Had to have a rebuilt transmission placed in vehicle 1 year ago and subsequent work done 6 months later on the "new" transmission. Now 6 months later it began slipping when going from stopped through first 2 gears, rpms rev over 3. Called south charlotte Chevy to report I would be bringing it back in. Approximately 60000 miles on it. I am sick of it!
2016 Chevrolet Traverse powertrain problems
moderate 33 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 33 powertrain 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
Owners have filed 33 powertrain 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 powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse has pervasive powertrain problems, primarily in the transmission and engine control systems. Owners report catastrophic transmission failures at low mileage (as early as 4,000 miles), mysterious loss of power and stalling, unintended acceleration, and Stabilitrak/traction control warnings causing dangerous limp-mode deceleration—often with no warning lights to alert the driver, making diagnostics impossible and repairs ineffective.
2016 Traverse owners document a troubling pattern of powertrain failures across multiple systems. Transmission problems dominate: catastrophic failures as early as 4,000 miles (with dealer bulletins confirming known 3-5-R clutch pack defects), repeated slipping and rebuild failures, complete loss of reverse, and transmission overheating. Several owners report transmission replacement followed by identical failure within weeks.
Engine and stability control issues create a separate safety hazard. Owners describe sudden, uncontrollable reverse surges during normal parking, loss of all electrical and engine power while driving (leaving the vehicle unsteerable and unbrake-able), and mysterious power loss requiring restart. Service Stabilitrak and traction control warnings trigger dangerous limp mode (25 mph deceleration) with no check engine light to guide diagnosis. One owner reports this occurring four times in two days.
A critical pattern: dealers cannot replicate most failures or find any codes, leaving multiple owners stranded after 5+ service visits with no resolution. One transmission was rebuilt, failed again in six months, worked for six months, then failed again—each cycle requiring replacement. Owners universally report no warning lights before catastrophic failures, making the vehicles unpredictable and unsafe, especially at highway speeds.
Same Chevrolet Traverse powertrain reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Reverse surge / unintended acceleration in reverse
Vehicle surges backward uncontrollably when shifted into reverse, with owner unable to stop it. Similar surge feeling reported during cruise control acceleration on hills.
When: Low mileage, can occur without warning during normal parking maneuvers
Symptoms owners cite: Uncontrollable backward surge when shifted to reverse; Inability to apply brakes or control vehicle; Similar surge sensation in drive at highway speeds on inclines; Severe stability control issues
Transmission catastrophic failure - 3-5-R clutch pack
Complete transmission failure due to 3-5-R clutch pack degradation, resulting in loss of all motive power. Dealer bulletin exists for this known defect but was not addressed via recall.
When: 29,000 miles; failure occurred while merging onto interstate
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power while driving at highway speed; Transmission would not respond in drive or reverse after restart; Near-miss with semi truck during merge
Repairs/costs cited: 3-5-R clutch pack replaced by dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer bulletin exists for this failure; manufacturer refused to reimburse towing costs
Service Stabilitrak with violent shake and traction control warning
Intermittent engine stability and traction control malfunction causing rough running and violent shaking of entire vehicle. Service Stabilitrak warning, traction control off, and check engine light illuminate together. No diagnostic codes can be found despite multiple dealer visits.
When: After first year of ownership; 38k miles; occurs during driving, idling, and stopped at intersections
Symptoms owners cite: Service Stabilitrak warning illuminates; Traction Control Off warning; Check Engine Light; Vehicle runs extremely rough with violent back-and-forth shaking; Almost caused accident at intersection
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs made; no codes found despite multiple visits (5 times in shop over 2 weeks with no resolution)
Unintended acceleration with Stability Control warning
Vehicle lunges forward without driver input when accelerator pedal is depressed. Stability Control warning light illuminates during event. Occurs intermittently and cannot be reliably reproduced by dealer.
When: 140,000 miles; occurred on multiple occasions
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden forward lunge when accelerating; Stability Control warning light illuminates; Occurs at both 25 mph and undisclosed speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to determine cause; vehicle remained in shop 2 months with air bag recall re-performed without resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed; customer referred to second dealer
Transmission failure with metal fragments
Complete transmission failure causing loss of all motive power with loud abnormal grinding sound from under vehicle. Transmission contained metal fragments and required replacement.
When: 44,000 miles; failure during highway driving at 70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of motive power while driving; Loud abnormal sound from under floorboards; Transmission warning light illuminated; Vehicle revved but failed to move in either drive or reverse after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Metal fragments found in transmission; transmission replacement needed but not performed by owner
Traction control and Stabilitrak malfunction with loss of acceleration and reduced engine power
Engine light, traction control, and Stabilitrak warnings illuminate together with dramatic loss of engine power and vehicle deceleration to 25 mph limp mode. Can occur multiple times within short periods and at any speed without warning.
When: Occurs intermittently; complaints from 2017-2018 timeframe; also reported in 2011 model year Traverse and Equinox
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard warning: Engine Power Reduced; Traction Control warning; Service Stabilitrak warning; Engine light (P2138 code reported in one case); Vehicle immediately decelerates to 25 mph regardless of current speed; Loss of acceleration power; Can occur 4+ times within 2-day period
Codes mentioned: P2138
Repairs/costs cited: Accelerator pedal and sensor replacement suspected but not confirmed in all cases
Violent vibration at highway speed
Severe vibration at highway speed lasting approximately 90 seconds, progressively worsening to point where vehicle becomes difficult to control. Vibration ceases spontaneously after shifting to reverse and back to drive.
When: 3,100 miles; occurred at 65 mph highway speed
Symptoms owners cite: Violent vibration appearing suddenly at highway speed; Vibration increases in intensity over ~90 seconds; Vehicle becomes undriveable as vibration worsens; Driver forced to slow to 15 mph to maintain control; Vibration ceases after shifting to reverse and restarting
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer service at 2,000 miles for vibration check found nothing
Transmission failure with hesitation and fluid loss
Transmission failure requiring replacement at 100,000 miles. Vehicle exhibited hesitation during driving without warning lights. Transmission fluid was lost with no visible leaks.
When: 100,000 miles; occurred while driving at 45 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle hesitation while driving; No warning lights initially; Continued hesitation after transmission fluid flush
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid flushed by independent mechanic; transmission replacement required by dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed of failure
Delayed transmission shifting without warning codes
Intermittent delayed or hung shifting with high RPMs and vehicle slowing unexpectedly. No check engine light or diagnostic codes available to identify cause. Becomes unpredictable enough to park vehicle.
When: Occurs without warning or pattern at any speed
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden delay in shifting at any speed; RPMs go high while vehicle slows; Vehicle won't shift properly; No warning light or codes to indicate problem; Completely unpredictable occurrence
Transmission slippage with mysterious fluid loss and no leaks
Transmission slips at odd times while vehicle exhibits multiple other electrical and mechanical quirks. Transmission has been refilled 3 times with no visible leaks. Vehicle also experiences faulty fuel gauge and rattling at idle.
When: At 51,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slippage at odd times; Transmission fluid mysteriously depleted 3 times without visible leaks; Faulty fuel gauge (needle doesn't move for first 20 miles); Vehicle rattles at 1,000 RPM (possibly timing chain); Doesn't always go into gear; No check engine light
Complete power loss and stalling while driving
Complete electrical and engine power loss while driving at highway and city speeds, with all dashboard lights going dark. Vehicle becomes unsteerable and unbrake-able. No warning lights precede event.
When: Multiple occurrences (2/21/16 and 2/28/16); low mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Complete power cut-out while driving; Vehicle stalls without warning; All dashboard and lights go completely dark; Loss of power steering; Loss of braking ability; No check engine light or other warnings before failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claims unable to find cause; encouraged customer to continue driving despite safety concerns
Intermittent loss of engine power with steering and gauge failure
Sudden loss of engine power requiring driver to tap accelerator to keep engine running. Engine warning light, erratic gauges including oil pressure, and power steering failure occur together. Vehicle surges when driver taps pedal. Typically occurs after one hour of driving.
When: Intermittent failures after approximately one hour of driving
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power; Engine warning light illuminates; Oil pressure gauge becomes erratic; All gauges become erratic; Engine surges when tapping accelerator; Power steering goes out; Vehicle difficult to drive
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer cannot duplicate failure
Sudden acceleration power loss at highway speed
Complete loss of engine power while driving at highway speed with accelerator pedal having no effect. Vehicle cannot restart. Electrical power remains (radio, lights, AC operate) but engine will not turn over.
When: Multiple occurrences since purchase (November 2020) at 38,000+ miles; has caused accident due to sudden deceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power at highway speed; No response from engine when accelerator depressed; Vehicle won't restart (key starter clicks but won't turn over); No check engine light; Electrical power remains (radio, dash lights, AC on); Cannot jump start vehicle; Battery reads 12V
Repairs/costs cited: Has been to repair shop 8 times since November 2020; mechanics cannot replicate issue
Transmission failure with overheat and fluid leak
Transmission failure while driving with dash warning 'transmission hot' and complete loss of vehicle motion. Vehicle leaked fluids and was smoking. Transmission has been in repair shop since August awaiting repair.
When: While driving on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission hot warning on dash; Vehicle no longer moves; Smoking transmission; Fluid leak; Vehicle immobilized
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle has been in shop since August awaiting repair
Early transmission failure at very low mileage
Transmission failure requiring replacement at extremely low mileage (4,000 miles). Vehicle stalled without warning while driving at 30 mph.
When: 4,000 miles; stalled while driving at 30 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalled without warning at 30 mph; Could restart but transmission failed
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure
Service Stabilitrak with shudder and limp mode
Vehicle shudders at highway speed as if running over rumble strips, simultaneously illuminating Service Stabilitrak and Low Engine Pressure warnings. Vehicle enters limp mode with engine power reduced. No check engine light accompanies this warning.
When: At 65 mph highway speed
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shudders like running over rumble strips; Service Stabilitrak warning illuminates; Low Engine Pressure message illuminates; Vehicle enters limp mode (reduced engine power); Vehicle lunges forward a few feet then enters limp mode again on restart; No check engine light
Rebuilt transmission slipping and requiring re-work
Rebuilt transmission replaced one year prior failed and required work six months later. Now slipping again only six months after that repair at 60,000 miles, requiring another transmission service.
When: At 60,000 miles; failures at intervals of one year, then six months, then six months again
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slipping when starting from stopped; Slipping through first two gears; RPMs rev over 3 when slipping
Repairs/costs cited: Rebuilt transmission replaced; subsequent repair done 6 months later
Complete transmission failure at 73,000 miles
Complete transmission failure requiring full replacement with no warning lights or error messages. OnStar indicated vehicle was in good condition. Multiple independent mechanics reviewed the issue.
When: 73,000 miles; complete failure
Symptoms owners cite: Complete transmission failure; No warning lamps; No error codes
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced with brand new unit
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM sent notice via OnStar that car was in good condition (before failure)
New transmission failure after three weeks
Replacement transmission began slipping three weeks after installation. Vehicle has been in shop over three months with same problem recurring. Dealership confirms same issue as original transmission failure.
When: Three weeks after replacement transmission installation
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slipping; Same problem as original transmission failure
Repairs/costs cited: New transmission replaced; slipping recurred within 3 weeks; in shop 3+ months with no resolution
Timing chain failure and torque converter failure
Timing chain required replacement. Torque converter required replacement. Following these repairs, interior dashboard lights and radio go out intermittently while driving. Message center warning also fails intermittently.
When: Multiple repairs required
Symptoms owners cite: Timing chain failure; Torque converter failure; Interior lights on dash go out while driving; Radio goes out while driving; Message center warning goes blank while driving; Message center warning not working sometimes with remote start in winter
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain and torque converter replaced
Transmission pump, gasket, and oil pan seal failure
Transmission pump and gasket failure with oil pan seal requiring replacement at low mileage. Owner states this should have a recall and has cost $5,568.72 in repairs.
When: Low mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission pump failure; Transmission gasket failure; Oil pan seal failure
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission pump replaced, gasket replaced, oil pan resealed; total cost $5,568.72
Transmission solenoid failure
Transmission solenoid failure described by owner as a known weak link in 2016 Traverse. Owner reports this is a common problem with multiple complaints and should trigger a recall.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission solenoid failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner states manufacturer knows of this common problem
Transmission shutoff while stopped at light
Transmission failure causing vehicle to buck and shut off while at traffic light. Vehicle was able to be driven to work before towing for repair.
When: While stopped at red light transitioning to move
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle bucked and shut off at stopped traffic light; Unable to move vehicle from stop
Repairs/costs cited: Towed for transmission repair
Fuel system and idle shutdown problem
Vehicle shuts off while at idle. Vehicle also drags or hesitates while trying to accelerate. Owner has filed complaint but received no response.
When: Intermittent, occurs at idle
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts off at idle; Vehicle drags while accelerating; Poor acceleration response
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint filed with no response
Traction control and Stabilitrak malfunction at highway speed
Traction control off and stability tracker warnings illuminate simultaneously, causing vehicle to not run properly. Occurred at highway speed and nearly caused accident. Happens at random times.
When: At random times; occurred on freeway
Symptoms owners cite: Traction Control Off warning; Stability Tracker warning; Vehicle does not run properly; Nearly caused accident
Transmission failure at 62,169 miles
Automatic transmission failure with no reverse and slipping in drive. Transmission required complete replacement.
When: 62,169 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No reverse; Slipping in drive
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement at AAMCO Transmission Total Car Care
Torque converter failure with unsafe vibration between gears
Vehicle exhibited slipping in gear and unsafe vibration between 2nd and 3rd gear. Torque converter was replaced but same unsafe vibration issue persists.
When: During gear shifting
Symptoms owners cite: Slip in gear shifting; Unsafe vibration between 2nd and 3rd gear
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter replaced but issue persists
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Factory repair performed but unsuccessful
Torque converter shudder at highway speed
Vehicle experiences shuddering at highway speeds (40-60 mph), likely caused by torque converter issue. Vehicle has 145,000 miles.
When: At highway speeds (40-60 mph); at 145,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shudders at highway speed
Vehicle stalling at stops and power loss while driving
Vehicle shuts off while coming to a stop or at complete stop. Vehicle also loses power while driving with tendency to shut off.
When: While stopping and at complete stop
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts off while coming to stop; Vehicle shuts off at complete stop; Loss of power while driving; Vehicle tendency to shut off while driving
Transmission power loss
Transmission lost power, nearly causing accident with vehicle behind due to sudden deceleration.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission lost power; Sudden deceleration
Repeated transmission failure at very low mileage
Transmission has failed twice at extremely low mileage: first failure at 9,700 miles and second failure at 23,080 miles, requiring replacements both times.
When: 9,700 miles and again at 23,080 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete transmission failure both times
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced at 9,700 miles; transmission replaced again at 23,080 miles
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
2016 Chevy traverse engine traction control, stabiltrak problem. Engine light came on, display stated reduce speed to 25 MPH and the above warning flashed on the dash display. The car lost acceleration power. It happened twice in about a two week period. The first time it happened was on 12/18/17, I stopped the first time at a parts store to get the code readings but they did not have the…
Took vehicle in for factory repair regarding slip in gear shifting and unsafe vibration between 2nd and 3rd gear. Torque converter was replaced and still has same unsafe issue.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 33 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 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 19,000 and 58,000 miles, with the median around 43,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,000; a quarter make it past 58,000. 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/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.