Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2016 Chevrolet TraverseRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 292 owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. Most complaints involve air bags (163) and power train (37). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
17–18mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest May 2023
Owner complaints
292
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
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: 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

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

292 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2015 – Sep 2026
  1. Air bags163
  2. Power train37
  3. Engine31
  4. Electrical system26
  5. Steering24
  6. Vehicle speed control19
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)15
  8. Fuel/propulsion system8
  9. Service brakes7

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
8
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
1
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 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that four local dealers were contacted. The contact was informed that parts were on back order. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure associated with the unrepaired recall repair.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 23, 2026Air bagsODI 11752464

Power train

37 reports1 crash
“My 2016 Chevy Traverse LT with 108,750 miles had issues with the rear brake lights, and the Traction Control light would come on and the Traction Control turns off. A message appears on the dash that shows Service StabiliTrak. When I drive the vehicle to accelerate it shakes, jerks and shudders, and then it rides fine for a bit but the Traction Control is still off. I also noticed that the cruise control doesn't work either. I decided to wait a few more days hoping it would clear out, which it did for a day but the problem returned. I took the Traverse to AutoZone to use an OBD2 scanner and it showed that there is an issue with the braking switch (code C0161-00 ABS Brake Switch Circuit). A local mechanic replaced a fuse and the brake switch but the Traction Control/StabiliTrak issue hasn't been fixed. He's tried everything but the problem won't go away. Apparently this an ongoing problem with many Traverses.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11765991

Engine

31 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was retrieved from a dealer after a recall regarding the air bags; however, while driving approximately 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact stated that the Stability Control warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to the dealer, and the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle remained with the dealer for 2 months and the dealer attempted to perform the air bag recall again. The contact stated that later, when the vehicle was picked up, while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Stability Control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lunged forward while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to another dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and had referred the contact to the second dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 10, 2025Power train, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11692570
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 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-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 FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152218$3,550507
Traverse AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
152217$3,800518
  • Traverse FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Traverse AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    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 10054Vehicle 10053
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

2016 Traverse questions

How many recalls does the 2016 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 2016 Chevrolet Traverse problems?

Owners filed 292 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (163), power train (37), engine (31). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026