Owners have filed 382 complaints
about the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse with NHTSA between 2015 and 2026.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 18 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 43
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Traverse. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 35
6.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 56
33% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2016 compares with every other Chevrolet Traverse
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
42.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
149.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
1912.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
4631.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
4228.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
106.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
85.4%
150,000+ miles
42.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2015peak 20Jul 2026
Recalls on the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202327742,154 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the driver-front airbag inflator could rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash. If this happens, the airbag may not properly inflate and fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants. Safety Risk: An airbag inflator that ruptures can create a risk of injury or death. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the driver-front airbag module.
Recall 20216198 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the driver-front airbag inflator could rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash. If this happens, the airbag may not properly inflate and fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants. Note: This recall only affects certain driver-front airbag inflators with a lot number identified from a suspect lot. Safety Risk: An airbag inflator that ruptures can create a risk of injury or death. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the driver-front airbag module.
Recall 201559188 units in Canada
Structure
On certain vehicles, the third row left lower seat frame may have welds that are not in the correct location. In the event of a crash, the seat may not perform as intended, which could increase the risk of occupant injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace the lower seat frame as necessary.
Recall 20154491,082 units in Canada
Electrical
Certain vehicles may have been assembled with a defective front windshield wiper motor that could overheat when in use. This could cause the windshield wiper motor cover to melt, smoke and/or catch fire, which would increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor cover assembly.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Fresno, CACrash
ENGINE
2 issues: 1: Brakes did not stop car nor did the abs braking system kick in causing the car to not stop on full demand! 2 cars slammed on their brakes at a yellow light instead of going thru causing a small number kiss Was going 35mph and when braking, car didn’t fully stop and out brakes tho to the floor. Abs did not kick in. No lights on dash board. 2: The very Next morning, The traction control light came on saying service the stabilitrak, traction control. The car ins denied it was from car accident. When The traction control light comes on the dashboard, by itself) it causes the car to automatically brake when accelerating whenever it chooses to come on causing it to be unsafe in traffic. You cannot control the button to turn it off. This has been an issue coming on and off at random to current.
NHTSA complaint #11596035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
2 issues: 1: Brakes did not stop car nor did the abs braking system kick in causing the car to not stop on full demand! 2 cars slammed on their brakes at a yellow light instead of going thru causing a small number kiss Was going 35mph and when braking, car didn’t fully stop and out brakes tho to the floor. Abs did not kick in. No lights on dash board. 2: The very Next morning, The traction control light came on saying service the stabilitrak, traction control. The car ins denied it was from car accident. When The traction control light comes on the dashboard, by itself) it causes the car to automatically brake when accelerating whenever it chooses to come on causing it to be unsafe in traffic. You cannot control the button to turn it off. This has been an issue coming on and off at random to current.
NHTSA complaint #11596035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2 issues: 1: Brakes did not stop car nor did the abs braking system kick in causing the car to not stop on full demand! 2 cars slammed on their brakes at a yellow light instead of going thru causing a small number kiss Was going 35mph and when braking, car didn’t fully stop and out brakes tho to the floor. Abs did not kick in. No lights on dash board. 2: The very Next morning, The traction control light came on saying service the stabilitrak, traction control. The car ins denied it was from car accident. When The traction control light comes on the dashboard, by itself) it causes the car to automatically brake when accelerating whenever it chooses to come on causing it to be unsafe in traffic. You cannot control the button to turn it off. This has been an issue coming on and off at random to current.
NHTSA complaint #11596035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesPlano, TXCrash2 injured1 killed
AIR BAGS
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 end. The side passenger door and the rear end were crushed from the impact. The passenger door damage had been rated by the police report as a "7" and the damage to the rear was rated as a "2". The ambulance went off of the roadway down a ditch and into a large pond. Both vehicles were undrivable and had to be towed from the scene. The contact's mother and her stepfather were transported by ambulance to a hospital. The driver and 2 passengers of the ambulance were also transported by ambulance to a hospital and later released. The contact's mother was taken by ambulance to a trauma center and the stepfather was airlifted to the same trauma center. The stepfather died at the trauma center's ICU from blunt force trauma to his head. The mother had head injuries that were not severe, however she had suffered a broken neck termed a "hang man's fracture," she had also suffered three breaks to her back. The mother had suffered broken ribs on the right side "2 through 12" and the left side ribs "2 through 11," the mother had a broken rib that penetrated her diaphragm and punctured her liver. The mother had also suffered a broken clavicle on her right side. The mother had also suffered a pelvic fracture as well as bruising on her legs and arms. The contact stated that her mother had had her intestines torn away from the connective tissues in her abdomen. The contact stated that none of the air bags had deployed in the vehicle. The vehicle had been towed to an impound lot and was still awaiting further inspections and analysis by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The police had written a report. The manufacturer had not been info
NHTSA complaint #11495503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilkesboro, NCCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
The car was broadsided on Interstate 40 Westbound outside of Knoxville, TN on 3-12-22 by a Tractor Trailer and totaled. The airbags did not deploy allowing the driver to hit her head on the window of the vehicle causing her head trauma. In Oct of 2021 The same vehicle hit a 200 pound dear head on at 65mph and destroyed the front end and the air bags did not deploy then either.
NHTSA complaint #11457981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesCalifornia, KYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
RE: 2016 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE WITH 56,000 MILES FEB. 2, 2021, I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM RUNNING ERRANDS , PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND PER MY NORMAL ROUTINE, ROLLED JUST PAST THE GARAGE DOOR OPENING IN ORDER TO BACK INTO THE GARAGE. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO FULL THROTTLE AND JUMPED ABOUT 10 OR 12 FEET, SIDESWIPED A TREE AT THE CURVE IN THE DRIVE AND TOOK OUT A 4X4 POST HOLDING MY BIRDFEEDER. I CONTINUED APPLYING THE BRAKE BUT COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. BY STEERING, I WAS ABLE TO MISS ANOTHER TREE AND DROVE INTO THE BACK YARD. THE CAR WAS HEADED TOWARD THE BARN ABOUT 50 YARDS AWAY, BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I HIT THE TREE, AND I WAS NOT INJURED. AS THIS WAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WITH NO DAMAGE EXCEPT TO THE CAR, A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. DID $12,000+ IN DAMAGES PLUS 4 WKS TO FIX. THE CHEVY DEALER FROM WHOM THE CAR WAS PURCHASED SAID THEY WOULD HAVE SOMEONE FROM GM TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC. THAT WAS 2 WKS AGO AND THEY STILL HAVE MY CAR BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING AS OF YET.
NHTSA complaint #11407714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Ripon, CA
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that four local dealers were contacted. The contact was informed that parts were on back order. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure associated with the unrepaired recall repair.
NHTSA complaint #11752464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murfreesboro, TN
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle only has 145,xxx miles and I experience a "shudder" which could be caused by torque converter issues, often felt at highway speeds (approx. 40-60 mph).
NHTSA complaint #11733800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lighthouse Point, FL
AIR BAGS
There is an open recall on my 2016 Chevrolet Traverse that I have been trying to get resolved for almost 2 years. I finally opened a case with GM (#{XXX]) back on February 15, 2026 in an effort to escalate the repair. I received a call from a GM rep who has been less than helpful telling me the recall was completed in February of 2024 at a dealership in South Carolina. I explained to him that my vehicle is housed in Florida and has never been to South Carolina. It is clear he is not interested in finding a resolution to my issue. He calls once a week to inform me he's working on it and will get back to me next week. This has been going on for a month. My grandchildren are often passengers in this vehicle and I have major concerns for their safety. It should not take 2 years to get this issue resolved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11723198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuskegee, AL
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (AIR BAGS) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
NHTSA complaint #11720675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountain Top, PA
POWER TRAIN
the transmission lost power and almost caused an accident with the vehicle behind me
NHTSA complaint #11714092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Schenectady, NY
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed that parts were in the warehouse, but no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11711165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hanover Park, IL
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was made aware of the issue and stated that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that a call would be received when parts became available; however, the contact had not yet received a call. 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.
NHTSA complaint #11699825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loveland, CO
POWER TRAIN
Transmission solenoid. Common. Needs to be reported. Its know as the week link to this vehicle. The manufacturer knows and there are many complaints. This vehicle needs to be recalled. Safety concern while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11698126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesCerro Gordo, NC
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was retrieved from a dealer after a recall regarding the air bags; however, while driving approximately 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact stated that the Stability Control warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to the dealer, and the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle remained with the dealer for 2 months and the dealer attempted to perform the air bag recall again. The contact stated that later, when the vehicle was picked up, while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Stability Control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lunged forward while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to another dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and had referred the contact to the second dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11692570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesCerro Gordo, NC
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was retrieved from a dealer after a recall regarding the air bags; however, while driving approximately 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact stated that the Stability Control warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to the dealer, and the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle remained with the dealer for 2 months and the dealer attempted to perform the air bag recall again. The contact stated that later, when the vehicle was picked up, while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Stability Control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lunged forward while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to another dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and had referred the contact to the second dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11692570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesCerro Gordo, NC
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was retrieved from a dealer after a recall regarding the air bags; however, while driving approximately 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact stated that the Stability Control warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to the dealer, and the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle remained with the dealer for 2 months and the dealer attempted to perform the air bag recall again. The contact stated that later, when the vehicle was picked up, while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Stability Control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lunged forward while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to another dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and had referred the contact to the second dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11692570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waukee, IA
AIR BAGS
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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were on backorder. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11670703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port St. Lucie, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Front lights started dimming about the middle of April 2025 and now both back lights are out at the same time on June 3rd 2025.The car makes a rough grinding noise as it switches gears.
NHTSA complaint #11664763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Orion, MI
AIR BAGS
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 experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11654700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
AIR BAGS
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 experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11654498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartford, WI
POWER TRAIN
I had to replace the timing chain. I had to replace the Torque Converter. New issues: Interior lights on the dash and radio have been going out while driving. Message center warning has been not working sometimes when using remote start in winter. Sometimes it just goes blank while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11651715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartford, WI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I had to replace the timing chain. I had to replace the Torque Converter. New issues: Interior lights on the dash and radio have been going out while driving. Message center warning has been not working sometimes when using remote start in winter. Sometimes it just goes blank while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11651715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartford, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I had to replace the timing chain. I had to replace the Torque Converter. New issues: Interior lights on the dash and radio have been going out while driving. Message center warning has been not working sometimes when using remote start in winter. Sometimes it just goes blank while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11651715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington Heights, IL
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
The blindspot modules are put behind the wheel well in the bumper exposed to the elements. Water gets in these modules and cause them to swell and fail. Each module is sold at the dealer for $340 a piece and gm recommends you replace both along with the wiring harness. This job if done at the dealer is costing consumers $1300-$1600. If you replace the modules yourself then the dealer charges you a programming fee of $195-$215 in my area. This is a design flaw and other GM vehicles like the Acadia have a recall. Why doesn’t the Chevrolet Traverse have the same?
NHTSA complaint #11646890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weymouth, MA
AIR BAGS
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 dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11644819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, IL
AIR BAGS
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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11642749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wixom, MI
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were 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. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11640329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paige, TX
AIR BAGS
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 unavailable. 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. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11637998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marion, OH
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11632583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marion, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11632583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.