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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.

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
52,000 miles · Sep 19, 2025
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the battery warning light and power steering assist warning light illuminated. The steering wheel seized, and the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with battery failure. Th…

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The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the battery warning light and power steering assist warning light illuminated. The steering wheel seized, and the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with battery failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that eight days later, after stopping at a gas station, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) system purge valve had failed. The canister purge solenoid valve was replaced. The contact stated that two weeks later, the alternator failed and was replaced; however, six months later, the failure reoccurred with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) leak. The SOP solenoid and the Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) canister were replaced. After the vehicle was repaired, the contact stopped by the gas station, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the purge valve had failed. Most recently, the vehicle hesitated, and the engine was running rough. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact went to several dealers for the repairs, and each dealer retrieved several electrical codes. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and several claims were filed. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #11688376

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2025
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I’ve had this vehicle for about a year or less the car ran fine with minor problems that come with having a vehicle. Up until last week the car never showed any signs of a failing transmission, it went from running fine to shuttering and suddenly I wasn’t able to reverse. The check engine light never came on, I’ve did all my rou…

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I’ve had this vehicle for about a year or less the car ran fine with minor problems that come with having a vehicle. Up until last week the car never showed any signs of a failing transmission, it went from running fine to shuttering and suddenly I wasn’t able to reverse. The check engine light never came on, I’ve did all my routine checks and more with the dealership I bought it from and was never told anything when the vehicle was brought in for inspections.

NHTSA ODI #11688232

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Exhaust raddling

NHTSA ODI #11688222

151,000 miles · Sep 18, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was making an abnormally loud sound that became louder over time. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the exhaust system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was …

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The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was making an abnormally loud sound that became louder over time. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the exhaust system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the exhaust system needed to be replaced and provided the contact an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

NHTSA ODI #11688078

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2025
Power Train

Vehicle displays Shift to Park message and audible tone after arriving at destination and attempting to turn off vehicle. Shifter indicates the vehicle is in Park and the transmission gears display on main screen also indicates the vehicle is in Park; however the warning message and audible continue to occur. Numerous attempts…

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Vehicle displays Shift to Park message and audible tone after arriving at destination and attempting to turn off vehicle. Shifter indicates the vehicle is in Park and the transmission gears display on main screen also indicates the vehicle is in Park; however the warning message and audible continue to occur. Numerous attempts to move shifter through the different positions P-D1 are required to get the warning message to clear and the audible tone to stop. It has rapidly gotten worse in a matter of two weeks and I’m concerned that it will continue to get worse until I am no longer able to clear it leading to a dead battery, as well as other potential powertrain problems. A recent class action settlement unfortunately does not provide any relief to me for this known safety issue which already has a large number of NHTSA complaints filed pertaining to this powertrain issue. Given the number of complaints filed, I would urge NHTSA to force GM to issue a recall for this safety issue.

NHTSA ODI #11687736

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2025
Power Train

The transmission is slipping which caused the converter to go out in the transmission.

NHTSA ODI #11686584

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2025
Power Train

When my car is shift into Park and I tried to turn it off it’s giving me a “Shift to Park” message and the car continue to idle when it is turned off. I changed gears to try and take it off Park and then put back into Park and the same message occurs and it would not turn off car. After multiple attempts it finally turned it off…

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When my car is shift into Park and I tried to turn it off it’s giving me a “Shift to Park” message and the car continue to idle when it is turned off. I changed gears to try and take it off Park and then put back into Park and the same message occurs and it would not turn off car. After multiple attempts it finally turned it off. This has become more and more frequent. I cannot leave the car if it is not properly in park, still running with the warning bell beeping.

NHTSA ODI #11686522

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2025
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

Frequent symptom is an "Action Required: Shift to Park" message on the dashboard. Which is preventing my vehicle from shutting down properly, and causing the battery to drain, and hinder my car's ability to start in addition to getting trapped in the vehicle because the vehicles fail to shift to the ‘Park’ position preventing m…

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Frequent symptom is an "Action Required: Shift to Park" message on the dashboard. Which is preventing my vehicle from shutting down properly, and causing the battery to drain, and hinder my car's ability to start in addition to getting trapped in the vehicle because the vehicles fail to shift to the ‘Park’ position preventing me from being able to exit the vehicle. This is a known issue affecting various GM models which one being my 2018 traverse by GM but not willing to make official recall of the issue. There is a class action settlement due to this issue that was not privileged to me as an owner of a used vehicle included in this notice and have.

NHTSA ODI #11686091

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2025
Power Train

When car is parked and tried to turn off it’s giving me a “shift to park” and it won’t turn off the car. I changed gears to try and take it off park and then put back in park and same message and it would not turn off car. After multiple attempts it finally turned it off.

NHTSA ODI #11685587

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2025
Lane DeparturePower TrainWheels

My 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, has unresolved safety defects that endanger occupants and other road users. These include transmission failure with loss of acceleration, “Shift‑to‑Park” malfunctions preventing engine shut‑off, inoperative blind‑spot/cross‑traffic sensors, faulty tire pressure monitoring, and an active oil leak from …

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My 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, has unresolved safety defects that endanger occupants and other road users. These include transmission failure with loss of acceleration, “Shift‑to‑Park” malfunctions preventing engine shut‑off, inoperative blind‑spot/cross‑traffic sensors, faulty tire pressure monitoring, and an active oil leak from the timing gasket cover. These issues occur unpredictably during normal driving and parking, creating an immediate risk of collision, roll‑away, or engine fire. All of these issued happened within a very short time frame. June 2025 and I took my car into Crews Chevy, they want over $15,000 to repair. All of these items I have mentioned have numerous class action lawsuits (that they have won) for the year of my vehicle. I have spoken with GM (and have a case number) however, they are unwilling to repair, at no cost to me. I have an [XXX] daughter and work 7 days a week. I have been with out a car since [XXX] due to these issues. I do have the estimate for the repairs if needed. I do not have an actual repair invoice, as I wasn't able to afford the over $15,000 repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11683915

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.