2021 Chevrolet Traverse Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
0/100
#16 most-complained of 16 Traverse years
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse has 89 complaints, 3 recalls, and a complaint index of 0, ranking best (16th of 16 model years) among Traverse years. Electrical System issues lead at 25% of complaints, but no fires or deaths were reported.
- Complaints
- 89
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 17.5 city / 26 hwy
Top 2021 Chevrolet Traverse problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System22 (25%)
- Other21 (24%)
- Engine18 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain15 (17%)
- Brakes9 (10%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (6%)
- Steering4 (4%)
- Airbags3 (3%)
- Fuel System3 (3%)
- Seat Belts2 (2%)
What owners report
- Brakes grind or squeal shortly after purchase, with some owners reporting fluid leaks and uneven or erratic braking response.
- The 9-speed automatic transmission shudders and skips during shifts, with labored performance even on slight grade changes, reported at very low mileage.
- Some owners report unintended acceleration where the brakes engaged but the vehicle kept building speed.
- Airbags failed to deploy in some crashes, including front-end collisions and side impacts.
- The vehicle occasionally delays engaging reverse or drive gear, requiring the driver to shift back and forth.
- A rattling sound from the hood was traced to a hole in the exhaust that required replacement at 70,000 miles.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse recalls
3 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 21V472000Jun 24, 2021Airbags6 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:frontal impact
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N212340220.
2021 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.
2021 compared with other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Traverse ranks as the Best year among the 16 Traverse model years covered, with a complaint index of 0 and 89 complaints.
- What is the top problem area for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 22 complaints, or 25% of all reported issues.
- Does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2021 Traverse: two involving Airbags (harness connector terminals and incorrect airbag calibration software) and one involving Transmission & Powertrain components on wheelchair accessible conversions.
- Were there any fires or deaths reported for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?
- NHTSA data shows 0 fires and 0 deaths for the 2021 Traverse, though 4 crashes and 6 injuries were reported.
- What is the median mileage at failure for 2021 Chevrolet Traverse complaints?
- NHTSA data lists a median mileage at failure of 54,000 miles for the 2021 Traverse overall, though individual problem areas vary, for example Brakes at 1,371.5 miles and Transmission & Powertrain at 95,500 miles.