YearToAvoid

2010 Chevrolet Traverse Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 211 of 669 total complaints (32%) on the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, the largest single complaint category for this year. Median mileage at failure was 82,000 miles, and NHTSA logs 3 fires and 1 crash tied to this area, though no related recall exists.

Engine complaints
211
32% of 669
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
82,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine bay fires and smoke reported after short drives or while idling, in some cases fully destroying the vehicle.
  • Stalling shortly after refueling, requiring the engine to be revved to keep it running, in one case linked to a burning air filter.
  • Sudden loss of power or shutdown while driving, including gauges dropping to zero and windows failing to open.
  • Water pump seal leaks that owners say GM acknowledged but addressed only with periodic coolant top-offs rather than replacement.
  • Coolant leaks described as a green or dyed pink fluid, sometimes dismissed by dealers as normal despite persisting.
  • Catastrophic engine failure, including a diagnosed cylinder failure, occurring after related repairs like water pump replacement.

When 2010 Chevrolet Traverse engine complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 20, 2010, latest Aug 8, 2023.

2010 Chevrolet Traverse engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter142010 Q32014 Q12015 Q42017 Q22018 Q42020 Q22022 Q1
211 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q3 to 2023 Q3; peak 2016 Q4 (14).

Engine recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Traverse model year

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

  1. 2010211 (32%)
  2. 2011253 (42%)
  3. 2012144 (41%)
  4. 201357 (35%)
  5. 2014149 (27%)
  6. 201554 (17%)
  7. 201643 (15%)
  8. 201733 (9%)
  9. 2018105 (23%)
  10. 201968 (17%)
  11. 202095 (42%)
  12. 202118 (20%)
  13. 202218 (18%)
  14. 202320 (22%)
  15. 202436 (26%)
  16. 202520 (11%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA lists 211 engine complaints for the 2010 Traverse, which is 32% of all 669 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse engine?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the engine complaints on the 2010 Traverse.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2010 Traverse is 82,000 miles.
Are the engine problems dangerous?
NHTSA data tied to this engine complaint area includes 3 fires and 1 crash, though no injuries were reported.
How does the 2010 Traverse compare to other model years for engine complaints?
The 2010 Traverse's 32% engine complaint share is lower than 2011 (42%) and 2012 (41%) but higher than most years from 2015 onward.

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.