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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-CHEVROLET-TRAVERSE
2012 · chevrolet

chevrolet Traverse problems

2 safety recalls. 354 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
62 reports · avg $700
severe
engine
55 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
powertrain
43 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
airbags
39 reports · avg $1,100
severe
electrical
30 reports · avg $850
moderate
cruise control
22 reports · avg $600
severe
visibility
10 reports · avg $350
moderate
body
9 reports · avg $1,500
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2012 Traverse · visibility
VEHICLE IS REGISTERED IN MONTANA, ONE OF THE STATES LISTED IN RECALL #12V151000, RE: WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOMING INOPERABLE IN COLD WEATHER. CHECK SHOWS MY VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL, BUT MY PROBLEM MATCHES IT EXACTLY. CONDITIONS, -12DEG AND LIGHT SNOW. VEHICLE HAS…
12/30/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11057502.0
2012 Traverse · steering
ON 24 DEC 2014 AT AROUND 11:45AM, I WAS PULLING OFF A MAIN ROAD (WITH MY YOUNG DAUGHTER) INTO THE PARKING LOT OF MY DOCTOR'S BUSINESS, WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS STILL IN MOTION. AFTER BRAKING, I WAS ABLE TO JIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL FREE AND PULLED…
12/30/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10669213.0
2012 Traverse · other
I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 50MPH THE CHECK TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON THE CHECK STABILITRACK CAME ON THEN IT SAID TRACTION CONTROL ON THEN OFF MY VEHICLE LOST POWER AND I COULDNT STEER. LUCKILY NO CARS WERE COMING ON THE DARK WINDING ROAD I WAS ON AS I WAS STUCK NO LIGHTS OR…
12/27/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11291529.0
2012 Traverse · body
THE TAIL GATE LIFT ASSIST NO LONGER WORKS, TO LIFT IT I'M LIFTING THE WHOLE WEIGHT OF THE TAILGATE. IT WON'T STAY OPEN, SO I HAVE TO HOLD IT UP WHILE TRYING TO PUT SOMETHING IN THE BACK. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS FOR THE TRAVERSE, BUT MY VIN DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE INCLUDED.
12/27/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11056869.0

Estimate your repair exposure

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Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 15V415000 30/06/2015

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.
severe NHTSA 12V151000 09/04/2012

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.

Common questions

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 354 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 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.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 62 complaints filed. 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. 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 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 354 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 10 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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