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2018 Chevrolet Traverse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 302.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

186 reports with mileage · 274 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 194 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

460 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2026
Unknown Or Other

I am submitting this complaint regarding a complete transmission failure in my 2018 Chevrolet Traverse (VIN 1GNEVGKW7JJ279077). The vehicle's transmission stopped functioning altogether, resulting in a complete loss of propulsion. The vehicle can no longer be driven and requires repair/towing. A sudden loss of propulsion can cre…

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I am submitting this complaint regarding a complete transmission failure in my 2018 Chevrolet Traverse (VIN 1GNEVGKW7JJ279077). The vehicle's transmission stopped functioning altogether, resulting in a complete loss of propulsion. The vehicle can no longer be driven and requires repair/towing. A sudden loss of propulsion can create a serious safety hazard, particularly if the failure occurs while driving in traffic. My mechanic has informed me that they have experienced multiple transmission problems with 2018 Chevrolet Traverses and that issues involving this transmission are still being researched and addressed. I am concerned that my failure may be part of a larger, known problem involving GM's 9T65 9-speed automatic transmission. GM has previously issued technical service information concerning the 9T65 transmission and established a transmission replacement pilot program involving certain vehicles equipped with this transmission. GM also developed additional diagnostic and repair strategies based on transmissions returned through that program. These actions raise concerns regarding the reliability and premature failure of this transmission. I am concerned that a transmission capable of completely failing and causing loss of propulsion represents a potential safety defect that warrants investigation, regardless of whether the vehicle remains under the original factory warranty. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate transmission failures involving 2018 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles equipped with the 9T65 transmission and determine whether there is a common defect or premature failure pattern. I ask NHTSA to review GM's technical service bulletins, warranty claims, field reports, customer complaints, and previous transmission replacement programs to determine whether additional corrective action or a safety recall is warranted. Vehicle: 2018 Chevrolet Traverse VIN: 1GNEVGKW7JJ279077 Component: Power Train / 9T65 Automatic Transmission Failure: Complete loss

NHTSA ODI #11763686

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2026
Power Train

Car recently started to jolt when accelerating. Noticed it firsthand on the highway while on stop and go traffic. It's been doing it more often now when driving around the city. As soon as you accelerate past 15mph, it starts to jolt. The check engine light is not on. I do see that other 2018 Chevy Traverse have a recall, but my…

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Car recently started to jolt when accelerating. Noticed it firsthand on the highway while on stop and go traffic. It's been doing it more often now when driving around the city. As soon as you accelerate past 15mph, it starts to jolt. The check engine light is not on. I do see that other 2018 Chevy Traverse have a recall, but my car (when checking by VIN) is not included.

NHTSA ODI #11762454

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2026
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidancePower Train

the vehicle will not register that it is in park, when the engine is turned off a beeping noise reads shift to park - you have to start the engine and shut it off multiple times, or slam the shifter into place to get it register in park. this happens constantly and is starting to get old, and annoying. it is listed as a known pr…

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the vehicle will not register that it is in park, when the engine is turned off a beeping noise reads shift to park - you have to start the engine and shut it off multiple times, or slam the shifter into place to get it register in park. this happens constantly and is starting to get old, and annoying. it is listed as a known problem on the forum group. when the notice to shift into Park is stuck on, the beeping will not stop... Also there is a shudder while driving no matter the speed. They did a transmission service and messed with torque converters but has not done anything. Also will be driving down the road with cruise control and the cruise control with randomly jerk and shut off for no reason. Has happened on the interstate.

NHTSA ODI #11762436

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2026
Power Train

the vehicle will not register that it is in park, when the engine is turned off a beeping noise reads shift to park - you have to start the engine and shut it off multiple times, or slam the shifter into place to get it register in park. this happens constantly and is starting to get old, and annoying. it is listed as a known p…

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the vehicle will not register that it is in park, when the engine is turned off a beeping noise reads shift to park - you have to start the engine and shut it off multiple times, or slam the shifter into place to get it register in park. this happens constantly and is starting to get old, and annoying. it is listed as a known problem on the forum group. when the notice to shift into Park is stuck on, the beeping will not stop and the battery will drain all the way. Only solution is to replace the transmission shifter assembly.

NHTSA ODI #11760744

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2026
EngineUnknown Or Other

Cracked flex pipe on exhaust system

NHTSA ODI #11759855

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2026
Service Brakes

On 08/15/26, I was at a traffic light waiting to make a left turn on a major roadway. Because the wait was on a hill, the park brake automatically engaged. When the traffic light turned green and as I attempted to accelerate, the electronic parking brake failed to release as it should and normally does. Since the vehicle would n…

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On 08/15/26, I was at a traffic light waiting to make a left turn on a major roadway. Because the wait was on a hill, the park brake automatically engaged. When the traffic light turned green and as I attempted to accelerate, the electronic parking brake failed to release as it should and normally does. Since the vehicle would not move normally, I was unable to safely make my intended left turn so I had to continue straight in order to get out of the way of moving traffic. As I was driving to a parking lot of a business in the vicinity, my back tires were screeching and smoking as the park brake appeared to remain engaged. I was extremely concerned because I was in active traffic and could not operate the vehicle normally. I attempted to resolve the problem by turning the vehicle off, allowing it to sit for a few minutes and restarting it. After at least 20 tries, I could feel the pressure of the brakes release and I was finally able to move the vehicle normally. This was frightening and placed me and other motorists at risk. I was stopped at a major intersection on a hill when the vehicle failed to operate normally as traffic began moving. Had the parking brake remained engaged, I could have been stranded in moving traffic or potentially involved in a collision. I have experienced this parking-brake problem at least seven times, including this incident, since I have owned this vehicle since 2017. I have also experienced an abnormal condition involving the vehicle in which it would not allow me to shut off the engine when the park brake was engaged therefore wearing out the battery and I had to have it towed to the dealer. I am concerned that there may be an underlying electrical or electronic control-system defect. This greatly concerns me and it should be very alarming to the manufacturer. I have asked the dealer and called Chevrolet HQ to inquire about a recall or at least recoup some of the money I am constantly paying out of pocket.

NHTSA ODI #11757817

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2026
Power Train

Car wouldn’t move in Reverse, I’d give it gas and it would just rev. It would drive forward but very sluggish. Brought to 2 different mechanics and they both said I need to replace the transmission. Car has 97,500 miles on it. This is a known issue with these vehicles. The transmission ship had another traverse and a GMC A…

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Car wouldn’t move in Reverse, I’d give it gas and it would just rev. It would drive forward but very sluggish. Brought to 2 different mechanics and they both said I need to replace the transmission. Car has 97,500 miles on it. This is a known issue with these vehicles. The transmission ship had another traverse and a GMC Acadia in it for the same exact issue.

NHTSA ODI #11755241

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2026
Power Train

Transmission shuddering when gear changing as accelerate.

NHTSA ODI #11753379

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2026
Structure

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.

NHTSA ODI #11749614

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2026
Electrical SystemPower Train

Front passenger tire was losing air, on the way to bring it to tire shop dashboard displayed tire pressure sensor, power steering system, TCM notification, Electronic brake control. Got it to the tire shop bought a new tire and they did a diagnostic test it showed TCM passed and failed, lost communication with power steering pas…

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Front passenger tire was losing air, on the way to bring it to tire shop dashboard displayed tire pressure sensor, power steering system, TCM notification, Electronic brake control. Got it to the tire shop bought a new tire and they did a diagnostic test it showed TCM passed and failed, lost communication with power steering passed and failed, lost communication with inflatable restraint passed and failed. Once tire was replaced vehicle was jerking with TCM notification coming on and off like the vehicle was sliding.

NHTSA ODI #11749157

Official recalls

2

21V246000 · Air Bags:critical Fasteners

Apr 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 & remedy

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.

20V668000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 29, 2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.