Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2017 Chevrolet TraverseRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 361 owner complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. Most complaints involve air bags (263) and engine (25). 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
3campaigns
Latest May 2023
Owner complaints
361
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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

361 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2017 – Aug 2026
  1. Air bags263
  2. Engine25
  3. Electrical system22
  4. Power train18
  5. Service brakes12
  6. Seat belts11
  7. Steering11
  8. Vehicle speed control10
  9. Fuel/propulsion system9

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
13
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
11
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

263 reports5 crashes1 fire
“A scheduled airbag recall repair could not be completed because the dealership did not verify that the recall part was in stock before my appointment. I arrived for the recall service after confirming the appointment days in advance and was told the part was not available. I was told I would be contacted when the part arrived, but weeks have passed with no update or communication. This is an airbag recall, so the lack of proper handling and follow‑up puts safety at risk. The issue has not been inspected or confirmed by the manufacturer. The dealership did not provide any warning messages or indicators before the failed appointment, and the problem has not been resolved. The recall repair has still not been completed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2026Air bagsODI 11760624

Engine

25 reports1 fire
“THERE is a recall for the year, make and model for driver side airbag, also to do with transmission slipping and both of those I'm currently having issues with on my vehicle but with my vin its not coming up for any of the recalls but I want to request a Investigation on if my vehicle or any other of the same year be added to the recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2026Power train, Air bags, EngineODI 11745215

Electrical system

22 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The driver door main window control panel and steering wheel, where the airbags seem to deploy from, have both had to be repaired/recalled parts installed on multiple occasions however the main window control panel still does not work and it started shorting out my battery ultimately locking my keys in the ignition, leaving OnStar as well as my key fob panic alarm unable to be used. After getting the steering wheel recalled airbag part installed at Penske Chevy, I received yet another recall notice saying that despite that install they still feared for my safety driving it, and that they would let me know when a new part was available. However now my battery is completely dead, I have not been m able to work and have been evicted from my home forced to live in my sweltering 2017 Traverse with no AC, No OnStar emergency services, not even a panic alarm to rely on. On top of that I cannot roll the windows all the way up which is a major safety concern considering I'm a single, disabled, [XXX] female living on the streets in my vehicle alone.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakesCrash reportedFire reportedODI 11744489
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 11025Vehicle 11024
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

2017 Traverse questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse have?

3 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 2017 Chevrolet Traverse problems?

Owners filed 361 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (263), engine (25), electrical system (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026