AI Damage2016 Chevrolet Traverse: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse filed 292 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and powertrain. The maker issued 825 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 292
- involving a crash
- 8
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 825
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 56% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- 7 Electronic stability control 5% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- Air bags: 163 complaints (56% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Powertrain: 37 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 62.
- Engine: 31 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 89.
- Electrical system: 26 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 151.
- Steering: 24 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 292 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 163 | 3 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 37 | 1 | 62 |
| Engine | 31 | 1 | 89 |
| Electrical system | 26 | 0 | 151 |
| Steering | 24 | 0 | 18 |
| Vehicle speed control | 19 | 3 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control | 15 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 0 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 3 | 16 |
| Wheels | 5 | 0 | 46 |
| Structure | 5 | 1 | 30 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 | 23 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| Lane departure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
2: The very Next morning, The traction control light came on saying service the stabilitrak, traction control. The car ins denied it was from car accident. When The traction control light comes on the dashboard, by itself) it causes the car to automatically brake when accelerating whenever it chooses to come on…
The airbags did not deploy allowing the driver to hit her head on the window of the vehicle causing her head trauma. In Oct of 2021 The same vehicle hit a 200 pound dear head on at 65mph and destroyed the front end and the air bags did not deploy then either.
The air bags did not deploy when I hit the tree, and I was not injured. As this was on private property with no damage except to the car, a police report was not filed. Did $12,000+ in damages plus 4 wks to fix. The chevy dealer from whom the car was purchased said they would have someone from gm to run a diagnostic.
Since then I have put 2 power steering pumps in, and had it st the shop for several times that it had said about servicib srabilitrak. I have read over 300 hrs of complaints gaving the same issue with the stabilitrsk. I have also replaced speed sensors and modules.
The insurance companies are handling it, but I told both my insurance company and enterprise that I thought the traverse had surged. I did eventually drive the vehicle back home (avoiding reverse as much as possible), and noticed when the car was in cruise control mode that same surge-feeling in drive when going up a…
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 chevrolet traverse. While driving at various speeds, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another motorist. As a result, the front and third row seats became detached. The contact was not sure whether or not the air bags deployed or if a police report was filed.
When I drive the vehicle to accelerate it shakes, jerks and shudders, and then it rides fine for a bit but the Traction Control is still off. I also noticed that the cruise control doesn't work either. I decided to wait a few more days hoping it would clear out, which it did for a day but the problem returned.
The vehicle only has 145,xxx miles and I experience a "shudder" which could be caused by torque converter issues, often felt at highway speeds (approx. 40-60 mph).
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 215 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 10% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Traverse has 196 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 292, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
- This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000…
This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
NHTSA lists 825 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, powertrain, engine. Total complaints: 292. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (12%), steering or power steering problems (8%), loss of power / limp mode (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA lists 825 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.