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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2012 Chevrolet TraverseRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 354 owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. Most complaints involve engine (115) and electronic stability control (esc) (84). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Apr 2021
Owner complaints
354
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

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

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.

StructureReported Jun 30, 2015NHTSA 15V415000

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.

Seat beltsReported May 20, 2014NHTSA 14V266000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

354 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2012 – Nov 2025
  1. Engine115
  2. Electronic stability control (esc)84
  3. Steering62
  4. Electrical system48
  5. Air bags48
  6. Power train46
  7. Vehicle speed control37
  8. Visibility/wiper17
  9. Fuel/propulsion system15

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 yearNHTSA complaints
2009448
2010669
2011608
2012354
2013162
2014549
2015314
2016292
2017361
2018465
2019412
2020235
202194
2022101
202395
2024144
2025186
202629
20271
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
14
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

115 reports2 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle stopped abruptly. The check engine, traction control, stability control, and air conditioner warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined the failure was due to the throttle body. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The throttle body was previously replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 4, 2025Electronic stability control (esc), Engine, Fuel system, gasolineODI 11640608

Electronic stability control (esc)

84 reports
“WHILE DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY WITH MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN THE POWER WENT INTO REDUCE ENGINE MODE AND THE ERROR MESSAGE STABILITY TREK AND TRACTION CONTROL KEPT BLINKING THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 4 OCCASIONS NOW I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING MY CHILDREN. I HAVE GOTTEN IT LOOKED AT NOW THE 4TH TIME IT HAS COST ME OVER 2 GRAND SO FAR NOW MY MECHANIC SAYING IT'S MY FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SENSOR THIS IS COSTING ME ANOTHER GRAND. IF I COULD AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE I WOULD TRADE THIS TRUCK IN. VERY UNHAPPY AND SCARED WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 CHEVY TRAVERSE LTZ”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2020Air bags, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11363018

Steering

62 reports3 crashes1 fire
“It sways left to right really bad.. but when it rains or even even the car detected that it's going to rain.. as soon as the car senses it is going to rain u can't even drive it.. it like hydro plains even before it starts to officially rain.. very dangerous plus I had to replace the two back tires because they seemed like they were being forced and drug that all u seen was wires coming out of the tread”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 11, 2025Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11698713
All 2012 Traverse problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026
04 —Key specs

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 4, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Traverse AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,400468
Traverse FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,400468
  • Traverse AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Traverse FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Overall
5 / 5
Chevrolet Traverse SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 4, 2026Vehicle 6656Vehicle 6436
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2012 Traverse questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 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 2012 Chevrolet Traverse problems?

Owners filed 354 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (115), electronic stability control (esc) (84), steering (62). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 4, 2026