2021 Chevrolet Traverse: What to check before buying

Charging system failures dominate. A "Service Battery Charging System" or "Vehicle May Stall" warning appears, often followed by "Battery Saver Active". The engine can then shut off while driving, sometimes in traffic or at highway speed, taking power steering and hazard lights with it. A new battery rarely fixes it. The usual repair is an alternator, and some cars need a second one. Failures cluster around 40,000 to 44,000 miles. Other reports describe a false "Shift to Park" message that keeps the car from shutting off and drains the battery, plus blank radio or instrument displays.

Most of these reports are about the exhaust. The front exhaust pipe separates from its mounting bracket or cracks, which brings a rattle, a loud exhaust note, and fumes or an odor inside the cabin. Some cases also trigger a check engine light and a catalytic converter failure. GM special coverage addresses the front pipe. Owners say the rear pipe fails too and is not covered, and some vehicles fall outside the bulletin. Reported mileages run from about 33,000 to 74,000. One separate report describes low oil and an oil warning light at 41,000 miles soon after a service.

Exhaust and catalytic converter failures make up most of these reports. A loud noise, clicking under acceleration, or an exhaust odor leads to a diagnosis of a broken front exhaust pipe or converter, often with a check engine light on. Some owners say the under-hood exhaust pipe failed again after being replaced, with one report at 36,000 miles. A separate report describes the vehicle briefly lurching as if stopping while on cruise control at 71 mph, followed by a burning smell.

Shifts skip, shudder, or come late on the 9-speed automatic transmission, and the vehicle labors on even slight grades. Reverse sometimes engages only after a delay. Problems can start as early as 1,085 miles and get worse with age. One report describes torque converter replacement followed by a transmission failure caused by a gasket leak. The false "Shift to Park" warning shows up here as well. A driveshaft bolt that came out at 45 mph split the shaft and caused a loss of control.

Noise is the main complaint. Brakes squeak, squeal, or grind on new or low-mileage cars, with reports at 1,247 and 15,000 miles. Dealers often call the noise normal for ceramic pads or say they are waiting on a fix from the manufacturer, so many cars go unrepaired. Other owners describe uneven, erratic braking from day one. One case involves brake fluid leaking at the wheels and an empty reservoir within weeks of purchase, with the grinding getting steadily worse.

The core issue is lost steering assist. A "Steering assist reduced" or power steering warning appears, making the vehicle harder to control in traffic or at speed. Dealer fixes range from a software update to a full steering rack replacement. In one case the electronic stability control failed along with the steering. Another report links the reduced steering and engine power to a failing alternator, which nearly caused a collision at highway speed.

Both complaints involve crashes with injuries where the airbags did not work as expected. In a front-end collision, no airbags deployed at all. In the other crash, the steering wheel airbag came out but did not inflate, and no warning lights appeared beforehand. Both reports also mention brake problems, one before the crash and one after the impact. Two complaints are too few to show a broad pattern, but both failures are serious.

Both reports describe a vehicle that did not respond as expected to the driver. One crash with injuries followed unintended acceleration that the brakes could not stop. Cruise control was off and no warning appeared first. The other report describes hard shuddering and jerking on takeoff that hurt passengers' necks and nearly caused accidents. With only 2 complaints, no wider pattern is visible, but both involve loss-of-control risk.

Rear suspension links break. In one report, the right rear upper and lower toe links failed at 29702 miles with no warning, and the vehicle pulled hard and swerved under braking. In another, a broken rear sway bar link caused a loud clunk on right turns and made handling unsafe. Only 2 complaints are on file, but both carry loss-of-control risk.