After purchasing our vehicle we noticed back up camera view was switch to a globe view and noise in vehicle when driving over 40 mph that sound like electric wires shorting. Took to dealership they said they did updates to information center. After a few days it continued to do the same issues. Called dealership back and they took another look at it and said they once again pushed out a large…
2023 Chevrolet Traverse electrical problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2023 Traverse has documented electrical and charging system issues, most commonly alternator failure causing stalling on the highway and loss of power steering/brakes. Infotainment, camera, and brake assist systems also fail intermittently, and dealers struggle to diagnose or fix problems that don't present active fault codes.
Owners describe electrical gremlins across the 2023 Traverse, with the alternator emerging as the most problematic component. Multiple complaints document the charging system collapsing to 10–11.4 volts, triggering "Battery Saver Mode" warnings and forcing vehicles to stall on busy highways far from service stations. One owner experienced two alternator failures within four months; a technician noted that GM replacement alternators for 2023 Traverses were on backorder due to high failure rates at the three-year mark.
Beyond the alternator, owners report unexplained power losses—instrument panels going black and vehicles shutting down mid-drive, stripping away power steering and power brakes without warning lights. One owner had this happen 3–4 times daily around 20,000 miles.
Infotainment failures are common: screens going dark, backup cameras failing, radio modules dying, and Apple CarPlay stopping after dealership software updates. Several failures occurred immediately after warranty expiration. Dealerships have replaced stereos and computer modules with mixed results.
Brake-assist and steering-assist warnings appear alongside hard braking feel, but these messages vanish when the ignition turns off, leaving dealers unable to capture active fault codes for repair.
One owner reported wiring harnesses from the computer melting against hot engine surfaces—a "known issue" identified by the dealership. Another documented three brake control module fault codes matching patterns from a GM recall affecting Escalade, Suburban, and Tahoe models, though unclear if Traverse is covered.
Same Chevrolet Traverse electrical reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2024 · 2025
Failure modes owners describe
Alternator failure with charging system loss
Multiple owners report the alternator failing, causing the charging system to drop below safe voltage levels. Battery Saver Mode activates and the vehicle loses electrical power, risking stalling on the highway. One owner had two alternator failures within months; another technician noted GM replacement alternators for 2023 Traverse were on backorder due to high replacement rates at the 3-year mark.
When: April 2023; June 2023; around 45,000 miles in complaint #9
Symptoms owners cite: Battery Saver Mode activated message; Charging system low warning; Voltage dropping to 10.1–11.4 V; Vehicle stalling or unable to restart; Battery warning light illuminated; Loss of window operation and other electrical functions
Codes mentioned: P0556
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replaced (multiple times for some owners). One owner used store-brand replacement due to GM part backorder. Parts backorder documented by technician.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls cited. One owner contacted manufacturer; case noted as open but no action yet.
Loss of motive power and instrument panel blackout
Vehicle unexpectedly shuts down while driving, causing total loss of power steering and power brakes. Instrument panel goes black. Vehicle can be restarted in neutral. Occurs multiple times (3–4 times daily in one case) with no warning lights. No parts failure clearly identified.
When: Around 20,000 miles (complaint #5). Complaint #6 also shows stalling with charging-related symptoms.
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended shutdown while driving; Instrument panel went black; Loss of power steering; Loss of power brakes; Vehicle stalling; No warning lights (in complaint #5)
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #5 states vehicle was not taken to dealer or manufacturer. Complaint #6 shows low alternator voltage (10 V in drive) correlating with shutdown.
Brake assist and steering assist warnings with hard braking
Dashboard displays 'SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST' and 'STEERING ASSIST IS REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE' messages. Brakes become hard to press and require longer stopping distances. Messages clear when vehicle is turned off and do not reactivate until the next parking maneuver, making diagnosis difficult. Dealership unable to replicate or measure active fault.
When: After extended parallel parking (1 hour). Recurred following second parking practice session.
Symptoms owners cite: SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST message; STEERING ASSIST IS REDUCED message; Hard braking feel; Extended braking distance required; Check engine light illuminated
Codes mentioned: P0556
Repairs/costs cited: Code P0556 (Brake Booster Pressure Sensor) pulled; dealership found no active codes and unable to duplicate fault. No repair performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated unable to repair without active code or reproducible symptom.
Infotainment and camera module failures
Infotainment screen goes black; backup camera and radio/OnStar module fail. Some complaints show glitching and distortion of screen display following software updates. Multiple complaints note failure occurred immediately after warranty expiration. One owner had stereo replaced by dealership, but issue persisted along with loss of Apple CarPlay functionality.
When: Within 3 months of purchase (complaint #4); 17 miles (complaint #8); immediately after warranty expiration (complaint #11)
Symptoms owners cite: Infotainment screen black or glitched; Backup camera not working; Radio/OnStar module unresponsive; GPS and temperature controls inoperative; Apple CarPlay not connecting; No chimes or turn signal audio
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #4: dealership replaced stereo; issue recurred. Complaint #8: computer module replaced by dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #4: open case with GM. Complaint #8: manufacturer notified. Other complaints do not specify manufacturer contact.
Wiring harness rubbing and melting on hot engine surfaces
Wires from the vehicle's computer rub against or make contact with hot engine or transmission surfaces, causing melting and triggering a check engine light. Dealership identified this as a known issue for 2023 Traverse models off the lot.
When: Within one month of purchase; new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Known issue identified by dealership
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership identified wires rubbing and melting; repair not detailed in complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Identified as known issue for 2023 Traverse by dealership.
Unintended activation of lights, horn, wipers, and door locks
While the vehicle is parked and turned off in the garage, exterior and interior lights flash, horn honks continuously, windshield wipers activate, and doors lock and unlock on their own. Behavior stops when vehicle is put in drive. Computer module fault diagnosed.
When: 17 miles (very early in vehicle life)
Symptoms owners cite: Lights flashing (exterior and interior); Horn honking continuously; Windshield wipers activating; Doors locking and unlocking inadvertently
Repairs/costs cited: Computer module replaced by dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified.
Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) fault codes
Owner reports three error codes (C0800, B1325, U0151) related to EBCM control power circuit exceeding threshold. Owner notes these match the symptoms of a GM recall for 2023–2024 Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Suburban/Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and select Silverado/Sierra 1500 models due to software fault preventing brake warning light from illuminating if brake fluid drops.
Symptoms owners cite: EBCM control power circuit threshold exceeded
Codes mentioned: C0800, B1325, U0151
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes a recall exists for similar 2023–2024 GM vehicles but unclear if Traverse is included.
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The infotainment center went black. No sound in vehicle, no back up camera, no radio
Had electrical trouble with your 2023 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 electrical problem on the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 32,500 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2023/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.