2016 Chevrolet Traverse airbag problems
163 of the 292 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse name the airbags (NHTSA’s “Air Bags” heading — airbags, their sensors and warning lights). Filed under the same heading: 3 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the airbags
Source: NHTSA complaint database3 of the 163 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 5 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 59 · 2024: 86 · 2025: 8 · 2026: 4
Too few of these complaints carry an odometer reading to say when the problem shows up.
292 complaints in all about the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, 4 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Air Bags” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Chevrolet Traverse airbag problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the airbags. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Campaign ID is 23V334. I received recall letter from GM but parts are not available and letter does not state when they will be available. Vehicle has not been driven since read of recall in media in May. Recall stated that rupture of airbag could result in death which with that risk effectively prevents vehicle from being driven.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
I read about the airbag recall for our 2016 Chevy Traverse and confirmed or vehicle is affected.. I contacted GM and was advised not to drive the vehicle but that no remedy was in place at this time. I called 3 local dealers, none of whom would provide a loaner vehicle until a fix is available.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Additionally, the contact stated that the service air bag warning light intermittently illuminated.
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.
What is on file about the airbags
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 23V334000 CriticalMay 10, 2023 · 995,085 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
- 21V782000 CriticalOct 7, 2021 · 555 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
- 21V246000 HighApr 8, 2021 · 108 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre airbag problems common on the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 163 owner complaints naming the airbags on this model year (56% of everything owners filed about it), and 3 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the airbags on the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading: 23V334000, 21V782000, 21V246000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do airbag problems show up on the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
Too few of the complaints carry an odometer reading to say. The model year's page shows the mileage curve across every system where it can.
What does NHTSA's "Air Bags" heading cover?
Airbags, their sensors and warning lights. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.