YearToAvoid

2012 Chevrolet Traverse Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 49 electrical system complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse, 14% of its 354 total complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure was 99,250 miles. No related recalls are listed for this issue.

Electrical System complaints
49
14% of 354
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
99,250 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Power liftgate opens or closes on its own, sometimes slamming shut without warning while the owner is standing behind the vehicle.
  • Battery charging system warning appears along with dashboard messages, followed by loss of air conditioning and other electrical functions.
  • Vehicle stalls unexpectedly while driving at highway speed, with multiple warning indicators illuminating and the engine restarting only after several attempts.
  • Ignition falls out of the on position while driving, cutting the engine and locking the steering wheel.
  • Traction control and engine warning lights come on together with a loss of engine power that requires restarting the vehicle to regain power.
  • Airbag warning light stays on due to a wiring issue traced to a connection underneath the front passenger seat.

When 2012 Chevrolet Traverse electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 20, 2014, latest Nov 11, 2025.

2012 Chevrolet Traverse electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2014Jun 2015Aug 2016Aug 2017Mar 2019Oct 2019Apr 2021Jun 2024
49 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2014 to Nov 2025; peak Apr 2021 (3).

Electrical System recalls for the 2012 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 problems in the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA recorded 49 electrical system complaints for the 2012 Traverse, which is 14% of the 354 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse electrical system?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the electrical system issues reported on the 2012 Traverse.
At what mileage do electrical problems usually show up on the 2012 Traverse?
The median mileage at failure among reported electrical complaints was 99,250 miles.
What kind of electrical failures do owners report on the 2012 Traverse?
Owners describe a power liftgate that slams shut unexpectedly, battery charging system warnings paired with loss of accessories, unexpected stalling with multiple warning lights, and an ignition that falls out of the on position while driving.
Did the electrical problems cause any crashes or fires?
NHTSA data for this complaint area lists zero crashes, one fire, and zero injuries among the 49 electrical system complaints.

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.