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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:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,335 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Comments (Page 5 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #120

Jan 252018

Traverse

  • 120,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle misfired and stalled without warning. Additionally, there was an abnormal winding noise. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer (legacy Chevrolet, 13307 us hwy 25E, corbin, ky 40701) where it was diagnosed that the timing chain and valves needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: 8-3858409715. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Gray, KY, USA

problem #119

Oct 012017

Traverse

  • 0 miles
Codes are as followed: P0008, P0496, P0221, P0017, C0242, C00561

- Buffao, NY, USA

problem #118

Dec 282017

Traverse

  • 86,000 miles
Timing chain went out at 86000 miles

- Mediapolis, IA, USA

problem #117

Aug 232017

Traverse

  • 117,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated one week after the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing belt was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 117,000.

- Shakopee, MN, USA

problem #116

Nov 222017

Traverse

  • 0 miles
I keep getting codes for emission and timings chain. My back up safety sensor and wheel sensor doesn't work.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #115

Dec 082017

Traverse

  • 113,000 miles
The timing chain needed to be replaced at 113,000 miles. This was a know flaw by GM as problems occurred in the 2009 and 2010 Traverse engine that resulted in reimbursements for repairs. The 2011 Traverse has the same problem and the cost to repair is about $4,500. GM should reimburse for this issue as the flaw has not been fixed in 2011 model.

- Winfield, IL, USA

problem #114

Jun 062016

Traverse

  • 44,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving 80 mph, the headlights and all the instrument panel lighting turned off without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and was able to drive back home only with the high beam lights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (rydell Chevrolet, 18600 devonshire St, northridge, ca 91324) where it was diagnosed that the headlights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that when driving on a rainy day at 15 mph, the headlights turned off and all the instrument panel lights turned off without warning. The failure caused the contact to crash into another vehicle that was parked on the side of the road. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred several other times even after the vehicle was repaired. Also, while driving 30 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic (ultimate connections, 9517 1/2 sepulveda blvd, North hills, ca 91343) where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft, oil pump, and engine mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-222-1020 and stated that they would replace the vehicle; however, the contact did not hear back. Case number: 8-3184289974 was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

- Woodland Hills, CA, USA

problem #113

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 #112

Sep 012017

Traverse

  • 146,000 miles
Vehicle had had been shuddering and misfiring on and off for quite some time, check engine light came on, took to shop for diagnosis. Shop stated codes were related to stretched timing chains. I then took to dealer, got same diagnosis and a $2,000 estimate. Had repairs done. Check engine light has not come back on since. Car would hesitate and loose power attempting to accelerate when taking off in traffic. Felt unsafe driving, as I never knew when car was going accelerate or not.

- Sanford, MI, USA

problem #111

Sep 252017

Traverse

  • 53,000 miles
Was driving home from work engine made a ticking sound then knocked a little upon acceleration, no lights came on and I was within a 1/2 mile to my home so I kept driving. Car died as I pulled into driveway, had I been on the street I would not have been able to pull over as there was no warning. I took it to the dealer who said the timing belt went out and ruined the engine, total cost for new engine $7250 and despite other years and VIN numbers being recalled they refused to cover my vehicle that only has 52,000 miles. Mechanic all but admitted it was a flaw and told me to save my receipt. I asked him if the only way Chevy will cover it is if someone gets killed, or if enough people complain and he said yes. Why not be honest about it and stand behind their product? now I'm scared even with a new engine it could happen again, only I might not be lucky enough to be in my driveway.

- Sioux City, IA, USA

problem #110

Sep 072017

Traverse

  • miles

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

Went for an oil change and then noticed my coolant reservoir completely. I contacted oil company and topped coolant off. Next day went to work and oil company came to inspect the car and coolant empty again. Went to oil company after work and was advised to go to dealership as it appears to be a water pump leak. Next morning went to shaheen Chevrolet and paid $101.86 and the advised it was my water pump leaking at shaft weep hole. I research3rd and found recall 13079 and contacted GM at 18002221020 and S/w anna and was advised its not a recall but a customer satisfaction program. And that I had the customer satisfaction on 4/19/2014 and it only carried a 12 month warranty. However since this seems related they will assign my case to a senior advisor...case 8-3280633041

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #109

Mar 172017

Traverse

  • 108,900 miles
We were doing normal driving around town when the check engine light came on and the vehicle started running very rough. We were able to drive slowly and get the vehicle home. The engine started making a knocking sound. We took the car to a Chevrolet dealer to be looked at. The dealer said the timing chain and pistons were out and they recommended replacing the motor. They said they had seen this before on the Traverse and wouldn't know for sure until they took the engine apart but that was what the diagnostics were showing. We towed the car to another shop to get a second opinion. They also stated the pistons and bearings were bad, the timing belt was bad and they would know more if they took it apart. They also recommended replacing the motor because of the extent of the damage. We replaced the engine. The vehicle had 108,000 miles at the time of the engine failure.

- Forest City, IA, USA

problem #108

Aug 112017

Traverse

  • 67,600 miles
A number of months ago, while I was driving on the highway all lights on the dashboard went on an a message displaying "reduced power engine" was displayed. At the same time, that is exactly what happened., the engine power was reduced for few seconds and then everything went back to normal. Months before the described incident, I received a letter from Chevrolet describing this issue and stating about an extended warranty to cover this issue. I went to the dealership and I was I will be charged roughly $150 to detect the issue and, if and only if, certain codes were displayed on the scan, it will be covered by the extended warranty. Since it was expensive I decided to go to another place and the scan for free and obtain the codes. No codes were displayed. Since 4 months ago the engine shutoff while the vehicle is moving, to start the engine is required to stop by any possible way, and restart the engine. Once again, all lights on the dashboard turn and the vehicle completely shutoff. This had happened at least six times in the last 4 months. In all of this incidents I can not tell if the "reduced power engine" message is displayed since the priority is to stop the vehicle. I took the vehicle couple weeks ago to the dealership and I was charged about $150 to diagnose the problem. The feedback from Chevrolet was that nothing was with in the vehicle. It is inconceivable that I was charged that much by Chevrolet to come back with a response that there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. Chevrolet is well aware (the letter received in the past) there is an issue with the vehicle. Furthermore, the internet is plenty of people describing the same issue with the Traverse. I do not know the parameters of NHTSA to call when should be a recall, but based on the letter that Chevrolet sent, and the multiple complains suggests it might be.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #107

Aug 102017

Traverse

  • miles
My engine keeps using oil but not leaking anywhere between oil changes

- Tiffin, OH, USA

problem #106

Jan 172016

Traverse

  • 148,000 miles
In January 2016, my vehicle started having stability track issues. It got so bad I had the car sit up for a month then called a mechanic out to diagnosis the car. They sent me to the Chevy dealership and they fixed something within the steering, but that did not stop my stabilitrak from malfunctioning. While driving the stabilitrak light turns on and says it needs servicing. Then it makes the engine slow down and it starts stalling so we have to pull over and turn the car off and turn it back on for it to do the same thing again within minutes. If the cruise control is on it turns it off starts to stall and puts my family and I in danger, I just thank god we've been able to alleviate major accidents. It's been one minor accident but because we were already going slow it didn't affect either car, so we let it go especially because our vehicle was at fault not the people behind us.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #105

Jul 202017

Traverse

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. After performing a routine tune up on the vehicle, the engine failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (rainbow Chevrolet in laplace, Louisiana) where it was diagnosed that the timing chain malfunctioned. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 104,000.

- Laplase, LA, USA

problem #104

Jul 132017

Traverse

  • miles
Timing change

- Laplace, LA, USA

problem #103

Jun 242017

Traverse

  • 96,000 miles
Engine failed catastrophically on the busy I10 freeway at 50 mph. It was very fortunate that a pile-up did not occur. This could have resulted in injury or death. Dealer diagnosed the problem to a clogged catalytic converter that started to disintegrate and blow abrasive ceramic dust back into the engine. Eventually causing it's complete failure.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #102

Jun 242017

Traverse

  • 112,000 miles
June 24, 2017 driving at 70mph on 2 lane highway with outside temperature around 85 degrees and suddenly lost power, speed dropped quickly, engine light came on and stopped car on side of road. Narrowly avoided accident from sudden deceleration. Turned off engine and waited about 15 seconds and restarted engine. Drove ok after that. Had similar loss of power with warning lights of "power reduced" and engine light came on February 2017 in grocery store parking lot. Left engine off for about one hour and then restarted ok but acceleration sluggish. Took car to auto mechanic and they could find nothing wrong.

- Mcgregor, TX, USA

problem #101

Jun 192017

Traverse

  • 64,472 miles
Check engine light came on with code P008, took to dealer & found 3 timing chains needed replaced which means the engine must come out and an open estimate of at least $2350. Found on cartruckinfo.com and NHTSA.gov this is a common complaint and needs corrected by General Motors and Chevrolet. Unacceptable for a 2011 vehicle with 64,000 miles.

- Chesapeake, OH, USA

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