2012 Chevrolet Traverse
This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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.
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
32% of complaints: engine — 115 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
White smoke was coming out the car and my car eventually sat on fire. I had to call the fire department.. fire department stated that it was a electrical issue
NHTSA ODI report, 20250825
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180822
24% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 84 distinct reports on file.
18% of complaints: steering — 62 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180822
13% of complaints: electrical system — 47 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
White smoke was coming out the car and my car eventually sat on fire. I had to call the fire department.. fire department stated that it was a electrical issue
NHTSA ODI report, 20250825
13% of complaints: air bags — 47 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
After sliding into a ditch, my drivers side, curtain airbag deployed but, instead of covering the drivers side door window, it came out and went across my face, hitting me on the right side of my head, slamming my head into the drivers side window...
NHTSA ODI report, 20250124
TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55MPH WE WERE HIT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DAMAGE TO THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WELL AND REAR RIGHT SIDE ON THE BODY WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE UNDERNEATH. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT ANYTIME IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130615
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
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
2012 Chevrolet Traverse — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (115 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electronic stability control (esc) issues (84 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (62 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
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 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.