Chevrolet Traverse transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
580 of the 2,366 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Traverse 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2018 (195), 2019 (170), 2022 (43). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns. 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 transmission and drivetrain 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 transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 3 | 12% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 13 | 7% | — | 17 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 18 | 13% | — | 72 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 29 | 33% | — | 61 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2022 | 43 | 44% | — | 67 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 15 | 17% | — | 77 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2020 | 39 | 17% | — | 84 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 170 | 42% | 60k | 106 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 195 | 42% | 33k | 129 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2017 | 18 | 5% | — | 80 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 37 | 13% | 42k | 89 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 transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 10 · 2019: 35 · 2020: 36 · 2021: 30 · 2022: 52 · 2023: 72 · 2024: 91 · 2025: 140 · 2026: 107
Across the model years, half of the 172 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 19,000 and 68,000 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 transmission and drivetrain, 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.
I had stopped for a red light on a city street. The auto stop was on (stops the engine idling) and when I attempted to go after the light turned green, I would press the accelerator and the car would lurch forward, then do nothing, lurch forward, then nothing and the engine light came on.
As I was waiting at a red light and proceeded to to turn green I pressed on the gas to accelerated and the vechicle began to jerk and lerch forward and would not advance almost as as it was losing power or not respoding to the gas pedal. Very scary in the middle of an intersection.
When car is put into park and I turn off the car with the push button, I get a message of “shift to park”. The car is in park but the car doesn’t think it’s in park and won’t fully shut down. Warning chimes continue.
Car began to not shift to park when attempting to park. Dealer said it was a common problem and it is a huge safety issue as if the car is not engaging in park it could be in an unsafe condition on an incline and begin to roll.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, an alarm that indicated that the vehicle was not parked sounded, while the gear shifter was in park(P) and the engine was turned off. The contact stated that the failure had been persisting. An unknown dealer was made aware of the failure.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 23V172000 HighMar 16, 2023 · 8,744 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission.
- 23V042000 HighFeb 2, 2023 · 10 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Blazer and Traverse vehicles. The left-side half-shaft assemblies may be missing a retaining ring.
- 21V817000 HighOct 18, 2021 · 639 vehicles
- Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible vehicles with Power In-floor Ramp conversion. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
- 20V668000 HighOct 29, 2020 · 194,105 vehicles
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Other systems with a record on the Chevrolet Traverse
Source: the same filesEvery 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 transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2018, 195; 2019, 170; 2022, 43. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2022 (44%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Chevrolet Traverse?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V172000 (2023), 23V042000 (2023), 21V817000 (2021), 20V668000 (2020). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Chevrolet Traverse?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 43,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 19,000 and 68,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.