Problems · NHTSA complaints
2009 Chevrolet Traverse problems
Owners filed 448 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse with NHTSA between Feb 2009 and Jan 2026. The most-cited component is steering (231).
Complaints
448
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
17
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
16
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering231
- Power train58
- Engine50
- Electrical system36
- Air bags26
- Electronic stability control (esc)21
- Vehicle speed control18
- Seat belts17
- Suspension13
- Service brakes12
- Engine and engine cooling12
- Structure9
- Fuel/propulsion system8
- Visibility7
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
7
7
17
22
56
130
64
32
28
30
29
9
11
2
2
1
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 17 |
| 2012 | 22 |
| 2013 | 56 |
| 2014 | 130 |
| 2015 | 64 |
| 2016 | 32 |
| 2017 | 28 |
| 2018 | 30 |
| 2019 | 29 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
231 reports5 crashes
“I bought the car in August of last year and drove it for about 3 days before it started giving me problems. First incident I was driving my children home from the hairdresser and the car completely went out us on the highway, after repeated attempts for a half hour or so I was able to start it and drive it back home very slowly..this happened twice I went to get it diagnosed and codes came up for crank shaft sensor and o2 sensor, before I could even get that fixed more problems came up, the steering wheel began to become stiff and almost impossible to turn, while picking my son up from school I was trying to pull away from the curb in the drop off spot and almost hit another car and a child because the steering wheel stiffened up on me!!! I was told I would need an entire steering rack!!! ...also the key has gotten stuck in the ignition and wouldn't start and I had to have it towed to a mechanic for that as well. Driving up hill one day I lost power that made it seem like it was stuck in low, then we lost reverse altogether as well as the ability to climb hills. I got the transmission repaired, barely made it home before it started doing the exact same thing,…”
Power train
58 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that when she started her vehicle and shifted into drive (D) and depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that she attempted to drive the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle nearby her residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.”
Engine
50 reports1 crash1 fire
“Limp mode. It doesn't have speed only goes about 10-20 mph, doesn't give any gas it'll stall act as if it wants to shut down. Transmission Shift Cable. Stalls want let me get gas or nothing slowing down in traffic, it just gives up. No. yes. others Check engine light, Stabilitrak/traction control system, ABS sensor Whenever the check engine light came early part of December.”
Electrical system
36 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“WARNING CHIMES / SPEAKERS NOT WORKING DUE TO WATER SHORTING THE PLUGS FOR THE DOOR ATTACHMENTS. BACKUP SAFETY CHIMES AND ALL CHIMES ARE INSTALL WITH PURPOSE AND SAFETY IN MIND.”
Air bags
26 reports6 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“A year a go the steering at low speed would act like the power steering just stop working, very hard to turn. but not all the time, but now it more often. when a kid ran out between two parked cars I went to turn and hit the brakes the steering went out. Luckily he stop in time, but after that I needed it repaired. Went to GM web site and was amazed of all the people with this, called chevy dealer about repairs and was told its my problem and it would be $ 2100.00 to replace a faulty power steering pump, how is this not a safety problem. Try turning in a parking space and the wheel locks up its hard not to hit the car beside you. WITH NO WARNING”
Electronic stability control (esc)
21 reports
“PURCHASED FROM HONDA OF SLIDELL, LOUISIANA AROUND 1 1/2 YEAR AGO. HAS HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL AND AC PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASED. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS CRAP! AC SYSTEM HAS TO BE REPLACED.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.