Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2019 Chevrolet TraverseRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 412 owner complaints for the 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. Most complaints involve power train (170) and electrical system (114). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Apr 2021
Owner complaints
412
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

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

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Power trainReported Oct 29, 2020NHTSA 20V668000

Air bags

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Air bagsReported Nov 1, 2018NHTSA 18V774000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

412 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train170
  2. Electrical system114
  3. Engine62
  4. Fuel/propulsion system25
  5. Service brakes21
  6. Steering19
  7. Suspension14
  8. Seat belts13
  9. Air bags10

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
15
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
17
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

Power train

170 reports4 crashes2 fires
“in 2019 GM put out a Bulletin No.: 19-NA-206 to fix an error message for shift in park which means the car thinks it is not in park when it really is. All covered under warranty. in 2022 I had this error message but only the harness was part of the technical bulletin. my extended warranty covered it for the harness. in 2024 GM revised the bulletin to include the shifter console. in 2026 I get the same error message and now GM won't cover the console included in the revised technical bulletin. they knew this was a bad part since they revised the bulletin to include the console. now I'm out of warranty and the GM Customer Assistance denied any responsibility of the incomplete bulletin fix in 2022. GM needs to issue a recall on this part that they know is defective and leave us stranded.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Power trainODI 11767983

Electrical system

114 reports2 crashes
“The car was started and then a loud pop was heard. When I exited the vehicle i observed the tail light housing on the drivers side had exploded off and could see smoke and smell electrical burning. I immediatly turned the vehicle off.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11770536

Engine

62 reports2 fires
“My 2019 Chevy Traverse prior to "The Storm" when I left work and approached my vehicle someone left a not in my windshield wipers stating that my horn was honking every 15 seconds it was a long shift so by the time I got to my vehicle my battery was dead. I got a jump from a co-worker allowed my alternator to charge my battery, and it was fine (so I thought). Then the day after "The Storm" happened, my Traverse went haywire displaying multiple signs of electronic failures while driving on a major highway: Service ESC, ABS disabled, Traction control disabled, Power steering disabled, Horn honked continuously, windows won't roll down, Key fob unresponsive, Manual lock/ unlock switch unresponsive, A/C on but doesn't blow cold, infotainment system on, Cluster Hazard light indicators on but lights aren't illuminated, Windshield Wipers on max speed unprompted while spraying continuously. I pulled over, placed the vehicle in "park", turned the vehicle off, safely exited to realize my vehicle was still running, got back into the vehicle where I was greeted by a prompt that said to place the vehicle in park to turn it off. I attempted to shift but it was immovable,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11744076
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 9-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline · 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 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
202622$3,600404
Traverse FWD
Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050420
Traverse AWD
Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200438
  • Traverse FWD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 26 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Traverse FWD
    Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Traverse AWD
    Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    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
4 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
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 13103Vehicle 13102
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

2019 Traverse questions

How many recalls does the 2019 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 2019 Chevrolet Traverse problems?

Owners filed 412 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (170), electrical system (114), engine (62). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Chevrolet Traverse get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Chevrolet Traverse at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Chevrolet Traverse?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Chevrolet Traverse 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026