U.S. public vehicle records

2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

608 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

70,700 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: 2026-09-12 (September 12, 2026). 497 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 204 of 608 complaints (33.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	171	28.1%
Braking behavior	51	8.4%
Engine operation	39	6.4%
Electrical and battery issues	28	4.6%
Transmission and shifting	19	3.1%
Fuel system concerns	5	0.8%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine

204

Steering

163

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

103

Power Train

Electrical System

Vehicle Speed Control

Air Bags

Unknown Or Other

Engine: 204; Steering: 163; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 103; Power Train: 77; Electrical System: 66; Vehicle Speed Control: 58; Air Bags: 43; Unknown Or Other: 36

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

132

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

116

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 65; 25,000 to 49,999: 71; 50,000 to 74,999: 132; 75,000 to 99,999: 96; 100,000 to 149,999: 116; 150,000 and above: 17

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (132). 111 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

105

2015

121

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2010: 1; 2011: 15; 2012: 16; 2013: 33; 2014: 105; 2015: 121; 2016: 64; 2017: 59; 2018: 67; 2019: 66; 2020: 20; 2021: 23; 2022: 5; 2023: 7; 2024: 5; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 171 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 51 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 39 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10459407 · 2012-05-23 (May 23, 2012)

THE TRAVERSE WAS PARKED IN THE LOT OF THE LOCAL GROCERY STORE, WHEN STARTED AND PLACED IN REVERSE IT BACKED UP JUST FINE, HOWEVER PUTTING IT IN DRIVE IT BRONCOED UP AND WOULD ONLY GO 30 MILES PER HOUR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES . NOW THE POWER STEERING UNIT WHINES, THE SEATS IN THE BACK DO NOT RECLINE WELL AND THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT IN THE MIDDLE SEAT LOCKS AND I AM UNABLE TO SECURE MY 2 YEAR OLD IN HIS CARSEAT. I AM NOT PLEASED AT ALL WITH THE 2011 TRAVERSE, I SHOULD HAVE STUCK TO MY FIRST THOUGHTS AND BOUGHT THE SUBURBON THAT I KNOW. THE TRAVER…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10459407 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10464136 · 2012-07-03 (July 3, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A TURN WHEN HE HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAD SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 8/23/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BEREP…

Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10464136 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10410822 · 2011-07-07 (July 7, 2011)

DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM INCLUDES STABILITRAK AND ABS SYSTEM. THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FIVE TIMES FOR BRAKING FAILURE. WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ABS KICKED IN AND THE BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE SENSORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED/DEBRIS CLEANED/AND FRAYED WIRES REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10410822 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10423138 · 2011-09-03 (September 3, 2011)

WHEN REVERSING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I CANNOT PUT IT IN DRIVE OR STOP IT. I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK TURN IT OFF AND PRESS THE EMERGENCY BRAKES IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP ROLLING DOWN THE HILL. THIS HAS NOW OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 4X. LAST NIGHT IT HAPPENED AGAIN BUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DIDN'T WORK THE ENGINE MADE A WHINING/SCREECHING NOISE AND THE CAR SLAMMED INTO ROCKS AND A FIRE HYDRANT. WHICH TORE OFF MY BACK BUMPER. I HAD BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY C…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10423138 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10455738 · 2012-04-19 (April 19, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TEST DRIVEN AND THE FAILURE WAS DUPLICATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GROUND WIRES AND THE COMPUTER MODULE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED.…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455738 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10566340 · 2014-02-27 (February 27, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10566340 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10514923 · 2013-06-03 (June 3, 2013)

AROUND MAY 11, 2012, ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE, ACCELERATING TO 65 MPH, MY CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD REPETITIVE NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER A FEW MILES, A BATTERY SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO STEER. AS I REACHED A PULLOVER, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND EVERYTHING ELSE QUIT WORKING (RADIO, LIGHTS, ETC.) I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND COULD NOT TURN IT BACK ON. WHEN THE CAR WAS TOWED, WE FOUND THE BELT WAS SHREDDED AND DRAGGED BEHIND THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WATER PUMP. THE CAR WAS ABO…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10514923 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10522488 · 2013-06-30 (June 30, 2013)

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. I SMELLED A BURNING ODOR WHILE WALKING TO THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE CRANKED THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A FIRE BURNING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE GOT THE FAMILY OUT OF THE CAR AND I GRABBED A WATER HOSE AND PUT THE FLAMES OUT. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES I NOTICED…

Owner-reported narrative. 22,170 miles reported. Look up ODI 10522488 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10399743 · 2011-05-10 (May 10, 2011)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE SHIFTING INTO THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT INDICATED THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED IN THE TRANSMISSION MODULE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION MODULE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER WHILE SHIFTING INTO THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR, AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VIN INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFA…

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10399743 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10423962 · 2011-09-06 (September 6, 2011)

WHILE IN THE DRIVE POSITION ON A HILL AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC SIGNAL, I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACK ALMOST HITTING THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. IT STARTLED ME AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND. *TR IN THE SECOND INCIDENT, MY WIFE WAS PULLING BACK FROM PARKING SPOT WHICH HAS A SLIGHT INCLINE (GROUND LEVEL IN FRONT IS A BIT LOWER THAN THAT IN THE BACK). SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AFTER TRYING TO PARK OUT WITH THE GEAR 'R', THE VEHICLE NOW BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD ALMOST HITTING A LITTLE STONE. MY WIFE WAS TERR…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10423962 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10511435 · 2013-05-10 (May 10, 2013)

WAS AT TARGET ONE EVENING AND NOTICED A SWEET UNUSUAL SMELL COMING FROM THE TRAVERSE. I TOOK A LOOK UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND NOTICED PINK SUBSTANCE DRIPPING FROM THE ENGINE. UPON LEAVING TARGET I NOTICED THAT THE ARM ON THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS HIGHER THAN NORMAL. I DROVE 40MPH FOR A MILE AND THE GAUGE SHOT UP TO THE TOP. I WAS 25 MINUTES FROM HOME. I HAD TO STOP 6 TIMES TO LET THE ENGINE COOL DOWN IN ORDER TO MAKE IT HOME AND I HAD ALL FOUR OF MY KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME AS WELL. IT TOTALLY FREAKED THEM OUT. I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR THE WEEKEND A…

Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511435 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10592107 · 2014-05-17 (May 17, 2014)

MY 2011 CHEVY TRAVERSE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT READING CORRECTLY. I FILL THE GAS TANK UP ... IT GOES UP TO FULL AND THEN INSTANTLY GOES BACK DOWN. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2014 MODELS ... WHY NOT THIS MODEL? BEING ABLE TO SEE THE CORRECT READING OF MY FUEL AMOUNT IS PRETTY IMPORTANT TO ME! *JS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10592107 at NHTSA ↗