YearToAvoid

2016 Chevrolet Traverse Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 43 engine complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, 15% of all complaints filed for that year, with a median failure mileage of 48,500. No related recall is currently listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
43
15% of 292
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
48,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine stalls or jerks unexpectedly while driving at highway speed, sometimes restarting on its own.
  • RPM surges rapidly between roughly 1000 and 3000 while stopped, causing the vehicle to lunge forward repeatedly.
  • Vehicle loses acceleration power and the check engine light comes on, sometimes paired with a message to reduce speed to 25 mph.
  • Stabilitrak and traction control warnings appear alongside sudden power reduction, with the vehicle occasionally feeling stuck in a gear.
  • Car will not move or accelerate after coming to a stop until the pedal is pressed hard.
  • One owner reported needing to refill transmission fluid multiple times despite no visible leak.

When 2016 Chevrolet Traverse engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 29, 2016, latest Sep 21, 2026.

2016 Chevrolet Traverse engine complaints: complaints filed per month4Mar 2016Dec 2017Oct 2018Mar 2020Aug 2021Apr 2023Dec 2024
43 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2016 to Sep 2026; peak Jan 2019 (4).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Traverse model year

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

  1. 2010211 (32%)
  2. 2011253 (42%)
  3. 2012144 (41%)
  4. 201357 (35%)
  5. 2014149 (27%)
  6. 201554 (17%)
  7. 201643 (15%)
  8. 201733 (9%)
  9. 2018105 (23%)
  10. 201968 (17%)
  11. 202095 (42%)
  12. 202118 (20%)
  13. 202218 (18%)
  14. 202320 (22%)
  15. 202436 (26%)
  16. 202520 (11%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have?
NHTSA lists 43 engine complaints for the 2016 Traverse, which is 15% of the 292 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse engine problems?
No related recall is listed in the data for this engine issue.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2016 Traverse?
The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints is 48,500 miles.
Are the 2016 Traverse engine problems dangerous?
NHTSA data tied to this problem area shows 4 crashes and 1 injury, with no fires reported.
Is the 2016 Traverse better or worse than other years for engine complaints?
At 15% share of complaints, 2016 is lower than years like 2010 (32%), 2011 (42%), and 2020 (42%), but higher than 2017 (9%) and 2025 (11%).

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.