This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Chevrolet Traverse airbags problems
critical 158 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
158
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
3crashes
5injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 158 airbags complaints filed for the 2016 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
Airbags accounts for 54% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 11 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 158 airbags 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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 informational bulletin provides information on the inboard seat airbag is mounted in this area and creates a slightly different contour of the seat causing an appearance concern, and that this should be considered normal and no parts should be replaced for this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ON LOCATING AND RECONNECTING AIRBAG CONNECTORS THAT ARE NOT FULLY SEATED TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED, OR ONE, OR MORE, AIRBAG DTC(S) SET.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse has a serious airbag defect that Chevrolet has not fixed. General Motors issued a recall notice in May 2023 (Campaign 23V334000) stating that the driver-side front airbag inflator may rupture during deployment, firing metal fragments into the cabin and causing injury or death. Owners have called dealerships and GM repeatedly since May 2023—nearly three years ago—and every call confirms the same answer: replacement parts are not yet available. No timeline for availability exists.
Owners report that Chevrolet refuses to provide rental vehicles, reimbursement, or any other remedy while the vehicles remain unsafe to drive. Families with children have no safe way to commute to work or school. One owner opened an escalation case with GM in February 2026, receiving only weekly callbacks promising action "next week" with no actual progress. Another owner reports a dealership claimed to have completed a repair in February 2024 at a different location, when the vehicle has never left the owner's state.
Beyond the recall, one owner experienced a severe side-impact crash where airbags did not deploy, resulting in multiple severe injuries including a fatality. A separate owner reported sudden unintended acceleration while braking to park, with the steering-column airbag deploying on impact with a building wall, causing injury. These isolated incidents suggest broader reliability concerns.
Same Chevrolet Traverse airbags reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Driver-side front airbag inflator rupture
Takata-supplied driver-side front airbag inflators contain a manufacturing defect that may rupture during deployment. When rupture occurs, metal fragments can pass through the airbag into the vehicle interior, creating a serious risk of occupant injury or death. This is the subject of NHTSA Campaign Number 23V334000, issued in May 2023.
When: 2016 model year vehicles; failure mileage ranges from 70,000 to 180,000 miles in reported cases; rupture risk present throughout vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: No visible symptoms prior to deployment; Service air bag warning light illuminated (intermittent or continuous in some cases); In actual crash events: metal fragments ejected into cabin; occupant injuries from both impact and fragment contact
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign Number 23V334000
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement airbag inflator unit required; as of complaint dates (May 2023 through 2026), replacement parts remain unavailable from dealer networks or GM. Multiple owners report calling dealers and GM directly; all confirmed parts not yet available. One owner reports a supposed repair at a dealership in South Carolina that never occurred for their vehicle. Diagnostic fees have been charged by dealers in some cases despite unavailability of repair parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall notice issued May 10, 2023 (NHTSA Campaign 23V334000) with clear statement of death risk. GM has NOT provided rental car assistance, reimbursement, vehicle replacement, or alternative remedies to affected owners. Multiple owners report GM customer service stated no timeline for parts availability or repair completion. One owner's case was opened with GM in February 2026 with no resolution after one month of weekly follow-up calls from GM rep. No fix currently exists; no parts available.
Airbag non-deployment in severe crash
In at least one severe crash event (side-impact collision with secondary impact into utility pole), the driver and passenger-side airbags failed to deploy despite crash forces that caused crushing damage to both the passenger door and rear of the vehicle. Emergency responders transported multiple occupants; one fatality and severe injuries resulted.
When: 70,000 miles; occurred during left turn at low speed (10 mph) when struck by ambulance on passenger side, causing secondary impact with utility pole
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during severe side-impact crash with crushing damage; Multiple occupant injuries including fatal blunt-force trauma, spinal fractures, rib fractures with organ damage, and pelvic fracture
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to impound; inspection pending by Texas Department of Public Safety. No repair details available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not informed of this failure prior to complaint submission.
Unintended vehicle acceleration with airbag deployment in collision
Vehicle lurched forward suddenly while owner was applying brake to park in front of building, colliding with brick wall. Steering-column airbag deployed on impact. Owner sustained knee bruising, hand soreness, left arm soreness, and cervical spine symptoms requiring neck brace and physical therapy. This complaint references awareness of multiple similar lurch-forward events across a 7-year span in 2016 Traverses.
When: Approximately 75,000-90,000 miles; incident occurred December 22, 2016; owner also reports acceleration issue on December 21 when vehicle moved at only 1-2 mph for several blocks before resuming normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden unintended acceleration/lurch while vehicle was nearly stopped with foot on brake; Vehicle lurched forward into stationary brick wall; Steering column airbag deployed on impact with wall; Owner knee pain, hand soreness, left arm soreness, neck/shoulder pain, cervical spine imaging findings
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to body shop; front end damage including damaged radiator requiring repair. Owner did not report specific parts costs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in this narrative.
Synthesized from 158 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
My vehicle has had issues starting off and on with in the last year of having the vehicle. I replaced the battery and alternator. and now we think it's the neutral safety switch. I went to go check the recalls and I see that I had a recall on the front air bag module needs replaced too. I have not received anything in the mail by the dealership or calls.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number : 23V334000 (AIR BAGS) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool…
Vehicle recall in May 2023 for 2016 Chevrolet Traverse (GM recall # N232404980 - NHTSA 23V334) for exploding driver airbag inflator causing metal shrapnel to fly into the cabin. Letters from General Motors should have been sent by June 26, 2023. To date I have not received a letter or instructions on how to remedy situation. Multiple local Chevrolet dealerships have been contacted (Stonebriar…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V33400 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
Still waiting to get the repair done on this recall,it's been since May 2023 and still not fixed..This isn't in a timely matter.Just glad nothing has happened yet to injure my wife from this defect.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not…
The contact's mother owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that as the vehicle was making a left turn at approximately 10 MPH, and entering a side street, the vehicle was crashed into by an ambulance that was not on call. The vehicle was struck on the passenger side door. From the force of the impact, the vehicle was spun to the left, and into a utility pole, and crashed the rear…
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 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 airbags problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a serious issue. 158 complaints have been filed, including 3 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 158 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 85,429 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2016/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.