2018 Chevrolet Traverse: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 454 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (39% of complaints); the 2016 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 13 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Apr 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 454 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Car wouldn't move in Reverse, I'd give it gas and it would just rev. It would drive forward but very sluggish. Brought to 2 different mechanics and they both said I need to replace the transmission. Car has 97,500 miles on it. This is a known issue with these vehicles. The transmission ship had another traverse and a GMC Acadia in it for the same exact issue.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2026
“I work full time in an auto body repair shop and a fire chief. I am coming across more and more white GM vehicles where the paint is not stuck where the windshield is glued in. A couple real hard pushes and the windshield will about come completely out.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2026
“Front passenger tire was losing air, on the way to bring it to tire shop dashboard displayed tire pressure sensor, power steering system, TCM notification, Electronic brake control. Got it to the tire shop bought a new tire and they did a diagnostic test it showed TCM passed and failed, lost communication with power steering passed and failed, lost communication with inflatable restraint passed and failed. Once tire was replaced vehicle was jerking with TCM notification coming on and off like the vehicle was sliding.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“the vehicle will not register that it is in park, when the engine is turned off a beeping notifcation reads "shift to park" - you have to start the engine and shut it off multiple times, or slam the shifter into place to get it register in park. this happens constantly and is starting to get old, and annoyoing.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2026
“Car not registering that its in park, it sometimes takes up to 30 minutes of needing this to shut off and with hot tempatures and young children this to me is a safety hazard.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2026
“Engine light came on. Car started shaking and making noise when shifting. Speed would not increase while driving. When shifting into park the car does not recognize that's it's in park and had to jiggle the gear shift. Took it to an independent mechanic and they said it's probably the transmission. Have to take it to a transmission shop.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2026
“Lost power to transmission at 36k miles. Transmission replaced by GM. Currently, the vehicle lost transmission power while driving and had to be towed to dealership. Notified that the transmission needs replaced again”Owner report · Power Train · May 2026
“Repeated problems trying to turn off vehicle with a "Shift to Park" notification being displayed. It took numerous attempts each time of banging the shift lever and flicking the shift button for it finally properly turn off. Otherwise, it would continually alarm. While the milage is only 26500, it was beyond the 5 yr warranty. I was never notified of any recall notice concerning this well documented problem. There were several class action lawsuits about this known issue, but all have since been closed. Dealer replaced transmission control range selector harness and jumper for $500.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2026
“Having to have the torque converter looked into, 2nd vehicle in the last 2 years with what appears to be same shifting / shuttering problem!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2026
“Check engine light came on after feeling hesitation while driving and roughness while stopped. Diagnostic eval was done at shop and Evaporation Emissions Purge Valve was found to be faulty and replaced. Mechanic stated after the repair that this was a problem with certain year Traverses (unsure of which at the time) and an extended warranty was added that include 10 years or 150,000 miles.”Owner report · Engine · May 2026
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Traverse by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
NHTSA has 454 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The most complained-about area is power train (39% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Traverse problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 34,000 miles or less.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.