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CarComplaints.com Notes: There are serious power steering concerns for the Traverse. Data shows that owners are having a difficult time with their power steering quitting, particularly at low speeds.

8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,680
Average Mileage:
94,600 miles
Total Complaints:
14 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace timing chain and related parts (12 reports)
  2. engine replacement (1 reports)
  3. not sure (1 reports)
2010 Chevrolet Traverse engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Comments

problem #14

May 202017

Traverse LT 3.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 131,095 miles

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

I specifically bought a car that had a timing chain so I wouldn't have to replace it on a regular basis (like a belt). Timing chains should not need to be replaced.

- Ken C., Granger, US

problem #13

Oct 012020

Traverse 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 176 miles

The timing belt stretched and needs repair - and who has 2000 dollars these days to fix this issue? I believe it is with manufacturing.

- margaretannwhite26, St Paul, US

problem #12

Jun 152019

Traverse LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,565 miles

An ac/heater and timing chain issue. GM claims to fix problem in 2009 - the only thing they fixed was their wealth. I will never buy gm/chevy product again - they don't want to work with you and fix what they now know wasn't done correct in 2009 but give you a good line of BS when you talk to them on the phone!!!!!!

- Craig P., Montague, MA, US

problem #11

Dec 022020

Traverse 2LT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,093 miles

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

This is the THIRD time we have had to replace the timing belt. Each time we get a check engine light with the code P0008. Fortunately, we have been able to get it repaired before it caused any major issues.

The first incident occurred at 50k miles and was covered under warranty. The second time it occurred at 113k miles and was not covered and now this one at 150k miles.

This seems to be a common problem with the 2010 Traverse. It appears that Chevrolet recognized this in the 2009-2011 Traverse models and redesigned the engine in 2012. Although Chevrolet has identified this as a problem, so far they have told us the last two times that it is out of warranty. This time the dealer recommended installing a new engine at a cost of over $8,000. We decided to just replace the timing belt.

This was the first time we purchased a Chevrolet vehicle. Although my wife loves the vehicle and likes the new ones, it will likely be the last Chevrolet we purchase. The new Traverse models look nice and appear to have addressed the early model year issues, but we are not sure we want to take the chance and throw good money after all the bad. We certainly will be selling this in less than 50k miles.

- Allen H., La Plata, MD, US

problem #10

Mar 232019

Traverse LT 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,616 miles

Check engine light comes on and we took in our immaculate, well maintained Chevrolet Traverse to the local dealer. I had feared the worst after looking up the code on the internet - the timing chain. Yes, sure enough the dealer confirmed the timing was stretched and needed replacement. They acted as if they pretty much already new that it was going to be the timing chain since it was a 2010 Traverse. Surprise $2,500 later out-of my-pocket my Traverse is back on the road. Thanks GM! Come to find out GM reimbursed those with the same issue on 2009 models and claim they "fixed" for 2010 model cars. They really expect me to believe they corrected this problem for 2010's and it was just a wild coincidence that my timing chain went out at only 86,000 miles. I think not! A timing chain failure on a well-maintained car with only 86,000 miles is insane! This is absolutely absurd and GM needs to reimburse or they will never see another dollar from me. And this comes from the son of a GM retiree of 30 years. He will never purchase another GM vehicle either after this sickening event. Really pathetic and there should be a lawsuit if GM doesn't come to the table and make this right for its customers.

- neil2415, Rockford, US

problem #9

Aug 012018

Traverse LT 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,556 miles

Chevy would not cover the repair on this is a 2010 traverse. They extended the 2009 Traverse timing chain to 120k miles..this is the same timing chain used in 2009. I will never buy another Chevy product ever again. I'm going with a Toyota or Honda, they take care of the customers.

- Kevin B., Auburn, US

problem #8

Jan 012018

Traverse LTS 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

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

I have a 2010 Traverse that was purchased brand new by my parents from Chevy dealership. We bought the car from them after passing of my father. We have 88,000 miles on the vehicle and it has been very well maintained with all of the proper oil changes. Low and behold check engine light comes on and my mechanic tells me the Codes P0008 and P0017 are due to Timing Chain needing to be replaced. He was amazed that it was needed with 88,000 miles. He sent over links about the issues that are known about this 3.6 L engine with both Acadia and Traverse. He said it would have to go to dealer and we would be looking at a cost of about $3500.00.

As I research this issue it seems that this is a known issue and I see that the Acadia owners are receiving letters extending their warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles. I call the dealer...NO GO. I call GM...sorry NO GO. They questioned me on whether or not my mechanic was doing the 172 point check when I bring it in to him.....like that is the reason the Timing Chain went at 88,0000 miles.

This follows 3 months ago my 2013 Chevy Tahoe (bought from Chevy dealer in 2015 who sold me on the 172 point check) with 104,000 miles on it requiring a brand new Transmission. So over the course of 4 months I am supposed to give Chevy over $7000.00 to repair a 2013 Transmission (4000 miles out of warranty) and 2010 Traverse with 88,000 miles just to maintain my vehicles.

We are 0-2 with Chevy products. This is so unfortunate because both of these vehicles look fantastic on the outside....but under the cover...they are not well made. I am open to any suggestions from those that have had similar issue with the 2010 Traverse.

- bobmc22, Norristown, US

problem #7

Sep 092015

Traverse LT 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,934 miles

click to see larger images

timing chain code issue timing chain code issue

3 weeks after warranty expired the timing chain went. I have been diligent all my life with the care and maintenance of my vehicles, With no help from Chevy so I had it fixed. That Sucked. Today is June 26, 2017 my car has 89,230 miles on it and has been at the mechanic's since Wednesday the 21st, 2017(he could not get to my car till today) because I heard a terrible knocking noise and then the car stalled in the middle of the parking lot of Red Box. Just got a call from my mechanic with the worst news ever (but almost expected) Threw a rod, engine is shot!! I'm devastated.... I'm not rich and cannot just run out and buy a car anytime I feel like it, (needed to get that off my chest) I'm going to be 60 years old and the 4 cars I have owned before this one has lasted years and years. Thought I would buy new and fell in love with the body style of the Traverse. Well the body is still perfect, so now if I want to spend $6000 on a new engine (there is no way... You can put lipstick on a pig... it is still a pig) I still would have the style I like. Chevy as we all know will not do anything to make this right for all of us out there (I'm sure I'm not the only one). OH! and the most awesome part about this whole EXPERIENCE, I have only one more car payment left.... Yeah !!

- Jennifer T., Sutherlin, US

problem #6

Jul 012017

Traverse LT 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,896 miles

Had a lot of problems fixed when under warranty, had a rear air condition line blow out, 900 dollars out of my pocket. now 2500 dollars timing chain replaced 72869 miles

- brelinski, Grand Blanc, MI, US

problem #5

Aug 022013

Traverse V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles

Just bought it and it went. Should have known then how bad the car was.

- stauringent, Hornell, US

problem #4

Mar 272017

Traverse V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

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

this is the second timing chain we have replaced in the life of this vehicle.

- stauringent, Hornell, US

problem #3

Jan 282017

Traverse LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

I took my 2010 Traverse into my dealer for the check engine light to be diagnosed. They feel the timing chain is stretched and needs replaced. Two years ago...same problem. Fortunately I was on month 59 of my 60 month warranty so I did not incur any financial loss. Now, IN JUST 2 YEARS...about 40,000 more miles when it was last fixed...it's likely that it needs to be fixed again, at a ballpark estimate of $3000!

- Brian S., New Carlisle, IN, US

problem #2

Sep 082016

Traverse V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,000 miles

Our timing chain was replaced in our 2010 Traverse in 2014. In 2016, we received a timing chain engine code and took it in to the dealer. Timing chain needs replacing. Out of warranty so I had it towed to a local mechanic. He looked and said it looks like a rebuild and out of his desire to do the work. He towed it (free of charge) to another mechanic who replaced the entire engine (since there are so many problems with the GM model engine, they opted for a different brand). The shop was willing to give me an extended 3 yr 100K mile warranty on the new engine, which was awesome, so we decided to go for it. $8K for the new engine and labor. Ridiculous. GM will not help us with any kind of reimbursement in any amount as of today, even though the exact same issue has an extended warranty on previous Traverse models. I'm assuming a class action suit is going to commence.

- pjscott1968, Little Rock, AR, US

problem #1

Aug 112016

Traverse

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,929 miles

GMC and the traverse, timing chain had to be fixed about 2 years ago with fairly low mileage. the car was still under warranty now its two years later it has the same problem! This left me with a couple of conclusions, either the traverse is made so poorly that it needs to be recalled for timing chain issues, or the traverse is so poorly made GMC need to recall and fix the issue. i see this has the only solution. this is ridiculous ! A timing chain issue twice and the car has 80,000 miles. brought the car new.

- Regina S., Muscle Shoals, AL, US

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