YearToAvoid

2018 Chevrolet Traverse Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 105 of 461 complaints (23%) filed for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, with a median failure mileage of 27,800 miles. No related recalls are listed for this component.

Engine complaints
105
23% of 461
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
27,800 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Vehicle loses power or stalls without warning while driving at various speeds, sometimes leaving the SUV unable to accelerate past a low speed.
  • Engine shuts off completely in traffic, killing lights, hazards, OnStar, and the key fob, forcing the driver to coast to a stop.
  • Vehicle jerks or lurches forward suddenly after losing power, often paired with the check engine light coming on.
  • Engine surges between power loss and full power while driving in wet conditions before dying completely.
  • Owners report the vehicle stalling after auto stop/start engages at a traffic light, then failing to run properly when restarted.
  • Some owners describe a clicking noise and emission fumes entering the cabin along with stalling and gear-shift trouble.

When 2018 Chevrolet Traverse engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 23, 2018, latest Aug 26, 2026.

2018 Chevrolet Traverse engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter92018 Q12019 Q12020 Q12022 Q22023 Q42024 Q42025 Q4
105 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q3 (9).

Engine recalls for the 2018 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. 200976 (17%)
  2. 2010211 (32%)
  3. 2011253 (42%)
  4. 2012144 (41%)
  5. 201357 (35%)
  6. 2014149 (27%)
  7. 201554 (17%)
  8. 201643 (15%)
  9. 201733 (9%)
  10. 2018105 (23%)
  11. 201968 (17%)
  12. 202095 (42%)
  13. 202118 (20%)
  14. 202218 (18%)
  15. 202320 (22%)
  16. 202436 (26%)
  17. 202520 (11%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA lists 105 engine-related complaints out of 461 total complaints for the 2018 Traverse, which is 23% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the engine component on the 2018 Traverse.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2018 Traverse?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2018 Traverse is 27,800 miles.
Did the 2018 Traverse engine issues cause any crashes or fires?
NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 0 fires linked to engine-area complaints on the 2018 Traverse, with no injuries reported.
How does the 2018 Traverse compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 23% share for 2018 is lower than 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2020, but higher than 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025.

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.