Chevrolet Traverse Structure Problems
Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the Chevrolet Traverse across 17 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (21). The words owners use most often: “lift gate” (7% of reports).
- 108structure complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 12mention a crash
- 16mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 56%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Lift gate: mentioned in 8 of 108 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 68 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 108 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 16 an injury.
Chevrolet Traverse structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Traverse | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2025 Traverse | 9 | 5% | — |
| 2024 Traverse | 3 | 2% | 7,950 |
| 2023 Traverse | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2021 Traverse | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Traverse | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2019 Traverse | 7 | 2% | 10,450 |
| 2018 Traverse | 11 | 2% | 13,000 |
| 2017 Traverse | 3 | 1% | 7,910 |
| 2016 Traverse | 5 | 2% | 13,000 |
| 2015 Traverse | 9 | 3% | 55,000 |
| 2014 Traverse | 3 | 1% | 1,202 |
| 2013 Traverse | 2 | 1% | 18,724 |
| 2012 Traverse | 11 | 3% | 85,000 |
| 2011 Traverse | 21 | 3% | 60,000 |
| 2010 Traverse | 8 | 1% | 74,250 |
| 2009 Traverse | 9 | 2% | 88,350 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Structure:frame and members
Model years: 2020
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The right-hand frame rail in the engine compartment may be cracked.
Risk: A crack in the frame rail may reduce crash performance, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N192268310.
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
Model years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Problem: 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 vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
Risk: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I work full time in an auto body repair shop and a fire chief. I am coming across more and more white GM vehicles where the paint is not stuck where the windshield is glued in. A couple real hard pushes and the windshield will about come completely out.
Brand new car just purchased the end of March 2026. Went through car wash multiple times with no issues until one day the shark fin antenna came off and broke the plastic anchors. Now the circuit board is exposed to weather hazards. I read online multiple times this is an ongoing issue with this…
The shark fin antenna cover became loose. The antenna then fell off at some point while driving. This coming off while driving poses a risk to others on the road as it may have fallen off and hit someone else. The only âwarningâ it gave was stating the emergency call system failure. When…
Purchased the traverse January 10, 2026 with almost 26k miles on it. Approximately one month later, only 1200 miles or so into owning it, the shark fin antenna cover came off and is missing. Itâs not the entire antenna that is hooked into the car, itâs only the plastic cover that covers up the…
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request: *Drivers side airbag component malfunctioned *Yes the vehicle is available for inspection How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? *The drivers side airbag component has been ruptured…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Traverses have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 108 owner complaints about structure for the Chevrolet Traverse. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Traverse structure?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list structure. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about structure problems on the Chevrolet Traverse?
The most frequent phrase is “lift gate”, in 8 of 108 complaints.
Other Chevrolet Traverse problems
- Engine problems (1,116)
- Air Bags problems (1,051)
- Steering problems (955)
- Power Train problems (919)
- Electrical System problems (852)
- Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems (476)
- Service Brakes problems (392)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (306)
See all Chevrolet Traverse problems.