2020 Chevrolet Traverse: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the engine, transmission, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020- Owner complaints
- 188
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes reported
- 11
- 7 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 Chevrolet Traverse: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/4
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Traverse is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20–21 mpg |
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Traverse that averages well under the EPA 20 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Alternator failure
26,500–57,323 miles
Front exhaust bracket cracks
53,000–59,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Engine57No crashes
Front exhaust pipe brackets crack at their welds, and the pipe then tears or wears through. It starts as a rattle or purring at startup and grows into a loud clang. Owners also report a check engine light with code P0420, weak acceleration, and exhaust fumes in the cabin. Failures show up from about 53,000 to 75,350 miles. GM special coverage applies to 2019 and 2021 models but not 2020, so owners pay themselves, and welded patches often crack again. One report describes oil burning at 45,000 miles.
Nearly every report here is the front exhaust bracket fracturing and leaving holes in the pipes on one or both banks. Symptoms are a rattle at startup, a motorcycle-like roar, exhaust odor in the cabin, and codes P0420 or P0171. Some catalytic converters also fail, one at 58,000 miles. Reported mileages run from 56,000 to 118,000. Dealers point to GM bulletin PIP5681C but find no coverage for the 2020 VIN, so many owners leave the car unrepaired because of the cost.
Transmission30No crashes
Transmission shudder is the main complaint. It is worst when the car is hot or climbing hills, and it also shows up as slipping in low gears and as power loss while passing. Shops often trace it to the torque converter. A fluid change under a service bulletin sometimes helps only for a short time, and some owners paid around $6,000 for a replacement transmission. A second pattern is a false "Shift to Park" message that keeps the engine from shutting off and drains the battery. Dealers quote about $809 for a new shifter assembly.
Electrical222 crashes
Alternators fail early, between about 26,500 and 57,323 miles. Warning signs are a charging system message, low voltage, and battery saver mode, and some cars stall outright and take the battery with them. Several owners report sudden total power loss while driving. That includes one crash after a "Service ESC" warning, when steering and brakes stopped working, and one blackout at a stoplight that left the doors locked. False "Shift to Park" errors come up again here. Less common problems are water leaking into the body control module, headlights that drop out in AUTO mode, and the stereo shutting off.
Steering61 crash
Without warning, the wheel goes stiff or locks while driving, usually with a "Reduced Steering Assist" or ABS warning. That makes it hard to get off the road, and some cars need a tow. A dealer blamed one case on a short and called for a new steering gear, but the part was on back order and cars sat at dealers for two months. One report describes the wheel and brakes locking at 50 mph, followed by a rear-end crash and a fire. A loud whine when turning is also reported.
Airbags54 crashes
Front airbags fail to deploy in frontal crashes. Four of the five reports involve a collision, at speeds including 30 and 50 mph, and three people were injured. One case involved a car with only 6200 miles. In another, the airbags released powder or an airbag smell but never visibly inflated. A body shop found no system fault yet replaced the airbags anyway. One owner questions whether the rear rows have side airbags.
Seat belts41 crash
Front and second-row buckles get stiff, then refuse to latch or release on their own while driving. Dealers have fixed this by replacing the belt assembly. One crash at 35 to 40 mph, at about 25,500 miles, involved a loose driver's pretensioner that did not hold the occupant, and she was injured. One report also describes a belt that would not release while the seat recliner was locked.
Brakes41 crash
There are few reports, but some are serious. In one, the brake pedal did not respond at low speed and a two-day-old car drifted into a tractor trailer. In another, something snapped under the pedal in a parking lot, a brake line hung loose, and fluid leaked out, so the car had to be towed. Smaller complaints include a rear squeak that feels like the parking brake is still engaged, and a foot slipping under the brake pedal while reversing.
Seats21 crash
A sharp edge between the front seats and the center console can cut a hand reaching into the gap. In one case the cut needed 5 stitches, and the edge was found on both the driver and passenger sides. The only other report is a 60 mph collision with 2 injuries, and it does not describe any seat defect.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Traverse owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Noise from under hood, took vehicle to dealer. Dealers inspection identified cracked exhaust PIPES before catalytic converter. Exhaust fumes get into car cabin causing health concerns not to mention a life threatening situation for the occupants. Vehicle was under 70k miles. Seems to be an emission issue/faulty workmanship with failure in QC in weld inspection causing harm to owners
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
Muffler pipes are rubbing on the metal that was used to hold the muffler pipes from dragging. There is nothing to stop this from happening. If it’s Rubbing holes in the muffler then it’s allowing the fumes into the ozone layer and also wasting gas and messing the engine up m, causing the engine to read wrong. This is not Normal wear and tear this is a manufactured default that should not be my responsibility bc it wasn’t secured correctly.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2022
The Transmission went out at 128k miles, a BRAND NEW GM transmission was replaced at a cost of $6,800 to me as it was not under warranty. Less than 2 months and 2k miles later, the new transmission went out. I just got my car back yesterday with yet another GM transmission and once again it is jerking, so I’m sure another faulty transmission from General Motors
Filed with NHTSA, March 2025
Alternator failing and needing to be replaced on a 2020 Chevy Traverse with only 33,000 miles. Seems to be a common issue with several Traverse and it's a costly repair as it's past warranty.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
Alternator failed within 3 years and only after 45,000 miles. GM refuses to take any liability even though several other people experiencing same defect and part rated for over twice that length of period.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2024
My rear exhaust manifold cracked, was told there should have been have been a recall on them bc they are defective. GM is covering 2019 and 2021 Models, but not 2020 models. I had to replace my alternator at the Chevrolet dealership 6 months ago. In the last month, have had the shift to park message come up on my car and that has something to do with the transmission.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
How the 2020 compares with other Traverse years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks third for owner complaints among 9 Traverse years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Engine5713
- Transmission3050
- Electrical2225
- Steering65
- Airbags52
- Seat belts42
Where the 2020 fits in the Traverse's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the third model year of the Traverse's second generation (2018–2024).
Chevrolet updated the Traverse for 2022, so a 2020 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2022 (not on a 2020)
- Grille similar to redesigned Suburban/Tahoe
- Thin LED headlights and tail lights
- New daytime running lights with integrated LED turn signals
- New interior seating options
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Recalls to confirm (8)
Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
22V210000AirbagsMar 2022
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.
Fix: 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.
21V817000TransmissionOct 2021
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.
Fix: 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.
21V115000Wheels and tiresFeb 2021
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
20V684000Wheels and tiresNov 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
Risk: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202319030.
20V668000TransmissionOct 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
20V639000Fuel systemOct 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.
Risk: Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202314760.
20V446000AirbagsJul 2020
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
Risk: If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.
19V643000Body and structureSep 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The right-hand frame rail in the engine compartment may be cracked.
Risk: A crack in the frame rail may reduce crash performance, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N192268310.
Also looking at these instead of a Traverse?
Cars shoppers compare with the Chevrolet Traverse, with their own 2020 checklists.
2020 owner complaints, side by side
- Nissan Pathfinder43
- Buick Enclave48
- Volkswagen Atlas116
- 2020 Chevrolet Traverse188
- Toyota Highlander269
- Ford Edge272
- Ford Explorer1,066
