Problems · by component
2016 Chevrolet Traverse power train problems
37 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse cite power train, 13% of all 292 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
37
13% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the power train
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
“The vehicle only has 145,xxx miles and I experience a "shudder" which could be caused by torque converter issues, often felt at highway speeds (approx. 40-60 mph).”
“Transmission solenoid. Common. Needs to be reported. Its know as the week link to this vehicle. The manufacturer knows and there are many complaints. This vehicle needs to be recalled. Safety concern while driving.”
“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.”
“I had to replace the timing chain. I had to replace the Torque Converter. New issues: Interior lights on the dash and radio have been going out while driving. Message center warning has been not working sometimes when using remote start in winter. Sometimes it just goes blank while driving.”
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle began to lose motive power and was making a loud abnormal sound coming from under the floorboards. The contact stated that the transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and turn off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted and shifted to drive(D), the vehicle revved but failed to respond as needed. The contact shifted to reverse(R) however, the vehicle failed to move. The contact called a tow truck and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was determined that there were fragments of metal in the transmission and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.”
Showing 6 of 37 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.