AI Damage2018 Chevrolet Traverse: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse filed 464 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 695 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 464
- involving a crash
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 695
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 42% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 18% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 3% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 3% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 196 complaints (42% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 83.
- Electrical system: 102 complaints (22% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 141.
- Engine: 85 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 69.
- Service brakes: 37 complaints (8% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 30 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 9-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 464 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 196 | 1 | 83 |
| Electrical system | 102 | 1 | 141 |
| Engine | 85 | 1 | 69 |
| Service brakes | 37 | 3 | 28 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 30 | 0 | 4 |
| Engine and cooling | 16 | 0 | 101 |
| Steering | 14 | 0 | 16 |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 0 | 10 |
| Structure | 11 | 0 | 38 |
| Seat belts | 11 | 0 | 3 |
| Suspension | 10 | 0 | 18 |
| Fuel system | 8 | 0 | 24 |
| Electronic stability control | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 1 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not destroyed. The local dealer was contacted, however the vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
The vehicle has approximately 40,000 miles on it and has had (1) previous service by a dealer for transmission slippage from 1st to 2nd gear.
Traffic came to a stop on the interstate and I ended up rear ending a car which caused the following damage: engine was ripped from motor mounts and shoved into firewall, cracked engine block, whole front end of car was damaged including side fenders and drivers door unable to open smoothly, crushed a/c compressor,…
Vehicle went to move forward and turn left and it shut off and rolled backwards down the steep hill. Wheel could not be turned, brakes could not be pressed, when gas was pressed it did not go forward, it rolled backwards it was like it shut off after being in auto stop mode.
Consumer writes in regard to after getting into a minor accident the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
While driving 70 mph and attempting to change lanes, the blind spot detection system failed to operate as intended. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle.
My wife had a seat belt on but was still injured. . Also on star never came on. An investigator from gm was here today,and said I should get a copy of his report.
While driving at 5–8 MPH, the transmission slipped. After coming to a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate for five seconds before jumping forward 3–5 feet. Several unknown warning lights briefly illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond while in reverse(R).
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 113 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 5% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Traverse has 196 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 464, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
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 695 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 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 464. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (17%), jerking, harsh shifts (10%), stalls while driving (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA lists 695 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 2018 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 2018 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.