Service stabletrak ....lose in engine power while driving on the highway and back roads. The problem occured more often while driing slower and or stopping at lights.
2011 Chevrolet Traverse cruise control problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse have filed 43 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 73,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Traverse | 13 |
| 2010 Traverse | 22 |
| 2011 Traverse (this page) | 43 |
| 2012 Traverse | 22 |
| 2013 Traverse | 8 |
| 2014 Traverse | 24 |
| 2015 Traverse | 10 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 43 cruise control complaints filed for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 10 model years of Chevrolet Traverse we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 43.
Owners have filed 43 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse shows a severe and recurring throttle body failure pattern. Owners report that while driving at highway speeds (typically 60–75 mph), the vehicle suddenly displays SERVICE STABILITRAK, TRACTION CONTROL OFF, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, and CHECK ENGINE warnings. Engine power drops sharply—the vehicle slows to 10–40 mph and becomes unresponsive to accelerator input, even when the pedal is fully pressed. The engine shudders, idles roughly, or feels like it's misfiring. This failure is life-threatening on busy highways and during merges, where the sudden deceleration risks rear-end collision.
Owners report mileage ranges from 1,500 to 110,000 miles, though clusters appear around 45,000–93,000 miles. The fix is usually throttle body replacement ($400–$600), sometimes with throttle position sensor or harness work. Critically, the failure is intermittent and recurs—many owners describe restarting the vehicle temporarily fixes it, only to have the same failure happen days or weeks later, even after parts have been replaced. One owner documented the problem happening six times in seven days. Chevy dealerships acknowledge seeing the same defect on multiple vehicles but deny knowledge of a recall. GM has not issued one despite complaints dating to 2013. A few owners also report brake failure and uncontrolled acceleration incidents, one resulting in a crash with injuries.
Same Chevrolet Traverse cruise control reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden power loss and limp mode with multiple warning lights
Vehicle loses engine power mid-drive, drops from highway speeds (60–75 mph) to 10–40 mph, becomes unresponsive to accelerator input. Dashboard displays SERVICE STABILITRAK, TRACTION CONTROL OFF, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, and CHECK ENGINE warnings simultaneously. Vehicle enters limp mode, making acceleration difficult or impossible. Owners report needing to pull over, shut off the engine, wait 15–30 seconds, and restart to restore normal function. The failure is intermittent and recurs—sometimes within days, sometimes after months. On busy highways and during merges, this sudden deceleration creates acute rear-end collision risk.
When: Occurs between 1,500 and 110,000 miles, most common reports at 45,000–93,000 miles range; failures happen both cold starts and while driving at steady state
Symptoms owners cite: Engine power drops 50–75% without warning; Maximum speed reduced to 10–40 mph despite pressing accelerator; Dashboard warning: SERVICE STABILITRAK; Dashboard warning: TRACTION CONTROL OFF; Dashboard warning: REDUCED ENGINE POWER or ENGINE POWER REDUCED; CHECK ENGINE light illumination; Engine shuddering, rough idle, or feeling of misfiring; Intermittent failure recurring after temporary fix (restart); Failure repeats even after parts replaced
Codes mentioned: P-code related to throttle body malfunction (not specified in narratives), SERVICE STABILITRAK activation code, TRACTION CONTROL OFF code
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships and independent mechanics typically diagnose throttle body failure. Reported repairs include throttle body replacement ($400–$600), throttle body sensor replacement, throttle position sensor replacement, and harness replacement. Some owners report cleaning of throttle body or dust removal from sensors as temporary measure. Owners note throttle body is not a serviceable part (sealed assembly) and requires full replacement. One owner paid $519 for throttle body repair; another paid $550 for throttle body and harness.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has not issued a recall for this defect despite multiple complaints dating back to 2013–2014. Some owners report GM stated throttle body failure is not covered under the 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, despite throttle body being a vital engine control component. Chevrolet dealers acknowledge seeing the same failure pattern on multiple vehicles but deny knowledge of a formal service bulletin or recall. Service managers at dealerships have stated they've repaired the same issue on other GM vehicles. No TSBs or warranty programs mentioned by owners.
Brake system failure with uncontrolled acceleration
Vehicle accelerates without driver input or operator unable to stop vehicle. In one incident, accelerator pedal stuck at 4 mph causing vehicle to accelerate without braking response for 5–7 seconds, resulting in crash into tree. In another, vehicle surged forward while merging onto highway when operator released pedal; brakes did not respond, forcing downshift to low gear and shoulder pull-over. These events create imminent crash risk.
When: Reported at 31,000 miles and during highway merge conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without depressing accelerator pedal or accelerates excessively when light pedal input given; Brake pedal unresponsive for several seconds (5–7 seconds reported); Operator unable to stop vehicle through normal brake application; Vehicle surges forward during highway merge
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle crashed into tree with occupant injuries (leg and ankle injuries requiring medical attention); vehicle not taken to dealer and remains undiagnosed. Second incident involved operator shifting to low gear and neutral to regain control; vehicle was towed to dealer but repair outcome not stated.
Intermittent traction control and stability control warning lights with jerky acceleration/deceleration
Traction control, stability control, and ABS warning lights cycle on and off unpredictably while driving on flat, straight roads at low speeds. Vehicle exhibits jerky RPM behavior (revving to 5,000 rpm then losing connection to transmission), shaking, and loss of gear engagement feel. Mechanic diagnosis shows loss of transmission connection; no stored diagnostic codes detected. Occurs intermittently but repeatedly—four instances within 24-hour period in one report.
When: Reported at 25 mph, low-speed straight driving; one report at very low mileage (6,641 miles initial occurrence, recurred in October)
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control light cycling on and off rapidly; Service stabilitrak warning; ABS light illumination; Uncontrolled shaking and jerking motion; RPMs spike (5,000 rpm) while vehicle loses power transmission connection; Vehicle feels out of gear despite being in drive; Intermittent loss of acceleration response
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had throttle switch serviced; failure recurred within days. Another owner's mechanic hooked vehicle to scanner but detected no codes; only loss-of-transmission-connection flag appeared on diagnostic readout.
Hesitation and delayed acceleration response
Vehicle fails to respond immediately to accelerator pedal input or responds sluggishly. Operator must depress pedal multiple times or hold it longer to achieve normal acceleration. One report at very low mileage (6,641 miles) notes failure to respond while traveling at 45 mph; dealer suggested bad gas, but failure recurred after resolution.
When: Reported at 45 mph, 6,641 miles; some reports at low speeds (10–30 mph)
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed acceleration response to pedal input; Multiple pedal depressions required to achieve response; Sluggish or slow acceleration onset; Intermittent nature; does not occur every drive
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer suggested bad fuel; no parts replaced in initial report. Second occurrence led to dealer visit but outcome not specified.
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet traverse. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stopped accelerating while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was able to be pulled over. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Had cruise control trouble with your 2011 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 cruise control problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 43 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 43 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 53,235 and 87,000 miles, with the median around 73,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,235; a quarter make it past 87,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/2011/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.