47 of the
7,917 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Traverse
are about the seats —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2012.
The internal structural frame or track assembly of the driver side passenger seat has suffered a mechanical failure, causing severe, high-frequency metal chattering while the vehicle is in motion. The failure persists even with a passenger buckled into the seat. Because the seat frame serves as the structural anchor for both the seatbelt restraint system and the side-impact airbags, an un-diagnosed internal fracture poses a direct risk to occupant safety in the even of a collision. Videos of the issue are available.
NHTSA complaint #11738974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2024 Traverse was delivered with defective third-row seat headrests that do not return to their normal upright position after being folded, compromising passenger head and neck protection in a collision. On October 28, 2025, the vehicle developed a coolant leak confirmed by the dealer, but repairs have been delayed due to a national parts backorder, creating a risk of engine overheating or sudden breakdown while driving. Additionally, the front brakes began squeaking excessively about one year into my ownership, and the brake pad wear sensor shows only 18% life remaining at 18,454 miles, which raises concerns about reduced braking efficiency and increased stopping distance. All issues have been reported to an authorized dealer and remain unresolved except for the third-row headrests. These conditions pose significant safety risks to occupants and other road users.
NHTSA complaint #11703122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When a lighter driver is operating the vehicle the seat will move and make a clicking noice causing a safety concern when the vehicle accelerates or stops. This happens only when a lighter driver is operating the vehicle with a weight of around 160 lbs. it does not have the same issue with heavier drivers but does cause concern for the safety of the vehicle in the event something were to happen when operating the vehicle. Have taken to dealership twice with no resolution. Those that were testing the safety of the vehicle were larger than the person who normally operates the vehicle experiencing the problem and no resolution was provided after both of the visits to the dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11679361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Since June of 2024 my 3rd row seats will not let down. Problem when you pull tether strap it will not release the seat to allow it to fold down. I am not able to use my third row at all. I informed Maxie Price Chevorlet about the issue. I called GM and they have no clue about a recall. I bought a brand new vehicle and can not use it for the reason I bought it for!
NHTSA complaint #11644753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that after lifting the third-row driver’s side seat from the down position, the head restraint remained in the folded position and could not be adjusted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 240.
NHTSA complaint #11629710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The left (driver) side third row seat in 2024 Chevy Traverse is unsafe for a passenger to use due to a defect in the head restraint. The vehicle’s third-row seatbacks can be folded down to increase the cargo area. The head restraints are supposed to automatically fold out of the way as each seat is folded down so as not to interfere with the second-row seats. Also, per the owner’s manual, “the head restraint can be folded down to allow for better visibility when the rear seat is unoccupied.” Upon returning the seatbacks to the upright position for passenger use, it is required to manually return the lowered head restraints to the upright position. Per the owner’s manual, “when an occupant is in the seat, always return the head restraint to the upright position. Pull the head restraint up and push it rearward until it locks into place. Push and pull in the head restraint to make sure that it is locked.” Upon lowering and raising the third-row seats of my All New 2024 Chevy Traverse, shortly after taking delivery on 15 August 2024, I discovered that upon raising the seatbacks to the upright position the head restraint of the left-hand seat will NOT reset and lock to the upright traveling position, thus making it unsafe for passenger use. Also, upon lowering the right-hand seat, the head restraint of the right-hand seat does not fold down, as required, to avoid interference with the right-hand second row seat or to allow for better visibility when the rear seat is unoccupied. Upon taking the vehicle to the selling dealer’s service department on 4 SEP 2024 to report the defect, they initially claimed surprise at the defects. Upon further online research, I learned that Chevy was aware of the head restraint issues with the “All New 2024 Traverse” as early as June 7, 2024, as evidenced by their Bulletin number PIT6184A, which the dealer acknowledged as having been received, even though they continue to sell the All New 2024 Traverse with these safety defects.
NHTSA complaint #11629719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The third row headrests will not fold down. This is not allowing the third row seats to be folded down. Straps are pulled, but headrests do not go down.
NHTSA complaint #11623232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact discovered that the front driver side curtain air bag cover panel was loose and unsecured. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the front driver’s side curtain air bag had partially deployed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been involved in a crash to cause the partial deployment of the air bag. Additionally, the front passenger’s seat occupant detection sensor had failed causing the air bag warning light to remain illuminated. In addition, the front driver’s seat rails had malfunctioned, and the seat continued to move while driving the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11615652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
3rd row headrest will not go down when straps are pulled to put the seat down. This prevents the 3rd row from being able to be put down. Summit white paint chipping/peeling within 2 weeks of ownership. Normal driving, no gravel. Under 1,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11598972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Second row seat belt is stuck in the seat adjustment lever arm. Causes passengers or children to ride home without seat belts. The belt locks up and can not be freed from the adjuster arm
NHTSA complaint #11577874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I took it in to have the recall fixed, they told me they couldn't fix it, that I should not drive it, do not let a passenger ride in the front, they are having an issue they haven't encounterd with the other traversese he contacted somone to find out what to do and as soon as they get a letter he will let me know. I asked if it was safe to drive the look on his face was absolutely not, to just park it, and borrow or rent one, I do not have the money to do this, he said that I should be very very careful not to do anything to set off the airbag and only drive it if there is no other option, I made it clear there was not. I have had 5 close calls that could have set it off a few,inches were how close it was the last one someone almost hit me . I have a daughter I have to take to and from school the busses don't come out where we live. I just want it fixed,
NHTSA complaint #11548132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
For several years now, when someone sits on the front passenger seat, the airbag light will intermittently come on. It also comes on if the person gets out of the seat. I took the vehicle to a dealership and they charged me over $100 to diagnose, and said the cable was loose and they fixed it. The next day it started doing this same thing again, but it doesn't happen when the dealer looks at the vehicle to replicate and fix the issue.
NHTSA complaint #11545273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was in a collision at 60 mph and flipped through the air without hitting the roof and landed on my wheels. I had a car doing 80 lost control as he was passing me sideways and into my lane. The front on the car was completely unrecognizable z no side impact or sudden stop.
NHTSA complaint #11512868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Service Restraint System and Air Bag lights come on intermittently while driving my 2022 Chevrolet Traverse. According to the Stonebriar Chevrolet dealer in Frisco, TX, the airbags will not deploy if the vehicle is in accident while the light is on. The dealership said they believe there is a wire harness routed in the drivers seat that is pulled too tight and needs to be to rerouted, but they did not have the time to fix the issue that day.
NHTSA complaint #11484932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I reached between the driver seat and center console to retrieve my keys. When I pulled my hand back up something on the seat sliced my hand open and I needed 5 stitches. After looking closely at both the front seats (driver and passenger) there is a very sharp piece between the seat and console on both seats. Chevrolet corporate was contacted and they said to take it to a dealer so it doesn’t happen again. My vehicle is scheduled to be inspected by a dealer on 12/08/21. 1. Sharp piece on seat and yes it’s available for inspection 2. Hand was cut when reaching between seat and center console resulting in 5 stitches. 3. Chevy corporate said thanks for letting them know and advised taking it to a dealer so it “doesn’t happen again.” The local dealer scheduled me for an inspection but did not say whether or not this is something they’ve heard before. 4. The vehicle will be inspected by a dealer on 12/08/21 (the soonest they had available). 5. No warnings/messages prior to incident
NHTSA complaint #11441817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In an accident yesterday where the car was rear ended on the back passenger side while on the highway. The drivers seat reclined back during the crash. Pictures to be attached
NHTSA complaint #11419847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER REPLACING EVERY CODE THROWN AT ME ON MY 2012 TRAVERSE, IT CONTINUES TO SIT IN MY DRIVEWAY UN-WORKING. LAST TIME I HAD IT "REPAIRED", WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE MECHANIC, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSING POWER WITH LIGHTS VISIBLY DIMMING. I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE BATTERY CABLES. IT WAS WORKING FINE. I GET BACK IN THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME AND THE TRACTION CONTROL STARTED TOGGLING ON AND OFF AND A CHECK AIR BACK MESSAGE CAME UP. JUST THEN I STARTED FEELING LIKE I WAS BEING SHOCKED BY MY DRIVER SEAT!!! SINCE THE DEALERSHIP OR PRIVATEECHAMICS CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT, I HAD A FRIEND GET ME ALL THE INFORMATION ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS ZERO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE BUT I FOUND A RECALL FOR THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS AND ALSO UNDER THE DASH, CALLING TO REPLACE AND SPLICE THOSE WIRES. MY VEHICLE HAS THE YELLOW HARNESS THAT WAS RECALLED BUY THE DEALERSHIP SAYS MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. IT'S BEEN 2 YEARSSINCE ALL THIS HAS BEGUN AND THAT I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A RELIABLE VEHICLE. (MY EX WHO CO-SIGNED BUT DID NOY PAY FOR IT, REFUSES TO SIGN THE TITLE OVER). JUST SAVE YOURSELF THE HEADACHE AND BUY NON GM. YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS SO UNSAFE TO IT'S CUSTOMERS. ELECTRICAL FAULTS, ENGINE FAULTS CAUSING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING FULL SPEED (WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE VEHICLE), AND FUEL PRESSURE ISSUES LEAVING ME STRANDED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHICH EVEN HELPED LEAD TO A JOB LOSS. THIS VEHICLE HAS PUT OUR SAFETY AND LIVELIHOOD IN JEOPARDY ONE TOO MANY TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #11399114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GOT IN A 50 MPH ACCIDENT FRONT PASSENGER. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR WITH ONLY 6200 MILES. HAS AIRBAGS EVERYWHERE. THE HIGHWAY PATROL AND MYSELF CANNOT BELIEVE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11398735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.