2012 Chevrolet Traverse Reliability
The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse has 354 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and stability control. Compared with nearby Traverse model years (2010–2014), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Traverse's typical year, while the 2013 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
354
NHTSA owner complaints
5
Recall campaigns
10
Complaints citing a crash
2
Complaints citing a fire
2012 Chevrolet Traverse complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 model year, filed between 2012 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 115 | 32% |
| Stability control | 84 | 24% |
| Steering | 62 | 18% |
| Electrical system | 48 | 14% |
| Air bags | 48 | 14% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 46 | 13% |
| Speed control / throttle | 37 | 10% |
| Unknown or other | 35 | 10% |
2012 Chevrolet Traverse recalls
5 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2012 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V151000 | Apr 9, 2012 | Visibility / wipers — windshield wiper/washer / linkages | General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Traverse, buick enclave, and gmc acadia vehicles currently registered in alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan,… |
| 14V118000 | Mar 17, 2014 | Air bags — side/window | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side… |
| 14V266000 | May 20, 2014 | Seat belts | General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008,… |
| 15V415000 | Jun 30, 2015 | Body structure — body / hatchback/liftgate | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles… |
| 21V246000 | Apr 8, 2021 | Air bags — critical fasteners | 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. |
How the 2012 compares with nearby Traverse years
Verdicts compare these Traverse model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 669 | 5 | Steering | Avoid |
| 2011 | 608 | 5 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2012 (this page) | 354 | 5 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2013 | 162 | 4 | Electrical system | Solid |
| 2014 | 549 | 7 | Air bags | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2012 Chevrolet Traverse
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 5 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2012 Chevrolet Traverse can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2012 Chevrolet Traverse reliability FAQ
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse has 354 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and stability control. Compared with nearby Traverse model years (2010–2014), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Traverse's typical year, while the 2013 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Traverse problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse are engine (115), stability control (84), steering (62), electrical system (48). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse, including 12V151000 (visibility / wipers — windshield wiper/washer / linkages) and 14V118000 (air bags — side/window). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse compare with the 2011 and 2013 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2011 has 608 complaints and 5 recalls (avoid); the 2013 has 162 complaints and 4 recalls (solid). The 2012 has 354 complaints and 5 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Chevrolet Traverse research
Other Chevrolet Traverse model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2012 Traverse, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.