The Chevy Traverse is a great family vehicle in that it has a spacious interior, significant cargo capacity, and can comfortably seat three rows of occupant. It has had some issues in past years, however, If you’re thinking of buying a Traverse, you should know what its problems are before you make a final decision on the model year.
Key Takeaways:
- This midsize SUV has an average reliability rating.
- Some of its problems involve the transmission, air conditioning, engine, and steering.
- The Chevy’s Traverse’s common issues range from brake noise to engine failure.
- Transmission failures have been reported in earlier model years, including 2009 and 2018.
What Transmission Issues Do The Chevy Traverse SUVs Face?
It has been reported that the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse has an unusual noise emanating from its brakes. Cured tires, poor fuel supply, a roof rail airbag that may not deploy in an accident, and split frame rails are other issues plaguing that model year.
There were many reports of 2009 models suddenly limping on the road—the issue was known to start at about 88,000 miles. Chevy released TSBs, taking on some repair expenses and extending the service warranty. 2018 models had similar problems within 4,700 miles of ownership—owners were unable to shift into gear or could no longer drive—and owners also reported getting a “Shift to Park” message after shutting down the vehicle.
What Common Issues Does the Chevy Traverse Have With HVAC?
While not overly dangerous a faulty HVAC system can be costly and is a common problem in 2012 to 2015 Traverse models. 2012 owners reported the system’s compressor blowing at about 100,000 miles, while 2013 Traverse owners reported that their systems just suddenly stopped working. 2015 model year owners said their A/C compressor simply melted.
Do the Chevy Traverse SUVs HAve Problems With Timing Chains?
Engine failure was a big cause of problems in 2010 models, as Traverse owners reported that the Traverse stopped working mid-drive. The problem continued into 201. Both occurred at about 100,000 miles. 2011 models also saw that the timing chain had issues and caused the engine to underperform or rattle when they started the SUV.
Does the Chevy Traverse Consume a lot of Oil?
2009 to 2011 Traverses were hard to turn and steer for drivers who found themselves in perilous situations. 2009 models also sucked up oil to an unusual degree. The problem began within 100,000 miles of ownership.
Coverage for Our Used SUVs
SUVs under GM’s Certified Pre-Owned program go through a thorough 172-point inspection and reconditioning process. To qualify, the model you choose must be less than six years old, have fewer than 75,000 miles, and dealers must complete all the necessary safety recalls before selling certified pre-owned models.
All used Chevy models feature two factory-backed warranties in addition to the following:
- 6-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
- 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty
- Scheduled maintenance program covering two visits within 2 years/24,000 miles
- 24/7 roadside assistance for the length of the powertrain warranty
- 3-day/150-mile vehicle exchange program
- Limited trials of OnStar and SiriusXM All-Access
Is The Chevy Traverse SUV Worth the Investment?
As long as you're informed about the potential issues associated with the Chevy Traverse model year you're considering, purchasing this SUV should carry minimal risk. Be sure to research the specific model year that catches your interest. Before finalizing your purchase, review the vehicle's repair history and confirm that the issues mentioned above have been addressed.
These problems above, while significant, don’t outweigh how great the Traverse is for getting your family from one place to the next comfortably and reliably. If you’re interested in checking a model year out, contact us today to take your next test drive!