2021 Chevrolet TRAVERSE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
89 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
54,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 89 complaints (23.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 15.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 13.5% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 13.5% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 12.4% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 12.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 21 |
| Unknown Or Other | 19 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 5 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Electrical System: 21; Unknown Or Other: 19; Power Train: 15; Engine: 11; Service Brakes: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 5; Steering: 4; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 74 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 29 |
| 2026 | 19 |
2021: 7; 2022: 5; 2023: 11; 2024: 18; 2025: 29; 2026: 19
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 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 11570839 · 2024-02-08 (February 8, 2024)
On [XXX] my 2021 Traverse with 46K miles, purchased new from Atlantic Chevrolet, Bay Shore, NY, broke down on the road, dead battery, and alternator. I could not successfully jump the car to get it running. I had no use of steering, nor could I shift the vehicle into neutral to move to the roadside. Prior to towing the vehicle, based on my car insurance, Atlantic Chevy was outside of my towing area and would have cost me $500.00 out-of-pocket to tow. I called customer service and a female employee told me that the battery issue would not be…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11570839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11574507 · 2024-02-28 (February 28, 2024)
Battery charger notice came on and on way to go have it checked the car stalled in the middle of a busy road and i had problems turning the steering wheel few seconds later the engine stopped running completely.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11574507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11419811 · 2021-06-06 (June 6, 2021)
With just 1,085 miles on a new 2021 Chevrolet Traverse RS the 9 speed automatic transmission began to fail. It feels as if it skips and there is a distinct shudder as it shifts in the higher gears. The transmission also appears to labor as the vehicle ascends even the smallest change in grade. Research of these issues shows its a noted prblem with the GM 9 speed automatic transmission.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11419811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11615762 · 2024-09-21 (September 21, 2024)
I bought this 2021 Chevrolet Traverse on January 4th 2021. Since owning this vehicle the transmission has always skipped and sputtered. We have done regular maintenance on it. But at 115,000 miles it seems to get worse and really shift hard or skip while trying to go into each gear. There is no information on maintenance for the transmission other than taking it to the dealership, which is really bizarre and unreasonable because dealerships take to long and some can be without. We have also noticed on a couple different occasions that the rever…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11615762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11526966 · 2023-06-14 (June 14, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle on several occasions, the vehicle shut off and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. Additionally, the interior and exterior lights became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was concerned that the failure was caused by the vehicle being hacked by a local terrorist network. The failure mileage was u…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11526966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11563091 · 2024-01-02 (January 2, 2024)
I bought my Chevy traverse car in June 2021 with 0 miles. On 12/25/2023 the alternator went out. I know there any many people who are having this same problem when the car reaches 40k miles. This is not fare to us bc we now have to pay 1700 in repairs. If the alternator goes out when driving, your car will stall and stop and you can end up in a sudden crash. This should not be happening at 40,000 miles.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11563091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11415778 · 2021-05-10 (May 10, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN GRINDING AND SQUEALING SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TROPICAL CHEVROLET (8880 BISCAYNE BLVD, MIAMI SHORES, FL 33138) WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE PARTS WERE NEW AND THAT AFTER CONTINUAL DRIVING, THE SOUND WOULD GO AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,247.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,247 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415778 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11416250 · 2021-05-12 (May 12, 2021)
WE BOUGHT A 2021 CHEVY TRAVERSE AND THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE THE BRAKES BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE OFF AND ON. THREE WEEKS TO THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE, MAY 11, BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE BACK TIRE WAS A PUDDLE OF DARKER FLUID. THE BRAKES BEGAN GRINDING WORSE. I LEFT FOR WORK AND WHEN I RETURNED HOME UNDER THE CARPORT WHERE THE TRAVERSE WAS PARKED WAS FLUID WHERE EACH TIRE HAS SAT. I DROVE 15 MILES TO MY NEXT DUTY SPOT FOR THE DAY AND BRAKES WERE GRINDING HORRIBLY.. WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND THE RESERVOIR WHERE THE BRAKE …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,496 miles reported. Look up ODI 11416250 at NHTSA ↗