2019 Chevrolet Traverse: What to check before buying

A false "Shift to Park" message is the most common report. The car is in park but will not fully shut off, so drivers wiggle the shifter or restart to clear it, often between 24,000 and 28,600 miles. One crash report describes the vehicle rolling into a roadway while showing park. Other reports describe shudder near 20 mph, bucking during shifts at 42,000 miles, and transmissions replaced near 57,833 miles. Both fire reports involve leaking fluid, with one ending in engine-compartment flames.

Most of these reports are the same false "Shift to Park" fault. The engine will not shut off, the doors will not lock, and the chime keeps sounding. Some owners are stuck in the car for long stretches. Others report a drained battery and being stranded. One owner cites a service bulletin pointing to a faulty park switch in the shifter. Several say their VIN was left out of related recalls. Less common reports include stalling in traffic, auto stop failing to restart, a parked car rolling into a tree, and a strong cabin odor.

Exhaust failures lead this category. The front exhaust pipe bracket breaks or its weld fails, and the pipe develops holes that can crack the catalytic converter. Owners hear a loud rattle or exhaust noise, and some see repeat failures. A manufacturer recall covers one pipe on some VINs, and owners pay for the rest. Oil leaks from the front timing cover and valve cover gaskets also recur, with one repair requiring the engine to be dropped. A melted A/C compressor clutch pulley and oil consumption also appear.

Sudden loss of power steering is the most serious pattern. Dashboard warnings appear and the wheel becomes hard to turn, sometimes at highway speed. One such case ended with the rack and pinion being replaced. Other reports tie loss of steering to the engine stalling, from alternator or starter failures. Broken sway bars and rear toe links that fail inspection also show up here. One crash report involves a parking collision after a reduced steering assist warning.

The second-row middle buckle is the main weak spot. It sits between the folding 60/40 seats or catches on the recline lever. When the seats tilt forward for third-row access, the buckle gets crushed until it no longer latches, which leaves that passenger unrestrained. Other reports describe front belts that stay locked tight or fail to lock. The one injury report involves a child in a booster seat pinned by a tightening belt that had to be cut free.

Worn or corroded rear toe links are the clear pattern. They often fail state inspection between 22,000 and 61,000 miles. Owners hear a faint clicking from the rear, and the car sways or wanders at highway speed, which throws the alignment off. Replacement links sometimes wear out again within months. Owners note that GM recalled toe links on several other models but not this one, so repairs come out of pocket.

Every report here describes airbags that did not deploy in a significant crash, including front-end hits, T-bones, a rear-end impact at 50 mph, and a deer strike at highway speed. Drivers report hitting the steering wheel, with injuries that include a broken sternum and chest, neck, and back pain. In several cases the other vehicle's airbags deployed. All six reports involve a crash, and they account for seven injuries.

Brake power drops off without much warning. A "Service Brake Assist" alert appears, the pedal sinks to the floor, and stopping takes much more effort, in one case with less than 400 miles on the car. Other reports describe StabiliTrak warnings with the parking brake engaging on its own when pulling away from a stop. One crash report describes the car surging forward during a slow turn with the brake held down. Dealers often cannot reproduce these faults.