2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
354 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 284 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 115 of 354 complaints (32.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 66 | 18.6% |
| Braking behavior | 39 | 11.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 31 | 8.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 27 | 7.6% |
| Engine operation | 25 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 2.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 115 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 84 |
| Steering | 62 |
| Air Bags | 47 |
| Electrical System | 47 |
| Power Train | 46 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 37 |
| Unknown Or Other | 35 |
Engine: 115; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 84; Steering: 62; Air Bags: 47; Electrical System: 47; Power Train: 46; Vehicle Speed Control: 37; Unknown Or Other: 35
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 26 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 31 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 56 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 69 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 82 |
| 150,000 and above | 20 |
Under 25,000: 26; 25,000 to 49,999: 31; 50,000 to 74,999: 56; 75,000 to 99,999: 69; 100,000 to 149,999: 82; 150,000 and above: 20
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (82). 70 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 39 |
| 2017 | 48 |
| 2018 | 58 |
| 2019 | 67 |
| 2020 | 30 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 6 |
2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 26; 2015: 33; 2016: 39; 2017: 48; 2018: 58; 2019: 67; 2020: 30; 2021: 21; 2022: 9; 2023: 4; 2024: 7; 2025: 6
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 66 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 31 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 10560098 · 2014-01-15 (January 15, 2014)
THIS VEHICLE HAS ENGINE DEFECT, WHICH DANGEROUSLY STOPS THE CAR WHILE DRIVEN. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TRIED TO REPAIR ONCE BUT FAILED. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER OF 2012. ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2013, THE ENGINE OF MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO "MAC MAIK CHEVROLET" IN HOUSTON FOR EXAMINATION AND REPAIR. ON OCTOBER 11, 2013, THE DEALERSHIP GAVE IT BACK TO ME ASSURING THAT THEY REPAIRED IT. TWO DAYS LATER, ON OCTOBER 13, 2013, WHILE I WAS DRIVING …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10560098 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10609966 · 2014-07-11 (July 11, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,100.
Owner-reported narrative. 34,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10609966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10548122 · 2013-10-16 (October 16, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,800. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10548122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10573764 · 2014-03-20 (March 20, 2014)
THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE FRONT SEAT OUTBOARD SEAT BACK AIRBAG. JUNE 5 IT WENT BACK IN WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON AGAIN. THEY FIXED A CONNECTOR IN THE DRIVER SEAT SIDE AIRBAG. OCT 18 IT WENT BACK IN WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON. THEY REPLACED THE FRONT SEAT ANCHOR PLATE TENSIONER. DEC 31 IT WENT BACK IN WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON. THEY REPLACED THE MODULE AND HARNESS ASSY. FEB 12 IT WENT BACK IN AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE WIRING IN PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS. MARCH 17 IT WENT BACK IN A…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,062 miles reported. Look up ODI 10573764 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10617195 · 2014-07-29 (July 29, 2014)
THE SERVICE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY IS COMING ON ON DRIVER DASHBOARD. HAPPENS WITH PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER WERE BOTH BUCKED UP. TOOK IT TO A SERVICE CENTER AND THERE ARE NO CODES STORED. SYSTEM IS CHECKING OUT WITH PASS WHEN IT IS CHECKED. THERE ARE NO FAIL INDICATORS. BOTH RECALLS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED WITH THE SEAT BELT AND THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WIRING HARNESS AND THE ISSUE IS STILL RECURRING. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10617195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10565267 · 2014-02-21 (February 21, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, HIP, AND KNEE INJURIES WHILE THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED LUNG CONTUSIONS FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10565267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10573644 · 2014-03-20 (March 20, 2014)
RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS ALL OF THE SUDDEN: TRACTION CONTROL OFF, TRACTION CONTROL NEEDS SERVICE, STABILITRAK OFF, STABILITRAK NEEDS SERVICE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. VEHICLE BEGAN TRYING TO STALL. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A COUNTRY ROAD AND COULD EASILY PULL OVER QUICKLY. ALL OF THE WARNINGS WENT OFF AFTER A MINUTE AND I RESUMED DRIVING. EVERY TIME I HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND COME TO A STOP, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWNSHIFT VERY HARD. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE COULD BE, I FOUND COUNTLESS FORUMS…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10573644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575353 · 2014-03-28 (March 28, 2014)
BETWEEN 5 AND 7 TIMES THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE WOULD APPEAR WITH MESSAGE STATING SERVICE AIR BAGS. TOOK TO DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS TO FIX. NEXT A DASHBOARD MESSAGE WOULD APPEAR INFORMING ME OF ENGINE FAILURE ,LOSS OF POWER.THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN TO NO MORE THAN 20 MPH. PULLED OVER SHUT ENGINE OFF AND THAN IT WOULD BE OK. NEXT TIME ABOUT 5 DAYS LATER THE MESSAGE AGAIN APPEARED WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH GRAND KIDS. THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 20 MPH , WHILE SHE WAS BLENDING INTO TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY. HAD TO PULL OVER OR BE RUN OVER BY…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11018742 · 2017-08-21 (August 21, 2017)
IT IS A KNOWN PROPLEM THAT GM MAKES FUEL PUMPS WITH FUEL SENSORS THAT FAIL RANDOMLY AND OFTEN. I KNOW ONE PERSON WHO HAS REPLACED IT FOUR TIMES. OURS HAS FAILED.. THE FUEL GAUGE NOW DOESN'T WORK, AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL REJECT FUEL. MY WIFE HAS BEEN STRANDED WITH OUR CHILDREN IN ONE HUNDRED DEGREE WEATHER BECAUSE OF THIS. THE DEALER WANTS A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE IT, BECAUSE THEY INSIST ON REPLACING THE WHOLE PUMP AND DROPPING THE FUEL TANK TO DO IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11018742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11088522 · 2018-04-16 (April 16, 2018)
I HAVE HAD MANY ONGOING ISSUES SINCE CAR PURCHASE. ELECTRICAL , AIR CONDITIONING AND INJECTOR ISSUES. CAR DOES NOT SEEM SAFE. LIGHTS GO OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS WHILDE DRIVING WHEN IT IS DARK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. 1ST REPLACEMENT ON LIGHT WAS DONE WHILE UNDER WARRANT, HOWEVER, CHEVY DEALER FAILED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES CAUSING THE LIGHT TO BURN OUT AND SIMPLY CHANGED LIGHT OUT. IT HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS WITH US CHANGING LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS. CAR WOULD LOSE POWER AND JERK AS WELL AS HAD GEARS PROBLEMS WHILE TRAVELING ON A FWY WIT…
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11088522 at NHTSA ↗