance. It's never overdue for an oil change or a fluid top up. I have children that ride in this vehicle and now I have to worry about their safety.
Engine
Filed Jan 14, 2024IL
Unknown
Structure
Filed Jul 10, 2023TX
The contact's friend owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the liftgate failed to function as designed. The contact stated that the liftgate would spontaneously slam shut. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V415000 (Structure). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Air Bags1 injured
Filed Jul 5, 2023MN
Side curtain airbags deployed driving 70 mph on I94 outside of Monticello, MN after drifting onto the rumble strip. Upon turning back there was a loud bang from the side airbags deploying. The drivers side came down and hit my daughter in the side of the head, the passenger side didn't come down all the way missing my 86 year old Mom as she is 5 ft tall. My daugther by some miracle didn't panic and veer into other traffic lanes with other vehicles driving 70 mph. GM is denying a problem and insinuating that something other than defect caused the airbags to deploy, even though there is nothing but rumble strips on the section of road. They are blaming some minor scraps on the side of the vehicle that were existing on a 2011 Traverse.
Engine
Filed Jun 28, 2023125,000 milesIL
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 45 MPH, the RPM became elevated, and the check engine warning light illuminated before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Electrical System
Filed Jun 8, 2023KS
Care loses connection shuts off while driving and unable to accelerate. Loses steering control
Seat Belts
Filed May 30, 2023CA
My driver side seat belt cable snaped. All I did was go to put my seat belt on. There was no warning no warning lights no nothing. This is a recall (Recall No. 14V266000 Recall Date; 05-20-2014) for these vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008 thru May 14, 2014 but as I was told by GMC not for my vehicle VIN number. I was told by them I may have special coverage but I would have to have it inspected by a dealership. The dealership told me it would be $195 for them to look at it. I then called GMC back and spoke with someone else who told me that special coverage would not cover the seat belt and basically I was out of luck. This is obviously a problem with their seatbelts and had I been in an accident I could have been seriously injured they should have to replace it at no cost to me.
Air Bags
Filed May 16, 2023MI
Service air bag comes on as well as it won't detect if someone is in the passenger seat. I had this issue serviced at the dealership twice. The issue has returned both times. My vehicle is continuing to have this problem. Service for airbag repair on 12/18/2020 and on 12/10/2021. Problem returned and continues to this day.
Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2023TN
12/24/2022 while driving the car made a popping sound then started to slow down while I was driving. I went to make a left turn and the car stalled in mid turn. No warning or anything. Had it towed to a shop and was told that the motor had no oil in it. Which wasn’t true, when they pulled the dip stick it read that it was full. However when they opened the motor up, it appeared to be bone dry.
Engine
Filed Sep 10, 2022KY
Engine failed at 182,000 miles. No warning. No indicator lights. Speed was 45+ miles per hour on 2-lane highway. Loss of engine power resulted in loss of steering control. Very hard to maneuver as vehicle coasted to stop at side of road. Put all occupants in a dangerous situation due to significantly reduced vehicle control. Vehicle would not re-start (or attempt to turn over) after failure. Towed to local shop. Local, trusted auto service center reported engine had “locked up” potentially due to low oil pressure. Again, no indication lights and routine, full oil service completed just 2500 miles prior. Engine was replaced after cost-benefit analysis of current car market prices and availability and the well-maintained condition of the vehicle overall. Concerns: Loss of control. Disappointments: One of many reliability issues with this vehicle that was purchased new in January 2011.
Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrash
Filed Jul 25, 2022PA
The driver's side mirror is cracked, in addition to the catalytic converters - bank 1 and 2, they sold me this car like this and reset the engine light.
Engine
Filed Jun 23, 2022145,000 milesKY
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the air conditioning system was blowing warm air. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the timing chain was out of position. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
Suspension
Filed Apr 8, 202290,000 milesWA
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the weight of the vehicle placed on the suspension caused the steering wheel and four wheels to not align. Due to the failure, the contact stated that the steering wheel would align 50% percent to the right causing the vehicle to be undriveable. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic for multiple repairs including the control bushing, lower control arm, rack and pinion, and several other vehicle parts; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and informed her that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Engine
Filed Feb 14, 2022TX
2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURE BUT, WAS CONCERNED OF THE POSSIBILLTY DUE TO MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES.
Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 3, 2021FL
While driving home smoke began to fill up my vehicle. I noticed it was coming up out of the floorboard where the battery is located as well smoke was billowing from the arm rest. I rushed home before anything else could have went wrong while in traffic barely able to see through the dangerous ploom of smoke.
Engine
Filed Sep 21, 2021131,000 milesOH
The contact's wife owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, an abnormal knocking noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they replaced the idler pulley however, the vehicle was not repaired, and the vehicle would not start. The contact called his son and towed the vehicle to his home. The contact then called the dealer where he arranged to have the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The dealer informed him that the failure was due to a defective timing chain; however, while repairing the vehicle, the dealer informed him that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact also mentioned that the middle rear seat belt would become stuck and would not unlatch as needed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was referred to NHTSA for further assistance. The contact replaced the engine himself. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Apr 8, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.