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2021 Chevrolet Traverse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse are lower than the model-year median of 302.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 89 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

89 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2024
Electrical System

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.

NHTSA ODI #11574507

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2024
Seat Belts

Middle seatbelt will not retract. This vehicle has not been in any accidents.

NHTSA ODI #11571398

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2024
Electrical System

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 vehicl…

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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 covered. I had the car towed to my local mechanic, upon inspection they determined that the alternator failed, and needed to be replaced. I called Atlantic Chevy again and explained the issue to the same representative, she told me that that would not be covered based on my expired warranty. To be sure, I proceeded to call GM corporate. I spent an hour on the phone with a representative who ultimately told me that it would not be covered. I had no option but to have the repair done by my local mechanic. They purchased the alternator from Atlantic Chevy to ensure that they were installing certified parts for which I paid out of pocket. It goes without saying, that an alternator should not fail with such low mileage and after researching, I have found that there are identical complaints for the same year, make and model car. I contacted GM corporate to file a formal complaint, and ask for compensation. I dealt with a very competent person who exhausted all of the options within her corporate structure, but to no avail, GM refused to take responsibility, and would provide no resolution. References Consumer Reports: [XXX] : [XXX] NHTSA ID Number: 11563091 Incident Date [XXX] Vehicle Identification Number [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11570839

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2024
Carry Handle, Shell, BaseOther/i Am Not SureTether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat Or Vehicle)

When this seat is first installed with the seat belt, it has a tight fit. However, the install seems to loosen for no apparent reason on its own. This occurs frequently. The seat is properly installed with pulling the slack out of the seat belt, securing the snuglock, and then locking the vehicle seat belt. I am concerned that t…

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When this seat is first installed with the seat belt, it has a tight fit. However, the install seems to loosen for no apparent reason on its own. This occurs frequently. The seat is properly installed with pulling the slack out of the seat belt, securing the snuglock, and then locking the vehicle seat belt. I am concerned that the install will loosen in the event of an accident, and my toddler will not be properly secured. When the seat loosens, it moves more than one inch from side to side. It has even loosened so much that it began visibly lean to one side.

NHTSA ODI #11570416

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2024
Electrical System

The alternator is placed right under the fill cap for engine oil. So if and when an auto repair shop or owner spills oil out of a funnel or anything else this oil will leak and the first spot it drips onto is the alternator. With all the other plastic under the hood there should be some kind of shield bracket or sloped plastic t…

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The alternator is placed right under the fill cap for engine oil. So if and when an auto repair shop or owner spills oil out of a funnel or anything else this oil will leak and the first spot it drips onto is the alternator. With all the other plastic under the hood there should be some kind of shield bracket or sloped plastic to get in the way of all the other maintenance under the hood. So precede with caution and avoid the unnecessary cost of an alternator change.

NHTSA ODI #11564797

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2024
Unknown Or Other

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 yo…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11563091

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2023
EngineForward Collision Avoidance

I was driving on I-20 with cruise control on @ 71 mph (night time) @ 7 min into using cruise control, the suv acted like it stopped for a quick second (scaring me) I remember rubbing my neck afterwards, thinking it was almost like whiplash. I pulled off the road into parking lot. I thought maybe I had a flat or tire issue, no ti…

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I was driving on I-20 with cruise control on @ 71 mph (night time) @ 7 min into using cruise control, the suv acted like it stopped for a quick second (scaring me) I remember rubbing my neck afterwards, thinking it was almost like whiplash. I pulled off the road into parking lot. I thought maybe I had a flat or tire issue, no tire issues. I then stopped @ a store, when getting back into the suv, I could smell something awful. Like something had burnt. Still don’t know. I have not used the cruise control since this incident. It was Xmas weekend, so I have to wait till dealer opens back up to have it checked out.

NHTSA ODI #11561947

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2023
Unknown Or Other

We have had issues with the Onstar system not working after using the key fob to remote start the vehicle. This has been going on for 1.5 years and again GM customer service told me that the engineers are working on it. Additionally the Onstar emergency SOS will not work during this time because it is disabled Red light instead …

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We have had issues with the Onstar system not working after using the key fob to remote start the vehicle. This has been going on for 1.5 years and again GM customer service told me that the engineers are working on it. Additionally the Onstar emergency SOS will not work during this time because it is disabled Red light instead of green. We live in northern Minnesota where the winters can be brutal-20 to -30 degrees and are afraid that the crash detection system will not work due to this issue. Every thing works fine if you start the car with the button on the dashboard. There are numerous complaints about this affecting numerous vehicles including trucks. A real safety hazard being we live and drive in frigid conditions a bunch in the winter. All GM tells me is they are working on it but the Safety bulletin is dated February 2021 and NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT TIS SAFETY ISSUE!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11557794

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2023
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I was unable to stop my vehicle from accelerating. The brakes were engaging but my vehicle continued to build speed. Myself and my family, as well as others on the road, were all put at risk due to my vehicle not responding or failing to control speed; cruise control was not engaged. My insurance company, USAA, is currently inve…

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I was unable to stop my vehicle from accelerating. The brakes were engaging but my vehicle continued to build speed. Myself and my family, as well as others on the road, were all put at risk due to my vehicle not responding or failing to control speed; cruise control was not engaged. My insurance company, USAA, is currently investigating and determining total damage estimate. No warning lamps, indicators, or messages were presented prior to collision. The rotors and brakes were glowing red after collision from continuous attempts to stop the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11557077

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2023
Service Brakes

Since I bought this car new the brakes have been squeaking and when I took it to the dealer they said they need about this problem but there was nothing that they could do about it since the manufacture has not given them a bulletin on this model of vehicle yet.

NHTSA ODI #11552717

Official recalls

3

22V210000 · Air Bags:side/window:curtain

Mar 31, 2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212352140.

21V817000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 18, 2021

Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible vehicles with Power In-floor Ramp conversion. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the screw and clip, and inspect for signs of contact with the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.

21V472000 · Air Bags:sensor:frontal Impact

Jun 24, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N212340220.

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.