YearToAvoid

2021 Chevrolet Traverse Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 18 Engine complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, 20% of all 89 complaints for that year, with a median failure mileage of 65,500 miles. No related recalls are listed for this component.

Engine complaints
18
20% of 89
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
65,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the front and rear exhaust pipe separating from its mounting bracket, sometimes leaking carbon monoxide into the cabin.
  • A rattling noise from underneath the vehicle accompanied by an illuminated check engine light was traced to catalytic converter failure.
  • Some owners describe a clicking sound and fuel exhaust odor when pressing the accelerator, linked to a cracked exhaust pipe.
  • One driver reported a shudder and hard jerk on takeoff that caused traffic behind them to stall.
  • A separate case involved abnormally low engine oil requiring two quarts to top off shortly after a service visit.

When 2021 Chevrolet Traverse engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 22, 2021, latest Aug 18, 2026.

2021 Chevrolet Traverse engine complaints: complaints filed per month1Nov 2021Sep 2023May 2024Jul 2025Dec 2025May 2026
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2021 to Aug 2026; peak Nov 2021 (1).

Engine recalls for the 2021 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. 2010211 (32%)
  2. 2011253 (42%)
  3. 2012144 (41%)
  4. 201357 (35%)
  5. 2014149 (27%)
  6. 201554 (17%)
  7. 201643 (15%)
  8. 201733 (9%)
  9. 2018105 (23%)
  10. 201968 (17%)
  11. 202095 (42%)
  12. 202118 (20%)
  13. 202218 (18%)
  14. 202320 (22%)
  15. 202436 (26%)
  16. 202520 (11%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse have?
NHTSA lists 18 Engine complaints for the 2021 Traverse, which is 20% of the 89 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse engine or exhaust?
No related recalls are listed in the data for this component on the 2021 Traverse.
At what mileage do 2021 Traverse engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for Engine complaints on the 2021 Traverse is 65,500 miles.
What kind of engine issues do 2021 Traverse owners report?
Owners describe exhaust pipe separation from the mounting bracket, catalytic converter failure with rattling noise, clicking sounds with fuel odor on acceleration, and one case of abnormally low engine oil.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to engine complaints on this year?
The data shows 1 crash and 2 injuries associated with Engine complaints for the 2021 Traverse, with 0 fires reported.

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.