2018 Chevrolet Traverse Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse has 461 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 63, ranking 7th worst of 17 model years with a Caution verdict. Transmission & powertrain issues dominate at 42% of complaints, with two recalls covering airbags and the start-stop transmission accumulator.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 63/100
- #7 of 17 Traverse years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 461
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2018 Chevy Traverse problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain195 (42%)
- Electrical System109 (24%)
- Other108 (23%)
- Engine105 (23%)
- Brakes43 (9%)
- Fuel System37 (8%)
- Steering14 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (3%)
- Seat Belts11 (2%)
- Structure & Body11 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles reportedly rolled or crept forward or backward on inclines after being parked and shut off, sometimes striking objects or people.
- Side curtain airbags failed to deploy in low-speed or minor collisions, leaving occupants without protection.
- The transmission was reported to suddenly disengage or independently move the vehicle during parking maneuvers, in one case causing a crash into a building.
- The blind spot detection system reportedly delayed warning of vehicles in adjacent lanes, contributing to a lane-change collision.
- One owner reported the steering system displayed an 'assisted steering is limited' warning shortly after purchase at very low mileage.
- A crash was followed by a fire that engulfed the vehicle after a minor accident.
2018 Chevrolet Traverse recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 20V668000Oct 29, 2020Transmission & Powertrain194,105 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
2018 Chevrolet Traverse fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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.
2018 compared with other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Traverse a complaint index of 63, ranking 7th worst among 17 model years, with a Caution verdict. Transmission & powertrain problems account for 42% of its 461 complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?
- Transmission & powertrain issues make up 42% of complaints, followed by electrical system problems at 24% and engine problems at 23%. Median mileage at failure for transmission complaints was 32,750 miles.
- Does the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls: one for side curtain airbags that may not be properly attached, and one for a start-stop transmission accumulator that could have bolt issues. Neither is classified as a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2018 Traverse compare to other model years?
- The 2018 model's complaint index of 63 is worse than the 2013 (0, Best), 2015 (25, Good), and 2016 (31, Good) model years, but better than 2010 (100, Avoid) and 2011 (88, Avoid).
- What year Chevrolet Traverse should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, the 2010, 2011, 2009, 2019, and 2025 model years are rated Avoid, with 2010 having the highest complaint index at 100.