2009 Chevrolet Traverse
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 448 |
| 2010 | 668 |
| 2011 | 608 |
| 2012 | 354 |
| 2013 | 161 |
| 2014 | 547 |
| 2015 | 312 |
| 2016 | 290 |
| 2017 | 358 |
| 2018 | 451 |
| 2019 | 395 |
| 2020 | 212 |
| 2021 | 85 |
| 2022 | 91 |
| 2023 | 82 |
| 2024 | 123 |
| 2025 | 167 |
| 2026 | 17 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
51% of complaints: steering — 229 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHEN I FINALLY GOT THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOOSEN AND MOVE BACK INTO PLACE I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120920
12% of complaints: power train — 54 distinct reports on file.
CRASH11% of complaints: engine — 50 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Limp mode. It doesn't have speed only goes about 10-20 mph, doesn't give any gas it'll stall act as if it wants to shut down. Transmission Shift Cable. Stalls want let me get gas or nothing slowing down in traffic, it just gives up. No. yes.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260118
I just bought the car from sb auto . The car I had for 4 days wasn't making funny nosies nothing. The timing went when I was driving the car it came to a dead stop lost power steering .
NHTSA ODI report, 20240125
8% of complaints: electrical system — 36 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE TRUNK DOOR CLOSED DOWN ON ME AND THE SENSOR DID NOT SEND A SIGNAL TO MAKE THE DOOR GO BACK UP. I WAS PINNED DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND HAD TO PULL MYSELF OUT VERY QUICKLY, BUT NOT WITHOUT MINOR INJURY TO THE BACK OF MY LEFT ARM.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180810
6% of complaints: air bags — 26 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, CRASHED INTO A HIGHWAY BARRIER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130305
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND THE VEHICLE CRASH INTO THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20110107
SAFETY TIMELINE
GM IS RECALLING 16,667 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209,
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROWS, AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET
Campaign 08V615000 — check if this car was fixed
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO C
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP IS FULLY ENGAGED. IN THE EVENT THAT THE CLIP DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE SHIFT CABLE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPE
Campaign 09V073000 — check if this car was fixed
GM IS RECALLING 15,393 MY 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE PARK BRAKE CABLE LINK (CONNECTOR) FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT THE DEALER BULLETIN WILL BE SENT MAY 5, 2009 AND OWNER LETTERS WILL BE MAILED IN JUNE 2009. OWNERS M
Campaign 09V153000 — check if this car was fixed
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE E
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEE
Campaign 10V240000 — check if this car was fixed
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELDS. IF A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT
Campaign 10V375000 — check if this car was fixed
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014.
Campaign 14V118000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured...
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014.
Campaign 14V266000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016.
Campaign 15V415000 — check if this car was fixed
Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2009 Chevrolet Traverse — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (229 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (54 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (50 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 08V615000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V073000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V153000 (parking brake) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V240000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V375000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V118000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V266000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V415000 (structure) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 51% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.