For approximately six months, the Traverse would periodically run rough and had horrible gas mileage. I thought it was the winter blend gas causing the low power, response and poor gas mileage. I added some injection cleaner and it seemed to help momentarily. On start up, the engine ran rough and at a high RPM. I began noticing it would not shift to a higher gear driving at 65-80 mph on the freeway until after several minutes. During the entire six months, the engine light never activated indicating something was wrong. I then figured it needed a tune up since it just hit 100,000. I replaced the spark plugs, air filter and oil change with full synthetic. It ran much better for maybe a couple of weeks.

I have only used full synthetic oil since I purchased it in 2010 with 7,000 miles. I changed to oil between 3,000 to 5,000 miles regularly. At the beginning of July 2019, at just over 108,400 miles, the engine light illuminated. The code read P0008, which indicated a timing issue. Commonly indicating a stretched timing chain. Looking online, all the symptoms I was experiencing were indicators of a bad timing chain. The engine light was on for a day and then went off. I drove it one time after it went off, and it came back on. I then did not drive it for almost three weeks knowing there was a strong possibility of blowing the engine based on other peoples experiences.

I finally was going to take it to the dealership and reconnected the battery. I attempted to start it and no go. The engine jumped violently and then just a loud humming sound. Sure enough, the dealership took it apart and confirmed the timing chain had slipped causing the engine to blow. Almost $6,800 later, I have a re-manufactured engine that comes with a 3 year, 100,000 mile warranty. No doubt an engine from a previous timing chain failure. Not only that, my perfectly working air conditioner is having problems now. Lucky for me, the dealership attached a coupon for an Air Conditioning Service to my invoice. Talk about shady. The service manager even stated they are aware the Traverse three timing chain system is a problem and maintaining the oil level is critical. Now they tell me....

So basically now that my Traverse is older and burned oil quicker, I am supposed to check the oil daily to make sure it is at full capacity at all times. What a joke. What a coincidence the timing chain seems to go just past the 100,000 mile warranty mark. Then put the blame on the owner for their horrible oil driven timing chain actuators and tensioner design. I am not the smartest man, but I am pretty sure a timing chain is supposed to last a really long time, hence why they created chains to replace belts. The manual states to have the timing chain inspected at 150,000 miles. Well, mine fell way short of that. I am just very fortunate I was not driving it at the time the timing chain went.

Wish I had checked carcomplaints.com first! My 2010 Chevy Traverse with 85K miles had been randomly not changing gears, typically had the issue while I was driving in traffic at relatively low speeds. It fixes itself if you pull over and put into park, or if you shift into low gear and then back into first. Took it in for service at my local garage. They know about the timing chain stretching issue in this model and recommend replacing it for $2400. They dropped the engine and transmission, replaced the timing chain etc, and put it back together. Now they tell me its still not changing gears!! I'm waiting to hear the next shoe drop when they tell me there is something else going on too! So many people having this same timing chain issue -- I am planning to contact GM but based on other people's comments here, it looks like GM is not honoring the request for reimbursement even though they know its been a problem! Thanks to the person that listed GM Service Bulletins 10287C and 11340A from 2012 that detail this problem. Who wants to help me fight this?!