This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Chevrolet Traverse suspension problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Among the 8 model years of Chevrolet Traverse in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Traverse suspension system shows multiple failure patterns. Rear coil springs break during normal driving, sometimes while stationary, with the top portion fracturing off. One owner noted the parts supplier had over 150 replacement springs in stock, suggesting a widespread problem.
Front strut mounting brackets fail at the weld, causing complete detachment or the sway bar linkage to disconnect. Inspection of failed parts revealed faulty welds—the bead was present but not positioned correctly to secure the bracket. This happens across the 81k–110k mile range, typically announced by loud noises while turning or reversing.
Most critically, at least one complete front-end detachment occurred at highway speed (65 mph), resulting in loss of suspension and brake function. The owner crashed into a median and sustained injuries.
Owners also report front-end popping noises followed by violent bouncing above 40 mph, and persistent rattling that survives multiple repair attempts. Dealers have been unable to diagnose the rattle in some cases. No recalls or technical service bulletins have been issued for these issues despite manufacturer notification in multiple complaints.
Failure modes owners describe
Coil spring fracture
Rear coil springs, primarily passenger side, break during normal driving or while stationary. The top 3-4 inches of the spring fractures. Multiple sources note high parts supplier inventory of replacement springs, suggesting a systemic issue.
When: Various mileages; one documented at time of tire rotation (4-2-14); failures reported at 81k-138k miles in other complaints
Symptoms owners cite: loud cracking or snapping noise while sitting in traffic; vehicle rocks after noise; spring material found broken on inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of coil spring; repair estimate $300+; mechanics recommend replacing both rear springs to prevent imbalance-induced failure of driver-side spring
Strut mount bracket weld failure
Welds on the strut mounting bracket fail, causing the bracket to fracture and detach. Two of three factory welds on the sway bar end link bracket were faulty—weld bead present but not at proper location for attachment. This is identified as a manufacturing defect.
When: 81,000 miles to 110,000 miles; one failure at 93,551 miles
Symptoms owners cite: loud noise (crunch, cracking, popping, loud drop) while turning, reversing, or driving at speed; front strut becomes detached or hanging; sway bar linkage disconnects; metal piece falls from vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Weld bracket repaired or re-welded; sway bar link replaced; new strut assembly installed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in multiple cases but provided no assistance or recall
Complete front suspension detachment
Complete detachment of front tire, axle, strut, and suspension components while driving at highway speed. One owner reported suspension and brake failure simultaneously during detachment event.
When: 138,000 miles for the documented collision event; 110,000 miles for detached struts
Symptoms owners cite: loud noise from front of vehicle; front tire and axle separate from vehicle; suspension and brakes fail; loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired in reported case; involved collision into median
Front suspension noise and violent bouncing
Loud popping noise from front suspension followed by violent bouncing at speeds over 40 mph. Dealer diagnostic testing failed to identify the root cause.
When: 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: loud popping noise from front at 50 mph; violent bouncing when driving above 40 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer; cause not determined; vehicle not repaired
Front suspension rattle
Continuous rattling noise from front suspension that persists despite repeated repair attempts; root cause cannot be identified by technicians.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: front suspension rattling noise; noise persists after multiple repair attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired multiple times without resolving the issue
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
When driving truck seems to accelerate normal; then it start to get a little sluggish and start to kick from the back like its trying to catch up with the front. And also when I put it in park it jerks forward or rolls back.. All this happened while driving in the city
Had suspension trouble with your 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 87,500 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 93,551. A quarter of owners report trouble before 87,500; a quarter make it past 110,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Chevrolet/Traverse.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.