YearToAvoid

2011 Chevrolet Traverse Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 73 electrical system complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, 12% of its 608 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 76,000 miles. Two fires and one crash tied to this area were reported, and there is no related recall on file.

Electrical System complaints
73
12% of 608
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
76,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Headlight wiring at the connection point has caught fire while the vehicle was parked but running in a driveway.
  • Owners report a burning odor and white smoke from under the hood shortly after starting the vehicle, in one case right after a dealer service visit.
  • The radio unit has been reported to emit a high-frequency noise whether the vehicle is running or not, which GM reportedly called normal operation.
  • Some owners describe the key becoming stuck in the ignition switch along with windows and other electrical accessories failing to respond.
  • A stalling or shutdown event during driving has been reported alongside an engine noise, with the vehicle restarting normally afterward.

When 2011 Chevrolet Traverse electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 19, 2012, latest Apr 10, 2024.

2011 Chevrolet Traverse electrical system complaints: complaints filed per quarter62012 Q22013 Q42015 Q12016 Q12018 Q12019 Q22020 Q22024 Q2
73 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q2 to 2024 Q2; peak 2019 Q1 (6).

Electrical System recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by Traverse model year

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

  1. 201062 (9%)
  2. 201173 (12%)
  3. 201249 (14%)
  4. 201353 (33%)
  5. 2014128 (23%)
  6. 201533 (11%)
  7. 201628 (10%)
  8. 201723 (6%)
  9. 2018109 (24%)
  10. 2019114 (28%)
  11. 202030 (13%)
  12. 202122 (25%)
  13. 202221 (21%)
  14. 202323 (26%)
  15. 202425 (18%)
  16. 202546 (26%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical system complaints on the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA lists 73 electrical system complaints for the 2011 Traverse, which is 12% of the 608 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse electrical system?
No. NHTSA shows no related recall on file for this problem area on the 2011 Traverse.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2011 Traverse?
The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints on the 2011 Traverse is 76,000 miles.
Have electrical issues on the 2011 Traverse caused fires or crashes?
NHTSA complaint data tied to this problem area on the 2011 Traverse includes 2 fires, 1 crash, and 1 injury.
How does 2011 compare to other Traverse years for electrical complaints?
The 2011 Traverse's electrical complaint share is 12%, lower than 2013 (33%), 2019 (28%), and 2018 (24%), but higher than 2016 (10%) and 2017 (6%).

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.