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2016 Chevrolet Traverse Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 292 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, most often about the air bags (56% of complaints, typically around 79,500 miles). It is 10th of 19 Traverse model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2016 Chevrolet Traverse problems
Air bags
163 complaints · 56%Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of the NHTSA campaign number: 23v334000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Additionally, the contact stated that the service air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The dealer…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v334000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the "service air bags" message was displayed. The local dealer was contacted and charged a diagnostic…
Transmission
37 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles.
Driving at posted highway speed of 65 m.p.h. A vibration appears. Vibration lasted approximately 90 seconds and became harsher and vehicle was getting undriveable as time elapsed. As vibration increased in intensity, I slowed down to about 15 m.p.h. To maintain control. I exited the highway onto a county road, came to…
Our 2016 chevy Traverse check engine light came on then it started blinking, we brought it too a chevy dealer and they told US the power steering pump was leaking and the fluid ran down the line and dripped in to the sensor box and shorted out all the sensors. Costing US out of pocket $2115.04. This should not have…
Engine
31 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles.
2016 chevy Traverse engine traction control, stabiltrak problem. Engine light came on, display stated reduce speed to 25 MPH and the above warning flashed on the dash display. The car lost acceleration power. It happened twice in about a two week period. The first time it happened was on 12/18/17, I stopped the first…
While driving 75 on a freeway the service stabilitrak, service traction control, and check engine lights all came on. The engine power was reduced and I couldn't go over 40mph all at once. The vehicle was limped off the freeway without any incident with another vehicle, thank god and brought to a mechanic. He said…
Electrical
26 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
Loss of power while driving. This happened last year, supposedly fixed, but had to fight with gm. Was still under warranty. Now radio is shot said it would cost $1500 to fix. Electrical I would assume. Fighting with gm once again.
While driving 75 on a freeway the service stabilitrak, service traction control, and check engine lights all came on. The engine power was reduced and I couldn't go over 40mph all at once. The vehicle was limped off the freeway without any incident with another vehicle, thank god and brought to a mechanic. He said…
Steering
24 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
Power steering pump failure 32 months & 55,000 miles after new purchase from dealer. Out of warranty due to mileage. Complete power steering failure often at low speeds or when stationary. Intermittent issues during larger turns at speed where power steering will kick in harder or not enough at times felt more in the…
I was driving in a neighborhood road and came to a stop sign. I proceeded to make a left turn and the power steering no longer worked. My Traverse had 54k. I took it to a local repair shop and they replaced the power steering pump, high pressure line, flushed the power steering system and had to replace the serpentine…
Speed control
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles.
Check engine light turned on, along with warnings: service stabilitrak and engine power reduced while the car was in motion. Physical speed of car was reduced to 25 MPH and could not accelerate over that speed.
When driving on the highway the service stabilitrack light flashes along with traction control off and engine power reduced. The vehicle then slows to 25mph. This has happened several times and has gone away after I restart the car. This is a safety issue as I have almost been rear ended on a bridge with my daughters…
Other or unspecified
18 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles.
Vehicle swaddles heavily after a certain speed to the point where my children have hit the sides of their heads with the windows/doors. Makes a loud noise in the front when driving and turning, you can feel the grinding noise vibrations on the bottom of feet.
The blind spot detection system warning sensors have failed and will not work. This has caused me to have several near missies in dangerous driving situations with other vehicles. I feel unsafe driving this vehicle and do not have the money to repair it.
Stability control
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles.
When driving on the highway the service stabilitrack light flashes along with traction control off and engine power reduced. The vehicle then slows to 25mph. This has happened several times and has gone away after I restart the car. This is a safety issue as I have almost been rear ended on a bridge with my daughters…
While driving 75 on a freeway the service stabilitrak, service traction control, and check engine lights all came on. The engine power was reduced and I couldn't go over 40mph all at once. The vehicle was limped off the freeway without any incident with another vehicle, thank god and brought to a mechanic. He said…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Chevrolet Traverse recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Gm began mailing final owner letters february 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through december 2025. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is n232404980.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2014-2017 buick enclave, chevrolet traverse, and gmc acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on november 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on january 10, 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 n212349040.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2008-2017 buick enclave and 2013-2017 chevrolet traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Air bags: critical fasteners
Risk: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on may 24, 2021. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is n202321200.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 buick enclave, 2010-2019 chevrolet traverse, and 2011-2016 gmc acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Seats
Risk: If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on january 29, 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. Gm's number for this recall is 21930.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2016 chevrolet traverse, gmc acadia, and buick enclave vehicles manufactured november 6, 2015, to november 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Gm has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, gm will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on september 30, 2015. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is 15780.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2016 chevrolet traverse, gmc acadia, and buick enclave vehicles manufactured august 18, 2015 to september 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
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.
Questions about the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (163 complaints, typically around 79,500 miles); transmission (37 complaints, typically around 42,500 miles); engine (31 complaints, typically around 47,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 10, 2023 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Chevrolet Traverse?
- It is 10th of 19 Traverse model years by number of complaints, with 292 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.