75 of the 7,917 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Traverse are about the lighting — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2018.
75
Complaints
1%
Share of all complaints
3
Crashes
2
Fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Onstar Module not working/backorder
NHTSA complaint #11734330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Vehicle: 2025 Chevrolet Traverse On [XXX] at approximately [XXX], while driving south on [XXX] , my vehicle suddenly shut off without warning resulting in a complete electrical failure. During this event, I lost the ability to accelerate, activate hazard lights, unlock doors, open or close windows, or use the OnStar system. The vehicle restarted briefly but then shut off two additional times before I could safely move it off the road. There were no warning messages or signals prior to this incident. This created a serious and immediate safety hazard, as I was unable to alert other drivers or exit the vehicle during the failure. I am requesting a formal investigation into this issue, documentation as a safety defect, and immediate corrective action. This incident poses a significant risk to driver and passenger safety. The vehicle has been towed to the dealership it was purchased from. The problem has not been confirmed or reproduced by the service center. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11732295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Onstar Module failed causing battery to drain and no ETA on part -- from Chevy - To drive the vehicle the module is disconnected by the dealer as parasitic battery drain causes all other safety systems to fail - with module disconnected hazard lights will not work - so if situation happens where hazards are necessary to save occupants life they are not working and functioning due to care to able to function.
NHTSA complaint #11717337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle shifted into LIMP Mode, causing the vehicle to decelerate unintendedly. During the failure the headlights and the interior lights flashed and flickered, and the ABS, traction control, and several unknown messages were displayed. While depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal extended to the floor and the vehicle failed to immediately stop. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who recharged the battery and performed a software update to the Crucial Control Module. The contact stated that three weeks later the same failure had reoccurred. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,995.
NHTSA complaint #11713962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
19 Sep 2025. The headlights turn off at night while driving. With the switch in the "auto" position, I turned the switch to "off" then back to "auto" and they came back on for a short period of time. They turned off again, I turned them to "on", they came back on for a brief period. I had to keep switching the headlight switch from "on" to "off" and back to "on" every 20 to 30 seconds (estimated) to keep driving. The dealership could not schedule a diagnosis until 8 Oct 2025. This is a potentially fatal issue.
NHTSA complaint #11690705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while his daughter driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to stop at a traffic light, the vehicle lost automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the hazard lights were also inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 108,316.
NHTSA complaint #11670254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hazard warning light button was pressed. The contact stated that when the hazard warning light button was pressed again to turn off the hazard lights, the button became inoperable, and the hazard lights remained activated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the hazard light button needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #11668141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The car is equipped with an automatic light feature designed to activate in low-light conditions, such as early mornings or evenings. However, the system only triggers when it is completely dark. Even in very low sunlight, the lights do not turn on, which can be dangerous as the car may not be fully visible on highways
NHTSA complaint #11665269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
The contact's wife owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the right turn signal light illuminated and blinked intermittently. The contact's wife noticed that the rear passenger’s side brake light and signal light failed to work as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake light had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that on a separate occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and made an abnormal sound. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on 4 separate occasions. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.
NHTSA complaint #11645971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
The contact's wife owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the right turn signal light illuminated and blinked intermittently. The contact's wife noticed that the rear passenger’s side brake light and signal light failed to work as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake light had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that on a separate occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and made an abnormal sound. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on 4 separate occasions. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.
NHTSA complaint #11645971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Moisture in the rear driver side taillight ( factory issue involving faulty seal). The moisture shorts out the indicator light, and the entire unit must be replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11634051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the driver’s side taillight was blown due to water entering the taillight assembly. While driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the battery failure warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the following day while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The battery warning light remained illuminated along with the check engine warning light. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,700.
NHTSA complaint #11600573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger tail light kept getting moisture in it causing it to stop working. Local Dealer,GM,Chevrolet and 3rd party show sold out or discontinued. I have a vehicle I am paying for that I can't drive or risk getting a ticket or rear ended everytime I go to work. Item is on backorder with no date for deliveries to start.
NHTSA complaint #11592277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My drivers side quarter panel taillight has stopped working due to moisture in the light (no visible breakage on light), this was in January. This part is on continuous backorder with no ETA of coming back in stock. The light is an LED and therefore cannot replace just the bulb. I travel for work and drive through large cities and have no left turn signal or brake light which is extremally dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11587638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sunday night 4/7/24, I was on my way to the emergency department with my 5 month old baby to be seen. 30min into my drive i came to a stop light when my truck completely shut off (BLACKOUT) No Power, NO LIGHTS not even my hazard would turn on, my car wouldn't go into park or allow me to press on my breaks it was like they were glued stuck. all my doors locked and I couldn't get them to open, not even manually because of the nobs that go all the way in. I couldn't put the car into park or anything just got locked in my car and I couldn't even hit the OnStar because everything was off! I started to see cars coming from a distance so i started to panic because they were going to rear end us really bad, so i broke the driver window and went to warn drivers to please stop by putting myself at risk to get hit by a car because i didn't know what else to do, i had a 5month old baby in the back seat that would have died if I didn't pull her out and we got hit. I started to scream for help because it was dark and we were stuck. two cars came inches from rear ending us, which caused an accident between the two vehicles. thankfully a police officer was passing by and got behind my traverse to stop traffic. but if it wasn't for the cop i don't know what the outcome would have been. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE WE WOULD HAVE BURNED. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP. Why would they design a car where you cannot get out. and why did it shut off like this. ???? I NEED ANSWERS PLEASE. I'M TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY CAR AND THIS WAS A $38,000 VEHICAL THIS IS NOT OK!!!!
NHTSA complaint #11581642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My quarter panel taillight has stopped working due to moisture in the light (no visible breakage on light). This part is on continuous backorder with no ETA of coming back in stock. Dealer has ordered part but will not give a loaner car. GM acknowledged backorder but will not give rental reimbursement. I have three children I am to put in this car that does not have a left turn signal or brake light. I feel unsafe driving this car as I may be rear ended but everyone I talk to says they can't do anything. What am I to do.
NHTSA complaint #11577025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 update. Well vehicle continued to have same issues with addition of now rear view camera is going while in drive. Stereo screen gets all glitched up. Took it back and they kept it for a week and claimed they replaced stereo next day after picking it up it continues to have same issues and now my apple CarPlay doesn’t work. They claim I need WiFi to have it connected. Which is a lie it was working before they replaced stereo. I have contacted GM regarding all this. There is an open case. We have only had our traverse for 3 months. I have videos as well that my children have taken while reverse camera is going while I’m driving in drive.
NHTSA complaint #11556522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlights , especially high beams are positioned too high. High beams literally illuminate treetops without placing even one lumen of light on the surface of the road. Dealer claims lights meet manufacturer specs and won’t/can’t adjust them.
NHTSA complaint #11540622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The vehicle has a brake light over the hatch but no bottom brake lights. Replaced bulbs and fuses and brake light switch and still no brake lights. Took it to a shop and they don't know what's wrong. After getting gas I crunk car, put it in drive and car started going in reverse and front air wouldn't work either but back air did. It seems to be an electrical issue. Just got vehicle in June of 2023. The brake light issue needs attention immediately very dangerous. I've been behind an Acadia and an Equinox and noticed they don't have bottom brake lights either. The spare tire is also too low and squeaky when operating vehicle and can fall of while driving. Please fix these issues it's very dangerous and very upsetting.
NHTSA complaint #11533805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
All the dash lights go out. Very dangerous especially at night. sometimes turning on another electrical device will restore, sometimes shutting vehicle down and restarting will help. have tried covering/ cleaning light sensor, no help. just have to wait until it decides to work. started about 6 years ago. getting progressively worse. no warning lights. had independent mechanic check it, he says problem with instrument cluster. hard to tell as it was working when he looked at it. I need your support before this causes an accident.2014 Chevrolet Traverse. 69,200 miles
NHTSA complaint #11527582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.