10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 70,627 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle lost power and the battery was completely drained. All the lights on the instrument panel illuminated. Also, while the vehicle was parked, it started to roll away. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the vehicle was working up to standards. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 1/13/15 updated 9/6/2017
- Hammonton, NJ, USA
My 2009 Traverse lost its power steering while we were driving it. We didn't get into an accident but almost did. That same day I received a letter from GM stating that my 2009 Traverse may or may not have powersteering issues. After bringing it to the dealer they informed me that the rack and pinion was also leaking and the cost of the fix was 900 bucks with tax. Why was the rack and pinion not covered, it seems like it the cause of the powersteering issues.
- Cranford , NJ, USA
Transmission felt like it was slipping in various gears, sometimes at start and others between higher gears. Onstar reported misfire.taken to dealership for diagnostics, codes P 0300,01,02,03,04,05,0011 & 0014. Advised engine oil was low enough, even though no leaks, causing cam actuators and solenoids to rattle and set up misfires. Was due for routine service anyway. This was said to cause what felt like the transmission slipping. Now, week of 10/13-18/2014, same symptoms only getting worse. Car taken to a respected transmission shop locally for diagnostics and being told transmission needs replaced. Transmission was serviced at 62,951 miles on 05/25/2012. Vehicle always serviced at dealership.
- Arlington, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph with the cruise control activated, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and the engine RPM's increased to 6000. The vehicle was restarted and the vehicle failed to accelerate over 20 mph. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that metal particles were discovered inside the transmission fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
- Carterville, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the drive but would not move to another gear after depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact turned the vehicle off and back on and the contact was able to drive but could not accelerate past 10 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the defect but no solution was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 90,000.
- Huger, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was in drive but would not move after depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact turned the engine off and back on and the vehicle began to move but would not accelerate past 10 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 90,000.
- Huger, SC, USA
I called to make an appt. For an air bag recall when it started slipping out of drive while driving. I could not get one for five days. I was told not to worry it would be fine. I barely made it to the dealership, reverse was gone and I had to drive slow and drop it into low, when it would slip out of gear I just prayed the guy behind me would not rear end me. They told me that this was also on recall and they would fix it for free. The next day they called and told me I would have to pay $6000 for a new transmission, when I told them I wasn't paying anything he said he would talk to GM again. Then he called and said it was $4000! I told him again I wasn't paying anything and he said he would talk to his general manager. Then he called and said the general manger would override GM and only charge me a $500 recall deductible. This is crazy!! this car has had numerous recalls, timing chain, air bags, faulty seat belts, heated washer fluid mechanism causing fires, and now this. The last recall I took it in for they informed me that the master cylinder is leaking into the power brake booster and want $600 to fix that. He told me to drive it until the brake light came on and fix it then! this model also rolls in the opposite direction of the gear it is in. I have been told it is a "feature" of this model. I have searched on line and found several complaints about this for other 2009 Traverse's. some state that it is a "characteristic" of this model. The truth is it is a flaw. It can't be fixed and they don't want to recall the vehicle. They gave me a loaner that is a 2013 Traverse and it doesn't do it. I have to drive mine like it is a straight drive. I live in the mountains and if I stop on a hill I have to leave my foot on the brake and give it gas before I take my foot off or else I roll into the car behind me. This car is a lemon, something needs to be done.
- Rosman , NC, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph the transmission failed to operate with the illumination of the engine warning indicator. The rpms began to reduce and a popping noise also emitted from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The transmission was replaced. The failure recurred nine times. Two days after the repair was performed the water pump was replaced by the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 9,982.
- Longview, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse with hand-controlled mobility equipment. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle was hesitant to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and also to the mobility equipment mechanic. Neither technician was able to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
- Titusville, NJ, USA
The vehicle always roll backs when you are stopped on a slope when you put the car in park. This happens to all the time. The slope is not very steep and other cars I have do not have this problem. I have taken it to several Chevy dealers and they say that there is no problem and the vehicle is working normally. The problem has been happening from the day I bought the vehicle. Several times people have gotten out of the car and have gotten knocked over by the door when the vehicle rolls backwards on a slope.
- Menifee, CA, USA
1st. My wife was pulling out of a parking spot and had to stop quickly, then when she proceeded to leave again by letting off the brake - the car rolled forward on a slight incline and hit the car parked next to her. When she removed her foot to the gas - nothing she could do to prevent this incident. 2nd. While in the drive position on a hill at a stop sign or traffic signal, I removed my foot from the brake. The vehicle began to roll back almost hitting the vehicle behind me. We further tested the vehicle on various hills/inclines both in drive and reverse and it continued to roll in the opposite direction of the engaged gear. Apparently, this is a characteristic of the automatic transmission on this vehicle, the service consultant at courtesy Chevrolet of orlando, said this is a flaw in the power train and theirs no known fix. He advised us not to drive it to the mountains if it were him. Since our SUV is for my vacations and primary use, we are very concerned for our safety. We can't afford another vehicle since we had saved up for the down payment for this car. I saw there are a lot of complains of the same case, it was mentioned until someone dies and/or the family files a lawsuit - no recall or action will be done to fix this! please help in address this issue. I set up a facebook page to address this concern: www.facebook.com/chevytraversedeathtrap.
- Apopka, FL, USA
Vehicle seems to hesitate also stalling while at highway speed trying to accelerate to pass (feels like a miss in the engine) RPM drop about 500 - 700 rpms when this happens. It also feels like the torque converter lockup is engaging and disengaging not sure if the new transmissions have that anymore. Have taken the vehicle to the dealership and they were unable to find any problems. The dealership last month reprogrammed the transmission to eliminate the hard shifting problem with a bulletin issued from Chevrolet.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
When my cruise is on and I have a steep incline to approach, once I am down the incline, the vehicle shifts from 6th gear down to 4th or 5th gear and stays there. My dealer has run diagnostics on this 4 times now, and still no answer. I have bulletin number #09-06-04-019 issued 3-23-09 and my vehicle is having all the problems listed. It is supposed to have the latest software, but it still has the problem. I have requested another vehicle as they have been working on the problem since it was 2 weeks old and it is now 6 weeks old. This happens everytime I have it on cruise on this type of incline. What other corrections have been made to repair this problem?
- Franklin, LA, USA
- Fort Gibson, OK, USA