This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Chevrolet Traverse powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Traverse have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 75,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Traverse | 70 |
| 2012 Traverse | 43 |
| 2013 Traverse | 24 |
| 2014 Traverse | 35 |
| 2015 Traverse (this page) | 20 |
| 2016 Traverse | 33 |
| 2017 Traverse | 17 |
| 2018 Traverse | 187 |
| 2019 Traverse | 160 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and information on Submission of Warranty Transaction in Global Warranty Management.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Front-end shimmy is the most persistent complaint across narratives #1. Owners report the vehicle develops a pronounced shimmy—vibration or shaking in the front end—triggered by hitting bumps or during hard acceleration, especially between 40–50 mph. One owner had the issue recur repeatedly even after the dealer and GM engineers replaced left and right axle shafts, then all motor and transmission mounts. Despite multiple service visits, the dealer eventually refused further repairs, citing inability to reliably reproduce the problem. The owner traded the vehicle due to safety concerns.
Sudden loss of engine power while driving—often accompanied by dashboard warning lights for traction control and stabilitrak—appears in narratives #2, #4, and #6. In these incidents, the vehicle loses response to the accelerator, interior lights shut off, and multiple warning messages appear. Power sometimes returns after a restart, but dealers cannot find fault codes or diagnose root cause.
Transmission shuddering, jerking, and slipping dominate narratives #3, #5, #7, #8, #9, #16, and #18. Owners report violent vibration during low-speed acceleration or gear transitions (1st–2nd, 2nd–3rd), sometimes paired with service stabilitrak or traction control warnings. One dealer identified torque converter failure; another mentioned a waveplate failure requiring transmission replacement. A GM Service Bulletin (#18-NA-358) addresses this exact shifting problem, yet dealers treated it as a standard service note rather than a recall.
Hesitation and surging occur in narratives #10 and #11, with dealers attributing them to the electronic accelerator or transmission design—explanations owners dispute.
Same Chevrolet Traverse powertrain reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Front-end shimmy and vibration
Pronounced shaking or shimmy in the front end triggered by bumps, acceleration, or turning. Recurs repeatedly even after dealer replacement of axle shafts and motor/transmission mounts.
When: 22,646–37,569 miles; recurring over ~11 months (July 2016–July 2017)
Symptoms owners cite: Front end shimmies after hitting bumps; Shimmy triggered at 40–50 mph; Shimmy during acceleration and turning; Shimmy lasts seconds to half a mile
Repairs/costs cited: Left axle shaft replaced; right intermediate axle replaced; all motor and transmission mounts replaced—issue recurred after each repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM engineers involved in diagnostic but dealer refused further repairs; owner traded vehicle due to safety concerns
Sudden engine power loss with warning lights
Engine abruptly shuts down or loses power response while driving. Vehicle loses all power despite accelerator input. Interior lights and multiple warning lights (stabilitrak, traction control, service messages) illuminate. Power sometimes returns after restart or brief driving.
When: Mileage and timing not specified in narratives #2, #4, #6; occurs while driving at 45–70 mph on expressways and city streets
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle slows despite pressing accelerator; Engine completely shuts down; Radio shuts down; Interior lights turn off; Dashboard full of warning lights; Service stabilitrak message; Traction control off message; Vehicle lurches forward and backward
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostic codes cleared but no root cause identified or repaired; dealership states vehicle operates normally upon inspection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership cannot locate fault; no repairs performed; owner expresses concern about safety on future highway driving
Transmission shudder, jerking, and slipping
Violent vibration, shuddering, or jerking during acceleration and gear transitions, primarily at low speeds (15–50 mph) or on inclines. May include transmission slipping between gears. Service stabilitrak and traction control warnings often accompany the symptom.
When: 42,000–115,000 miles; some starting as early as 3,743 miles; recurring over months or years
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shuddering while accelerating; Jerking and surging at 15–50 mph; Shaking on inclines; Transmission slipping between 1st–2nd or 2nd–3rd gear; Service stabilitrak warning light; Traction control warning light; No warning lights initially (some narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission solenoid reprogrammed (narrative #5)—did not resolve issue; torque converter replacement recommended by second dealer but not performed; waveplate failure identified in narrative #16, requiring transmission replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Service Bulletin #18-NA-358 (released November 2018, updated October 2020) lists this exact problem and repair procedure for multiple GM vehicles including 2015 Traverse; dealership treated bulletin as standard service note, not a recall
Hesitation and engine surging
Vehicle hesitates during acceleration or lurches forward erratically. Occurs on city streets and during highway merging. No warning lights illuminate initially.
When: Various mileage; narrative #7 starting at 3,743 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine hesitation; Engine surges and lurches; Loss of smooth acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives #10 and #11
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer blamed electronic accelerator design and 6-speed transmission as normal behavior; owner disputes explanation
Traction control and stability system faults with no recorded codes
Service stabilitrak, traction control, and all-wheel-drive system warnings appear sporadically, often without illuminated dashboard warning lights or recorded diagnostic codes. Vehicle may perform roughly or lose power response.
When: Recurring intermittently while driving; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Service stabilitrak warning; Traction control off message; All-wheel drive system off message; ABS warning; Vehicle performs roughly; Faults do not record in diagnostic system
Repairs/costs cited: Rear wheel speed sensors replaced (two occasions); rear wheel bearing hub assembly replaced; issue persists despite multiple repairs at different shops
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Engine stalling in low-speed maneuvers
Engine stalls or shuts off during parking lot turns or low-speed driving, forcing vehicle to neutral or park. Engine restarts normally after ignition cycle.
When: Narrative #13 mileage not specified; occurs during sharp left turn in parking lot on slope
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off during sharp turn; Vehicle rolls backward; Engine restarts normally
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 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 powertrain problem on the 2015 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 24,770 and 113,000 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 24,770; a quarter make it past 113,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2015/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.