Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Chevrolet Traverse problems
Owners filed 354 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse with NHTSA between Jan 2012 and Nov 2025. The most-cited component is engine (115).
Complaints
354
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine115
- Electronic stability control (esc)84
- Steering62
- Electrical system48
- Air bags48
- Power train46
- Vehicle speed control37
- Visibility/wiper17
- Fuel/propulsion system15
- Seat belts15
- Service brakes15
- Structure11
- Suspension9
- Seats8
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 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
3
26
33
39
48
58
67
30
21
9
4
7
6
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 39 |
| 2017 | 48 |
| 2018 | 58 |
| 2019 | 67 |
| 2020 | 30 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 6 |
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
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.”
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”
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”
Electrical system
48 reports1 fire
“When driving the vehicle it will lose power and flash service stabilitrack and low engine mode enabled without warning. This has happened many times since 2016. When the conditions cannot be replicated gm/chevrolet has not been concerned but to refer to dealership. The dealership replaced ECM due to warranty conditions. Issue with emissions and electrical modules continued to cause intermittent power loss. Corrosion was found in the internal fuse box due to poor sun roof drainage emptying into glovebox and onto internal fuse box. GM and Chevrolet describes this as a known issue but insists my VIN is not affected. The issues continued to persist leading to frequent battery replacement that was ultimately due to contamination of electrical components. Fuel system parts were all assumed faulty only to find it was ultimately the fuel control module, another electronic component listed faulty but GM/ Chevrolet assumes my VIN is not affected. This car was purchased to be a family vehicle, but had proven to be an unreliable death trap. The first incident that caused concern was 2/14/2017 on the highway with speeds up to 70mph. Thankfully, that day was full of heavy…”
Air bags
48 reports4 crashes2 related recalls
“After sliding into a ditch, my drivers side, curtain airbag deployed but, instead of covering the drivers side door window, it came out and went across my face, hitting me on the right side of my head, slamming my head into the drivers side window glass and pinning me between the airbag and the window glass, obviously putting my safety at risk. I am currently being treated for neck injuries as a result of this airbag malfunction. The problem has not been reproduced/confirmed by dealer/independent service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. Photos of the vehicle including the airbags have been sent to my insurance company (Allstate). There were no warnings or symptoms of the problem prior to the collision and no other vehicles were involved. Upon visual inspection, both the driver and passenger side curtain airbags are twisted around itself 4 or 5 times at the anchor point, located at the front of the door frame. The vehicle is currently in our shop at our residence.”
Power train
46 reports1 crash
“The air conditioning stopped working after working amazing, Traction Control Disabled light keeps coming on, The RPM's would rev up seems like it gets stuck then drops to normal. stabilitrak messages with the ABS warning light lit up, Power steering (or power control) goes limp (at the worse times pulling out in traffic) It’s on issue after the other. Once I get one fixed another goes, then we’re back to the first one that was replaced that is now not working again. I still have a car payment so I’m without my car more than I’m driving it. I have to save up to get it fixed, and I won’t drive it until I know for sure it’s good. I was almost killed way to many times in it so to all the issues that GM knows about.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.