2021 Chevrolet Traverse: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 89 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Mar 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The welding that holds the exhaust together has failed. They offer a Special Warranty to cover only the passenger side, however it has failed and exhaust is super loud. Also reading 4 codes from check engine alert. All are P0420 (cat convertor). The smell of exhaust and cat convertor is super disgusting”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2026
“The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an inspection, where a leaking oil pan gasket was diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure had also occurred on a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse he owned. Although the vehicle had been taken to the dealer two months prior, the dealer did not find the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,400.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2026
“I went in for service at Chey 112 in Medford, NY they advised me that my computer needed to be replaced they replaced the computer and I started having transmission issues.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“Alternator fail before 60,000 miles. Had the car almost 3 years and children in it. Apparently a known common issue yet no recall it's not a reliable car”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2026
“While driving, the steering wheel became very hard to control. A system warning came up on the dashboard screen stating that the steering wheel was not working. With an 18-wheeler coming up behind me the decision to pull over was made. The left hand turn into an auto part store was made with much difficulty and so was trying to park. Gentleman inside inspected the vehicle and highly recommended NOT driving the vehicle since it was a safety issue not only for myself but others as well.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2026
“I was driving and without any type of warning the car stopped shifting so I was barely touching the gas but my tac was all the way up.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2026
“Both exhaust pipes before the catalytic converter are cracked and leaking at the same welded mounting bracket. One of them GM is coving under the extended warranty but the other one also needs replaced the turn off the engine warning light. It is allowing exhaust gas to leak under the car and is preventing the emissions from operating properly.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2026
“Rear camera failed; worked intermittently then failed completely. Dealer took two hours to supposedly diagnose it; did what they called a "reboot"; camera failed again immediately. Ordered component, $699.00, plus another two hours to install. $1,339 total to repair.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2026
“I was driving 45 mph on a state route when all of a sudden my drive shaft bolt came completely out and split my drive shaft in two causing me to lose control. No damage at all or rust or anything is visible on the drive shaft. Could have caused a serious injury or worse. I just had a Multi Point Inspection done the day before the incident occurred”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2026
“UNKNOWN Steering assist reduced has been issued to the vehicle. Upon inspection we are being told that the steering rack needs to be replaced to resolve the issue.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the screw and clip, and inspect for signs of contact with the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212352140.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N212340220.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Traverse years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
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 2021 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
NHTSA has 89 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The most complained-about area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2021 Chevrolet Traverse problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 54,000 miles or less.
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train. 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.