2011 Chevrolet Traverse Problems

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

AS DESCRIBED BY HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF OTHER OWNERS...OBDII CODES P0008 AND P0017, IN CONJUNCTION WITH "SERVICE STABILITRACK, AWD DISABLED, TRACTION CONTROL OFF". WE HAVE REPLACED MULTIPLE SENSORS, REPLACED THROTTLE BODY(AND SENSOR), REPLACED DRIVER FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY (MAGNET THAT HAS TO DO WITH SENSOR CAME OFF). THE ABOVE TWO CODES PERSIST. PURCHASED USED VEHICLE WITH 118XXX MILES AND WITHIN A YEAR THESE CODES APPEARED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO INSISTED IT WAS TIMING CHAIN, WITH ESTIMATE OF $2300. HOWEVER, SECOND AND THIRD OPINIONS DISAGREED...SUGGESTING SENSOR ISSUES, THROTTLE BODY ISSUES, ETC. WHY HAS THE TIMING CHAIN OR TENSIONER NOT BEEN RECALLED, IF THIS IS THE ISSUE? FORTUNATELY, OUR VEHICLE DOES NOT GO INTO LIMP MODE...HOWEVER, WE'VE BEEN TOLD THIS COULD HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE. WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT IF THE NHTSA WOULD DO A DEEPER DIVE AND GENERATE A RECALL. GOING TO ADDRESS CAMSHAFT BANK SENSORS NEXT BEFORE POSSIBLY REPLACING TIMING CHAIN AND/OR TENSIONER. ADDITIONALLY, PROBLEMS WITH MOISTURE ISSUE OF UNKNOWN LOCATION THAT CAUSES THE STEREO SPEAKERS TO NOT WORK. ON SUNNY, WARM DAYS, STEREO SPEAKERS WORK FINE...ANY MOISTURE, NO SPEAKERS.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

AS DESCRIBED BY HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF OTHER OWNERS...OBDII CODES P0008 AND P0017, IN CONJUNCTION WITH "SERVICE STABILITRACK, AWD DISABLED, TRACTION CONTROL OFF". WE HAVE REPLACED MULTIPLE SENSORS, REPLACED THROTTLE BODY(AND SENSOR), REPLACED DRIVER FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY (MAGNET THAT HAS TO DO WITH SENSOR CAME OFF). THE ABOVE TWO CODES PERSIST. PURCHASED USED VEHICLE WITH 118XXX MILES AND WITHIN A YEAR THESE CODES APPEARED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO INSISTED IT WAS TIMING CHAIN, WITH ESTIMATE OF $2300. HOWEVER, SECOND AND THIRD OPINIONS DISAGREED...SUGGESTING SENSOR ISSUES, THROTTLE BODY ISSUES, ETC. WHY HAS THE TIMING CHAIN OR TENSIONER NOT BEEN RECALLED, IF THIS IS THE ISSUE? FORTUNATELY, OUR VEHICLE DOES NOT GO INTO LIMP MODE...HOWEVER, WE'VE BEEN TOLD THIS COULD HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE. WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT IF THE NHTSA WOULD DO A DEEPER DIVE AND GENERATE A RECALL. GOING TO ADDRESS CAMSHAFT BANK SENSORS NEXT BEFORE POSSIBLY REPLACING TIMING CHAIN AND/OR TENSIONER. ADDITIONALLY, PROBLEMS WITH MOISTURE ISSUE OF UNKNOWN LOCATION THAT CAUSES THE STEREO SPEAKERS TO NOT WORK. ON SUNNY, WARM DAYS, STEREO SPEAKERS WORK FINE...ANY MOISTURE, NO SPEAKERS.

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

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH SUDDENLY HEAR A BEEP AND SEE A WARNING THAT TRACTION CONTROL IS OFF, THEN SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING KEPT FLASHING AND CAR IN SKID IMAGE IS ON CONSTANTLY. ALSO AFTER THESE WARNINGS STARTED FLASHING THE SPEED CONTROL COULD NOT BE SET. LUCKILY I DID'T LOSE POWER THIS TIME AS SO MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED. AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND RESTARTING THE CAR LATER ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE OFF. FOR SEVERAL WEEKS NOW WHEN RESUMING SPEED AFTER STOPPING THE CAR LUNGES WHILE GETTING BACK UP TO SPEED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS HAD I LOST OR HAD REDUCED POWER LIKE HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY. GM REALLY NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.

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.

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.

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.

MAIN WINDOW SWITCHES HAVE FAILED AND THE WIPERS DO NOT WORK ON THE HIGHEST SETTING.

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.

THE REAR SUPPORT FOR LIFT OF DOOR FAILED- VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED - VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY A/C BLOWS FREON THROUGH VENTS- STATIONARY, IN MOTION- HAS BEEN IN SHOP 3 TIMES CONDENSER, A/C LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED- STILL DOES NOT HOLD FREON FOR LONG

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.

2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT CABLE STARTED TO FREY LIKE OVER NIGHT WAS NOT DRIVING CAR (ONE DAY NOT THERE NEXT DAY ALL EXPOSED AND MOST WIRES BROKE) OPEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND STICKS RIGHT OUT BEFORE YOU DID NOT NOTICE, PASSENGER SIDE FEELS FRAYED BUT SRINK WRAP NOT TORN I BELIEVE BOTH WERE ON A PREVIOUS RECALL IN 2014 FOR SEAT BELTS, BUT DID NOT HAVE PROBLEM ACCORDING TO BETTEN DEALER SHIP IN MUSKEGON 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.

THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHAKES WHILE DRIVING IT SEEMS LIKE THE BATTERY IS GOING DEAD OR IT DOESN'T WANT O TO GO ANYWHERE. TIMING CHANGE THE GAS GUAGE NOT READING RIGHT IT HORRIBLE GAS MILEAGE

MY 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE JUST STARTED TO HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD GO ON AND STAY ON. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND. ''TIS VEHICLE CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 32,000 MILES. HARDLY DRIVEN. WELL TAKEN CARED FOR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,470.

TAKATA RECALL, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE, RECALL NUMBER 14V266, FUEL GAUGE STOPS WORKING WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE, PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT ROLE UP WITH THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROLS.

PASENGER AIRBAG KEEPS TURNING ON AND OFF, BRING IN TO GET FIXED AND KEEP GETTING THE RUN AROUND....HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 32000 MILES OVER A YEAR AND STILL NOT FIXED!!!! NOT HAPPY

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)

THESE ARE MY SECOND SET OF GOODYEAR FORTERA TIRES. THEY ARE RATED FOR 60 THOUSAND MILES AND I HAVE GOTTEN 20,000 TO 25,000 WHEN THEY BECAME SEVERELY CRACKED .

I AM WRITING TO INFORM YOU OF A RECENT SAFETY ISSUE WE HAD WITH OUR 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012, I WAS PARKED IN SAID VEHICLE WITH THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION, PUMPING GAS AT SMOKIN JOES ON INDIAN HILL IN LEWISTON. I HAD ALL THREE OF MY CHILDREN, AGES 8, 6, AND 5 IN THE VEHICLE. WHILE PUMPING GAS, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL, RIPPING THE GAS NOZZLE FROM MY CAR, SPILLING GAS. I BEGAN TO RUN AFTER MY CAR AND THANKFULLY IT STOPPED JUST BEFORE ENTERING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I THANK THE GRACE OF GOD THAT MY CHILDREN WERE NOT INJURED'MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT THE GEAR SHIFTER AND HE WAS ABLE TO POP IT OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. ON THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2012 I TOOK MY CAR INTO KIPO. THEY LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE AND ALSO CONFIRMED OUR FINDINGS, THAT THE CAR DOES, IN FACT, SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL'CONTACT WITH BILL WIRTHEIM, GM OF PADDOCK CHEVROLET, WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. MR. WIRTHEIM CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS, WHO THEN DECLARED MY VEHICLE UNDER GM INVESTIGATION. A DRIVER FROM PADDOCK CAME TO OUR HOME TO PICK UP OUR VEHICLE. WE WERE CONTACTED BY JUSTIN,A REPRESENTATIVE FROM GM ON MAY 3. GM RETURN PHONE CALL FROM HIM UNTIL MONDAY, MAY 7. HE JUST WANTED A RECAP OF WHAT HAPPENED. THAT SAME DAY, MY HUSBAND FOLLOWED UP WITH PADDOCK, WHO CLAIMED THEY BELIEVED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE BEEN ALREADY REPAIRED BY KIPO, WHICH IT WAS NOT. THIS AFTERNOON, BILL WIRTHEIM CONTACTED MY HUSBAND AND TOLD HIM THEY WILL FIX THE VEHICLE AND WE CAN HAVE IT BACK. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A LIQUID THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY SPILLED OVER THE GEAR SHIFTER THAT SHORTED OUT. WE ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THIS RESPONSE. THIS WASN'T JUST AN ISSUE OF A GEAR SHIFTER SHORTING OUT WHILE PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. OUR CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR THAT WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE OF A BUSY GAS STATION AND INTERSECTION AND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE ON AN INCLINE WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD WHEN HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,133. UPDATED 10/21/11 *BF UPDATED 12/23/11