Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2015 Chevrolet TraverseRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 314 owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Traverse. Most complaints involve air bags (163) and engine (37). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest May 2023
Owner complaints
314
Top: air bags
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: inflator module

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Air bagsReported May 10, 2023NHTSA 23V334000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Air bagsReported Apr 14, 2022NHTSA 22V246000

Air bags: frontal

Remedy pending

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Air bagsReported Oct 7, 2021NHTSA 21V782000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

314 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2015 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags163
  2. Engine37
  3. Electrical system28
  4. Steering27
  5. Power train23
  6. Vehicle speed control22
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)22
  8. Fuel/propulsion system9
  9. Structure9

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
11
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

163 reports5 crashes
“I was in a car accident on August 13, 2026. During the collision I was hit on the driver side front which spun me around into a pole. I suffered a concussion, bruised, sternum, and left wrist ligament damage. Of the six airbags, not one deployed. The driver of the vehicle was said to be going at least 35 mph as I was nearly at a stop, going no more than 3 to 5 mph. My vehicle was totaled and I have spent months being treated for my injuries. I just emailed a very detailed accounting of dealing with GM to your department when I notified them of the defect. I was told on August 28 that I would have a response within 30 days once his technician was able to run a diagnostic. I then had to call at least half a dozen times and email about the same number of times before them finally inspecting the vehicle today, October 29. Their response was the airbag operated as it should. I would like to file a claim and have the vehicle which I have been preserving hopefully looked at by a third-party.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11774458

Engine

37 reports2 fires
“Our vehicle has a hole/leak in the pipe before the catalytic converter. This is a known problem in other years of the Traverse, and the warranty was increased substantially to fix an obvious and proven issue. GM needs to repair our 2015 Chevrolet Traverse at no cost to us before the fumes cause harm to anyone in the cabin.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2026EngineODI 11731766

Electrical system

28 reports3 fires
“The 2015 Chevy Traverse LTZ that I own is presenting with the same problems as many of its body style and year. The water intrusion has caused wiring to corrode in the side detection system & the drivers door wiring harness is presenting with open circuits. The LH side object module is throwing code U0233:00. They tested circuits at RH module. Found water intrusion in module, & corrosion on terminals & harness. Due to nature of location of modules, they recommend replacing LH & RH modules & harness. DTC B0085:05 current. Tested circuits & found open circuit internal to drivers door harness. Recommend replacing harness. The air bag code threw 2 days after I bought the veh 04/01/25, I attempted to contact the dealership I bought the vehicle from, AutoCredit in Hayden, ID, who admitted to the dangerous code being present, and that they were going to do nothing about it. Some time late April, my veh threw the code for side detection. On 05/27/25 I took my veh into Taylor & Sons Chevy in Ponderay, who dx my codes, and advised the above was needed. They also confirmed the fact that when that airbag code is present, that none of my airbags would deploy at time of…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 9, 2025Electrical system, Air bags, Lane departureODI 11704050
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard 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 3, 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$3,400476
Traverse FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,400465
  • 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.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 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 FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 9054Vehicle 9053
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

2015 Traverse questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Chevrolet Traverse have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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 2015 Chevrolet Traverse problems?

Owners filed 314 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (163), engine (37), electrical system (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Chevrolet Traverse get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Chevrolet Traverse at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Chevrolet Traverse?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Chevrolet Traverse 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026