2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10445377 · 2012-01-26 (January 26, 2012)
2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. CONSUMER STATES SEVERAL ISSUES WITH VEHICLE TO INCLUDE WINDOWS AND SEAT ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IF THE MIDDLE ROW PASSENGER WINDOWS WERE PARTIALLY ROLLED DOWN, THEY WOULD VIBRATE AND MAKE A HORRIBLE NOISE ASH SHE ACCELERATED AND EXCEEDED 30 MPH. THE PANEL BETWEEN EACH OF THE SIDE AND REAR WINDOWS WAS EXTREMELY LARGE AND PROVIDED A MAJOR BLIND SPOT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE PARTICULARLY WHEN BACKING UP OR CHANGING LANES. THE CONSUMER ADDED SMALL MIRRORS TO ASSIST WITH THE VISIBILITY. BOTH FRONT SEAT SQUEAKED…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10445377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10467219 · 2012-07-24 (July 24, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE OPENED THE POWER LIFT-GATE TO RETRIEVE LUGGAGE FROM THE REAR AND AS THE GATE OPENED SHE SAW SOME OF THE LUGGAGE ABOUT TO FALL AND REACHED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AT THAT POINT, THE LIFT-GATE STOPPED OPENING AND BEGAN TO CLOSE. THE POWER LIFT-GATE THEN CLOSED ON THE CONTACT, BREAKING HER HAND. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 7,000. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ T…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10467219 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10476363 · 2012-09-19 (September 19, 2012)
2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SPEEDOMETER AND GPS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE SET THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR LESS THAN 75 MPH AND HIS GARMIN GPS NUVI CONFIRMED THE SAME SPEED. HOWEVER, HE WAS CITED FOR SPEEDING. THE SHERIFF STATED HIS RADAR WAS MUCH MORE ACCURATE THAN HIS SPEEDOMETER AND GPS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10476363 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10519954 · 2013-06-15 (June 15, 2013)
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. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER'S COLLISION AND REPAIR SHOP AND AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS IT WAS RETURNED. WITHIN A WEEK OF GETTING IT BACK THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, WE TOOK IT BACK TO COLLISION REPAIR CENTER THINKING IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ACCIDENT BUT THE COLLISION REPAIR SENT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SAYING IT WAS A WARRANTY IS…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10519954 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 10548407 · 2013-10-18 (October 18, 2013)
I DID NOT HAVE A ACCIDENT BUT I AM SENDING THIS WITH A CONCERN ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN BECAUSE OF AN INCIDENT. CHEVROLET TRAVERSE DOES NOT COME WITH A SPARE, (TEMPORARY OR FULL SIZE) OR JACK. IT ALSO DOES NOT HAVE A PLACE TO PUT A SPARE TIRE. I HAD A FLAT TIRE THAT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND ALL THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE IS A CAN OF SEALANT AND AIR TANK. NOW I WILL HAVE TO BUY A SPARE AND PUT IT IN BACK OF MY VEHICLE AND THIS WILL BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I BOUGHT THIS TRAVERSE FOR THE 3RD ROW SEATING BUT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE IT BECAUSE…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10548407 at NHTSA ↗
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 10561435 · 2014-01-25 (January 25, 2014)
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, STARTED UP HILL AT 55 MPH IN TRAFFIC. FOLLOWING ALARMS CAME ON: TRACTION CONTROL DASHBOARD SYMBOL; STABILITRACK OFF; ENGINE POWER REDUCED; TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO 40 MPH AND WOULD NOT GO FASTER. ONLINE FORUMS INDICATE THIS IS A THROTTLE BODY OR ECU PROBLEM, KNOWN TO GM AT LEAST SINCE 2010. IT HAS BEEN HANDLED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS DEPENDING HOW MUCH THE INDIVIDUAL CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN. I REGARD THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC IT COULD LEAD TO A REAREND COLLISION AT HIGH SPEED W…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10561435 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V151000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages
Reported: 2012-04-09 (April 9, 2012)
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, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V118000 · Air Bags:Side/Window
Reported: 2014-03-17 (March 17, 2014)
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. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
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. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V266000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 2014-05-20 (May 20, 2014)
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 April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Consequence: If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
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. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V415000 · Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
Reported: 2015-06-30 (June 30, 2015)
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.
Consequence: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
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. 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V246000 · Air Bags:Critical Fasteners
Reported: 2021-04-08 (April 8, 2021)
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.
Consequence: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
NHTSA campaign record ↗