YearToAvoid

2012 Chevrolet Traverse Airbags Problems

Airbags account for 48 complaints, 14% of all 2012 Traverse complaints, with 4 crashes and 4 injuries reported. Median mileage at failure is 86,552. Two related recalls (14V118000 and 21V246000) cover harness connections and side curtain airbag attachment.

Airbags complaints
48
14% of 354
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
86,552 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in a crash, including frontal and side-curtain impacts, sometimes resulting in injuries.
  • A side curtain airbag deployed but did not cover the door window properly, striking the occupant instead.
  • The 'Service Airbag' warning light illuminates intermittently, sometimes tied to a faulty seat back airbag, connector, or seat anchor plate tensioner that dealers repeatedly replaced.
  • Owners report the airbag warning light coming on with no diagnostic codes found, leaving the issue unresolved.
  • Some owners recall receiving recall notices but were told replacement parts were unavailable or that their vehicle was not covered.

When 2012 Chevrolet Traverse airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 15, 2013, latest Jan 24, 2025.

2012 Chevrolet Traverse airbags complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2013Mar 2015Mar 2016Jan 2017Jun 2018Aug 2019Apr 2021Aug 2023
48 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2013 to Jan 2025; peak Jan 2017 (3).

Airbags recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse

  1. NHTSA 21V246000Apr 8, 2021Airbags108 vehicles

    Air bags:critical fasteners

    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.

    Risk: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 14V118000Mar 17, 2014Airbags1,176,407 vehicles

    Air bags:side/window

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

    Risk: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

Airbags complaints by Traverse model year

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

  1. 200926 (6%)
  2. 201030 (4%)
  3. 201143 (7%)
  4. 201248 (14%)
  5. 201327 (17%)
  6. 2014258 (47%)
  7. 2015162 (52%)
  8. 2016163 (56%)
  9. 2017263 (73%)
  10. 20185 (1%)
  11. 20199 (2%)
  12. 20206 (3%)
  13. 20213 (3%)
  14. 20222 (2%)
  15. 20232 (2%)
  16. 20240 (0%)
  17. 20252 (1%)

Frequently asked questions

How many airbag complaints does NHTSA list for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA lists 48 airbag-related complaints for the 2012 Traverse, which is 14% of all 354 complaints filed for that model year.
Are there airbag recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?
Yes. Recall 14V118000 addresses increased resistance in wiring connections tied to the airbag system, and recall 21V246000 covers side curtain airbags that may not be properly attached. Neither is a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
Have airbag problems led to crashes or injuries in the 2012 Traverse?
NHTSA data shows 4 crashes and 4 injuries linked to airbag complaints on the 2012 Traverse.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically appear on the 2012 Traverse?
The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints is 86,552 miles.

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.