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CarComplaints.com Notes: There are a fair-number of power steering related complaints which is a continuation of problems from the previous model year. Considering the problem tends to happen beyond the standard warranty (73k+) it's best to avoid this vehicle or at least be prepared for the $1,300+ repair.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,234 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.

2011 Chevrolet Traverse electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #44

Jan 032019

Traverse

  • 135,000 miles

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

My Traverse has been loosing power track control cuts off and will not come back on. At times it doesn't shift gears. When the temp gets down in the 30's it messes up. Can't go vert far without it stopping. This has been going on since I've had this car.

- Vernon, TX, USA

problem #43

Nov 012018

Traverse

  • 110,000 miles
'timing chain'. recently engine light appears on and goes off while driving my 2011 Chevy Traverse lt 3.6L with almost 113,000 miles. I used my scanner and codes P0008 and P0017 appeared. After doing my research I discovered that, 1. the codes are for the engine timing chain. 2. tons of customers that own the same make, model and year as mine along with many different GM model vehicles that have the 3.6 L engine, are having the same code and engine problem. 3. GM knows about this issue since they have extended the warranty up to 120,000 miles on some of the 2011 Chevy Traverse's and other GM makes and models. GM advised me that my VIN is not covered and I should bring my vehicle to the closest GM dealer to have them diagnose the problem. I brought my vehicle to adams Chevrolet located in havre de grace, Maryland on 01/10/19. Adams Chevrolet tech stats: Found codes P0008 and 0017. Found timing is not in sync due to faulty timing chains. Stated customer declined repairs at this time. Customer would need to replace timing chains and actuators. I contacted GM a second time a few days after I brought my vehicle to adams Chevrolet, the GM employee stated that she will note everything and has my current address and phone number on file if they need to get ahold of me. She stated again my VIN is not covered and that I should keep in touch with a customer service employee from a GM dealership and see if they will work with me on a price at my expense. I have had an issue with the power steering while driving in 2018 and adams Chevrolet recently advised me that there is an extended warranty on the power steering as well but timing chain is not covered on my VIN. My 2011 Chevrolet Traverse timing chain and /or issues related to that problem needs rplaced for free or I will gracefully accept a new vehicle from GM for free and you can have my Traverse back. Respectfully, dylan

- Conowingo, MD, USA

problem #42

Dec 182017

Traverse

  • 170,000 miles
Driving the Traverse started to smell wires burning in the cabin dashlights started going crazy and dinging. Was about a mile to where I could pull over safely.. started to pull off the breaks and steering seemed to stop working and the vehicle died.. I nearly hit bridge pillar not being able to steer or stop.. the car was full with myself 4 children and a newborn.. I am told the motor is ruined and no one can pinpoint the other problems.. the repair costs are around 6000$ which have not been done because honestly I'm scared for my life to fix this vehicle and drive it..

- Auburn, KS, USA

problem #41

Jan 012015

Traverse

  • miles

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

Takata recall, air bag warning light comes on when its cold outside, recall number 14V266, fuel gauge stops working when its cold outside, passenger side window does not role up with the driver side controls.

- Wagoner, OK, USA

problem #40

Dec 082018

Traverse

  • 60 miles
Stability traction control system problems. I have a 2011 Chevy Traverse. Problems erupted after I finished paying it off. I had this car for 7 years now and 100K miles now. For the past year the traction control system has failed multiple times. At first I took it to the dealer and spent over $3500 to fix it. A few months after the problem came back. The dealer was asking for almost $4000 stating that it was something else not fixed before. Even a mechanic from the dealership told me to get rid of it because lots of people were complaining with same issues. At first the "traction control system off" comes on the screen every time I drive for a long period of time. Followed by "service stability traction control system". now as soon as I turn the car on the same messages appear. Just a week ago I was in the highway and "power loss warning" came out in the screen. I couldn't accelerate, thank god I was near an exit and was able to get out in time before it stopped completely. Turned off the car and waited a few mnts. Turned on again and drove off on the service road. I was not able to go faster than 10 mph. Now the car is in my driveway and I'm getting ready to get rid of it asap! but just noticed that I'm not the only one with such a problem. We need a recall fast. I bought this car for 47K thinking that it was going to last just like the old Chevy. But this new tech is killing it! we need a recall on this fast!

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #39

Sep 262018

Traverse

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving various speeds, the check engine, stability control, and service traction warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- South East, DC, USA

problem #38

Jul 262018

Traverse

  • 136,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. While opening the liftgate with the key fob, the liftgate unexpectedly closed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.

- Livingston, CA, USA

problem #37

Mar 012018

Traverse

  • 77,000 miles
Wipers stopped working when I was on the road. Still continue not to work. Which is not fun to drive. Hoping for no rain. Not sure why mine doesn't have a recall being its in the snow state and they are replacing a part. So I am suppose to pay for it myself" another issue, our windows don't want to roll up back up. Our back right window has gotten stuck down. The button back there and in front won't bring it back up. We have to try it for like an hour, turning the vehicle on and off, reaming on the buttons to get it up. If there is a short circuit somewhere" we can't adjust our mirrors. Assuming an electrical issue with all of this.

- Odenton, MD, USA

problem #36

Jul 282018

Traverse

  • 122,689 miles
Takate recall after turning car on it driving the gages go dead not working and ac buttons will not work, then after a few seconds it will go back to working. And it tells me to service air bag, service AWD.

- Tuckasegee, NC, USA

problem #35

Feb 212018

Traverse

  • 120,000 miles
While driving at least 45 mph my car was running fine when all of a sudden my locks started locking and unlocked and the car shifted so hard I am surprised I did not wreck my vehicle with my son and infant daughter. The vehicle continued to do the lock switching and numerous lights were flashing on my dash. I was scared to death nonetheless. I have had more sensors, water pump etc. That you can even begin to imagine on this vehicle. It is by far the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I will never again by a Chevrolet Traverse. Just had my car services two days ago and now the check engine light has come back on. I am not even shocked at this point. I am scared to even drive my vehicle with my kids in the car because of the terrifying experience that we encountered. I had the so called issue fixed which was a sensor.

- Cynthiana, KY, USA

problem #34

Dec 212017

Traverse

  • 115,000 miles

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

While driving my Traverse my traction control will turn off, service stabilitrak will come on and it will say engine power reduced and will slowly start to slow down. If you come to a complete stop and try to hit the gas again it will shake and kind of studder. This has happened both on a city street and on the highway. The city street was on a curvy road and the highway was a straightaway. This has only happened while in motion. In order for it to stop we would have to turn the car off for 10-15 seconds and restart in which sometimes it would stop for a while and others it would only stop for a mile or less. This is the second year it has done it and both years it has done it in the cold. Last year we cleaned the wheel sensors and it stopped but this year we have tried multiple things and nothing is working. A 3 and half hour drive home for the holidays took 7 hours in the sleet with my 3 year old at 3 in the morning. That's not okay. I'm not willing to have that happen again. Something needs to change.

- Warrensburg, MO, USA

problem #33

Oct 152017

Traverse

  • 130,000 miles
The headlight on the passenger side caught on fire where it connects to the wiring system. The vehicle was parked but running in a driveway. This caused about 2000 in damages to the vehichle.

- Eckert, CO, USA

problem #32

Oct 152017

Traverse

  • 133,000 miles
I was on my way home from dinner when the engine started revving on it's own and the car began jerking. I pulled to the side of the road and the engine killed. I restarted the vehicle and noted that the battery was suppling enough power and the temperature gage was normal. At this time, the lights started to flicker, the rpms were going up and down fairly quickly and the windows and locks were clicking. I was able to get the vehicle home (5 miles), but the problems persisted the entire drive. The second I would let me foot off the gas pedal, the engine would kill. I took it to the mechanic and he said when he hooked it up to the machine to see what the problem was, there was so much wrong he couldn't actually tell what was causing what. The computer and engine both were recommended to be replaced. I let him know as well it had become more difficult in the last few months to turn the wheel when going at a slow speed and virtually impossible to park. He stated it is a known issue with this make, model and year. The steering, the computer and the engine he has seen multiple customers have problems with.

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

problem #31

Apr 052017

Traverse

  • 140,000 miles
Wipers stop working when the left signal turn was activated, wipers would restart when left signal was turn off and in the neutral position. When driving wipers would periodically stop working and would return to functioning when left wiper was partially activated and not pushed down completely. Vehicle was in motion.

- Brandywine, MD, USA

problem #30

May 152017

Traverse

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. Whenever the contact attempted to use the key to unlock the vehicle, the alarm system would sound. The contact was able to place the key into the ignition to turn off the alarm system; however, the key could not be turned in the ignition to start the vehicle. The contact stated that if the key fob was used to open the vehicle, the vehicle started and functioned normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #29

Nov 142016

Traverse

  • 59,000 miles
When raining water enters into ac/heating blower access panel and accumulates there ultimately causing the blower motor to fail. Also when making a left turn water runs out from panel onto passenger side floor. Had to have blower motor removed and replaced with new one. A recall for this problem is needed as it is a common problem with these vehicles.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #28

Nov 032016

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 74,875 miles
Takata recall I have a 2011 Chevy Traverse ltz with just under 75K miles. I had the throttle body replaced in October 2014 before there was a recall. Today, I got out of class, picked up my children from school and went to the grocery store. This is a 2 mile trip round-trip. I was driving past the kids school straight ahead on city streets doing about 15 mph, just a few blocks from our house, the warning lights began to beep and the dic had several messages. "engine hot A/C off" "engine power is reduced" and "engine overheated idle engine". it became very difficult to handle the truck. The high in Chicago today was 60 degrees and I only made the one trip mentioned above. I plan on taking it to the dealer tomorrow but I want to know if this is a problem people are having.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #27

Dec 022015

Traverse

  • 85,000 miles
While driving errors pop up for stabiltrak/traction control/engine power reduced then you get about then you lose about 20% to 60% of power. It can happen anywhere at anytime while driving.

- Blossburg, PA, USA

problem #26

Jan 012016

Traverse

  • 48,000 miles
I turn off removed the key. The car on(running) no stop, the dealer only for test and diagnose, $800 I can believe.. only 48000 miles the second owner.. 2011 Chevy Traverse please no, buy any Chevy

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #25

Dec 242015

Traverse

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the vehicle shifted out of gear and began to lose power. The engine stalled with out warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The failure occurred twice. The contact also mentioned that the key was stuck in the ignition. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Lucedale, MS, USA

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