Chevrolet Traverse problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The best-known Chevy Traverse problem is timing chain stretch on 2009–2014 models with the 3.6L V6, and 2009 models can lose reverse from a cracked transmission wave plate. First-generation trucks also carry air bag and liftgate recalls, 2018–2019 models can show a false "Shift to Park" message, and 2024+ 2.5L turbo models are under a stalling investigation.

CarWhere lists 9 documented Traverse issues, including 5 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.

Traverse generations at a glance

Chevrolet Traverse generations and the known issues listed for each
GenerationModel yearsIssues on this page
1st gen2009–2017Timing chain stretch on the 3.6L V6 · Loss of 3rd, 5th and reverse (6-speed wave plate) · "Service Air Bag" light from seat side-air-bag wiring (recall) · Power liftgate struts can wear and let the gate fall (recall) · Driver air bag inflator may rupture (recall)
2nd gen2018–2023"Shift to Park" message when already in Park · Driver-side half-shaft may disengage from the transmission (recall)
3rd gen2024–presentStalling after remote start or during warm-up (2.5L turbo) · Front seat recliner bracket may have insufficient welds (recall)

1st gen Traverse problems (2009–2017)

Timing chain stretch on the 3.6L V6 (2009–2014)

Major repair
Generation:
1st gen (2009–2014)
Years:
2009–2014
Powertrain:
3.6L V6 (LLT)

GM bulletin 12-06-01-009A lists the Traverse among the 3.6L "High Feature" V6 vehicles that can need new timing chains and guides when cam/crank correlation codes P0008, P0009 or P0016–P0019 set. GM's preliminary bulletin PIP3423K, which extends the list through the 2014 model year, adds that a shifted crankshaft reluctor can also trigger the same codes. Chain wear is gradual and shows up most on engines run on long oil-change intervals.

Symptoms

  • Check-engine light with P0008, P0016, P0017, P0018 or P0019
  • Rattle on a cold start
  • Rough idle or reduced power

Check before buying

  • Scan for stored or pending cam/crank correlation codes
  • Listen to a true cold start
  • Ask for oil-change records and any timing-chain repair invoice

Sources: [1][2]

Loss of 3rd, 5th and reverse (6-speed wave plate) (2009)

Major repair
Generation:
1st gen (2009)
Years:
2009
Powertrain:
3.6L V6 with 6-speed automatic (6T75)

The 3-5-reverse clutch wave plate in the 6-speed automatic can crack or fracture, after which the transmission loses 3rd, 5th and reverse gears. GM Special Coverage 14404B covered 2009 Traverse models for 10 years or 120,000 miles from the in-service date with a no-charge clutch plate replacement; based on those terms, the coverage window has closed.

Symptoms

  • No reverse gear
  • Transmission skips from 2nd to 4th or 6th
  • Check-engine light with transmission codes

Check before buying

  • Test reverse and every forward gear in manual mode
  • Ask for records of any wave-plate or transmission repair

Sources: [3]

"Service Air Bag" light from seat side-air-bag wiring (recall) (2009–2013)

Safety recall
Generation:
1st gen (2009–2013)
Years:
2009–2013
Powertrain:
All engines

GM recalled 2009–2013 Traverse models because increased resistance in the wiring for the seat-mounted side air bags could stop the side air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying in a crash. The warning sign is a "Service Air Bag" message.

Symptoms

  • "Service Air Bag" message or air bag warning lamp
  • Warning that comes and goes when the front seats move

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order
  • Watch the air bag lamp go out after start-up

NHTSA recall: 14V118 (2014-03)

Sources: [4]

Power liftgate struts can wear and let the gate fall (recall) (2009–2012)

Safety recall
Generation:
1st gen (2009–2012)
Years:
2009–2012
Powertrain:
All engines (power liftgate)

On 2009–2012 Traverse models with a power liftgate, the gas struts that hold the gate open can wear prematurely, so an open liftgate may suddenly drop on someone underneath it.

Symptoms

  • Liftgate drifts down or will not stay fully open
  • Power liftgate motor straining or stopping partway

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order
  • Open the liftgate fully and confirm it holds position

NHTSA recall: 15V415 (2015-06)

Sources: [4]

Driver air bag inflator may rupture (recall) (2014–2017)

Safety recall
Generation:
1st gen (2014–2017)
Years:
2014–2017
Powertrain:
All engines

GM recalled 2014–2017 Traverse models because the driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect, sending metal fragments into the cabin. An earlier recall (21V782) covered the same inflator defect on some 2013–2017 Traverse models.

Symptoms

  • No symptoms before a crash; the defect is inside the inflator

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order

NHTSA recall: 23V334 (2023-05)

Sources: [5]

2nd gen Traverse problems (2018–2023)

"Shift to Park" message when already in Park (2018–2019)

Minor
Generation:
2nd gen (2018–2019)
Years:
2018–2019
Powertrain:
All engines

GM bulletin 19-NA-206 covers 2018–2019 Traverse models that show an intermittent "Shift to Park" message after the driver has put the vehicle in Park and switched it off. GM traced it to the Park switch in the shifter not signalling the body control module; the fix is an in-line shifter wire harness jumper. It replaces earlier bulletin 18-NA-297.

Symptoms

  • "Shift to Park" message with the lever already in Park
  • Vehicle will not fully power down or lock
  • Possible drained battery if the vehicle stays awake

Check before buying

  • Park, switch off and watch for the message several times on the test drive
  • Ask whether the shifter jumper harness has been installed

Sources: [6]

Driver-side half-shaft may disengage from the transmission (recall) (2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
2nd gen (2023)
Years:
2023
Powertrain:
3.6L V6 with 9-speed automatic

GM recalled certain 2023 Traverse models because the transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can let the driver-side half-shaft disengage, causing a loss of drive power or a rollaway if parked without the parking brake. A separate 2023 recall (23V042) covers left-side half-shafts missing a retaining ring.

Symptoms

  • Sudden loss of drive with the engine running
  • Clunk from the front of the vehicle when accelerating

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order

NHTSA recall: 23V172 (2023-03)

Sources: [7]

3rd gen Traverse problems (2024–present)

Stalling after remote start or during warm-up (2.5L turbo) (2024–2026)

Moderate
Generation:
3rd gen (2024–2026)
Years:
2024–2026
Powertrain:
2.5L turbo I4 (LK0) with 8-speed automatic

Press reports say GM issued a preliminary bulletin (PIP6102) in February 2026 for 2024–2026 Traverse models with the 2.5L turbo, which may stall after a remote start or during warm-up, especially in cold weather, sometimes right after shifting into Drive or Reverse. At publication GM had not released a repair, and the engine restarts normally.

Symptoms

  • Engine stalls shortly after a remote start
  • Stall when selecting Drive or Reverse on a cold morning

Check before buying

  • Do a cold start and shift between Park, Reverse and Drive before driving
  • Ask the dealer whether any software updates have been applied

Sources: [8]

Front seat recliner bracket may have insufficient welds (recall) (2026)

Safety recall
Generation:
3rd gen (2026)
Years:
2026
Powertrain:
All engines

GM recalled certain 2026 Traverse models (and the sister Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia) because the driver or front passenger seat may lack sufficient welds where the seat-back recliner pivot attaches to the seat frame, so the seat may not restrain an occupant as designed in a crash.

Symptoms

  • Seatback that feels loose or shifts when leaned on

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order

NHTSA recall: 26V696 (2026-10)

Sources: [9]

Related Traverse research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints is a different question, answered in the years-to-avoid research from NHTSA complaint counts.

Confirm how a Traverse was ordered before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a Chevrolet Traverse VIN into the factory-ordered option codes (RPOs) on record — engine, transmission, axle and packages. $9.99, instant.

Chevrolet build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What years of Chevy Traverse have timing chain problems?

GM bulletins list 2009–2014 Traverse models with the 3.6L V6 for timing chain and guide wear that sets codes such as P0008 and P0017. A short rattle on a cold start is the usual first sign.

Why does a 2009 Traverse lose reverse?

The 3-5-reverse clutch wave plate in the 6-speed automatic can crack, taking out 3rd, 5th and reverse. GM Special Coverage 14404B covered 2009 Traverse models for 10 years or 120,000 miles.

What causes the "Shift to Park" message on a Traverse?

GM bulletin 19-NA-206 says the Park switch in the shifter may not signal the body control module on 2018–2019 models. Dealers install an in-line shifter wire harness jumper.

Are there air bag recalls on the Traverse?

Yes. Recall 14V118 covers seat side-air-bag wiring on 2009–2013 models, and 23V334 covers driver air bag inflators that may rupture on 2014–2017 models.

Does the 2024+ Traverse 2.5L turbo have problems?

Press reports describe a February 2026 GM preliminary bulletin (PIP6102) about stalling after remote start or during cold warm-up on 2024–2026 models; no repair had been published at the time.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. GM Service Bulletin 12-06-01-009A: High Feature V6 timing chain kits and chain guides, DTCs P0008/P0009/P0016–P0019 — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  2. GM Preliminary Information PIP3423K: DTCs P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0008, P0009 (V6 engines) — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  3. GM Special Coverage 14404B: Transmission clutch wave plate (6T70/6T75) — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  4. NHTSA recalls: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse — NHTSA
  5. NHTSA recalls: 2014 Chevrolet Traverse — NHTSA
  6. GM Service Bulletin 19-NA-206: Intermittent Shift to Park message displayed while vehicle in Park — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  7. NHTSA recalls: 2023 Chevrolet Traverse — NHTSA
  8. GM investigates engine stalling in 2024–2026 Traverse, Acadia and Enclave (PIP6102) — Tarantas News (secondary reference)
  9. NHTSA recalls: 2026 Chevrolet Traverse — NHTSA

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by General Motors. Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Corvette, Duramax, Vortec and the model names are trademarks of their owner.