← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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
117,600 miles · Mar 12, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that upon the start of the vehicle, an abnormal rattling sound was coming from the vehicle without warning. The contact stated that once the engine had warmed up, the rattling sound turned into a chugging sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where …

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that upon the start of the vehicle, an abnormal rattling sound was coming from the vehicle without warning. The contact stated that once the engine had warmed up, the rattling sound turned into a chugging sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the bracket used to hold the exhaust pipes together had rubbed against one of the pipes and formed a hole. The mechanic then explained that if not repaired, the catalytic converter would become damaged. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was made to have a diagnostic test performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 117,600.

NHTSA ODI #11576850

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Exhaust cracks out creating a hole and cause’s problems with the catalytic converter. This is exactly the same problem as on the 2019 and up traverse that they have issued repairs on

NHTSA ODI #11576573

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

It has a leak and having electrical issues. Everything else unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11575898

Mileage unknown · Feb 29, 2024
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I currently own a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse with 63k miles the had a cracked catalytic converter. The catalytic converter was replaced but the dealer also charged me for a flex pipe replacement which they said was broken too. This is a known issue as per GM's own bulletin #PIP5681, yet they refused to cover the repair in it's enti…

Read full complaint

I currently own a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse with 63k miles the had a cracked catalytic converter. The catalytic converter was replaced but the dealer also charged me for a flex pipe replacement which they said was broken too. This is a known issue as per GM's own bulletin #PIP5681, yet they refused to cover the repair in it's entirety. GM is entirely covering this issue in 2018-2021 chevy traverse vehicles, but they are refusing to cover the costs of the flex pipe replacement for approximately $600.

NHTSA ODI #11574662

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2024
Power Train

EROR MESSAGE SHIFT TO PARK AND TRANSMISSION SHUTTER ABOVE 70 MILES PER HOUR.

NHTSA ODI #11572634

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2024
Engine

The exhaust system mount bracket broken allowing exhaust system movement resulting in a cracked catalytic converter . The mount bracket broke due to a poor weld from the part supplier. The repair cost $2404.74 on 6/5/2023 at 33.953 miles . Recently I researched this issue and found GM policy # N212356540 on 2019 Chevrolet Trave…

Read full complaint

The exhaust system mount bracket broken allowing exhaust system movement resulting in a cracked catalytic converter . The mount bracket broke due to a poor weld from the part supplier. The repair cost $2404.74 on 6/5/2023 at 33.953 miles . Recently I researched this issue and found GM policy # N212356540 on 2019 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave with exact same issue with coverage to 150,000 miles. My research also found that many other owners of 2018 Traverse complaining about the exact same issue with very similar costs. This obvious emission item should have been covered. l

NHTSA ODI #11571887

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2024
Engine

My vehicle was getting a check engine code #P0420, took to my GM dealer for service on [XXX]. RK Chevrolet in Virginia Beach, VA. Was told the error was caused by the mounting bracket on the front exhaust pipe had separated from the pipe, resulting in a hole in the pipe. They replaced the front exhaust pipe (85542639) and 2 pip…

Read full complaint

My vehicle was getting a check engine code #P0420, took to my GM dealer for service on [XXX]. RK Chevrolet in Virginia Beach, VA. Was told the error was caused by the mounting bracket on the front exhaust pipe had separated from the pipe, resulting in a hole in the pipe. They replaced the front exhaust pipe (85542639) and 2 pipe gaskets (84135650) as well as the muffler section of the exhaust. GM has issued a special coverage [XXX] on the 2021 Traverse for these exact part numbers, and are replacing at no cost. But if the same part numbers are failing on the 2018 (and probably 2019 and 2020) shouldn't they be covering all models with these parts. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11571626

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2024
Unknown Or Other

The rear catalytic converter has a crack in it which causes exhaust fumes to blow right into the cab of the vehicle. I have called and reported. I asked if there was a recall, chevy said theres no recalls. I stated how bad the fumes are and that when quoted, it is over 2000.00 to repair. I have looked into this and it seems to b…

Read full complaint

The rear catalytic converter has a crack in it which causes exhaust fumes to blow right into the cab of the vehicle. I have called and reported. I asked if there was a recall, chevy said theres no recalls. I stated how bad the fumes are and that when quoted, it is over 2000.00 to repair. I have looked into this and it seems to be a common issue with the Traverse. Muffler shops and regular mechanics refuse to touch this issue and state it has to be taken to a dealership for replacement and repairs. I currently cannot transport my children in the vehicle. I drive 10 miles to work and have a headache all day due to the fumes i injest in the drive to work. By the time i get to work i am very light headed and dizzy. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and taken seriously before any fatalities due to the lack of concern or care from Chevrolet.

NHTSA ODI #11568008

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2024
Power Train

My car just stopped working is related with the transmission

NHTSA ODI #11567134

30,000 miles · Jan 12, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exhaust system failed. The contact stated that the exhaust system was extremely loud. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed exhaust system and the exhaust system needed to…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exhaust system failed. The contact stated that the exhaust system was extremely loud. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed exhaust system and the exhaust system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #11565205

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.