Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Chevrolet Traverse problems

Owners filed 292 complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse with NHTSA between Oct 2015 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (163).

Complaints
292
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
15
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Wheels5
  11. Structure5
  12. Lane departure4
  13. Visibility/wiper4
  14. Seat belts4

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 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20152
201613
201715
201819
201921
202015
202117
20227
202370
202493
202513
20267

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

163 reports3 crashes3 related recalls
“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

Electrical system

26 reports
“Front lights started dimming about the middle of April 2025 and now both back lights are out at the same time on June 3rd 2025.The car makes a rough grinding noise as it switches gears.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2025Electrical systemODI 11664763

Steering

24 reports
“Power steering pump in the car had low pressure causing the steering wheel to barely turn or have a hard time turning the wheel. This put me and my family at risk while driving because when making turns it would feel like it was locking up which almost would cause accidents not being able to turn the wheel all the way to make the turn. I ended up having to pay 1309 to have a new power steering pump put in.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 24, 2023SteeringODI 11513621

Vehicle speed control

19 reports3 crashes
“The big problem when I drive is that it is not safe, it jerks when I start to accelerate. I took it to the nearest dealer to have the problem fixed. And they do not want to fix the problem and now I just want to get this vehicle off the roads. I do not want to cause an accident and put my family at risk.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2024Vehicle speed control, Wheels, EngineODI 11628688
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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