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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,155 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.

2016 Chevrolet Traverse electrical problems

electrical problem

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2016 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Apr 062023

Traverse

  • miles

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

While driving on highway, experienced sudden/acute loss of engine power. Depressed acceleration pedal, but no response from engine. No CEL. Pulled to the shoulder and vehicle couldn't start. Key starter clicks but won-??t turn over. No CEL. Still have some electrical power because radio, dash lights, and AC remain on. Could not jump start, batt indicated 12V. Car has been to repair shop 8 times since Nov 2020 (purchased April 2019 used 38k miles) for same issue. Mechanics find they cannot replicate the issue. Has caused accident by sudden deceleration in high speed traffic conditions (highway).

- New Freedom, PA, USA

problem #22

Jul 092022

Traverse

  • miles
Vehicle stalled going down the road. Warranty covered for new engine replacement. Then it was found that the transmission was no good. Warranty paid for new transmission. Vehicle still acting like it wants to stall after new engine, transmission, and battery. Would like to know what caused the problem to begin with and would like a full repair of the vehicle.

- Eden, NC, USA

problem #21

Feb 082023

Traverse

  • miles
Blind spot side detection modules failed due to water intrusion / corrosion (known design defect). As a result, the computer system shorted out, which caused the computer to go into a type of fault mode. While we driving down the road, the blinkers stopped working, the gauges (including speedometer) stopped working, the screens turned off, and the airbag and tire pressure warning lights activated. This is a known issue, according to the dealer repair department. A basic Google search indicates that many people are having this problem. This is a big safety issue because all of these things happened spontaneously while we were driving the vehicle. Repairing the faulty blind spot side detection modules fixes the problem--a $1,900 repair bill. GM should be made to recall these vehicles. GM should be made to reimburse customers for these repairs.

- Maplewood, MN, USA

problem #20

Apr 162022

Traverse

  • miles

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

When sitting in a parking lot when the car was running, many different service now lights flashed across the dashboard. The lights on the side mirrors were on and still on. We turned off the car and the heater engine was still running even without the key in the ignition. When we tried to restart the car, it did absolutely nothing. Would not turn over or even click. It was worked on in the parking lot for 3 hours to get it to start. We had to disconnected a cord on the side of the dash and door locks, all wheel drive, driver side windows and the rear door would not work. A day later we plugged the cord back in and all the components worked except the lights on side mirrors were still on. After taking it to a dealer they confirmed that they had serviced other Chevrolet Traverse's that had the same problems. If this would have happened in traffic it could have caused an accident. No warning lamps, messages or other problems prior to this incident.

- Ray, MN, USA

problem #19

Apr 112021

Traverse

  • 52,000 miles
My vehicle was parked, then I started it up and three error messages were blinking: Service traction control, traction control off, and service stability traction. The light with vehicle and tire marks behind it was on as well. When I started to drive it would cut in and out like it was going to die. The rear instrument panel for ac/heat also gets extremely hot. The vehicle only has 52,000 miles on it.

- California, MO, USA

problem #18

Apr 022020

Traverse

  • miles
The drivers information center (dic) is so dim it is unreadable during the day. The other functions of the photocell (e.g. - daytime running lights) function fine. The light switch for it is turned all the way up. It functions fine at night. Therefore, during the day I am not able to read any warnings on it, or any of the other information, such as tire pressure or fuel consumption data. During the day when it is malfunctioning, if I cover up the photocell on the center top of the dash for 20-30 seconds, the vehicle resorts to night time settings, and the dic is lit appropriately for nighttime.. if I then uncover the photocell, after 20-30 seconds the vehicle resorts back to daytime settings. The dic then is lit normally for daytime. This normal functioning of the dic will last 10 seconds sometimes, other times for an hour. It then once again becomes so dim as to be unreadable. (it is dim, not blank). My Chevy dealer does not know what is going on, and said they have no information from GM. This is not a problem I have alone, as several blogs discuss this problem. For example - https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-T51747_ds1014246. all you have to do is search for: Chevy Traverse drivers information center problems. This is a safety issue. What if my tire pressure is starting to rapidly decline and I cannot see that" what if I am unable to see how many miles I left in gas" Chevy does not appear to admit there is a problem. My vehicle has about 96,000 miles, and I am the original owner. It has only been serviced by a Chevy dealer. There are no after market accessories or alterations. This started about a year ago, but seems to be happening more often. Blogs indicate replacing the instrument cluster fixes the problem, but no word from Chevy on that.

- Lake Bluff, IL, USA

problem #17

Mar 312021

Traverse

  • 73,846 miles

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

Battery keeps dying installed new battery same thing Chevy fourm says cable from batter to engine defective came out vehie been stationary to start dead same thing again had to have Chevy service jump start us first time an engine has loud ticking and sluggish at low heat vehicle was purchased certified pre owned have put 3500 mike's in it since purchase.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #16

Nov 092020

Traverse

  • miles
While driving down hwy 175, vehicles check engine light came on with message 'service stabilitrak' followed by an abrupt loss of power. Happens regularly and without warning.

- Watauga, TX, USA

problem #15

Jun 092020

Traverse 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
Power steering pump connection issue. Pump kicks in and out cause steering wheel to suddenly stiffen. Can be very dangerous if in traffic. Some recall needs to take action to save lives on this serious matter. No recalls as of now I was on the highway when I felt a sudden stiffness in the steering wheel. Got off and checked the fluid. It was topped off and it was even harder to maneuver when vehicle is stationed.

- Dedham, MA, USA

problem #14

Mar 102020

Traverse

  • 58,200 miles
Side detection system and cross traffic warning systems failed at 58200 miles on 2016 Traverse ltz. Warning messages appeared on dic to have this issue serviced. The messages appeared upon startup and while driving. Dealer indicted detection modules and wiring harness must be replaced due to water intrusion and corrosion in the module wiring connection. He indicated this was a well known GM issue. Repair cost is $1350 and not covered by warranty. He indicated some earlier models have been reimbursed for repair but so far the 2016 Traverse is not on the list. This is an important optional safety feature that GM needs to resolve across the product offering. The design is poor with the module mounted inside the rear bumper cover subject to road salt, water and debris and a poorly sealed wiring connection.

- Woodbury, MN, USA

problem #13

Jun 092019

Traverse

  • 68,000 miles

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

The module that is supposed to be for the side detection on both side mirrors does not work. When I brought it to the dealership, the module had a small space that condensation could have gotten in and the module actually ended up bulging. When asked if it could be replaced, they said that the specific piece needed to be replaced is not made by GM any longer and I would need to contact GM, but it could possibly be a recall at a later time. The notification inside the car went off while driving. I checked all settings to make sure nothing was hit by accident. Everything was the way it needed to be. The vehicle was brought in that very next week to be checked out and that's what they told me about the piece (written above). So I have no side detection on a vehicle I just purchased in Feb 2019. I know it's 3 years old, but I should be able to replace a piece that I have no control over.

- Byron, IL, USA

problem #12

Aug 232019

Traverse

  • 64,000 miles
I had had this 2016 Traverse and it has 64000 miles. It has on several occasions flashed service traction control/service stabilitrac system. It happens outta nowhere. I've taken it in several times only to be told they can't find a code. It happens while driving down the road without warning cutting power to the engine. No reason for it to happen and it's not fixed. Seems to be a common GM problem. Needs to be fixed. This happens while driving down the road. On any street. This happened again today and has happened several times.

- Pittsboro, NC, USA

problem #11

May 292019

Traverse

  • 41,714 miles
Our 2016 Chevy Traverse check engine light came on then it started blinking, we brought it too a Chevy dealer and they told us the power steering pump was leaking and the fluid ran down the line and dripped in to the sensor box and shorted out all the sensors. Costing us out of pocket $2115.04. This should not have happened. There were no signs of leaks or spots on our driveway or where the car is parked during the day. If you look under the hood of the Traverse you see nothing. There was no possible way for me too see this problem and catch it before the damage was done. There for this should have been covered under warranty and Chevy basically told me to bad not covered.

- Montague, MA, USA

problem #10

Feb 222019

Traverse

  • 47,000 miles
While driving 75 on a freeway the service stabilitrak, service traction control, and check engine lights all came on. The engine power was reduced and I couldn't go over 40mph all at once. The vehicle was limped off the freeway without any incident with another vehicle, thank god and brought to a mechanic. He said that he has seen hundreds of the same issue over the past few years on the same vehicle and other Chevrolet vehicles. He told me that this will happen to diagnose a more general issue that could be wrong with the vehicle and that it could be a number of things that need to be tested without replacing hundreds or potentially thousands of dollars worth of parts. It could be even be one of a variety of sensors on the vehicle. My complaint is that with such a high tech computer on the vehicle, how is it that there is not a specific problem code or light to tell you or a mechanic what is actually wrong with the vehicle. Secondly that a general code coming up on a car should not be powering the engine down so drastically. That could have been very dangerous if there was someone right behind me. This is a hazard worth a recall before someone is injured or killed because of it.

- Cambridge, MN, USA

problem #9

Jan 072019

Traverse

  • 93,000 miles
My car, on four separate occasions, while I'm either driving on the freeway, or long stretches of roads, has malfunctioned, starting with the service stabilitrak indicator coming on, then traction control off function flashing, then the engine reducing speed until you're able to pull over and eventually stop before the car cuts off. I have taken it to the dealer twice in an effort for them to tell me what's wrong, and each time, they either didn't know, or were unsure. The last time I took it, after being instructed to make sure the check engine light was on, they still were unable to tell me precisely what was wrong, and that they changed a relay, and if that wasn't the problem, the whole fuse box needed to be replaced. I have called GM in response to this, asking how on earth would a fuse box need to be replaced on a vehicle that's only three years old with less than 100,000 miles, but of course their customer service department wasn't helpful in that regard. When I finally spoke to the dealership again, they let me know that the part was on national backorder. That indicates to me that their is a national problem with either the car or the part. I called GM again but was told that it is normal for a part to be on a national backorder. I'm not buying it, and I believe there are many owners with the same problem, and they won't want to own their problem, and leave the vehicle owners on the line to pay for repairs for something that's clearly defective. Please hold them accountable!

- Inglewood, CA, USA

problem #8

May 062018

Traverse

  • 50,000 miles
Loss of power while driving. This happened last year, supposedly fixed, but had to fight with GM. Was still under warranty. Now radio is shot said it would cost $1500 to fix. Electrical I would assume. Fighting with GM once again.

- Papillion, NE, USA

problem #7

Mar 152018

Traverse

  • 70,000 miles
Stabilitrack message comes on and reduced power for no reason. Loses power instantly and have to pull over. Turns back on and check engine light still on, but can drive as normal until I turn it off and who knows when it comes back. Several times has acted like it is stuck in 4th gear while in drive. Reverse is okay. Other times it has not started, at all. I brought it in and dealership said it was battery. Replaced it, then worked ok for couple days, then same problems started showing back up. Brought back in and code P2138 showed up indicating pedal position sensor. I replaced pedal and the issue of reduced engine power has not come back yet (3 weeks). Other issues have recently shown back up (not starting sometimes, stuck in 4th gear). I have had the car for just over a year (bought it from enterprise with 14,500 on it), and now have 71,000 miles and having way too many problems for it being all highway and driving it easy. Too many other people with same problems not to have it fixed/recalled by Chevy. I used to be a Chevy guy, now may move elsewhere.....

- Nevada City, CA, USA

problem #6

Sep 152016

Traverse

  • 200 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving 15-20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. Additionally, on several occasions, the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that it took several attempts to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to serra Chevrolet (28111 telegraph rd, southfield, mi 48034, (866) 722-6987) where it was diagnosed that the ignition key failed. The contact was provided new keys and the ignition was replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #5

Feb 212017

Traverse

  • 9,000 miles
We bought a used vehicle from acadiana Mazda, lafayette la. About a week from having it the emergency brake light comes on. We bring it in, they say they can't find anything wrong so we take it back. The next week, the salesman gives us a call and says that they need to replace the windshield, after asking for a sales ticket for several days, they give us a sales ticket from the week before that says that they think the vehicle has a water leak. (service ticket is enclosed) I come home that night before bringing it in and I find rust dripping from the emergency brake, standing water under my flooring, rust / corrosion all over the bottom parts of the car. What is suspected by the car dealership is that the windshield wasn't sealed right and when it would rain it would come in from the windshield and drip down through the emergency brake. We figured there were 37 days of rain since they had it and all of that rain was going into the vehicle. I was not informed of this prior to buying the car. I tried to return it but they refused and wanted to fix it. That was just sealing the windshield, the brake sensor and replacing the flooring. I did not feel that was good enough. To avoid a legal battle and concerned for my family's safety, I traded it in. I believe there may be some electrical issues, and other concerns with the car that they will not fix so I am reporting this for someone else's safety. It may also have been flooded but that wasn't disclosed when the first owner traded it in but that is just speculation. Please investigate.

- Broussard, LA, USA

problem #4

Jan 142017

Traverse

  • 10,500 miles
I'm just surprised that the windshield washer pump failed as this is a brand new vehicle acquired in May 2016. It had 10,500 miles when the pump failed. Dealer repaired and replaced at no cost (under warranty). It was determined the wire was shorting out the fuse and pump. Repaired the wire and replaced the washer pump and fuse.

- Florence, NJ, USA

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