Chevrolet Traverse 2009–2017

1st generation · GM Lambda (GMT966/GMT968) · 5,450 complaints, 3,714 with mileage

When failures happen

What fails, and when

By model year

Which systems, and when

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 72,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The airbag system accounts for 18.7% of complaints (1,021 reports, 249 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,000 and 102,000 miles.

The steering accounts for 16.5% of complaints (900 reports, 788 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 51,000 and 90,000 miles.

The engine accounts for 14.7% of complaints (802 reports, 640 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 84,600 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 57,159 and 110,000 miles.

Electronic stability control (esc) accounts for 8.6% of complaints (466 reports, 431 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 76,491 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 56,000 and 106,000 miles.

The electrical system accounts for 8.5% of complaints (465 reports, 324 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,000 and 106,000 miles.

The transmission and driveline accounts for 7.2% of complaints (393 reports, 296 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,250 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 45,265 and 104,939 miles.

Differences between model years

Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2011 model year drew the most — 945 complaints — while 2013 drew the fewest at 295. The median year sits at 584.

Recalls and what they cover

NHTSA records 16 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (5), the electrical system (3), visibility equipment (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Reported severity

Of the 5,450 complaints filed against this generation, 174 reported a crash; 44 reported a fire; 183 reported an injury; 3 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 3.2% of the total.

These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.

What this means if you are buying one

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 46,000 and 100,000 miles, with a median of 72,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the airbag system and the steering are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The airbag system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 65,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

Documented problems

Recalls (16)

What owners reported

Other generations

• Chevrolet Traverse 2018–2023
• Chevrolet Traverse 2024–2025