Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Chevrolet Traverse problems

Owners filed 608 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse with NHTSA between Sep 2010 and Oct 2025. The most-cited component is engine (204).

Complaints
608
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
30
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine204
  2. Steering165
  3. Electronic stability control (esc)103
  4. Power train79
  5. Electrical system67
  6. Vehicle speed control58
  7. Air bags43
  8. Service brakes28
  9. Structure21
  10. Seat belts21
  11. Traction control system21
  12. Fuel/propulsion system19
  13. Visibility/wiper15
  14. Suspension14

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20101
201115
201216
201333
2014105
2015121
201664
201759
201867
201966
202020
202123
20225
20237
20245
20251

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

204 reports3 crashes2 fires
“Components related to timing chain failed, and vehicle is currently available with plans to sell to a salvage yard by 10/25/24. My 9 year old and I were at risk of collision when the vehicle failed. I was driving approximately 70-75 mph when we started to lose power. At 65 mph, I managed to cross 2 lanes of highway traffic and stopped on the shoulder. I turned off my vehicle and waited several minutes, hoping it would help reset or cool off a component or something. I had to try a couple of times before it started, and I attempted to drive as safely as I could, made it to 60 mph before it stopped running completely. I had to pull hard on the steering wheel to get to the shoulder again, only this time, the shoulder was pinched off in front of us and around a small blind spot behind us. I had my daughter move to the side closer to the cement barrier while waiting for a tow truck. She became very nervous about how close some of the other vehicles got. Afterwards, the error codes indicated several components pointing to a timing chain problem. I had the timing chain repaired around April or May of 2023 by a certified mechanic. I watched the oil life percentage and…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2024Steering, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11618746

Steering

165 reports2 crashes
“As i am driving down the road the service stable trak light and abs lights pop on and the brakes sieze up so bad you cant get the car to stop and brake pedal to unlock as well as when you try to turn the steering wheel locks”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2024Steering, Wheels, Service brakesODI 11615149

Electronic stability control (esc)

103 reports3 crashes
“SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT WAITING FOR MY DAUGHTER TO GET OUT OF SCHOOL ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SMELLS HOT THEN START TO DRIVE OFF AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS AND ABS GO WILD THEN I PULL OVER TURN OFF THE ENGINE OPEN THE HOOD AND THERE'S SMOKE LETTING IT COOL THE KEY WON'T REVERSE OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THERE'S NO POWER AT ALL”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2019Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11278521

Power train

79 reports2 crashes
“Vehicle stalls due to transmission issue at 40 mph, yes it is available for inspection. When vehicle stalls at 40 mph at that point you have no steering support and the vehicle is just coasting until you can stop. You could crash with no steering support at 40 mph into stationary object, another vehicle or pedestrians. I have had it inspected by GM dealership No warning lamps or messages or other symptoms and it is repeatable started to appear on June 9, 2021”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2021Power train, EngineODI 11423924

Electrical system

67 reports2 fires
“This vehicle is notorious for multiple electrical failures. The alternator fried the battery fried, both of which were replaced. This vehicle still wouldn't start. The wiring harness to the PCM is notorious for having shorts. The pcm itself is notorious for going out really early. This vehicle is almost undrivable and it dies while you're in the middle of driving where you can't stop. I do not know how this vehicle has been kept on the market without being recalled. I do not know how more people haven't been in accidents because of it. And even worse, it's notorious for the airbags messing up. I think I would be more understanding if it weren't for the fact that this vehicle has been well maintained. It has regular maintenance. It's never overdue for an oil change or a fluid top up. I have children that ride in this vehicle and now I have to worry about their safety.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2024Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11582047

Vehicle speed control

58 reports2 crashes
“WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH SUDDENLY HEAR A BEEP AND SEE A WARNING THAT TRACTION CONTROL IS OFF, THEN SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING KEPT FLASHING AND CAR IN SKID IMAGE IS ON CONSTANTLY. ALSO AFTER THESE WARNINGS STARTED FLASHING THE SPEED CONTROL COULD NOT BE SET. LUCKILY I DID'T LOSE POWER THIS TIME AS SO MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED. AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND RESTARTING THE CAR LATER ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE OFF. FOR SEVERAL WEEKS NOW WHEN RESUMING SPEED AFTER STOPPING THE CAR LUNGES WHILE GETTING BACK UP TO SPEED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS HAD I LOST OR HAD REDUCED POWER LIKE HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY. GM REALLY NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 13, 2020Power train, Vehicle speed control, WheelsODI 11383229
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.