Chevrolet Traverse electrical problems, 2016–2027
426 of the 2,366 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Traverse 2016–2027 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2019 (111), 2018 (101), 2025 (46). Filed under the same heading across these years: no document yet. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Chevrolet Traverse electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 7 | 29% | — | 1 TSB | the year → |
| 2025 | 46 | 26% | — | 62 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 26 | 19% | — | 167 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 19 | 21% | — | 145 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 18 | 18% | — | 174 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 22 | 25% | — | 158 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 28 | 12% | — | 177 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 111 | 27% | 43k | 156 TSBs | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 101 | 22% | 22k | 236 TSBs | the record → |
| 2017 | 22 | 6% | — | 184 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 26 | 9% | 47k | 215 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 4 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 11 · 2019: 27 · 2020: 23 · 2021: 27 · 2022: 28 · 2023: 49 · 2024: 61 · 2025: 101 · 2026: 90
Across the model years, half of the 100 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 10,000 and 50,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
When turning off the Traverse, a "shift to park" message is being displayed despite the vehicle being in park which does not allow the internal electronics (such as the radio) to turn off when exiting the vehicle. Sometimes shifting out of and back into park or hitting the buttons on the shifter fix the problem.
"shift to park" message appears after putting the vehicle in park and trying to turn the engine off. Vehicle is clearly in park, but vehicle does not seem to recognize it is in park. Happens intermittenly. To be able to turn off the car, I will need to put the car in drive and then back to park.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. While attempting to turn into a parking lot, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The manufacturer was made aware of the codes and advised the technician to clear the codes and return the vehicle to the contact. The technician acted accordingly.
In early april 2019, approximately the first week of april, I was driving the Traverse on a hill and stopped at a stop light. When the light turned green, I attempted to step on the gas and pull forward, but the car rolled backwards. I looked down to see if I was in reverse, but the car was in drive.
All connected services do not work. The car cannot receive any updates to software/hardware posing potential safety issues. There was no warning. They all just stopped working. The vehicle was brought to the dealer in the beginning of October 2025 and I still do not have a fix or solution or potential timeline
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNothing filed under this heading on these model years.
Other systems with a record on the Chevrolet Traverse
Source: the same files- brake problems
- automatic emergency braking problems
- engine problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
- airbag problems
Every system, every model year: Chevrolet Traverse problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Chevrolet Traverse years have the most electrical complaints?
2019, 111; 2018, 101; 2025, 46. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (29%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Chevrolet Traverse?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do electrical problems show up on the Chevrolet Traverse?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 27,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 10,000 and 50,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.