Air bags: critical fasteners
Free remedy
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.
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2010 Chevrolet TraverseRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 669 owner complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. Most complaints involve steering (331) and engine (178). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Apr 2021
Owner complaints
669
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Structure: hatchback
Free remedy
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
Seat belts
Remedy pending
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
669 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2010 – Sep 2026
- Steering331
- Engine178
- Power train66
- Electrical system60
- Electronic stability control (esc)57
- Vehicle speed control42
- Air bags30
- Seat belts25
- Service brakes16
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Traverse model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 448 |
| 2010 | 669 |
| 2011 | 608 |
| 2012 | 354 |
| 2013 | 162 |
| 2014 | 549 |
| 2015 | 314 |
| 2016 | 292 |
| 2017 | 361 |
| 2018 | 465 |
| 2019 | 412 |
| 2020 | 235 |
| 2021 | 94 |
| 2022 | 101 |
| 2023 | 95 |
| 2024 | 144 |
| 2025 | 186 |
| 2026 | 29 |
| 2027 | 1 |
- Crashes reported
- 17
- Fires reported
- 6
- Injuries reported
- 12
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Steering
331 reports6 crashes1 fire
“No power steering at low speed . Makes it dangerous to turn sharp corners. Almost impossible to park in a parking spot if there’s other vehicles.so I park way out away from vehicles . I have had two power steering pumps and lines replaced . And still have the same issue. .”
Engine
178 reports3 fires
“This vehicle is dangerous. Looks great on the outside but horrible on the inside under the hood! Since my son bought one for me it’s had problems with engine revving and not shifting gears, and air conditioner continually going out even after repairs, and power steering leaks. I kept taking it to repair and oddly no technician anywhere could help! Read the reviews and watch the youtubes! This vehicle (all years) should be stripped from the market and considered under lemon law no matter the age! The culmination of my problems happened when leaving town, entering highway and accelerating and clicking cruise control! Immediately the car revved past 7 rpms and out of control! I had all I could do to stop it - then it died completely! The tow truck driver was also in an unsafe situation with many cars passing at high speed when he had to put special lifts on the back wheels! Scary! Towed to local Chevy dealer and without giving us the computer codes and no actual written estimate for repairs, they bluntly said metal shavings in engine and possibly a bearing and $11,500. And it’s typical for transmission problems and steering so up to $18,500! Really?! And if no one…”
Power train
66 reports1 crash1 fire
“2-18-2022 Complaint Previous NHTSA report #11339183 Ongoing complaint with additional information. Tag #[XXX] Georgia. Onstar failed with direct manipulation from Emergency Management Agency Statesboro Georgia daily mapping and stopping my vehicle Chev Traverse ([XXX]) to harass, threaten and obscene language under High density radio communication and mobile cellular tower use blocking my cell phone [XXX] for GAMES. Human not Robot. [XXX]”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
2 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Engines
- 3.6L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 6-spd
- Drive
- All-Wheel Drive · Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse AWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Traverse FWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
- 19mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 5715
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2010 Traverse questions
How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse have?
5 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2010 Chevrolet Traverse problems?
Owners filed 669 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (331), engine (178), power train (66). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse get?
The EPA rates the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026