2011 Chevrolet Traverse problems
The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse has 608 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. No active recalls — the patterns come from the complaint record.
The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse has 608 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 165 complaints, typically surfacing around 70,911 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Traverse | 448 | 2 |
| 2010 Traverse | 668 | 1 |
| 2011 Traverse (this page) | 608 | 0 |
| 2012 Traverse | 354 | 2 |
| 2013 Traverse | 161 | 1 |
| 2014 Traverse | 547 | 2 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 48 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 60,000–130,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2011 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2011 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 — 165 owner reports · tends to show around 70,911 mi · ~$700 to fix
- engine — 107 owner reports · tends to show around 85,035 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 70 owner reports · tends to show around 76,887 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 48 owner reports · tends to show around 92,815 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 92,815 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 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.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
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.
- ~43,000 mivisibility~$350
- ~45,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~60,000 mibody~$1,500
- ~67,000 misteering~$700
- ~72,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~73,000 micruise control~$600
- ~85,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~92,000 miengine~$3,100
"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.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
About 2yrs after purchase, steering rack and power steering pump had to be replaced, which was done prior to warranty expiration. Now at this time dec. 2015 with 68,906 mi on the od, I am experiencing the same problem again. Difficult to steer and turn the steering wheel,…
Power steering whine diagnosed today with whine present while turning or accelerating after a turn. They are saying we need a new steering gear (rack) and that will only set me back $1700. It is a safety issue as the power steering can go out at any point. I have only had…
I was driving home from work one evening. I just came off of the highway, then there was chimes coming from the 2011 Chevy traverse. Then on the dash read traction control off stability control off service traction control service stability control engine power reduced. I went…
I purchased this 2011 traverse used in 2013 with approximately 28,000 miles on it in aurora, co. It now has about 118,000 miles. I have had warning lights on the ABS and stability control systems come on, along with error messages indicating stability control and AWD are…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 608 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
The 2011 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: 48 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 60,000–130,000 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. 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 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 165 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 70,911 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 2011 Chevrolet Traverse a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 608 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 70,911 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 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 165 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 70,911 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 70,911 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 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 608 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.