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2018 Chevrolet Traverse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 302.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

186 reports with mileage · 274 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 194 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

104 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2025
EngineUnknown Or Other

My 2018 Chevy traverse has a shift to park warning that continues to come on. It makes the vehicle not lock or park and you have to wait till it goes off. Sometimes it takes restarting the car and turning it off again before it will turn off. this seems to be a known problem when you look it up that 2018-2019 traverse are experi…

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My 2018 Chevy traverse has a shift to park warning that continues to come on. It makes the vehicle not lock or park and you have to wait till it goes off. Sometimes it takes restarting the car and turning it off again before it will turn off. this seems to be a known problem when you look it up that 2018-2019 traverse are experiencing this. This should be a national recall for those years specifically.

NHTSA ODI #11690496

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2025
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I’ve had this vehicle for about a year or less the car ran fine with minor problems that come with having a vehicle. Up until last week the car never showed any signs of a failing transmission, it went from running fine to shuttering and suddenly I wasn’t able to reverse. The check engine light never came on, I’ve did all my rou…

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I’ve had this vehicle for about a year or less the car ran fine with minor problems that come with having a vehicle. Up until last week the car never showed any signs of a failing transmission, it went from running fine to shuttering and suddenly I wasn’t able to reverse. The check engine light never came on, I’ve did all my routine checks and more with the dealership I bought it from and was never told anything when the vehicle was brought in for inspections.

NHTSA ODI #11688232

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Exhaust raddling

NHTSA ODI #11688222

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2025
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

Frequent symptom is an "Action Required: Shift to Park" message on the dashboard. Which is preventing my vehicle from shutting down properly, and causing the battery to drain, and hinder my car's ability to start in addition to getting trapped in the vehicle because the vehicles fail to shift to the ‘Park’ position preventing m…

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Frequent symptom is an "Action Required: Shift to Park" message on the dashboard. Which is preventing my vehicle from shutting down properly, and causing the battery to drain, and hinder my car's ability to start in addition to getting trapped in the vehicle because the vehicles fail to shift to the ‘Park’ position preventing me from being able to exit the vehicle. This is a known issue affecting various GM models which one being my 2018 traverse by GM but not willing to make official recall of the issue. There is a class action settlement due to this issue that was not privileged to me as an owner of a used vehicle included in this notice and have.

NHTSA ODI #11686091

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Been receiving a "shift to park" warning message since last year. It seems to be a known issue, however nothing has been done about it. I've had trouble from time to time getting the car to recognize the Park position I've put the shifter in and occasionally have sat in my car with it on for minutes attempting what I can think o…

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Been receiving a "shift to park" warning message since last year. It seems to be a known issue, however nothing has been done about it. I've had trouble from time to time getting the car to recognize the Park position I've put the shifter in and occasionally have sat in my car with it on for minutes attempting what I can think of to have to car finally recognize that I shifted into Park. I had called a Chevy dealership near me who advised because my car is outside warranty it would not be a covered repair. I'm concerned as I have 2 young children and this is our family vehicle. I cannot leave a car running while I have my children inside or with them inside and me outside trying to turn the car off.

NHTSA ODI #11677775

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2025
Unknown Or Other

My 2018 Traverse has had the “shift to park” message displayed on the instrument cluster when I put the vehicle in park. Even though the red P for park is illuminated and the vehicle is clearly in park the ignition will not power off when you depressed the start/stop button. The vehicle displays the message shift to park. Now th…

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My 2018 Traverse has had the “shift to park” message displayed on the instrument cluster when I put the vehicle in park. Even though the red P for park is illuminated and the vehicle is clearly in park the ignition will not power off when you depressed the start/stop button. The vehicle displays the message shift to park. Now this has transpired for about 3 months and it is very frustrating when you can not park in your garage especially when storms are imminent from the forecast not to mention carbon monoxide poisoning! Now I or my wife have to continuously push on the shifter to get it to turn off. Or we have to turn the vehicle back on and try driving around the block or wherever we are at. Now not being able to turn your engine off is a definite safety concern especially when you have children and pets . This has been happening in GM SUV’s and is a known issue by GM but they seem it’s not a safety issue due it not causing any issues while driving. I had the vehicle repaired at our local dealer and it was $789 to repair the malfunctioning item. I have never heard of a shifter being defective in today’s modern cars. Whether it’s a mechanical issue or electrical issue it needs to be addressed. If I were to live an apartment dwelling with indoor parking I would have to find some other means to park if I could not turn my engine off. I have read numerous complaints online via forums which is very saddening when these automakers claim dependability with their very expensive vehicles. If the vehicle was built with defective or faulty components how does thst burden fall on the consumer?

NHTSA ODI #11675372

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2025
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I have had to repair the muffler and now the catalytic converter. There was a fissure on the muffler and now there’s a fissure on the catalytic converter.

NHTSA ODI #11675100

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2025
EngineUnknown Or Other

Engine light- shifting rough, steering wheel shakes. I took it in to get checked, they replaced something for the emissions. Then told I need a twerk converter. Another place didn’t recommend that & I was told needs a new transmission. I have only had my vehicle 4 years and have kept it well maintenanced.

NHTSA ODI #11671378

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2025
Power TrainSeat BeltsUnknown Or Other

Regarding the vehicle's functionality, the horn activated unexpectedly on or around May 2, 2025, sounding continuously for approximately 10-15 minutes while the vehicle was occupied. Subsequently, the horn has ceased to function. Furthermore, on or around May 10, 2025, the powertrain system indicator illuminated, leading to a di…

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Regarding the vehicle's functionality, the horn activated unexpectedly on or around May 2, 2025, sounding continuously for approximately 10-15 minutes while the vehicle was occupied. Subsequently, the horn has ceased to function. Furthermore, on or around May 10, 2025, the powertrain system indicator illuminated, leading to a diagnosis on May 18th that identified code P0455, indicating an EVAP system leak. Concurrently, the driver's side seat belt buckle has exhibited a tendency to detach and fall between the seat components, failing to remain in its intended position.

NHTSA ODI #11671342

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2025
Unknown Or Other

There is a shutter at a low speed. Upon research, this is a common problem with the torque converter.

NHTSA ODI #11668093

Official recalls

2

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.

20V668000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 29, 2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.