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2009 Chevrolet Traverse Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 448 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, most often about the steering (52% of complaints, typically around 76,000 miles). It is 5th of 19 Traverse model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2009 Chevrolet Traverse problems
Steering
231 complaints · 52%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, rack and pinion.
The rack and pinion on my Traverse is leaking. The mechanic said they had the same thing on a couple other 2009 traverses that have come through their shop. This is a $1,000-$1,200 repair that is common for these vehicles at this mileage. This will also make the power steering pump go out and not be able to turn. Why…
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel would seize without warning. The contact had to turn the steering wheel several times in order for the steering wheel to become loose. The failure recurred as the contact made sharp turns. The…
Engine
62 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 103,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the engine, traction control, and stabilitrak warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle decreased independently to 15 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
As soon as my vehicle reached just over 102,000 miles, my engine completely shut down while we were driving our kids to practice. I have taken it to the chevy dealership that has been repairing my vehicle since we purchased it (1.5 years prior to the engine shutting down) and they have informed US we need a completely…
Transmission
58 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was in drive but would not move after depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact turned the engine off and back on and the vehicle began to move but would not accelerate past 10 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed…
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the drive but would not move to another gear after depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact turned the vehicle off and back on and the contact was able to drive but could not accelerate past 10 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the…
Electrical
36 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles.
The Traverse will not turn at certain speeds without excessive pressure to the steering wheel. I can't park in tight spaces, making turns greater than 20 degrees are increasingly difficult. Random turns are also difficult, like changing lanes on the freeway etc. The pressure needed to make these turns on the steering…
Warning chimes / speakers not working due to water shorting the plugs for the door attachments. Backup safety chimes and all chimes are install with purpose and safety in mind.
Other or unspecified
35 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 105,500 miles.
Car was parked on a very minor grade, transmission was in park, keys removed and the car was locked. The car then begin rolling backwards until it was stopped by another car in the parking lot. This occurred in a church parking lot and several people observed afterwards that the car was indeed locked and the…
I bought this car 6/21/2016. Never received any recall notice for the timing chain. The dealership is refusing to fix it. I have 106k miles on it. The dealership should honor the recall as it's a safety concern. I have 4 children in the car with me at all times.
Air bags
26 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles.
Since receiving recall notices on our 2009 Traverse, I have contacted a local Chevrolet dealer to get the recalls cleared on this vehicle. In all instances, except the recall on the 2nd row seat belt recall, I have been told that the parts for the recall repairs have not been issued to the service department. The…
While driving car started to spit and sputter like not getting enough fuel. Then while turning the air bag light came on and the stability control light come and the check engine light flashed never stayed solid. The check engine light then quit flashing but the air bag light is still on. The stability control light…
Stability control
21 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles.
I was coming back from dropping off my kids at school when I heard a beeping noise and then I realized that I had loss of power, I then looked at my dashboard and the traction control light and the brake light was on, I didn't think nothing of it since it only lasted for a few minutes but the next day it happened…
The rear hatch would open and shut on you. I opened it and had it come down on me and it closed on my legs. The recall # 257343 was done for this but was doing it again. I would think since it's doing the same thing it would be covered again....it wasn't. I paid to have fixed.
Speed control
18 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles.
While driving down the highway, my 2009 Chevrolet Traverse suddenly lost power. I was unable to accelerate and had to pull over onto the shoulder. The traction control light came on and a message on the display read service stabilitrak. This has happened 3 times since the original incident. I have been researching…
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving 65 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle began to increase to 110 MPH without the accelerator pedal being depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. In order to decrease speed, the contact shifted the gear into neutral. The vehicle was not…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Chevrolet Traverse recalls
Body and structure: hatchback/liftgate
Risk: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on november 15, 2016. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. Gm's number for this recall is 15240.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 buick enclave vehicles manufactured january 3, 2007, to february 29, 2012, 2009-2012 chevrolet traverse vehicles manufactured july 6, 2008, to march 9, 2012, 2007-2012 gmc acadia vehicles manufactured september 15, 2006, to february 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 saturn outlook vehicles manufactured august 17, 2006, to march 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
Seat belts
Risk: If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
Fix: General motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in july 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on july 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on july 11, 2014. Owners may contact general motors at 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (buick), 1-800-462-8782 (gmc), 1-800-553-6000 (saturn). General motors re
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 buick enclave vehicles manufactured april 14, 2008, through may 14, 2014, chevrolet traverse vehicles manufactured june 6, 2008, through may 14, 2014, and gmc acadia vehicles manufactured april 9, 2008, through may 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 saturn outlook vehicles manufactured april 14, 2008, through march 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on june 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and gmc owners at 1-866-996-9463. Gm's number for this recall is 14030. Note: vehicles repaired as part of customer satisfaction campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 buick enclave and gmc acadia and 2009-2013 chevrolet traverse and 2008-2010 saturn outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (siab) wiring harnesses may result in the siab and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
Seat belts
Risk: The safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Fix: Dealers will modify the second row seat side trim shields. If a safety belt buckle is damaged, dealers will replace it free of charge. The safety recall began on august 18, 2010. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, buick at 1-866-608-8080, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, and saturn at 1-800-972-8876, or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 chevrolet traverse, buick enclave, gmc acadia, and saturn outlook vehicles. The second row seat side trim shield restricts the upward rotation of the safety belt buckle when the seat back is returned to a seating position after being folded flat. If the buckle contacts the seat frame, additional effort is required to return the seat to a seating position. If sufficient force is applied, the buckle cover could be pushed down the strap, exposing and partially depressing the red release button.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
Fix: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently disabled and removed from the vehicle. The safety recall began on june 11, 2010. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, saturn at 1-800-972-8876, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 and hummer at 1-800-732-5493 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
Gm is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 buick, lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 buick enclave; cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; gmc acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; saturn outlook; and model year 2009 chevrolet traverse vehicles equipped with a heated washer fluid system (hwfs). A recall was implemented in 2008 to add a fuse to the control circuit harness to address the potential consequences of a printed circuit board (pcb) electrical short. However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on hwfs modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. The significance varies from minor distortion to considerable melting of the plastic around the hwfs fluid chamb
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: If the transmission shift lever is in the park position, there will be no unintended vehicle movement. However, if the keys are left in the ignition, the transmission shift lever is in any position other than park, and the vehicle is parked on a sufficient slope, it could result in unintended vehicle movement. This could result in a crash without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers are to replace the park brake cable link (connector) free of charge. Gm anticipates that the dealer bulletin will be sent may 5, 2009 and owner letters will be mailed in june 2009. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, or at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
Gm is recalling 15,393 my 2009 chevrolet traverse vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." these vehicles may have a park brake cable link (connector) that is not to specification. This connector may fracture when the park brake pedal is depressed.
Transmission: column shift
Risk: The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before march 24, 2009. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 and saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 buick enclave, chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, gmc acadia, pontiac g5, g6 and saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect", and fmvss 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention". On some of these vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjustment clip may not be fully engaged. If the clip is not fully engaged, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. With this condition, the drive could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park".
Seat belts: buckle assembly
Risk: In a vehicle crash, if the rivet is missing, the buckle may separate from the mounting strap, increasing the risk of injury to the passenger.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the safety belt buckles in the second and third rows, and replace them if necessary. The recall began on november 26, 2008. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; gmc at 1-866-996-9463; saturn at 1-800-972-8876; or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .
Full defect summary
Gm is recalling 16,667 my 2009 buick enclave, chevrolet traverse, gmc acadia, and saturn outlook vehicles for failing to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, 'seat belt assemblies.' these vehicles may have been built with a safety belt buckle in the second or third row that is missing a rivet.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Outboard front seat belt anchor cable failure
Summary
On august 31, 2020, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened engineering analysis (ea) ea20002, as an upgrade of recall query (rq) rq19003. This investigation, related to recall 14v-266, was opened to investigate instances of detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor cable attached to the outboard side of the front seats in vehicles manufactured by general motors (gm). The subject vehicles included model year (my) 2009 through 2014 gmc acadia, buick enclave, and chevrolet traverse suvs as well as my 2009 through 2010 saturn outlook suvs. These vehicles were previously repaired for this defect under recall 14v-266. The subject vehicle population is approximately 1.3 million v
Seat belt anchor cable failure
Summary
On may 19, 2014, general motors llc (gm) notified the office of defects investigation (odi) that it would conduct safety recall 14v266 to address fatigue and separation of the flexible steel cable that connects the front outboard seat belts to the seat-mounted belt pre-tensioner in 1.4 million model year (my) 2009-2010 saturn outlook, 2009-2014 buick enclave, gmc acadia and chevrolet traverse (lambda platform) vehicles.the remedy was to inspect for signs of damage and replace pre-tensioner anchor cables as needed. Re-work was conducted to relocate the pre-tensioner anchor cable out of the occupant entry path. Odi has subsequently received four (4) vehicle owners questionnaires (voq) reportin
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit
Summary
On november 18, 2010, NHTSA's recall management division (rmd) opened an audit query (aq10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.it was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.rmd queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (ford, chrysler, and general motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.the rental
Questions about the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (231 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles); engine (62 complaints, typically around 103,000 miles); transmission (58 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 30, 2015 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Chevrolet Traverse?
- It is 5th of 19 Traverse model years by number of complaints, with 448 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.