ProblemsByVin File / 2012-CHEVROLET-TRAVERSE NHTSA data synced 3 days ago

2012 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Traverse problems

354 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

Reliability score

6.8 / 10

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

Critical

Severe

Moderate

Should you avoid this 2012 Traverse?

Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Steering: 62 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 56,500–90,000 mi
Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
2 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.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering

62 reports · fails ~77,480 mi · avg $700

severe

engine

55 reports · fails ~97,115 mi · avg $3,100

moderate

powertrain

43 reports · fails ~84,508 mi · avg $2,500

moderate

airbags

39 reports · fails ~75,941 mi · avg $1,100

severe

electrical

30 reports · fails ~97,007 mi · avg $850

moderate

cruise control

22 reports · fails ~84,383 mi · avg $600

severe

visibility

10 reports · fails ~79,869 mi · avg $350

moderate

body

9 reports · fails ~81,538 mi · avg $1,500

severe

Buyer's checklist

Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.

Generated from this 2012 Traverse's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.

See the checklist ->

Honest Calculator

Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2012 Traverse?

We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.

See the calculator ->

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 · at 105,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11057502.0 · see visibility pattern →

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 · at 53,345 mi · NHTSA ODI #10669213.0 · see steering pattern →

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 · at 87,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11056869.0 · see body pattern →

2012 Traverse · airbags

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…

12/22/2014 · at 39,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10667643.0 · see airbags pattern →

View all 354 owner complaints →

Had a problem with your 2012 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.

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At 80,000 miles

Likely repair cost in next 24 months

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 15V415000 June 30, 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 April 9, 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.

Should you avoid the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?

The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Steering: 62 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 56,500–90,000 mi; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

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. Typical failure occurs around 77,480 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 77,480 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 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 are not always better value.

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Chevrolet/Traverse. 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.

Chevrolet Traverse problems

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

Estimate your repair exposure

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

Common questions

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