2016 Chevrolet Traverse Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse has a complaint index of 31, ranking 12th-worst out of 17 model years, and earns a Good verdict. Airbags account for 56% of its 292 complaints, tied to 5 recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 31/100
- #12 of 17 Traverse years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 292
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 15
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 15 / 1
Top 2016 Chevy Traverse problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags163 (56%)
- Engine43 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain37 (13%)
- Electrical System28 (10%)
- Steering24 (8%)
- Brakes23 (8%)
- Other19 (7%)
- Fuel System9 (3%)
- Structure & Body7 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear-end and frontal crashes in which the airbags reportedly failed to deploy, in one case across two separate collisions.
- Sudden loss of braking or unintended acceleration, with the vehicle jumping forward or failing to stop despite full brake pressure.
- Dashboard warnings for StabiliTrak and traction control appearing alongside shuddering before a crash.
- A parked vehicle catching fire on the hood near the windshield wiper area with no one inside.
- Complete loss of power steering and dashboard lighting while driving, making the vehicle impossible to steer or stop.
- Seat frames detaching from the floor after a rear-end collision, injuring multiple occupants.
- Recall repairs for the windshield wiper motor cover delayed for weeks due to unavailable parts.
2016 Chevrolet Traverse recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V334000May 10, 2023Airbags995,085 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
- NHTSA 21V782000Oct 7, 2021Airbags555 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.
- 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.
2016 Chevrolet Traverse fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 31 for the 2016 Traverse, ranking 12th-worst among 17 model years, which earns it a Good verdict relative to other Traverse years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 56% of the 292 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 89,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Traverse, including three separate airbag inflator and side curtain airbag campaigns, plus recalls for a third-row seat frame and a windshield wiper motor cover.
- How does the 2016 Traverse compare to other years?
- The 2016 model's complaint index of 31 is lower than 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2019, which all carry Avoid or Caution verdicts, but higher than the Best-rated 2013 and 2021-2023 model years.