2016 Chevrolet Traverse Airbags Problems
Airbags account for 163 complaints on the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, or 56% of all 292 complaints filed for that model year. Three related recalls cover driver airbag inflator rupture risk and side curtain airbag attachment, with median mileage at failure of 89,000.
- Airbags complaints
- 163
- 56% of 292
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 5
- Median mileage
- 89,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy during crashes, including highway collisions and animal strikes, resulting in injuries.
- Several owners describe the Takata driver airbag inflator recall (campaign 23V334000) with parts unavailable for months, leaving them unable to get the repair done.
- Some owners report blind spot side detection module failures linked to water intrusion or corrosion, which triggered airbag warning lights along with loss of gauges, blinkers, and screens.
- Owners describe the service airbag warning light illuminating intermittently, sometimes tied to the recall repair backlog.
- At least one owner reported being told not to drive the vehicle due to the airbag inflator rupture risk while waiting for a replacement part.
When 2016 Chevrolet Traverse airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 8, 2016, latest Jul 23, 2026.
Airbags recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse
- 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.
Airbags complaints by Traverse model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many airbag complaints does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have?
- NHTSA lists 163 airbag complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, which is 56% of the 292 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three airbag-related recalls: campaign 23V334000 and 21V782000 for driver airbag inflator rupture risk, and 21V246000 for side curtain airbags that may not be properly attached.
- At what mileage do airbag problems typically appear on the 2016 Traverse?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for airbag complaints on the 2016 Traverse is 89,000 miles.
- Have airbag problems on the 2016 Traverse caused crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data tied to these complaints includes 3 crashes and 5 injuries, with no fires reported.
- Is the 2016 Traverse worse for airbag complaints than other years?
- Among Traverse model years, 2016 airbag complaints make up 56% of that year's total, lower than 2017's 73% share but higher than 2015's 52% and well above years like 2018 through 2025.