YearToAvoid

2012 Chevrolet Traverse Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 95 brake complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse, 27% of its 354 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 97,350. One crash and three injuries were reported, and there is no related recall on file.

Brakes complaints
95
27% of 354
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
97,350 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Brake pedal becomes hard to depress and fails to respond at low speed, in one case combined with loss of steering and a crash into a wall.
  • A loud grinding or crunching sound comes from the brakes during stops, sometimes recurring even after the dealer replaces brake components.
  • Braking is accompanied by a jerking or gliding sensation while the Stabilitrak and traction-control lights illuminate and the vehicle reports a loss of traction.
  • The vehicle suddenly decelerates to about 15-20 mph on the highway while stability and traction control warnings appear, creating a rear-end collision risk in traffic.
  • A wheel speed sensor detaching has been linked to sudden unexplained slowdowns paired with a 'check Stabilitrack - traction control off' message.

When 2012 Chevrolet Traverse brake complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 25, 2014, latest Feb 4, 2025.

2012 Chevrolet Traverse brakes complaints: complaints filed per quarter112014 Q12015 Q32016 Q32017 Q32018 Q32019 Q32020 Q32021 Q4
95 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q1 to 2025 Q1; peak 2018 Q4 (11).

Brakes recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Traverse model year

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

  1. 201069 (10%)
  2. 2011138 (23%)
  3. 201295 (27%)
  4. 201348 (30%)
  5. 2014134 (24%)
  6. 201529 (9%)
  7. 201623 (8%)
  8. 201716 (4%)
  9. 201843 (9%)
  10. 201922 (5%)
  11. 20209 (4%)
  12. 20219 (10%)
  13. 20229 (9%)
  14. 202313 (15%)
  15. 202459 (43%)
  16. 2025112 (63%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse have?
NHTSA lists 95 brake-related complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse, which is 27% of the 354 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse brakes?
No. The data shows no related recalls on file for the brake complaints reported on the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse.
At what mileage do 2012 Traverse brake problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse is 97,350 miles.
Have the brake issues caused any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data tied to these brake complaints includes 1 crash and 3 injuries, with no fires reported.
Are brake complaints worse in the 2012 Traverse than other years?
The 2012 model's 27% brake-complaint share is close to the 2013 model's 30% and lower than the 2024 (43%) and 2025 (63%) model years in this dataset, so it is not the highest among Traverse years.

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.