Chevrolet Traverse Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Chevrolet Traverse model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (89) and the 2010 the most (669).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
24 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–22 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
89 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 20–21 |
| 2023 | 89 | 2 | Power train | 4★ | 20–21 |
| 2022 | 98 | 1 | Power train | 4★ | 20–21 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
138 | 0 | Service brakes | 5★ | 20–23 |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
162 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 19 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
180 | 0 | Service brakes | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
230 | 8 | Engine | 5★ | 20–21 |
| 2016 | 292 | 5 | Air bags | 5★ | 17–18 |
| 2015 | 313 | 5 | Air bags | 5★ | 19 |
| 2012 | 354 | 5 | Engine | 5★ | 19 |
| 2017 | 361 | 3 | Air bags | 5★ | 17–18 |
| 2019 | 408 | 3 | Power train | 5★ | 20–22 |
| 2009 | 448 | 8 | Steering | — | 19 |
| 2018 | 462 | 2 | Power train | 5★ | 20–22 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
547 | 7 | Air bags | 5★ | 19 |
| 2011 Among the most complaints |
608 | 5 | Engine | 5★ | 19 |
| 2010 Among the most complaints |
669 | 5 | Steering | — | 19 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Chevrolet Traverse years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2010 Chevrolet Traverse: 669 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 331 (49%); Engine 178 (27%); Power train 66 (10%).
Reports mention 17 crashes, 6 fires, 12 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 75,827 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Chevrolet Traverse: 608 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 204 (34%); Steering 165 (27%); Electronic stability control 103 (17%).
Reports mention 16 crashes, 4 fires, 30 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,700 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Chevrolet Traverse: 547 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 258 (47%); Electrical system 126 (23%); Electronic stability control 117 (21%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 1 fire, 15 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 65,646 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
The Chevrolet Traverse years with the fewest complaints
2021 Chevrolet Traverse: 89 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 22 (25%); Power train 15 (17%); Engine 11 (12%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 54,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Chevrolet Traverse: 162 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 53 (33%); Engine 45 (28%); Electronic stability control 43 (27%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 71,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Chevrolet Traverse: 230 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 70 (30%); Power train 39 (17%); Electrical system 28 (12%).
Reports mention 11 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Chevrolet Traverse owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 180 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 11,000 |
| 2024 | 138 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 9,010 |
| 2023 | 89 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 37,000 |
| 2022 | 98 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2021 | 89 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 54,000 |
| 2020 | 230 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2019 | 408 | 15 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 42,000 |
| 2018 | 462 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 32,000 |
| 2017 | 361 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 38,000 |
| 2016 | 292 | 8 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 48,500 |
| 2015 | 313 | 10 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 52,000 |
| 2014 | 547 | 8 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 65,646 |
| 2013 | 162 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 71,000 |
| 2012 | 354 | 10 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 85,000 |
| 2011 | 608 | 16 | 4 | 30 | 1 | 70,700 |
| 2010 | 669 | 17 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 75,827 |
| 2009 | 448 | 17 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 80,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Chevrolet Traverse recalls
- HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER MODULE SHORT CIRCUIT (2009 model year; 1,365,070 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2010; 10V240000)
- Flexible Steel Cable for Seat Belt may Fail (2009–2014 model years; 1,339,355 vehicles across all models; filed May 2014; 14V266000)
- Side Impact Air Bags Wiring Connections (2009–2013 model years; 1,176,407 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2014; 14V118000)
- Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2014–2017 model years; 995,085 vehicles across all models; filed May 2023; 23V334000)
- Liftgate Struts may Fail and Liftgate may Fall (2009–2012 model years; 691,144 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2015; 15V415000)
All 32 Chevrolet Traverse recall campaigns · Chevrolet Traverse problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Chevrolet Traverse years FAQ
Which Chevrolet Traverse year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (89). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Chevrolet Traverse years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2010, 2011 and 2014 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Chevrolet Traverse problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (1,113 of 5,472 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Traverse have?
NHTSA lists 32 recall campaigns covering the Chevrolet Traverse. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chevrolet Traverse recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.