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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,370 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.

2012 Chevrolet Traverse engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #111

Oct 142023

Traverse

  • miles

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

The head front left head light has had to be replaced 3 times in 3 months same for the left turn signal. Another issue I have is each time I put gas in, the car gets stuck trying to turn over Until I pump the gas.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #110

Sep 242022

Traverse

  • miles
Vehicle died while taking off from the intersection. Leaving us stranded on a busy highway. Engine had sized but oil has been changed every 5k miles with synthetic. No warning light just shut off and wpuld not restart. With 6 kids in the car

- Strafford, NH, USA

problem #109

May 292020

Traverse

  • miles
I was driving down the freeway at about 67 MPH when the message "Traction Control Disabled" came on my display & the car immediately went into "limp mode"! By some miracle I was able to muscle the car out of the slow lane, onto the shoulder as I lost my power steering once in limp mode. I waited a few minutes, car started up just fine, so I shrugged it off. Fast forward 1 week later & the same thing happened to me on my way home on a curvy mountain road. The power steering was again non-existent & luckily, there was no one behind me, nor did anyone come around the corner & hit my disabled car. Once again, it started up, no problem; however, this is when the harsh forward thrust started happening, & the transmission seemed to be slipping gears. The RPM's would rev to the 6000 range & immediately fall down to 1500. I took it to the dealer & sadly paid $3,400 for a new tranny on a 5-year-old car. (No warranty, of course). I started having the same issues about 2 years later, only this time the driver was not so lucky as they were mid-curve on the mountain road. Right as the roadway came out of the bend, the car went into limp mode, power steering lost & wheels stuck in a right turn position, car went off the roadway & into a telephone pole, broke that in half due to the angle of the pole in the mountainside & down the steep embankment about 40-50 feet. All airbags deployed & driver was able to walk away (hike away) but the car was a total loss. Driver was traveling 40-45 mph. There was no indication, no warning, just from travel to nothing.

- Paso Robles, CA, USA

problem #108

Jan 052022

Traverse

  • miles

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

2012 chevy traverse. Feb 20 2020. Milage 127691 My valve cover gaskets failed causing the cabin to fill with smoke. Sept 11 2020 right front axel seal failed causing ptu to lose all the transfer case fluid and bearings. Transfer case replaced. Feb 22 2021 milage 141464 transmission slipping had new one installed. Jan 5 2022 milage 153350 had timing chains replaced. Check engine light came on. Back on june 29 2012 Chevrolet issued a bulletin No. 11340B special coverage adjustment timing chain wear. It is for 2007-2009 traverse acadia outlook enclave equipped with the same 3.6L Engine as my 2012 and other years. they extended warranty coverage for 10 years 120k miles. seeing this problem existed in 07-09 models this should be looked at and to include other years as well. I am a member of 2 facebook traverse groups and there are a lot of others with the same issue. The owners manual says to change engine oil every 5000 miles I have done that. Please look into adding additional years to this recall. Timing chains should not fail stretch or need replacing as much as I have seen others needing to. A vehicle should go well over 200k miles before needing replacing.

- Coon Rapids, MN, USA

problem #107

May 012021

Traverse

  • 99,655 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle took a long time to start-up. While driving approximately 20-40 MPH, the vehicle would not accelerate then shifted into limp mode. The ABS, check engine, traction control, and service air bags warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the wheel bearings were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,655.

- Clairton, PA, USA

problem #106

May 122021

Traverse

  • miles
I was driving to the store and my car dinged and a message saying something like service stabilitrack flashed. The car slowed and I pulled over and turned off the car. Eventually I turned the car on and it was back to normal speed but then it sputtered like it was out of gas. That was 2 months ago. I've had it in the shop 2 times and my husband has been trying to replace every part suggested by gm and any other mechanic. The car continues to misfire and turn of at times during driving. This feature makes this vehicle completely unsafe. Any vehicle that simply cuts power should not be on the road as it poses unnecessary risk. Please do something.

- Alba, TX, USA

problem #105

Jan 012021

Traverse

  • 95,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to three different independent mechanics and on all three occasions, it was diagnosed that the timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #104

Apr 302021

Traverse

  • 165 miles
Dash is throwing different codes such as service and check traction control, stabilitrack, air bag, and at times while driving it will say reduced engine power and my foot would be on gas not wanting to barely move. One time I almost got hit. Other several times I was able to pull over and we would have to disconnect battery wait a little and car would be ok again. I have been experiencing problems with this car that it makes me not want to drive it and thank god we have another car. I am also experiencing catalytic converter issues for the 4th time. Car feels at times like it is bogging when on gas peddle as if something had a clog in it and starts pulsating. Check engine light is also on.

- Springhill, FL, USA

problem #103

Apr 272021

Traverse

  • 82,675 miles
My mechanic replaced my A/C refrigerant hose due to a leak and my A/C conditioning compressor. He said that he has replaced the same parts on a number of other vehicles similar to my 2012 Chevy Traverse. He said the damage to the A/C refrigerant hose was due to a bad design where a bracket is located too close to the A/C refrigerant hose.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #102

Jun 152019

Traverse

  • 165,000 miles
Check engine light came on had the codes checked and I had the engine taken apart twice because the timing chain had jumped causing it to run rough and light came back had to do again and it was fine for a few months but mechanic said the engine is the same as the enclave and acadia which both have had recalls on this issue. This happened the first time while car was in motion.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #101

Apr 042021

Traverse

  • 133,000 miles

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

The traction control goes on and off. Stability trak error message. Engine power reduced. The car would not accellerate which couldve resulted in an accident. This is the 4th time this has happened since January 23, 2021. This issue on the truck needs to be recalled and resolved.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #100

Feb 282021

Traverse

  • 10,700 miles
I was driving on St [xxx] and it was raining I almost hydroplane and my traction light came on and my car started accelerating on it's own I had to pass two cars so I wouldn't hit them and luckily no one was coming towards me my car kept accelerating faster up to 100 mph I slammed on my brakes but my car wouldn't slow down it took 5mins to slow.down to 20 mph I had smoke all around me my car was revving up the rpms and my temperature gauge was hoti seen a road [xxx] and I turned and I put my vehicle in park and tried to shut it off and it wouldn't so I threw it back into drive and then park and shut my ignition off and tried to restart the engine and it wouldn't start after 10 mins of it off I tried the ignition and it started but my brakes had a air sound when I pushed on brake pads and my bf drove my car back home this car is dangerous I looked online and seen it happened to other vehicles and I'm scared to drive my car now I'm lucky I didnt die or kill someone else please assist me bc I dont know what to do the vehicle it's not safe for me to drive since that happened parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fulton, OH, USA

problem #99

Apr 152016

Traverse

  • 80,000 miles
Knocking engine, running like a old tractor. Engine stalled!! had to replace motor. No power found tranny went bad on the middle of busy intersection. Had to replace tranny. Now power steering pump went couldn't turn the wheels on the highway. Had to replace. All repairs paid out of my pocket. Wheres the recalls?? so many people with this same year vehicle same problems. All of these have costed me several thousands of dollars out of my pocket. Also had to pay dealership for the brakes that were bad. 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020 all the years happened. Wipers were the 1st to fall off got replaced.

- Poplar, WI, USA

problem #98

Dec 282020

Traverse

  • 148,000 miles
I was driving 65 miles per hour down the freeway. Oil pressure warning light flashed, heard knocking in engine compartment, warning shut off momentarily, then, oil pressure warning light appeared again, along with knocking in the engine compartment. At that point the engine shut down on its own, and I had to pull off the road immediately, to avoid a collision. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop, or they informed me that it was a skipped timing chain and I would need to replace the motor. Total cost estimated at $8,800

- Mcminnville, OR, USA

problem #97

Dec 042020

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 106,067 miles
We purchased a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse from ray Chevrolet in fox lake, Illinois in late February. We recently experienced a very high repair cost that we inquired about getting reimbursed for on case number [xxx]. we asked for reimbursement due to the fact that the repair is common to this vehicle make, model and year and there is a service bulletin # sb-10052863-8590 (12-06-01-009D dated Aug/2013) substantiating this. We were denied coverage from GMC stating that our vehicle VIN number was not included on the bulletin. Our vehicle has the same timing chain problem as those vehicles that are covered, yet our VIN was excluded. We believe that either your containment of the issue was conducted in error leaving some vehicles like ours out of the scope of containment or that vehicles are purposely left out of the scope of the problem to create a false reporting and avoid recall of all affected vehicles. Our claim was escalated to a senior advisor at GMC who after a short investigation stated that our vehicle is not covered under the extended warranty that all other vehicles with the same problem are covered with. This is outrageous and is not acceptable! we have been GMC customers for over 40 years. We are asking again for a refund of the repair costs as our vehicle has the same timing chain problem. If we do not receive an equitable solution for this, we will be sure to publicize the actual happenings to the public for all to know and be aware of how GMC treats long term customer loyalty. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Twin Lakes, WI, USA

problem #96

Nov 302020

Traverse

  • 107,000 miles
While returning from work the engine just shut down. It would not start. I thought it may have been the battery. It would barely turn over purchased a new battery and installed it.this all took about a hour and a half. Started the car and it knocked rattled and and squealed. I shut it down and had it towed home. I have no warning lights or codes on the dash what soever the motor sounds like trash

- Lake City, PA, USA

problem #95

Nov 042020

Traverse

  • 164,160 miles
P0019, P0018 stability track issues and reduce engin power and I was driving when happen and the air bag light won't go off

- Col, OH, USA

problem #94

Aug 152020

Traverse

  • 1,000,000 miles
2012 Chevy Traverse had complete engine failure with no warning signs while driving. The car repair shop said it needs a complete new engine. They said it looks as if something in the engine failed and stoped pumping the oil through.

- Soldotna, AK, USA

problem #93

Sep 222020

Traverse

  • 100,238 miles
At approximately 99,000 miles, the engine warning light came on while on an out of state trip. An auto store read the code as timing chain stretched. And stated that we should have the vehicle repaired soon. We returned home from our trip and shortly after received a warning "engine power reduced." The car would not accelerate quickly. In attempting to take the vehicle in for repair the traction control function quit operating. We were informed that there was a technical service bulletin from GM stating that this problem would be repaired by GM under warranty. We took the vehicle to our Chevy dealer who stated that this VIN is not part of that recall. The vehicle has 100,243 miles.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #92

Sep 122020

Traverse

  • 65,600 miles
We purchased our 2012 Chevy Traverse brand new in April of 2013. I had the extended pip warranty 6 years, 60,000 miles. The mileage is 65,674. On 9/12/2020 while driving rural state road at 55mph the engine stalled losing power steering and brakes. We safely pulled to the side. The engine started back up with the check engine light on and an obvious knock. Towed the Traverse to the dealership for service Monday when they opened. Drivers village dealership cicero NY checked vehicle and confirmed 'very bad knocking when vehicle is running, noise changes with rpms. Scanned and found P0016 crank cam.' Diagnostic repair fee of $250 determined the #1 bank rod broken- need engine replacement. They also reported oil level full and clean with 57% life remaining. The oil has always been changed at the 3,000. I was presented with two quotes to install a GM new engine or a rebuilt engine. Both options are over $8,500 to repair.

- North Syracuse, NY, USA

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