2011 Chevrolet Traverse

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2011 Chevrolet Traverse
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2011: 608 complaints

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

ENGINE 34%

34% of complaints: engine — 204 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WE CAME TO A BRIEF STOP AT A DRIVE THROUGH LANE (APPROX. 5-10 SECONDS), HARD CRANK OF THE WHEEL LEFT, MILD ACCELERATION, TRAVELED ABOUT 15 FEET, CRANK TO RIGHT, PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140428

MY WIFE RETURNED FROM THE DEALERSHIP AFTER RECEIVING AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. SHE PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY AT THE HOUSE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES MY FAMILY GOT IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130630

Unknown

NHTSA ODI report, 20240114

STEERING 27%

27% of complaints: steering — 163 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 17%

17% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 103 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 77 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 66 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

THE HEADLIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE WIRING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED BUT RUNNING IN A DRIVEWAY. THIS CAUSED ABOUT 2000 IN DAMAGES TO THE VEHICHLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171104

NHTSA ODI report, 20130630

This vehicle is notorious for multiple electrical failures. The alternator fried the battery fried, both of which were replaced. This vehicle still wouldn't start. The wiring harness to the PCM is notorious for having shorts.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240410

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2011 — complaint volume: 608

R 20120427 — visibility

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOI

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.

Campaign 12V151000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140616 — air bags

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

R 20140711 — seat belts

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

R 20161115 — structure

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

I 20190528 — RQ (closed 20200831)

Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

I 20200831 — EA (closed 20240830)

Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

R 20210524 — air bags

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021.

Campaign 21V246000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Chevrolet Traverse — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for engine issues (204 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for steering issues (163 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electronic stability control (esc) issues (103 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 12V151000 (visibility) 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.
Verify recall 21V246000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2021 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2010 ◆ 2014 ◆ 2018

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse have?

5 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.