901 of the
7,917 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Traverse
are about the transmission —
11% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2018.
901
Complaints
11%
Share of all complaints
16
Crashes
5
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
Transmission shutters at lower gear going from 20-30 mph approximately and at the speed of 60-70 mph. When this happens it causes a delay in acceleration and for the whole car to shake. This was also noted by my mechanic even after changing transmission fluid and had concerns for the safety if it was to completely disrupt the transmission causing an accident. I was advised to check for recall since a lot of these makes and models have been having this issue. The SUV only has about 64,000 miles on it and has had all of its routine maintenance done regularly. I have only had it in my possession for 6 moths. No engine lights on. I do a lot of highway driving and I am concerned that this issue will possibly cause an accident. Ameritech Tire and Auto at 304-229-8924, Inwood, WV. August 12, 2026 was date of service.
NHTSA complaint #11758560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
electrical, drivetrain, powertrain. While driving the vehicle a message popped up on the speedometer saying service battery chargeing system and battery saver mode. the is the second time that those messages have come up in the four years of ownership with the first time being in 2024. The second issue we have had with this vehicle was injectors going bad and causing a bad misfire making driveability rough. We have gone through three O2 sensors in the past 4 years. we have replaced the alternator and are fixing to replace it again. the driverside axle seal leaked. transmission slips bad. there is a current random misfire. Back in may of 2025 we were driving to Florida from missouri and had to slam on the brakes and when we released the brake the car refused to move and when i pressed the gas harder there was a loud bang like we had been hit but it was like the brakes had locked up completely. It shudders bad when starting. Two months ago the steering locked up while driving. Vehicle has been inspected several times by the dealer we bought it from but driving this vehicle is becoming my families worst nightmare.
NHTSA complaint #11755713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an odor of rotten eggs inside the vehicle. The odor was discovered to be Hydrogen Sulfide that was entering the cabin of the vehicle from the overcharged batteries. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed with PCM failure. That contact stated that the failure caused rough shifting and a loss of control voltage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.
NHTSA complaint #11755493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car wouldn’t move in Reverse, I’d give it gas and it would just rev. It would drive forward but very sluggish. Brought to 2 different mechanics and they both said I need to replace the transmission. Car has 97,500 miles on it. This is a known issue with these vehicles. The transmission ship had another traverse and a GMC Acadia in it for the same exact issue.
NHTSA complaint #11755241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping and there was a delay while the transmission was shifting gears. The vehicle was sputtering and jerking while driving. While turning out of a driveway and driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was contacted and informed that there was no recall on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but referred the owner back to the local dealer for assistance. There was no additional assistance provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150,970.
NHTSA complaint #11753792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My transmission is said to be failing. I plan to get it looked at again this week. Safety of me and my two children are at risk when driving. The car shakes and could lose control. An independent I tried reporting it to my insurance but they told me to go to a mechanic and they won’t do anything to help me. There are no warning signals or lights or anything. It just started shaking and it’s scary to drive. I was told by an independent mechanic that it is my transmission. There was a recall in 2020 for transmission and he thinks it was never fixed and that’s most likely the issue. I have not gotten it fixed yet. It’s sitting in my driveway because I’m scared to drive my kids in it and it’s too expensive. So we had to get a rental car.
NHTSA complaint #11752996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving, the vehicle suddenly began jerking very hard during acceleration and shifting. The Check Engine Light illuminated, and the vehicle became unsafe to drive because the transmission was not operating normally. I was concerned that the vehicle could suddenly lose power or fail while driving in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash. I took the vehicle to a Chevrolet dealership for diagnosis. The dealer found the transmission fluid was burned and diagnosed transmission trouble codes P0797 and P0700, indicating an internal transmission problem. Transmission .PDF Before the failure, I experienced harsh shifting and jerking that became progressively worse until the warning light came on. The problem has been confirmed by a Chevrolet dealership. The failed transmission is available for inspection upon request. I am submitting this complaint because I believe this transmission failed prematurely at approximately 68,933 miles. I am concerned that other owners may experience the same failure, creating a serious safety risk if the transmission loses power or fails while the vehicle is in motion.
NHTSA complaint #11752765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2020 Chevy Traverse with currently 16,000 miles. I am currently dealing with a know shudder issue that has returned. I have already taken the vehicle under warranty to the dealership where the transmission was replaced on 6/29/2022 at 4919 miles for “catastrophic failure” where the fluids were dark, burnt, and several burnt up clutches. Then the torque converter was replaced separately on 9/20/2022 at 8106 miles for engine shudder. Took the vehicle again in on 7/21/26 for shudder returning at 16,450k miles where diagnostic shows dark, burnt fluid, with metal debri. Repair recommendations are to flush again and if not fixed to again replace the torque converter. There are no open recalls on my vehicle when there should. There is the most recent bulletin, Bulletin No.: 23-NA-072 dated May 2023 that covers the 2020 Chevy Traverse for TCC Shudder: (Typically seen on 4th-5th Upshift as ISS Oscillation) which is referenced on my last car diagnostic report. This car is basically brand new and should never have needed a brand new transmission, torque converter replacement and still having shudder problems. These vehicles need to be recalled for their power train.
NHTSA complaint #11752600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car WILL not register that it is in park even though the dash says it’s in P and my gear shift is pushed all the way up in the park gear. It has taken hours some days for it to finally acknowledge that it is indeed in the park gear. I do NOT have time for that! And if it gets to the point where I have a dead battery because I didn’t “shift to park”, Chevrolet WILL be paying for it. This is insane and apparently has been an ongoing issue for a decade! FIX IT!
NHTSA complaint #11752521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P); however, the “Shift to Park” message was displayed. The contact shifted the gear shifter back and forth and then shifted into park(P) before the proper gear was recognized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the gear shifter. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,818.
NHTSA complaint #11752199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced hard shifting. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was examined, and the contact was informed that the transmission or the transmission valve body had failed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in an extended warranty coverage related to the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11749502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front passenger tire was losing air, on the way to bring it to tire shop dashboard displayed tire pressure sensor, power steering system, TCM notification, Electronic brake control. Got it to the tire shop bought a new tire and they did a diagnostic test it showed TCM passed and failed, lost communication with power steering passed and failed, lost communication with inflatable restraint passed and failed. Once tire was replaced vehicle was jerking with TCM notification coming on and off like the vehicle was sliding.
NHTSA complaint #11749157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
After turning the car on, engaging reverse, and then retuning back to park (driver stepped out of vehicle once in park) the vehicle reversed 60 feet on its on through a parking lot with 2 children inside of the car (disengaged from park on its own while vehicle was running). The vehicle was ultimately stopped by a tree with damage to the tailgate and rear. The gear shift selector remained in park for the entire incident. A claim was filed with GM and the Traverse was initially labeled as a “intermittent failure” in my May 2026 claim interview. Post GM inspection, the vehicle is now deemed “operational” (no repairs from GM) and being returned to my family as of July 2026.
NHTSA complaint #11749046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2020 Chevy Traverse with currently 16,000 miles. I am currently dealing with a know shudder issue that has returned. I have already taken the vehicle under warranty to the dealership where the transmission was replaced on 6/29/2022 at 4919 miles then the torque converter was replaced separately on 9/20/2022 at 8106 miles for engine shudder. This vehicle is practically brand new. I reached out to GM with no help other than to pay to have it diagnosed again at the dealership. There are no open recalls on my vehicle when there should. There is the most recent bulletin, Bulletin No.: 23-NA-072 dated May 2023 that covers the 2020 Chevy Traverse for TCC Shudder: (Typically seen on 4th-5th Upshift as ISS Oscillation) This car is brand new and should never have needed a brand new transmission, torque converter replacement and still having the exact same problems as before.
NHTSA complaint #11748672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving down a neighborhood road and my car suddenly slammed to a stop, forcing my chest into the steering wheel and throwing my dog from the backseat into the back of the passenger seat. We had it towed to a local shop and they reported the solenoid inside the transmission has failed. This is a two year old vehicle with less than 100k miles on it. Luckily, I was in a neighborhood going less than 50 mph and did not have my children in the car with me. Other than some soreness, my dog and I are fine. This could have been a lot worse and caused more serious injuries. I would like this reviewed for a recall and contacted as to why there were no warnings from the vehicle prior to this failing. If I had been going any faster or driving on a busy road, this could have put the lives of my children at risk.
NHTSA complaint #11748139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.