Chevrolet Traverse Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 923 of the 5,497 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009–2025 Chevrolet Traverse (16.8%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2018, 2019 and 2011.
Transmission complaints
923
Filed with NHTSA, 2009–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
16.8%
of 5,497 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
6
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Chevrolet Traverse transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 58 | 12.9% | 2 | 09V073000 | 94 |
| 2010 | 66 | 9.9% | 2 | — | 112 |
| 2011WORST | 79 | 13% | 2 | — | 110 |
| 2012 | 46 | 13% | 1 | — | 104 |
| 2013 | 28 | 17.3% | 4 | — | 130 |
| 2014 | 36 | 6.6% | 0 | 14V092000 | 110 |
| 2015 | 23 | 7.3% | 0 | — | 104 |
| 2016 | 37 | 12.7% | 1 | — | 91 |
| 2017 | 18 | 5% | 1 | — | 80 |
| 2018WORST | 196 | 42.1% | 1 | 20V668000 | 129 |
| 2019WORST | 170 | 41.3% | 6 | 20V668000 | 106 |
| 2020 | 40 | 17% | 0 | 21V81700020V668000 | 85 |
| 2021 | 16 | 16.8% | 0 | 21V817000 | 77 |
| 2022 | 45 | 43.7% | 3 | — | 66 |
| 2023 | 32 | 33.7% | 2 | 23V17200023V042000 | 61 |
| 2024 | 20 | 13.5% | 0 | — | 74 |
| 2025 | 13 | 7% | 0 | — | 17 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Chevrolet Traverse transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 923 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Chevrolet Traverse years to avoid for the transmission
2018 Chevrolet Traverse
196 transmission complaints (42.1% of the year's 466). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 20V668000.
2019 Chevrolet Traverse
170 transmission complaints (41.3% of the year's 412). Most often described: shudder or vibration. Covered by transmission recall 20V668000.
2011 Chevrolet Traverse
79 transmission complaints (13% of the year's 608). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Chevrolet Traverse years to avoid.
Chevrolet Traverse transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Chevrolet Traverse model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 23V172000 · 2023-03-16 · 2023 models
The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission.
- 23V042000 · 2023-02-02 · 2023 models
The left-side half-shaft assemblies may be missing a retaining ring.
- 21V817000 · 2021-10-18 · 2020–2021 models
The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
- 20V668000 · 2020-10-29 · 2018–2020 models
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- 14V092000 · 2014-02-21 · 2014 models
In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter…
- 09V073000 · 2009-03-06 · 2009 models
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102,…
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Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 196 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, 42.1% of all 466 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (27 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 20V668000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2019 Chevrolet Traverse have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 170 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2019 Chevrolet Traverse, 41.3% of all 412 complaints for that year. The most common description is "shudder or vibration" (14 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 20V668000. 6 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 79 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, 13% of all 608 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (9 complaints). 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Chevrolet Traverse years have the most transmission complaints?
2018 (196), 2019 (170) and 2011 (79), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Chevrolet Traverse transmission problems?
In the 923 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (11.1%), shudder or vibration (9.2%) and transmission repaired or replaced (7.5%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Chevrolet Traverse model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration