2017 Chevrolet Traverse Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 Traverse years
The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse has 361 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 53, and ranks 8th worst of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags account for 73% of complaints, with 3 recalls tied largely to airbag inflators and side curtain attachment.
- Complaints
- 361
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 13 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 11 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15 city / 22 hwy
Top 2017 Chevrolet Traverse problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags263 (73%)
- Engine33 (9%)
- Electrical System23 (6%)
- Other18 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (5%)
- Brakes16 (4%)
- Seat Belts11 (3%)
- Steering11 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (3%)
- Fuel System9 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy during moderate to high-speed collisions, including head-on and T-bone crashes.
- Some owners describe the vehicle unexpectedly rolling away after being shifted into park and exited.
- Drivers report sudden unintended acceleration or RPM spikes while slowly parking, leading to low-speed collisions.
- Several owners describe brakes that did not stop the vehicle despite being fully applied, resulting in impacts.
- Owners report smoke and fire originating from under the dashboard while driving in cold or snowy conditions.
- Electrical failures are described as the vehicle not starting, shaking, or throwing a check engine light before towing was needed.
2017 Chevrolet Traverse recalls
3 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.
2017 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.
2017 compared with other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
- NHTSA lists 361 complaints for the 2017 Traverse with a complaint index of 53, ranking it 8th worst among 16 model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other Traverse years.
- What is the main problem with the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 73% of complaints (263 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 38,038 miles.
- Does the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse have a recall?
- Yes, it has 3 recalls, all related to airbags: two involve the driver's air bag inflator possibly exploding during deployment, and one involves side curtain air bags that may not be properly attached.
- How does the 2017 Traverse compare to other years?
- The 2017 model's complaint index of 53 is worse than 2012 (47), 2013 (7), 2015 (33), and 2016 (27), but better than 2010 (87), 2011 (93), and 2019 (80), placing it in the Caution range.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?
- The 2017 Traverse gets 17.5 mpg combined (15 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 according to the EPA.