2009 Chevrolet Traverse: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 581 complaints
581
Total Complaints
87,000mi
Median Mileage
Steering
Top Issue
26
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
60,000
25th Percentile
87,000
Median Mileage
110,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Steering
229
Power Train
54
Engine
50
Electrical System
36
Unknown Or Other
34
Air Bags
26
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
20
Vehicle Speed Control
18
Seat Belts
16
Suspension
13
Severity Assessment
26
Crashes
5
Fires
29
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"THE REAR DRIVER'S PASSENGER WINDOW SUDDENLY EXPLODED AND SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING WITH NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT OR PREVIOUS WINDOW DAMAGE. *TR"
"2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2LT: "EXTREME" VIBRATION OCCURRING WHEN THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN MORE THAN A COUPLE OF INCHES. THIS CAR CAN "NOT" BE DRIVEN WITH THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW DOWN. THE AMOUNT OF VIBRATION IS AMAZING AFFECTING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WITH EXTREME RESONANCE - VERY SCARY..."
"WHEN MY CRUISE IS ON AND I HAVE A STEEP INCLINE TO APPROACH, ONCE I AM DOWN THE INCLINE, THE VEHICLE SHIFTS FROM 6TH GEAR DOWN TO 4TH OR 5TH GEAR AND STAYS THERE. MY DEALER HAS RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON THIS 4 TIMES NOW, AND STILL NO ANSWER. I HAVE BULLETIN NUMBER #09-06-04-019 ISSUED 3-23-09 AND MY VEH..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Steering
229 complaints
25th: 58,700 mi
Median: 76,000 mi
75th: 97,000 mi
Power Train
54 complaints
25th: 73,000 mi
Median: 94,000 mi
75th: 112,163 mi
Engine
50 complaints
25th: 96,750 mi
Median: 112,485 mi
75th: 137,000 mi
Electrical System
36 complaints
25th: 68,312 mi
Median: 88,000 mi
75th: 117,753 mi
Unknown Or Other
34 complaints
25th: 76,504 mi
Median: 105,850 mi
75th: 137,672 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 57
MI: 44
NY: 35
CA: 27
OH: 27
PA: 23
MD: 23
FL: 22
IL: 22
NJ: 20
Who Files Complaints?
1%
Original Owners
99%
Second+ Owners
Chevrolet Traverse — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (8)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Seat Belts
Campaign 14V266000 | 20/05/2014
If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available.
Hatchback/Liftgate
Campaign 15V415000 | 30/06/2015
If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chev
Side/Window
Campaign 14V118000 | 17/03/2014
Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners a
Seat Belts
Campaign 10V375000 | 12/08/2010
THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELDS. IF A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, AND SATURN AT 1-800-97
Parking Brake
Campaign 09V153000 | 06/05/2009
IF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION, THERE WILL BE NO UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT. HOWEVER, IF THE KEYS ARE LEFT IN THE IGNITION, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS IN ANY POSITION OTHER THAN PARK, AND THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SUFFICIENT SLOPE, IT COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICL
DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE PARK BRAKE CABLE LINK (CONNECTOR) FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT THE DEALER BULLETIN WILL BE SENT MAY 5, 2009 AND OWNER LETTERS WILL BE MAILED IN JUNE 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Column Shift
Campaign 09V073000 | 06/03/2009
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP IS FULLY ENGAGED. IN THE EVENT THAT THE CLIP DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE SHIFT CABLE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT
Electrical System
Campaign 10V240000 | 04/06/2010
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWN
Buckle Assembly
Campaign 08V615000 | 24/11/2008
IN A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE RIVET IS MISSING, THE BUCKLE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING STRAP, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROWS, AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A
Protect Your Steering System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
- Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
- Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
- Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
- Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28