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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

460 reports
7,000 miles · Aug 14, 2018
StructureUnknown Or Other

MAIN SUNROOF (THE ONE THAT TILTS AND OPENS) SHATTERED. IT WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME, ALL WINDOWS WERE CLOSED, DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A GOOD, SMOOTH HIGHWAY AT 74 MPH, IN GOOD WEATHER

NHTSA ODI #11119810

3,205 miles · Aug 6, 2018
Engine

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO A COLLEGE INTERVIEW FROM RIO GRANDE CITY TX TO AUSTIN TX; WHILE SHE WAS PASSING BY PLEASANTOWN TX, THE SUV REDUCED THE SPEED BY ITSELF AND SHE COULD NOT GET IT UP PASSING 25 MILES PER HOUR. IT SEEMED LIKE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. SHE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST CHEVROLET DEALER AND IS STILL THERE.

NHTSA ODI #11118044

2,990 miles · Aug 3, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD 35 MPH, CAR DIED ENGINE SHUT OFF ALL LIGHTS SHUT OFF. WOULD NOT RESTART, HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK!!!!!. WAS GOING UP HILL DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO GET TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. ON STAR WOULD NOT WORK, KEY FOB WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. ALL ELECTRICAL DEAD. WAS VERY DANGEROUS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND…

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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD 35 MPH, CAR DIED ENGINE SHUT OFF ALL LIGHTS SHUT OFF. WOULD NOT RESTART, HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK!!!!!. WAS GOING UP HILL DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO GET TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. ON STAR WOULD NOT WORK, KEY FOB WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. ALL ELECTRICAL DEAD. WAS VERY DANGEROUS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ALMOST GOT HIT TRYING TO SAVE PEOPLE AROUND. DEALERSHIP GOT US A LOANER AND A TOW. THEY SAY ITS THE BRAIN BOX

NHTSA ODI #11115671

7,866 miles · Jul 9, 2018
EnginePower Train

NEW LEASE UNDER 8,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A HEAVILY TRAFFICKED ROADWAY, WHEN I HI THE GAS THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE AGAIN AS I SAT IN THE MIDDLE OF MAIN ROADWAY WITH CAR SPEEDING BY AS MY WIFE, MY CHILDREN AND MY NIECE SAT IN THE VEHICLE WITH M…

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NEW LEASE UNDER 8,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A HEAVILY TRAFFICKED ROADWAY, WHEN I HI THE GAS THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE AGAIN AS I SAT IN THE MIDDLE OF MAIN ROADWAY WITH CAR SPEEDING BY AS MY WIFE, MY CHILDREN AND MY NIECE SAT IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. AFTER TRYING TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE IN "AWD" I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROADWAY AND INTO A MUCH SAFER PARKING AREA. WHEN PUT INTO "PARK" THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL UNLESS THE "EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN A DEALER IN MARYLAND AWAITING REPAIRS MORE THAN A WEEK LATER, AND I AM BACK AT HOME ON LONG ISLAND.

NHTSA ODI #11110258

15,438 miles · Jul 5, 2018
Unknown Or Other

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND MY REMOTE KEY DO NOT WANT TO CONNECT WITH THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT MY BATTERY DIE BUT THAT WASN'T THE CASE. THE CAR WOULD NOT START, LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. THE CAR ALWAYS IN MY GARAGE. I HAD TO PUT THE KEY IN THE TRANSMITTER POCKET IN ORDER FOR THE CAR START. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENCE.

NHTSA ODI #11109699

1 miles · Jun 28, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

THE GIST OF THIS COMPLAINT IS THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO LOCK THE GAS FILLER DOOR, SO ANYONE AT ANY TIME CAN OPEN THE GAS FILLER DOOR AND POTENTIALLY ACCESS AND/OR CONTAMINATE THE FUEL. THIS IS A SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. THERE IS NO GAS CAP, EITHER. ITS IS A "CAPLESS" DESIGN, SO ANYONE CAN ACCESS THE VEHICLE'S FUEL SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #11104574

10,000 miles · Jun 22, 2018
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS EASILY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EMISSION FUMES ENTERED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLICKING NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS EASILY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EMISSION FUMES ENTERED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLICKING NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SANDS CHEVROLET-SURPRISE IN SURPRISE, ARIZONA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DIAGNOSED THAT A DUSTING CAP MAY HAVE BEEN LOOSE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AUTONATION CHEVROLET ARROWHEAD IN PEORIA, ARIZONA, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 8-432-436-5007. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #11103490

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (AUTONATION CHEVROLET ARROWHEAD, 9055 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382, (623) 428-8851), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (AUTONATION CHEVROLET ARROWHEAD, 9055 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382, (623) 428-8851), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11103486

13,000 miles · Jun 20, 2018
Structure

MAIN SUNROOF (THE ONE THAT TILTS AND OPENS) SHATTERED. IT WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME, ALL WINDOWS WERE CLOSED, DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A GOOD, SMOOTH HIGHWAY AT 74 MPH, IN GOOD WEATHER, ON MAY 16, 2018

NHTSA ODI #11102918

9,000 miles · Jun 4, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

PURCHASED A 2018 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE IN OCTOBER. BEGINNING WITHIN THE FIRST 30 DAYS THE CAR MADE A LOUD ROARING NOISE WHEN @ 2100 RPM AND GOING APPROXIMATELY 74 MPH. JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE. THEN STARTING IN DECEMBER, WHILE TRAVELLING OUT OF TOWN, IT PERSISTED EVERY TIME WE DROVE IT. IT ALSO WOULD LOSE POWER OR SOMETHING STRA…

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PURCHASED A 2018 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE IN OCTOBER. BEGINNING WITHIN THE FIRST 30 DAYS THE CAR MADE A LOUD ROARING NOISE WHEN @ 2100 RPM AND GOING APPROXIMATELY 74 MPH. JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE. THEN STARTING IN DECEMBER, WHILE TRAVELLING OUT OF TOWN, IT PERSISTED EVERY TIME WE DROVE IT. IT ALSO WOULD LOSE POWER OR SOMETHING STRANGE WHEN PUTTING IT IN GEAR AFTER BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY. WE WOULD ACCELERATE FOR A SHORT DISTANCE WHEN THE RPM'S WOULD REV-UP TO 6-7,000 RPM BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T GO. IT WAS ALMOST AS IF IT WOULD SLIP ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN 4 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR REPAIR AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE CAR ALSO TURNS ITSELF OFF. THE PANEL GOES BLACK. WHEN WE START HEARING A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE WHILE SITTING IN NEUTRAL AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU OR RED LIGHT WE TURN THE AIR CONDITIONING OFF TO TRY AND HEAR THE NOISE BETTER AND THE CAR DIES AND THE PANEL GOES BLACK. WE HAVE HAD TO ACTUALLY RE-START THE CAR. WE ARE EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND ARE RETURNING IT DO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW FOR OUR FINAL TIME. THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND THINGS ARE ACTUALLY GETTING WORSE. THIS IS SUCH A SHAME BECAUSE WE WERE SO EXCITED ABOUT OUR NEW CAR. WE LIVE ON A VERY BUSY ROAD WHERE VEHICLES AND 18 WHEELERS CAN GO IN EXCESS OF 70 MILES AN HOUR AND I AM AFRAID TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WITH THIS CAR. WE HAVE EVEN COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN IT LOOSES POWER TO AVOID BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. THE DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T EVEN START REPAIRS UNTIL THEY COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FINALLY A MECHANIC ROAD WITH US AND WITNESSED THE NOISE BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO "DUPLICATE" THE SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR TYPE PROBLEMS. SINCE IT IS HAPPENING REGULARLY NOW, MAYBE THEN CAN SEE FOR THEMSELVES. IT HAS TRULY BECOME A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11099873

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.