Does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse have a liftgate recall?

Yes. Recall 15V415000, reported June 30, 2015, covers the power liftgate actuator motor control unit on 2009-2012 Traverse models; GM's remedy updates the liftgate software.

How many structure and body complaints does the 2012 Traverse have?

NHTSA lists 19 Structure & Body complaints for the 2012 Traverse, which is 5% of the 354 total complaints filed for that model year.

At what mileage do Traverse structure and body problems usually show up?

The median mileage at failure for these complaints is 86,000 miles, though some owners reported liftgate issues as early as 7,000 to 7,300 miles.

Is the liftgate problem dangerous?

NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2012 Traverse shows 2 crashes and 3 injuries, including at least one case where the liftgate struck an owner's hand and another where it struck an owner's neck.

How does 2012 compare to other Traverse years for this problem?

The 2012 Traverse's 5% share of complaints in this area is higher than most other years listed, including 2013 (2%), 2014 (1%), and 2016 (2%), though 2024 later reached 8%.

2012 Chevrolet Traverse Structure & Body Problems

Owners of the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse filed 19 Structure & Body complaints, 5% of all complaints for the year, mostly centered on the power liftgate closing unexpectedly and seat/seatback failures. Median mileage at failure was 86,000, and one related recall (15V415000) covers the liftgate actuator software.

Structure & Body complaints: 19; 5% of 354
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 3
Median mileage: 86,000 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

Power liftgate closes unexpectedly while owners reach inside to load or unload cargo, in some cases striking the owner's hand or neck.
Liftgate lift-assist struts weaken over time so the tailgate no longer stays open on its own and must be held up manually.
Front seatback recline mechanism sticks in one position or fails to adjust, causing discomfort while driving.
Rear middle-row windows vibrate and make noise when partially lowered above certain speeds.
Doors unlock automatically when the vehicle is shifted into park, which some owners viewed as a security concern.
Some owners who received the liftgate recall notice reported the repair part was unavailable for an extended period.

When 2012 Chevrolet Traverse body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 26, 2012, latest Jun 6, 2021.

19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2012 to Jun 2021; peak Nov 2018 (2).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse

NHTSA 15V415000Jun 30, 2015Structure & Body691,144 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
Risk: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

Structure & Body complaints by Traverse model year

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

200912 (3%)
201014 (2%)
201125 (4%)
201219 (5%)
20133 (2%)
20145 (1%)
201513 (4%)
20167 (2%)
20173 (1%)
201811 (2%)
20198 (2%)
20207 (3%)
20211 (1%)
20221 (1%)
20234 (4%)
202411 (8%)
20259 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse have a liftgate recall?: Yes. Recall 15V415000, reported June 30, 2015, covers the power liftgate actuator motor control unit on 2009-2012 Traverse models; GM's remedy updates the liftgate software.
How many structure and body complaints does the 2012 Traverse have?: NHTSA lists 19 Structure & Body complaints for the 2012 Traverse, which is 5% of the 354 total complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do Traverse structure and body problems usually show up?: The median mileage at failure for these complaints is 86,000 miles, though some owners reported liftgate issues as early as 7,000 to 7,300 miles.
Is the liftgate problem dangerous?: NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2012 Traverse shows 2 crashes and 3 injuries, including at least one case where the liftgate struck an owner's hand and another where it struck an owner's neck.
How does 2012 compare to other Traverse years for this problem?: The 2012 Traverse's 5% share of complaints in this area is higher than most other years listed, including 2013 (2%), 2014 (1%), and 2016 (2%), though 2024 later reached 8%.