This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Chevrolet Traverse brakes problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
What stands out
Among the 16 model years of Chevrolet Traverse in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes 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 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 a procedure to clean the back side of the rims and rotors and to correct the customer concern of wheel clicking.
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 information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report widespread and persistent brake system failures across multiple failure modes. Electronic parking brake failures stand out: the brake engages unexpectedly during highway driving, refuses to disengage when parked, or engages on slopes—one owner's transmission fluid reached 175°F from friction. Multiple owners mention online forums and forums documenting the problem as endemic to 2018 models; one service center confirmed a known service bulletin exists. A faulty brake actuator allowing water infiltration is cited as the root cause.
Master cylinder seals fail as early as 39K miles, leaking fluid into the booster and dropping the brake pedal to the floor—owners describe near-accidents and are hit with out-of-pocket repair bills despite warranty periods. Brake grinding and inappropriate ABS activation occur even at 5 MPH, and despite dealership replacement of sensors and wiring harnesses (both reported on national backorder), the problem recurs. Owners also report transmission-in-Park recognition failures and power brake booster failures as early as 109 miles. One owner's incident resulted in a wife being injured when the vehicle rolled on a slope. Dealerships consistently deny diagnosis, repair, or warranty coverage on safety-critical items; GM has referred owners to NHTSA rather than addressing the failures directly.
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Parking Brake Malfunction
Parking brake engages unexpectedly while driving, fails to release when commanded, or refuses to engage when parked. Owners report the brake can become stuck on hills or cause transmission overheating due to friction. One owner noted a known service bulletin citing water seeping into the actuator and creating electrical shorts.
When: Random occurrence while driving or at rest; some reports after 68K-95K miles, others early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake engages without driver input while driving; Parking brake will not disengage when button pressed; Vehicle cannot move after parking brake fails to release; Transmission fluid overheats to 175°F; vehicle smokes; Service Parking Brake warning light illuminated; Park indicator flashes on cluster
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships report faulty brake actuator allowing water infiltration; service bulletin exists. One owner reports disconnecting battery temporarily resolves symptom but does not fix underlying issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin documented; one dealership stated this is a known issue with the make/model
Unintended Vehicle Movement While Parked
Vehicle rolls forward or backward while parked on slopes with engine running, even though transmission is in Park. One incident resulted in collision and injury; another involved vehicle not responding to gear selection after parking brake failure.
When: At approximately 107K miles; occurs on inclined driveways or after extended parked duration
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls down slope while parked in Park position; Vehicle does not move when reverse or drive selected after parking; No warning lights present in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis or repair performed by dealers in reported cases. One incident resolved only after battery reconnection and overnight sitting.
Brake Grinding and ABS Activation at Low Speed
Grinding noise and heavy vibration during light braking even at 5 MPH, accompanied by ABS kicking in inappropriately. Symptoms recur repeatedly despite sensor and wiring replacement.
When: Starting around 1000 miles into ownership; recurring at 3500 miles; happens on every brake application regardless of speed or conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise from brakes; Heavy vibration during braking; ABS activating at very low speeds (5 MPH); Service Brakes alert pops up on dash
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced all brake sensors; replaced wiring harness due to short circuit. Parts were on national backorder both times, suggesting systemic issue. Problem recurred after each repair.
Brake Assist System Malfunction
Vehicle brakes apply with excessive force unrelated to pedal pressure, creating harsh grinding sensation through pedal. Brake Assist Activated warning appears on every brake application. Disabling forward collision brake assist provides temporary workaround.
When: Intermittent; reported at highway speeds and low-speed intersection stops
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes apply harder than pressure applied to pedal; Grinding and shuttering sensation through brake pedal; Brake Assist Activated warning on dash every brake application; Excessive braking force
Repairs/costs cited: Disabling forward collision brake assist reported to resolve issue temporarily
Master Cylinder Failure with Brake Fluid Leakage
Master cylinder seal fails, allowing brake fluid to leak into brake booster. Brake fluid loss causes pedal to travel to floor with minimal braking force available. One owner reported master cylinder failure at 39K miles; another at low mileage with Reduced Braking Power warning.
When: At 39K miles and low mileage in other cases; early in vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels to floor with minimal resistance; Only small amount of rear brake pressure available; Reduced Braking Power warning on dash; Air in brake lines due to fluid leakage into booster
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder and booster replacement required. Owners report being denied warranty coverage despite low mileage and safety criticality.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty denied; manufacturer referred one owner to NHTSA
Power Brake Booster Failure
Power brake booster vacuum check valve or booster assembly fails, causing engine light illumination. Booster requires replacement early in vehicle service life.
When: As early as 109 miles on new vehicle; issue recurred at 438 miles before complete booster replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Engine light illumination at startup; Loss of power brake function
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum check valve and hose replaced at 109 miles; engine light returned within 2 days. Complete power brake booster replacement at 438 miles resolved issue permanently.
Brake Squeaking Noise
Front and rear brakes squeak persistently at startup and during light braking. Multiple dealership visits yield no resolution; dealerships claim noise only, not wear issue. Pattern noted in same model generation (2018 Arcadia).
When: Reported starting December 2019; ongoing after multiple dealership visits
Symptoms owners cite: Squeaking from front brakes; Squeaking from rear brakes; Noise at startup or with light traction; Noise during slow braking and low-speed driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership claims noise not related to brake wear; no repair performed
Shift to Park Recognition Failure
Transmission fails to recognize when Park gear is engaged, requiring repeated attempts to shift into Park. Issue worsens over time and occurs multiple times per use. Other model years have been recalled for this defect; 2018 model year excluded from recall.
When: Escalating frequency; reported at approximately 68K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle does not recognize Park gear engagement; Repeated shifting required to achieve Park; Issue becoming more frequent; Difficulty disengaging vehicle (cannot turn off engine)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership indicates no fix available without out-of-pocket owner cost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Other model years recalled for same issue; 2018 not included in recall program
ABS Malfunction Related to EMS Recall
Electronic Parking Brake System (EMS) recall campaign has triggered ABS malfunction in affected vehicles. Owners report being denied free warranty service despite recall documentation stating repairs should be covered at no cost.
When: Post-recall service attempts
Symptoms owners cite: ABS malfunction present after EMS recall
Repairs/costs cited: Service bulletin indicates repair should be free under recall; owners denied service at two separate dealerships
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall service bulletin exists; dealerships denying free repair coverage despite recall status
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2018 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 brakes problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 39,000 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 51,600. A quarter of owners report trouble before 39,000; a quarter make it past 95,000. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2018/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.