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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-CHEVROLET-TRAVERSENHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Chevrolet
2009 Chevrolet Traverse problems
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse has 448 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse has 448 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 231 complaints, typically surfacing around 79,258 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
8
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Traverse?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 25 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 68,000–118,000 mi
Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average
8 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Chevrolet Traverse? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 231 owner reports
· tends to show around 79,258 mi · ~$700 to fix
powertrain — 46 owner reports
· tends to show around 83,971 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 33 owner reports
· tends to show around 96,521 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 25 owner reports
· tends to show around 88,225 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 88,225 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 8 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
I have a 2009 Chevy traverse, bought brand new. When backing out and turning out of my driveway, my steering was beyond stiff. I had to use excessive force to turn and there was a loud clunking noise when I did. This steering problem occurred at lower speeds up to about 20 MPH…
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that various warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the warning indicators for the air bags, service engine, and low beam headlights shorted several times. The contact smelled a burning odor near the front…
During 15mph turn power steering failed and it was extremely difficult to manage the turn. I narrowly avoided hitting another vehicle which was waiting to enter the intersection. Took vehicle to dealer on 11/5/13 who replaced the water pump because the coolant leaking on belt…
Had a problem with your 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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 manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010
If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
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, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010
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.
Fix: 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. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.
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
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.
Fix: 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 at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.4 out of 10 based on 448 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 25 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 68,000–118,000 mi; Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average; 8 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 231 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 79,258 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 448 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 79,258 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 231 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 79,258 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 79,258 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Traverse has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 448 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Chevrolet/Traverse.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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