I had to replace the timing chain. I had to replace the Torque Converter. New issues: Interior lights on the dash and radio have been going out while driving. Message center warning has been not working sometimes when using remote start in winter. Sometimes it just goes blank while driving.
2016 Chevrolet Traverse
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 302.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Traverse years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
89 reports with mileage · 202 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 163 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
18 reportsMy vehicle has had issues starting off and on with in the last year of having the vehicle. I replaced the battery and alternator. and now we think it's the neutral safety switch. I went to go check the recalls and I see that I had a recall on the front air bag module needs replaced too. I have not received anything in the mail b…
Read full complaint
My vehicle has had issues starting off and on with in the last year of having the vehicle. I replaced the battery and alternator. and now we think it's the neutral safety switch. I went to go check the recalls and I see that I had a recall on the front air bag module needs replaced too. I have not received anything in the mail by the dealership or calls.
Passenger side mirror exploded randomly
Driver side floor board is getting wet after rains. Confirmed it is not the heat coil or ac drain hose.
When sitting in a parking lot when the car was running, many different service now lights flashed across the dashboard. The lights on the side mirrors were on and still on. We turned off the car and the heater engine was still running even without the key in the ignition. When we tried to restart the car, it did absolutely nothi…
Read full complaint
When sitting in a parking lot when the car was running, many different service now lights flashed across the dashboard. The lights on the side mirrors were on and still on. We turned off the car and the heater engine was still running even without the key in the ignition. When we tried to restart the car, it did absolutely nothing. Would not turn over or even click. It was worked on in the parking lot for 3 hours to get it to start. We had to disconnected a cord on the side of the dash and door locks, all wheel drive, driver side windows and the rear door would not work. A day later we plugged the cord back in and all the components worked except the lights on side mirrors were still on. After taking it to a dealer they confirmed that they had serviced other Chevrolet Traverse's that had the same problems. If this would have happened in traffic it could have caused an accident. No warning lamps, messages or other problems prior to this incident.
Something is happening to cause delayed shifting in this vehicle without warning or any rhyme or reason to it. One moment you're going 40 and all is well then suddenly the rpms go high the car slows way down and doesn't want to shift. There is no light to indicate the issue and no codes so no way to tell what to fix also no warn…
Read full complaint
Something is happening to cause delayed shifting in this vehicle without warning or any rhyme or reason to it. One moment you're going 40 and all is well then suddenly the rpms go high the car slows way down and doesn't want to shift. There is no light to indicate the issue and no codes so no way to tell what to fix also no warning as to when it will happen. This car has become so unpredictable with it's shifting we have opted to park it and look into the transmission. This seems to be a common problem with Chevy traverse wish I had known that when I purchased it and I don't want to think what would happen if we were driving on the interstate.
Vehicle has had 3 separate occurrences - January, October and November of 2021 - the vehicle suddenly losing its "power" by not accelerating over 40 mph, hard shifting to where it jerked uncontrollably. The dash board message center would say "service stabilitrak" "service traction control" "traction control off". The orange tra…
Read full complaint
Vehicle has had 3 separate occurrences - January, October and November of 2021 - the vehicle suddenly losing its "power" by not accelerating over 40 mph, hard shifting to where it jerked uncontrollably. The dash board message center would say "service stabilitrak" "service traction control" "traction control off". The orange traction control light was also Illuminated on the dashboard. No check engine light was presented, and no codes were stored in the computer. 1s occurrence dealership changed battery, 2nd occurrence could not find an issue, customer refused vehicle back so dealership cleaned ABS tone rings. On all occurrences the customer was close to being rear ended on the major interstate due to losing sudden power. Dealerships are only able to "guess" on repair, due to no codes being stored in the computer. Many complaints for the same issue can be found in a Traverse Facebook group, on Google, and many other personal Traverse owners. There needs to be an open recall and investigation with this issue. None of these fixes are covered under the warranties, and customers must pay out of pocket as the dealership has it coded under "maintenance".
Traction Control pops on my dash to service now, lose power and Van Bucks like missing and and speed cuts way down, very dangerous if you are in traffic, and only had 30,000 miles on Van when started, now i have 31,000
RE: 2016 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE WITH 56,000 MILES FEB. 2, 2021, I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM RUNNING ERRANDS , PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND PER MY NORMAL ROUTINE, ROLLED JUST PAST THE GARAGE DOOR OPENING IN ORDER TO BACK INTO THE GARAGE. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO FULL THROTTLE AND JUMPED ABOUT …
Read full complaint
RE: 2016 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE WITH 56,000 MILES FEB. 2, 2021, I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM RUNNING ERRANDS , PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND PER MY NORMAL ROUTINE, ROLLED JUST PAST THE GARAGE DOOR OPENING IN ORDER TO BACK INTO THE GARAGE. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO FULL THROTTLE AND JUMPED ABOUT 10 OR 12 FEET, SIDESWIPED A TREE AT THE CURVE IN THE DRIVE AND TOOK OUT A 4X4 POST HOLDING MY BIRDFEEDER. I CONTINUED APPLYING THE BRAKE BUT COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. BY STEERING, I WAS ABLE TO MISS ANOTHER TREE AND DROVE INTO THE BACK YARD. THE CAR WAS HEADED TOWARD THE BARN ABOUT 50 YARDS AWAY, BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I HIT THE TREE, AND I WAS NOT INJURED. AS THIS WAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WITH NO DAMAGE EXCEPT TO THE CAR, A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. DID $12,000+ IN DAMAGES PLUS 4 WKS TO FIX. THE CHEVY DEALER FROM WHOM THE CAR WAS PURCHASED SAID THEY WOULD HAVE SOMEONE FROM GM TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC. THAT WAS 2 WKS AGO AND THEY STILL HAVE MY CAR BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING AS OF YET.
THE BLIND SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM WARNING SENSORS HAVE FAILED AND WILL NOT WORK. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO HAVE SEVERAL NEAR MISSIES IN DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR IT. *TR
Official recalls
523V334000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
May 10, 2023
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
21V782000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Oct 7, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.
Air Bags:frontal
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.
21V246000 · Air Bags:critical Fasteners
Apr 8, 2021
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
15V833000 · Seats
Dec 11, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.
15V609000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
Sep 29, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration