Chevrolet Traverse: best & worst years

2024 Chevrolet Traverse Caution

All-new third generation with a troubled first year: transmission and turbo-engine complaints plus a gruffer four-cylinder.

• First-year 2024 models (new 2.5L turbo four, 8-speed) reported failing to shift reliably out of reverse or forward gear, requiring warranty repair with parts delays.
• New turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder reported with engine, turbo and head-gasket issues on early builds, and is notably gruff and noisy compared with the prior V6.
• Service-brake complaints (brake feel, noise and performance) reported on first-year third-generation models.

2023 Chevrolet Traverse Recommended

Final second-generation year, well-sorted, low complaints, with class-leading space and the dependable V6.

• Residual nine-speed automatic complaints, occasional rough or delayed shifts on later second-generation models, much reduced from the 2018-2019 cars.
• Scattered electrical and infotainment glitches reported on late second-generation models.

2022 Chevrolet Traverse Recommended

The strongest Traverse: lowest-complaint second-gen year and the only one Consumer Reports rated better-than-average.

• Residual nine-speed automatic complaints, occasional rough or delayed shifts on later second-generation models, much reduced from the 2018-2019 cars.
• Scattered electrical and infotainment glitches reported on late second-generation models.

2021 Chevrolet Traverse Caution

A maturing second-generation Traverse with low complaint volume and the proven 3.6L V6.

• Residual nine-speed automatic complaints, occasional rough or delayed shifts on later second-generation models, much reduced from the 2018-2019 cars.
• Scattered electrical and infotainment glitches reported on late second-generation models.

2020 Chevrolet Traverse Caution

Fewer complaints than the 2018-2019 launch cars, with some engine and cooling reports remaining.

• Nine-speed (9T50) automatic exhibits hard or jerky shifts, hesitation, shudder and, in some cases, failure to shift out of gear; worst on the early 2018 build.
• Engine and cooling-system complaints including stalling and coolant-loss reports on 2020 models.
• Electrical and stop/start faults reported (battery drain and auto stop/start malfunctions) on early second-generation models.

2019 Chevrolet Traverse Caution

Second-gen transmission complaints persist and reliability scores are mixed; a careful test-drive is essential.

• Nine-speed (9T50) automatic exhibits hard or jerky shifts, hesitation, shudder and, in some cases, failure to shift out of gear; worst on the early 2018 build.
• Electrical and stop/start faults reported (battery drain and auto stop/start malfunctions) on early second-generation models.

2018 Chevrolet Traverse Caution

Roomy, feature-rich redesign let down by a troubled early nine-speed automatic (hard shifts, hesitation, some failures).

• Nine-speed (9T50) automatic exhibits hard or jerky shifts, hesitation, shudder and, in some cases, failure to shift out of gear; worst on the early 2018 build.
• Electrical and stop/start faults reported (battery drain and auto stop/start malfunctions) on early second-generation models.

2017 Chevrolet Traverse Caution

Final first-generation year, mechanically well-sorted; confirm the 2014-2017 ARC airbag-inflator recall was completed.

• Driver's-side airbag inflator (ARC) can rupture on deployment and propel metal fragments; subject to NHTSA recall 23V334 covering 2014-2017 Traverse models.
• StabiliTrak / electronic stability-control warnings and service messages reported on some 2014 models.

2016 Chevrolet Traverse Caution

One of the better first-gen years as early reliability issues settled; verify the open airbag-inflator recall.

• Driver's-side airbag inflator (ARC) can rupture on deployment and propel metal fragments; subject to NHTSA recall 23V334 covering 2014-2017 Traverse models.
• StabiliTrak / electronic stability-control warnings and service messages reported on some 2014 models.

2015 Chevrolet Traverse Caution

Mechanically steady mid-cycle year, but covered by the 2014-2017 ARC driver-airbag inflator recall.

• Driver's-side airbag inflator (ARC) can rupture on deployment and propel metal fragments; subject to NHTSA recall 23V334 covering 2014-2017 Traverse models.
• StabiliTrak / electronic stability-control warnings and service messages reported on some 2014 models.

2014 Chevrolet Traverse Caution

Second-generation interior aside, 2014 carries an ARC driver-airbag inflator recall and stability-control complaints.

• Driver's-side airbag inflator (ARC) can rupture on deployment and propel metal fragments; subject to NHTSA recall 23V334 covering 2014-2017 Traverse models.
• StabiliTrak / electronic stability-control warnings and service messages reported on some 2014 models.

2013 Chevrolet Traverse Caution

Refreshed and the most-sorted early Traverse, with the lowest first-gen complaint volume, the pick of the 2009-2013 cars.

2012 Chevrolet Traverse Caution

Improving over 2009-2011 but still in the timing-chain and steering-wear era; inspect carefully.

• Power-steering pump wear causes intermittent loss of hydraulic pressure and sudden loss of steering assist; GM issued a 10-year/150,000-mile special coverage but never a formal recall.
• 3.6L V6 timing-chain stretch and wear triggers startup rattle, check-engine codes and possible engine damage; covered by GM special coverage #11340C (10-year/120,000-mile).
• 6T75 six-speed automatic can develop hard or erratic shifts and, in severe cases, failure requiring a costly rebuild.

2011 Chevrolet Traverse Avoid

Widely cited as the worst Traverse: steering, engine and transmission failures with costly repairs.

• Power-steering pump wear causes intermittent loss of hydraulic pressure and sudden loss of steering assist; GM issued a 10-year/150,000-mile special coverage but never a formal recall.
• 3.6L V6 timing-chain stretch and wear triggers startup rattle, check-engine codes and possible engine damage; covered by GM special coverage #11340C (10-year/120,000-mile).
• 6T75 six-speed automatic can develop hard or erratic shifts and, in severe cases, failure requiring a costly rebuild.

2010 Chevrolet Traverse Avoid

Peak-complaint early Traverse, steering-assist loss and 3.6L engine/timing-chain failures dominate; avoid unless repairs are documented.

• Power-steering pump wear causes intermittent loss of hydraulic pressure and sudden loss of steering assist; GM issued a 10-year/150,000-mile special coverage but never a formal recall.
• 3.6L V6 timing-chain stretch and wear triggers startup rattle, check-engine codes and possible engine damage; covered by GM special coverage #11340C (10-year/120,000-mile).
• 6T75 six-speed automatic can develop hard or erratic shifts and, in severe cases, failure requiring a costly rebuild.

2009 Chevrolet Traverse Avoid

Launch-year Lambda Traverse: power-steering loss-of-assist, 3.6L timing-chain wear and transmission trouble make it one of the weakest years.

• Power-steering pump wear causes intermittent loss of hydraulic pressure and sudden loss of steering assist; GM issued a 10-year/150,000-mile special coverage but never a formal recall.
• 3.6L V6 timing-chain stretch and wear triggers startup rattle, check-engine codes and possible engine damage; covered by GM special coverage #11340C (10-year/120,000-mile).
• 6T75 six-speed automatic can develop hard or erratic shifts and, in severe cases, failure requiring a costly rebuild.