YearToAvoid

2009 Chevrolet Traverse Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 58 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, 13% of all 448 complaints for this model year. That is #5 highest transmission complaint count among 17 Traverse model years. These complaints report 2 crashes. Median mileage at failure: 90,000 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
58
13% of 448
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
90,000 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2009 Chevrolet Traverse transmission complaints were filed

First complaint May 12, 2009, latest Aug 23, 2023.

2009 Chevrolet Traverse transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month5May 2009Jun 2013Dec 2014Feb 2016Jul 2017Oct 2018Jan 2020Aug 2023
58 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2009 to Aug 2023; peak Mar 2015 (5).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse

  1. NHTSA 09V073000Mar 6, 2009Transmission & Powertrain276,729 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift

    General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 buick enclave, chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, gmc acadia, pontiac g5, g6 and saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect", and fmvss 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention". On some of these vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjustment clip may not be fully engaged. If the clip is not fully engaged, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. With this condition, the drive could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park".

    Risk: The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before march 24, 2009. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 and saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or at www.gmownercenter.com.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Traverse model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200958 (13%)
  2. 201066 (10%)
  3. 201179 (13%)
  4. 201246 (13%)
  5. 201328 (17%)
  6. 201436 (7%)
  7. 201523 (7%)
  8. 201637 (13%)
  9. 201718 (5%)
  10. 2018195 (42%)
  11. 2019167 (41%)
  12. 202039 (17%)
  13. 202115 (17%)
  14. 202243 (44%)
  15. 202329 (33%)
  16. 202418 (13%)
  17. 202513 (7%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 58 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, 13% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 90,000 miles.
Which Chevrolet Traverse year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse has the most transmission complaints (195), compared with 58 for the 2009.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse concerns the transmission: 09V073000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.