2020 Chevrolet Traverse Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse ranks 8th worst of 17 model years with a complaint index of 56 and a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 228 complaints, 8 recall campaigns, 11 crashes, 1 fire, and 8 injuries tied to this year, with engine problems the top complaint area at 42% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 56/100
- #8 of 17 Traverse years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 228
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 17.5 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2020 Chevy Traverse problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine95 (42%)
- Other55 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain39 (17%)
- Electrical System30 (13%)
- Fuel System19 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (4%)
- Brakes9 (4%)
- Seat Belts9 (4%)
- Steering7 (3%)
- Structure & Body7 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden brake failure or loss of pedal feel at low speeds, including a case just days after purchase.
- Some drivers describe the steering wheel locking up or turning firm alongside an illuminated ABS warning light.
- Several complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in moderate-speed crashes despite visible frontal damage.
- Owners report the engine stalling without warning while merging or driving at low speed.
- One owner described a loose front seat belt pre-tensioner that failed to restrain them during a rear-end collision.
- Rear camera and related sensor failures are reported, with some owners linking the issue to a pending recall.
2020 Chevrolet Traverse recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V210000Mar 31, 2022Airbags89 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
Risk: Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 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 N212352140.
- NHTSA 21V817000Oct 18, 2021Transmission & Powertrain639 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible vehicles with Power In-floor Ramp conversion. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the screw and clip, and inspect for signs of contact with the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
- NHTSA 21V115000Feb 25, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires33,838 vehicles
Tires
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. 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 N212329050.
2020 Chevrolet Traverse fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,175
- 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.
2020 compared with other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
- It carries a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 17 Traverse model years with a complaint index of 56 and 228 NHTSA complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?
- Engine complaints make up 42% of all reports for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 82,000 miles, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2020 Traverse covering airbags, transmission components, suspension/tires, fuel system, and a cracked frame rail, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 Traverse compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 56 is worse than the 2021-2023 model years, which each earned a Best verdict with indexes of 6, 13, and 19, but better than the 2010 model year, which has the worst index of 100.
- Are there brake problems reported for the 2020 Traverse?
- NHTSA lists 9 brake complaints for this year, including reports of brake lock-up and sudden pedal failure, with a median mileage at failure of 4,409.5 miles.