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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,573 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Chevrolet Traverse engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Comments

problem #9

Jan 052015

Traverse 4WD 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Had to replace the transmission after the car had difficulty shifting at higher gears. Spent $3500 getting a new transmission. This after having the power steering failing, a new timing belt installed and a leaking water pump.

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

problem #8

Mar 022015

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 49,812 miles
2/12/2014:car would not start in driveway -towed to jpchevrolet: Control module fuse blown;replaced fuel pump control module -engine started and ran properly per dealership. (all covered under warranty).7/24/14-check engine light on: Timing chain issues gaskets/seals all under warranty.remote lock transmitter stopped working could not reprogram - had to buy new one 0N 1/19/15 at same time asked to check surge of vehicle when drivg 40-45 mph - could not diagnose. On or about 2/15/2015: Check engine light on - next day car would not reverse -again in the driveway -pushed car to road drove to dealership.needed a transmission-only 62780 mi.on car-no choice had to fix and no help from GM in Michigan - "could not help me" car is not even 6 years old -bought in December 2009 and cost $3473.19 to fix. Also again replaced fuel pump after exactly one year - under warranty...... am very unhappy and dissatisfied with this car and feel it is unsafe to drive. GM is aware of transmission problems due to wave plate broken & metal going thruout transmission causing damage which was indicated on my receipts. Lots of problems with 2009 thru 2011 Traverse. Am retired on social security and a pension not exorbitant - bought this car for me and my three young grandchildren and thought this would be my last car to purchase - was I ever wrong......

- Aberdeen , MD, USA

problem #7

Jul 302014

Traverse

  • 87,321 miles
While driving the vehicle slipped out of drive and by the time I got home reverse was gone. I took it to the dealership, sunshine Chevy in asheville nc, and it was only one month out of warranty. They tried to sell me a new transmission for $6,000 then after much fighting only charged a warranty deductable (never heard of such a thing) of $500. It has been five months and this new transmission is now doing the same thing! this car is a death trap. It rolls backwards when it is in drive, they have since claimed it is a design flaw and not covered under any warranty. It is like driving a straight drive, you have to keep your foot on the brake until you accelerate. I live in the mountains and it is a huge problem. There is also an seat belt recall that they have not fixed yet. I have had it in for a timing chain recall, and air bags, plus three others since purchasing this vehicle. I was told when I purchased this vehicle it had 10 years on the power train, is the transmission not a part of that" I have over 25 complaints for this same transmission issue and I am gathering more. How do we get this vehicle recalled"

- Rosman, NC, USA

problem #6

Mar 152013

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I just purchased my 2009 Traverse in March and within 2 weeks of owning it I noticed it was hard to park, unfortunately there was not a warranty on the car. Now its been almost 3 months since I purchased my vehicle and it is getting worse by the day. I not only have problems parking but also when I make turns. I have taken to be looked at and they said it is a common problem with this vehicle. My concern is if it is so common why has it not been recalled. It is obviously a dangerous problem. I have had to stop my car in order to get it to turn so that I could fihish parking. Also have noticed a clunking noise when the ac is on.

- Pueblo West, CO, USA

problem #5

May 142010

Traverse 6-cyl

  • miles
1st. My wife was pulling out of a parking spot and had to stop quickly, then when she proceeded to leave again by letting off the brake - the car rolled forward on a slight incline and hit the car parked next to her. When she removed her foot to the gas - nothing she could do to prevent this incident. 2nd. While in the drive position on a hill at a stop sign or traffic signal, I removed my foot from the brake. The vehicle began to roll back almost hitting the vehicle behind me. We further tested the vehicle on various hills/inclines both in drive and reverse and it continued to roll in the opposite direction of the engaged gear. Apparently, this is a characteristic of the automatic transmission on this vehicle, the service consultant at courtesy Chevrolet of orlando, said this is a flaw in the power train and theirs no known fix. He advised us not to drive it to the mountains if it were him. Since our SUV is for my vacations and primary use, we are very concerned for our safety. We can't afford another vehicle since we had saved up for the down payment for this car. I saw there are a lot of complains of the same case, it was mentioned until someone dies and/or the family files a lawsuit - no recall or action will be done to fix this! please help in address this issue. I set up a facebook page to address this concern: www.facebook.com/chevytraversedeathtrap.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #4

Sep 292011

Traverse

  • 40,000 miles
The entire engine failed, seized. Had it towed to the dealership, they reported that it was do to no oil in the engine. The change oil light was on but not a low oil light, there was no oil leakage or smell noted. The car had been acting "odd" for 10 days or so, losing power and making a diesel engine sound while running.

- Elizabeth, PA, USA

problem #3

Jun 132011

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 98,231 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Approximately a week after taking it to dealership for diagnostic check on steering problems, my truck started making noise. I took it to several mechanics and they all seem to think it was related to the timing chain. As time progressed the noise got exceedingly worse and used an extensive amount of gas. My car is currently not operating and it has approximately 120K miles. I contacted GM and they stated the problem occurred due to the amount of usage. After checking the website www.chevytraverseforum.com I discovered that many other consumers experienced the same problem; however, their usage was much lower, I.e. 19K posted by cotton-smith, 20K heather and mark, 21K judih, to name a few. Sensor code was P0017 I contacted the GM consumer line listed on their website to no avail. Requesting an investigation be conducted on the issues relating to timing chains/engine problems.

- Griffin, GA, USA

problem #2

Sep 232011

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 38,566 miles
As I was driving going approximately 55 mph the park assist message appeared on the dashboard and then the car suddenly lost power. The gauges went to 0 and the radio and air conditioning went off. It then suddenly popped back on and 4 different warning lights came on the dash (check engine, tire pressure, a decal with a lock and the passenger air bag light) and then off again. I pulled over and turned the engine off. When I attempted to start the car again it would not turn over. I attempted 2 times and on the 3rd time the engine turned over and the warning lights were off. The following codes came up when a computer diagnostic tool was plugged in approximately 30 minutes after the issue occurred. B2aaa, B2A00, P0008, PO202 and U25E5.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #1

Aug 252011

Traverse

  • 25,226 miles
Vehicle seems to hesitate also stalling while at highway speed trying to accelerate to pass (feels like a miss in the engine) RPM drop about 500 - 700 rpms when this happens. It also feels like the torque converter lockup is engaging and disengaging not sure if the new transmissions have that anymore. Have taken the vehicle to the dealership and they were unable to find any problems. The dealership last month reprogrammed the transmission to eliminate the hard shifting problem with a bulletin issued from Chevrolet.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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