Problems · by component

2011 Chevrolet Traverse air bags problems

43 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse cite air bags, 7% of all 608 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
43
7% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
21
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“side curtain airbags deployed driving 70 mph on I94 outside of Monticello, MN after drifting onto the rumble strip. Upon turning back there was a loud bang from the side airbags deploying. The drivers side came down and hit my daughter in the side of the head, the passenger side didn't come down all the way missing my 86 year old Mom as she is 5 ft tall. My daugther by some miracle didn't panic and veer into other traffic lanes with other vehicles driving 70 mph. GM is denying a problem and insinuating that something other than defect caused the airbags to deploy, even though there is nothing but rumble strips on the section of road. They are blaming some minor scraps on the side of the vehicle that were existing on a 2011 Traverse.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2023Air bagsODI 11530461
“Service air bag comes on as well as it won't detect if someone is in the passenger seat. I had this issue serviced at the dealership twice. The issue has returned both times. My vehicle is continuing to have this problem. Service for airbag repair on 12/18/2020 and on 12/10/2021. Problem returned and continues to this day.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 16, 2023Air bagsODI 11522314
“Service air bag comes on as well as it wont detect if someone is in the passenger seat. Apparently A LOT of people are having this issue how is it not a recall yet????”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2021Air bagsODI 11418397
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED IN THE OFF POSITION WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2020Air bagsODI 11297336
“**TIMING BELT RECALL** I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE LOCAL PARKWAY AND IT LOST POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT THEN STARTED RIDING ROUGH AS IF THE TIRES WERE WOBBLING THEN I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND IT STARTED MAKING A REEVING NOISE DURING THE TURN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE AUTO SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO OIL LEAKS BUT THE OIL WAS LOW AND ALSO I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2019Steering, Air bags, EngineODI 11184295

Showing 6 of 43 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

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.

Air bagsReported Apr 8, 2021NHTSA 21V246000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Air bagsReported Mar 17, 2014NHTSA 14V118000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.