This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Chevrolet Traverse engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse have filed 55 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 100,238 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
55
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Traverse | 33 |
| 2010 Traverse | 102 |
| 2011 Traverse | 107 |
| 2012 Traverse (this page) | 55 |
| 2013 Traverse | 15 |
| 2014 Traverse | 33 |
| 2015 Traverse | 16 |
| 2016 Traverse | 3 |
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 55 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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
Owners have filed 55 engine 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.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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 engine 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.
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two main engine problems on 2012 Chevrolet Traverses. The most frequent is timing chain failure, appearing in at least 20 narratives. Symptoms include rough idle, rattling or pinging engine noise, check engine lights (codes P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019), and sudden power loss. Failures occur across the mileage range (48K–140K miles), with many between 80K–120K. Owners report the timing chain stretches, jumps teeth, or breaks entirely—sometimes recurrently even after repair. A GM Technical Service Bulletin (SB-10052863-8590, dated August 2013) extended timing chain warranty to 120,000 miles on some vehicles, but owners report their VINs were excluded from coverage despite identical symptoms.
The second major failure mode is internal engine failure—rod knock, bearing failure, metal shavings in oil, or complete loss of oil circulation—occurring without warning at highway speeds. Owners report zero oil on the dipstick between scheduled 3,000-mile changes, engine seizure with no prior warning lights, and catastrophic internal damage discovered only after breakdown. Several owners describe sudden stalling or power loss mid-drive on highways, creating acute safety risks.
Owners consistently report GM denying warranty claims, stating vehicles fall outside the extended warranty window or VIN eligibility, despite citing the same technical bulletins. Repair costs range from $3,200 to $9,000+. Many note the dealership performed recent 153-point inspections or routine oil changes that failed to flag imminent failure.
Same Chevrolet Traverse engine reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Timing chain stretch, skip, or breakage
The timing chain stretches, jumps teeth, or breaks, causing misfire, rough running, power loss, and potential engine damage. May occur once or recur after repair.
When: 80,000–140,000 miles; some as early as 48,000–80,000
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling or pinging engine noise; Rough idle; Check engine light (codes P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019); Sudden power loss or 'limp mode'; Hard transmission downshift; Engine stutter or cut-out; Abnormal engine knock
Codes mentioned: P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain, tensioner, actuator, and guide replacement; some repairs cost $3,200–$4,461; recurrence reported even after replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Technical Service Bulletin SB-10052863-8590 (dated August 2013) extended warranty to 120,000 miles on some vehicles. Many owners report their VINs excluded from coverage despite identical symptoms. GM denies coverage citing VIN not on bulletin list.
Internal engine failure—rod, bearing, or oil circulation
Engine develops rod knock, bearing failure, loss of oil circulation, or metal shavings in oil, leading to sudden catastrophic seizure. No warning lights precede failure in many cases.
When: 72,000–120,000 miles; often with routine maintenance records
Symptoms owners cite: Engine knock or rattling; Sudden complete power loss with no warning; Oil pressure light (if illuminated at all); Engine seizure mid-drive; Metal shavings in oil; No oil on dipstick despite no visible leaks
Codes mentioned: P0300, P0303, P0068, P0089, P0106, P228C
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required; costs $7,000–$9,000+. Owners report oil light often did not illuminate before failure despite zero or critically low oil levels.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM offers partial reimbursement (e.g., 30% of engine replacement cost) only if warranty extension applies; denies coverage for out-of-warranty vehicles. No recalls issued despite multiple complaints.
Sudden power loss and stalling at speed
Vehicle loses all power while driving at highway or city speeds, requiring immediate pull-over. Check engine light and stability control warnings often illuminate. Restart may be difficult or impossible.
When: 70,000–120,000 miles; occurs without predictable warning period
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete power loss; Check engine light illumination; Traction control and StabiliTrak warnings; Vehicle stall or failure to restart; Loss of power steering and brakes (briefly); Rough running after restart (if possible)
Codes mentioned: P0016, P0017, P0300, P0303
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis often unclear until engine is torn down; repairs range from sensor replacement to full engine replacement ($5,900–$9,000).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM does not acknowledge a recall. Some owners informed the vehicle does not qualify for extended warranty coverage. No safety advisory issued despite reports of incidents on interstates and busy roads.
Engine fire
Engine caught fire while vehicle was parked, with no prior warning indicators illuminated. Front end and engine severely burned.
When: 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Visible fire in engine compartment; No warning lights reported
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle deemed destroyed; cause not determined.
Synthesized from 55 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet traverse. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the faulty sensors were replaced; however, the failure recurred and the headlights stopped working. The contact had to drive with the high beams activated. The manufacturer did not offer any…
My wife was driving on the highway when it lost significant power and started rattling violently. She was able to pull into a business parking lot. Stabilitrak system, traction control, check engine lights all came on. After sitting for about 10 minutes, it started back up with less violent shaking but still with reduced power, she was able to 'limp' to the pellegrino dealership in…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet traverse. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing chain was stretched and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine while attempting to start the…
Had engine trouble with your 2012 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 engine problem on the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 55 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 49 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 82,000 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 100,238. A quarter of owners report trouble before 82,000; a quarter make it past 115,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2012/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.