This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Chevrolet Traverse engine problems
moderate 38 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 38 engine complaints filed for the 2018 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 38 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.
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 service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be entitled to the 7 year, 70,000-mile Emission Select State Component Limited Warranty.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P3055 Set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2018 Chevrolet Traverses report a cluster of engine and exhaust issues that fall into several distinct patterns. The most common complaint involves exhaust system problems—fractured mid-pipe brackets, cracked or separated exhaust pipes, and failed catalytic converters. Multiple owners describe loud rattling, lawnmower-like sounds, and exhaust fumes entering the cabin, some causing health effects (asthma symptoms, headaches). Several narratives cite GM service bulletins PIP5681, PIP5681A, and PIP5681C as well as special coverage numbers (N212356540, N222385510) for essentially the same defects, yet GM has refused coverage on 2018 model-year vehicles.
Transmission and drivability issues represent the second major pattern: vehicles losing power during acceleration or turns, stuck in first gear, lurching and stalling, and repeated dealer visits with partial repairs that do not resolve the problems. One owner documented 47 days in the shop with 10 repair orders and was told the engineering department is investigating a known issue.
Additional failures include rough idle and starting, check engine lights that clear and return, purge valve defects, and one instance of metal debris found in the transmission. Owners consistently report that dealers either cannot duplicate problems, clear fault codes without fixing the underlying cause, or deny warranty coverage. Manufacturers have referred many complaints to the NHTSA Hotline instead of addressing them.
Same Chevrolet Traverse engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Exhaust System Bracket/Pipe Weld Fracture
Bracket holding exhaust pipes together fractures or welds on exhaust pipes (mid-pipe, flex pipe, front exhaust pipe) fail with poor penetration. The fractured bracket or separated weld allows pipes to contact other components or creates holes in the exhaust pipes.
When: 55,000 to 151,000 miles; some reports as early as 30,000–42,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Extremely loud sound from underneath vehicle (rattling, thumping, lawnmower-like noise); Smoke or fumes from exhaust; Exhaust odor inside cabin; Check engine light illuminated; Catalytic converter damage secondary to bracket/pipe failure
Codes mentioned: P0420, Lean codes (referenced in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Mid-pipe assembly bracket replacement; front exhaust pipe replacement (part 85542639); pipe gaskets (84135650); muffler section replacement; full exhaust system replacement. Repair costs cited: $2,404.74 at 33,953 miles (narrative #19). One dealer replaced exhaust system.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Service Bulletins PIP5681, PIP5681A, PIP5681C issued for 2018–2022 models. Special Coverage Adjustment N212356540 issued for 2019 Traverse and Buick Enclave. Special Coverage N222385510 issued for 2021 Traverse. GM has refused to apply these to 2018 Traverse VINs. Multiple owners referred to NHTSA Hotline.
Catalytic Converter Failure
Catalytic converter cracks, detaches from exhaust pipe, or fails repeatedly even after replacement. Failures can occur shortly after initial repair or replacement.
When: 76,600 to 182,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud abnormal sound from engine compartment; Check engine light illuminated; Exhaust odor inside cabin; Engine backfiring
Codes mentioned: P0420
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement performed multiple times in some cases (at least 2–3 replacements per owner in narratives #5, #17). Repairs did not resolve recurrence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed one owner vehicle was out of warranty and could not assist. Other manufacturers referred to NHTSA Hotline. No recall or warranty extension identified in narratives.
Transmission/Drivability Electrical Faults (TCM, solenoid, shift sensor)
Transmission control module, transmission solenoid, shift sensor, or internal shifter fault causes loss of motive power, stuck gear selection, jerking, stalling, and repeated failures after repair. Issues persist or recur despite component replacement.
When: 9,000 to 21,685 miles; repeated issues at 65,000 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not move when shifted to Drive despite 'D' light illuminated; Transmission light illuminated; Vehicle stuck in first gear; speed capped at 20 mph; Loss of power during acceleration or turns; Engine stalling and jerking while driving; Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle unable to turn off; 'Shift to Park' message displayed on cluster; Transmission will not immediately respond after Auto Stop/Start
Codes mentioned: P0011, P0014, P0021, P0024
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor replacement; transmission removal and sensor replacement; TCM (transmission control module) replacement; solenoid sensor replacement; internal shifter fault repair (~$450 labor). Repairs were temporary; failures recurred within days or weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer informed one owner that 'Chevrolet advised them to clear the code and return the vehicle' and that 'this is a known issue to them and the engineering department is working on figuring out the problem.' No recalls or TSBs identified in narratives for 2018 model.
Purge Valve Failure
Evaporative emissions purge valve becomes defective, causing rough idle, difficulty starting, and check engine light.
When: 60,000 to 93,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rough starting engine; Close to stall while idle; Vehicle shaking abnormally at start-up and during idle; Check engine light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Purge valve replacement required. One dealer charged >$300 for repair (narrative #4). Vehicle was not repaired in narrative #21.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Special Coverage Adjustment N192210240 (Evaporative Emissions Purge Valve Replacement) was issued for 2016 and 2017 Traverse and provided free replacement and extended warranty. Technical Service Bulletin N232395300 referenced in narrative #24 but VIN was not included. 2018 model year not covered by prior recall; GM stated original recall did not cover 2018 models.
Engine Cooling and Electrical Faults
Engine coolant fan motor intermittently cycles on and off; factory-installed fuse has plastic coating covering metal contact, causing intermittent power loss.
When: 7,256 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Engine coolant fan intermittently turning on and off
Repairs/costs cited: Engine coolant fan motor and assembly replaced; radiator replaced due to leak; fuse replaced (factory-installed fuse had plastic coating on metal contact).
Exhaust Manifold Crack/Failed Weld
Exhaust manifold is cracked or the weld is defective, causing exhaust to leak into cabin.
When: 42,000 to 98,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Exhaust odor inside cabin; Check engine light illuminated; Loud sound from engine compartment; Smoke or fumes entering cabin
Repairs/costs cited: Exhaust manifold weld needs to be re-welded. Owner estimated cost >$300 (narrative #4 mentions purge valve repair at >$300). Repairs were not completed in narratives #13 and #34.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but no assistance provided. Owner referred to NHTSA Hotline.
Low-Pressure Oil Sensor Failure
Low-pressure oil sensor separates from its mounting, causing oil to leak from the engine.
When: Approximately 63,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Large oil leak on ground where vehicle was parked; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Low-pressure oil sensor replacement. Service writer noted this was the second similar vehicle with low mileage recently repaired for the same failure.
Transmission Metal Debris
Metal debris found inside transmission fluid, indicating internal transmission wear or damage.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission malfunction (inferred)
Repairs/costs cited: New transmission required.
Synthesized from 38 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the emissions purge valve needed to be replaced. The contact did research and was made aware of Technical Service Bulletin Number: N232395300 however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not…
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was emitting a vibrating and rattling noise while driving. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated while driving uphill and accelerating, the engine backfired. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 38 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 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 30,000 and 92,000 miles, with the median around 63,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 92,000. 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/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.