Chevy Traverse Used Buying Guide: Known Issues

Looking for a spacious and reliable family vehicle? The Chevy Traverse is known for its significant cargo capacity and sizable interior that can seat three rows of occupants quite comfortably. While it generally wins high marks with consumers and critics alike, there have been some issues in past years that you should be aware of before making a purchase.

Key Takeaways:

• The Chevy Traverse has an average reliability rating.
• Its most common problems affect the engine, transmission, steering and air conditioning system. No matter the issue, here at Raceway Chevy we can fix the issue.
• Early model years have seen the most transmission failures.

What Issues Are Seen from the Chevy Traverse?

Transmission issues have long plagued the Travers, particularly in 2009 and 2018. Some 2009 models would suddenly “limp” while in motion, starting at about 88,000 miles. At the time, Chevy released TSBs regarding this issue, extended the service warranty, and took on some of the expense. 2018 models had similar issues—owners were unable to shift into gear or could no longer drive at about 4,700 miles on the odometer. They also reported getting a “Shift to Park” message after turning the vehicle off.

Are There Any Transmission Issues With the Chevy Traverse?

According to owner complaints, the brakes were an issue in 2020 models–they made noise, they were soft or spongy, and they wore prematurely. In terms of the suspension, the Traverse offered a rough ride on uneven surfaces, especially in lower trim levels. This model year was also plagued by a number of other problems, including poor fuel supply, split frame rails, cured tires, and a faulty roof rail airbag.

What Issues Arise with the HVAC in the Chevy Traverse?

While not overly dangerous, a faulty HVAC system can be an annoying and costly problem to fix. This issue was common in Traverse models from 2012 to 2015. 2012 owners stated that the HVAC’s system’s compressor would blow at about 100,000 miles, while 2013 owners complained that their systems stopped working suddenly. 2015 Traverse owners fared no better—their A/C compressors simply melted.

Does the Chevy Traverse Have Oil Consumption and Steering Problems?

Oil consumption was another issue in earlier models. At about 100,000 miles, 2009 models were known to suck up more oil than the usual amount. 2011 models were harder to steer for and drivers often found themselves in dangerous situations.

What is Covered in a GM Extended Warranty?

Every Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Chevy model comes with two factory-backed warranties:

• A 6-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty covers the engine block, gaskets, oil pump, cylinder head, turbochargers, transmission system, and drive systems, with benefits like roadside assistance and courtesy transportation.
• A 12-month/12,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty covers and even wider range of components from front to back (exclusions apply).

Each CPO model also includes a CARFAX Vehicle History Report and undergoes a thorough 172-point inspection to meet high-quality standards.

Should You Buy a Chevy Traverse?

The Chevy Traverse remains a reliable SUV despite the problems listed above. As long as you’re informed about these issues, purchasing this SUV should not be much of a risk and should not outweigh how comfortable and dependable really. If you have any of these issues with a Chevy Traverse you have purchased, we here at Raceway Chevy can help! If you’re interested in checking what we have in stock, contact us today at Raceway Chevy to take your next test drive!