2011 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Complaints

In summary, a business is selling unsafe "sidewall patched" used tire. On Sep 20, 2025 I purchased four used tires for my 2011 Chevy Traverse in this business. Mike's Tires Plano [XXX] ) [XXX] [XXX] Ten days later, one of the tires started to have a slow leak. On Oct 5, 2025, I visited a nearby National Tire & Battery store to have it checked. And was told that the tire is not repairable, since it already had a sidewall patch and the same patch had a leak again. After some research, I found it was illegal to sell and install sidewall patched tires in Texas, since it is unsafe to drive with such tires. (A failed patch on the sidewall dramatically increases the risk of a sudden and catastrophic tire blowout, Most professional tire shops will refuse to repair sidewall damage because of the significant safety risk and liability involved) A common criterion for an unsafe used tire is one that "has a repair to the tire in the tread shoulder, sidewall, bead area or belt edge area." On Oct 6, 2025, I went to the tire shop to ask for a refund or to replace other safer used tires. But the owner refused to do any, and even refused to admit that his tire is a sidewall patched tire, saying it is safe to use and legal to sell. I am writing this letter to complain that this business unlawful and unethical practice puts people's lives in danger. Texas Transportation Code Sec. 547.612 [XXX] “(f) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a person who owns or operates a business that installs tires on motor vehicles or an employee of the person may not knowingly install an unsafe tire on a motor vehicle to be used on a public street or highway.” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11691695

Incident

Sep 20, 2025

Components related to timing chain failed, and vehicle is currently available with plans to sell to a salvage yard by 10/25/24. My 9 year old and I were at risk of collision when the vehicle failed. I was driving approximately 70-75 mph when we started to lose power. At 65 mph, I managed to cross 2 lanes of highway traffic and stopped on the shoulder. I turned off my vehicle and waited several minutes, hoping it would help reset or cool off a component or something. I had to try a couple of times before it started, and I attempted to drive as safely as I could, made it to 60 mph before it stopped running completely. I had to pull hard on the steering wheel to get to the shoulder again, only this time, the shoulder was pinched off in front of us and around a small blind spot behind us. I had my daughter move to the side closer to the cement barrier while waiting for a tow truck. She became very nervous about how close some of the other vehicles got. Afterwards, the error codes indicated several components pointing to a timing chain problem. I had the timing chain repaired around April or May of 2023 by a certified mechanic. I watched the oil life percentage and oil temperature gauge consistently. Everything indicated as normal, but I had difficulty pulling out the dipstick to check the oil level. Since it was hard to get a good reading, I tried to add some oil and recheck. The oil cap was nearly impossible to open, so I decided to wait for an oil tech to do it. Around 40-50% oil life, I had planned to have the oil changed. In spite of my efforts to maintain proper oil quality, the oil cap had to be opened with a wrench. Smoke rose out and dried out oil residue lined the inner walls. It was about a quart low. I don’t drive hard on it and it had only been around 3,000 miles between oil changes. It had been one year since the timing chain was replaced. Error codes remain and the vehicle runs rough if it stays on long enough after much effort to start it.

NHTSA ID

11618746

Incident

Apr 27, 2023

As i am driving down the road the service stable trak light and abs lights pop on and the brakes sieze up so bad you cant get the car to stop and brake pedal to unlock as well as when you try to turn the steering wheel locks

NHTSA ID

11615149

Incident

Sep 4, 2024

My timing and my energy is going bad..I don’t know the problem.Im new on having my own car..And when I got it everything was great at first but Two trips going too Chicago it started going bad

NHTSA ID

11605410

Incident

Jan 16, 2024

This vehicle is notorious for multiple electrical failures. The alternator fried the battery fried, both of which were replaced. This vehicle still wouldn't start. The wiring harness to the PCM is notorious for having shorts. The pcm itself is notorious for going out really early. This vehicle is almost undrivable and it dies while you're in the middle of driving where you can't stop. I do not know how this vehicle has been kept on the market without being recalled. I do not know how more people haven't been in accidents because of it. And even worse, it's notorious for the airbags messing up. I think I would be more understanding if it weren't for the fact that this vehicle has been well maintained. It has regular maintenance. It's never overdue for an oil change or a fluid top up. I have children that ride in this vehicle and now I have to worry about their safety.

NHTSA ID

11582047

Incident

Apr 6, 2024

Unknown

NHTSA ID

11565436

Incident

Jan 14, 2024

The contact's friend owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the liftgate failed to function as designed. The contact stated that the liftgate would spontaneously slam shut. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V415000 (Structure). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11531375

Incident

Jan 15, 2020

side curtain airbags deployed driving 70 mph on I94 outside of Monticello, MN after drifting onto the rumble strip. Upon turning back there was a loud bang from the side airbags deploying. The drivers side came down and hit my daughter in the side of the head, the passenger side didn't come down all the way missing my 86 year old Mom as she is 5 ft tall. My daugther by some miracle didn't panic and veer into other traffic lanes with other vehicles driving 70 mph. GM is denying a problem and insinuating that something other than defect caused the airbags to deploy, even though there is nothing but rumble strips on the section of road. They are blaming some minor scraps on the side of the vehicle that were existing on a 2011 Traverse.

NHTSA ID

11530461

Incident

May 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 45 MPH, the RPM became elevated, and the check engine warning light illuminated before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11529391

Incident

Jun 28, 2023

Mileage

125,000 mi

Care loses connection shuts off while driving and unable to accelerate. Loses steering control

NHTSA ID

11526066

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

My driver side seat belt cable snaped. All I did was go to put my seat belt on. There was no warning no warning lights no nothing. This is a recall (Recall No. 14V266000 Recall Date; 05-20-2014) for these vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008 thru May 14, 2014 but as I was told by GMC not for my vehicle VIN number. I was told by them I may have special coverage but I would have to have it inspected by a dealership. The dealership told me it would be $195 for them to look at it. I then called GMC back and spoke with someone else who told me that special coverage would not cover the seat belt and basically I was out of luck. This is obviously a problem with their seatbelts and had I been in an accident I could have been seriously injured they should have to replace it at no cost to me.

NHTSA ID

11524445

Incident

Feb 15, 2023

Service air bag comes on as well as it won't detect if someone is in the passenger seat. I had this issue serviced at the dealership twice. The issue has returned both times. My vehicle is continuing to have this problem. Service for airbag repair on 12/18/2020 and on 12/10/2021. Problem returned and continues to this day.

NHTSA ID

11522314

Incident

Dec 18, 2020

12/24/2022 while driving the car made a popping sound then started to slow down while I was driving. I went to make a left turn and the car stalled in mid turn. No warning or anything. Had it towed to a shop and was told that the motor had no oil in it. Which wasn’t true, when they pulled the dip stick it read that it was full. However when they opened the motor up, it appeared to be bone dry.

NHTSA ID

11501052

Incident

Dec 24, 2022

Engine failed at 182,000 miles. No warning. No indicator lights. Speed was 45+ miles per hour on 2-lane highway. Loss of engine power resulted in loss of steering control. Very hard to maneuver as vehicle coasted to stop at side of road. Put all occupants in a dangerous situation due to significantly reduced vehicle control. Vehicle would not re-start (or attempt to turn over) after failure. Towed to local shop. Local, trusted auto service center reported engine had “locked up” potentially due to low oil pressure. Again, no indication lights and routine, full oil service completed just 2500 miles prior. Engine was replaced after cost-benefit analysis of current car market prices and availability and the well-maintained condition of the vehicle overall. Concerns: Loss of control. Disappointments: One of many reliability issues with this vehicle that was purchased new in January 2011.

NHTSA ID

11483853

Incident

Nov 10, 2021

The driver's side mirror is cracked, in addition to the catalytic converters - bank 1 and 2, they sold me this car like this and reset the engine light.

NHTSA ID

11475813

Incident

May 27, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the air conditioning system was blowing warm air. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the timing chain was out of position. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

NHTSA ID

11470662

Incident

May 23, 2022

Mileage

145,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the weight of the vehicle placed on the suspension caused the steering wheel and four wheels to not align. Due to the failure, the contact stated that the steering wheel would align 50% percent to the right causing the vehicle to be undriveable. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic for multiple repairs including the control bushing, lower control arm, rack and pinion, and several other vehicle parts; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and informed her that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11460185

Incident

Jul 3, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURE BUT, WAS CONCERNED OF THE POSSIBILLTY DUE TO MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11451899

Incident

Feb 14, 2022

While driving home smoke began to fill up my vehicle. I noticed it was coming up out of the floorboard where the battery is located as well smoke was billowing from the arm rest. I rushed home before anything else could have went wrong while in traffic barely able to see through the dangerous ploom of smoke.

NHTSA ID

11442523

Incident

Dec 3, 2021

The contact's wife owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, an abnormal knocking noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they replaced the idler pulley however, the vehicle was not repaired, and the vehicle would not start. The contact called his son and towed the vehicle to his home. The contact then called the dealer where he arranged to have the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The dealer informed him that the failure was due to a defective timing chain; however, while repairing the vehicle, the dealer informed him that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact also mentioned that the middle rear seat belt would become stuck and would not unlatch as needed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was referred to NHTSA for further assistance. The contact replaced the engine himself. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000

NHTSA ID

11433833

Incident

Mar 6, 2021

Mileage

131,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the engine was still running independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that water was entering the hood of the vehicle causing the vehicle to have electrical issues and the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.

NHTSA ID

11427720

Incident

Jul 1, 2021

Mileage

132,000 mi

Vehicle stalls due to transmission issue at 40 mph, yes it is available for inspection. When vehicle stalls at 40 mph at that point you have no steering support and the vehicle is just coasting until you can stop. You could crash with no steering support at 40 mph into stationary object, another vehicle or pedestrians. I have had it inspected by GM dealership No warning lamps or messages or other symptoms and it is repeatable started to appear on June 9, 2021

NHTSA ID

11423924

Incident

Jun 9, 2021

THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLITON ON THIS VEHICLE SB-10056456-3388 IT HAS TO DO WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND SOME RACK AND PINON STEERING PARTS. IT IS HARD TO TURN WHEN YOU ARE FIRST STARTING OUT GETS EASIER AS YOU ARE DRIVING THOUGH BUT IS STILL A MAJOR CONCERN AND PROBLEM AS IT COULD HAPPEN TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT SOME POINT WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS PROBLEM GET A RECALL ON IT

NHTSA ID

11423092

Incident

Jul 1, 2021

vehicle stalls at 40mph when slowing down and you have no power steering or any other engine running support. This is very dangerous it is hard to steer and stop, you coast till you you hopefully can find a safe area to stop and restart vehicle and drives normal until the next time you are above 40mph. no codes or mil lights. repeatable every time. Everyone in the vehicles safety is at risk and so is anyone else driving in our area, can't stop or steer fast with no engine support. has not been diagnosed by dealer yet. we are trying to get it in for diagnosis.

NHTSA ID

11422443

Incident

Jun 9, 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud banging sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The front of the vehicle started shaking and vibrating before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine was damaged and needed to be replaced, due to a faulty oil pump seal which caused the engine rod to malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.

NHTSA ID

11420101

Incident

Mar 10, 2021

Mileage

139,000 mi