AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
2018 Chevrolet Traverse
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 466 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,109 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2021 | 4 | 172 |
| Dec 2021 | 4 | 176 |
| Jan 2022 | 5 | 181 |
| Mar 2022 | 2 | 183 |
| Apr 2022 | 2 | 185 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 186 |
| Jun 2022 | 6 | 192 |
| Jul 2022 | 2 | 194 |
| Aug 2022 | 4 | 198 |
| Sep 2022 | 4 | 202 |
| Oct 2022 | 2 | 204 |
| Nov 2022 | 3 | 207 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 208 |
| Jan 2023 | 5 | 213 |
| Feb 2023 | 4 | 217 |
| Mar 2023 | 3 | 220 |
| Apr 2023 | 2 | 222 |
| May 2023 | 5 | 227 |
| Jun 2023 | 3 | 230 |
| Jul 2023 | 4 | 234 |
| Aug 2023 | 4 | 238 |
| Sep 2023 | 3 | 241 |
| Oct 2023 | 8 | 249 |
| Nov 2023 | 5 | 254 |
| Dec 2023 | 4 | 258 |
| Jan 2024 | 5 | 263 |
| Feb 2024 | 4 | 267 |
| Mar 2024 | 6 | 273 |
| Apr 2024 | 6 | 279 |
| May 2024 | 4 | 283 |
| Jun 2024 | 8 | 291 |
| Jul 2024 | 4 | 295 |
| Aug 2024 | 8 | 303 |
| Sep 2024 | 4 | 307 |
| Oct 2024 | 6 | 313 |
| Nov 2024 | 6 | 319 |
| Dec 2024 | 6 | 325 |
| Jan 2025 | 6 | 331 |
| Feb 2025 | 1 | 332 |
| Mar 2025 | 2 | 334 |
| Apr 2025 | 5 | 339 |
| May 2025 | 11 | 350 |
| Jun 2025 | 5 | 355 |
| Jul 2025 | 11 | 366 |
| Aug 2025 | 5 | 371 |
| Sep 2025 | 16 | 387 |
| Oct 2025 | 9 | 396 |
| Nov 2025 | 7 | 403 |
| Dec 2025 | 7 | 410 |
| Jan 2026 | 4 | 414 |
| Feb 2026 | 5 | 419 |
| Mar 2026 | 8 | 427 |
| Apr 2026 | 5 | 432 |
| May 2026 | 5 | 437 |
| Jun 2026 | 11 | 448 |
| Jul 2026 | 5 | 453 |
| Aug 2026 | 4 | 457 |
| Sep 2026 | 4 | 461 |
| Oct 2026 | 4 | 465 |
| Nov 2026 | 1 | 466 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Powertrain (other)19032.7%
- Electrical10117.4%
- Engine10117.4%
- Fuel system386.5%
- Brakes386.5%
- Driver assistance305.2%
- Steering142.4%
- Exterior lighting122.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The first time this happened was in 2024, my Traverse started to sound like a go-cart, loss of power to accelerate, and exhaust smell would leak into the cabin. Being active duty living on base with one car it was more convenient to use an insured Mobile Mechanic. - Front bracket that secures the Exhaust Manifold/ Catalytic Converter in place welds failed resulting in the parts to be under extreme additional stress breaking it. This has happened every year since, everytime Chevrolet/GM customer service has been contacted and we are told that my VIN year make and model are not on the Special coverage list and there is nothing they can do. Three Catalytic Converters in three years from an engineering flaw is not normal wear and tare.
- NHTSA ID
- 11775816
- Incident
- Oct 14, 2026
I was driving along the Jackie Robinson Parkway when, on a curve, the car braked on its own and crashed into a wall, resulting in the total destruction of the vehicle. My son had to be hospitalized. This car had braked on its own before—at speeds of 10 or 15 mph—but I didn’t think much of it at the time; however, this time we were traveling at 45 mph when the
- NHTSA ID
- 11773779
- Incident
- Oct 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving at 5–8 MPH, the transmission slipped. After coming to a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate for five seconds before jumping forward 3–5 feet. Several unknown warning lights briefly illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond while in reverse(R). The contact expressed safety concerns for his child who occupied the vehicle. An independent mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11771096
- Incident
- Oct 9, 2026
- Mileage
- 148,000 mi
Sporadic issues when parking. When pressing the push to start button to turn off when in park, it will not turn off. It displays shift to park. Sometimes it appears to happen on unlabeled surfaces.
- NHTSA ID
- 11770292
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2025
First issue-cracked catalytic converter caused leaking carbon monoxide inside vehicle. When I was driving I could smell strong, nauseating fuel smell and would have to drive with windows open to try and get fresh air. Took it to local shop for repair which cost $2700. After repair did some research and found special coverage warranty for 2018 Traverse for this same issue, however chevy told me because I took it to a third party they would not reimburse. Second issue-when car would go into gas saving mode vehicle would shut off quickly then start back up and all alert lights would come on (ie. engine light, parking light, etc.), vehicle would also show typed alert on screen something about power steering would be modified and drive safely. Recently took it to chevy to have it looked at, 3 issue were wrong, one being the purge solenoid needing to be replace. Because of known issue before, did some research and also found a special warranty coverage for 2018 traverses for this issue as well. However, my VIN is not showing any of these recalls so now chevy says they will also not cover this.
- NHTSA ID
- 11768232
- Incident
- Sep 21, 2026
For months we have had issues with the known issue of “Shift to Park” which is a huge potential safety risk to myself, my children, and all of my neighbors who are ever remotely close to the vehicle. No dealer can resolve the known issue for this year/make/model. It has slipped from park to drive once but thankfully I was still in the vehicle. Additionally, at barely 100,000, my transmission has failed suddenly. After having the vehicle suddenly buck when driving down the road— again risking the safety of myself and my children, as well as other drivers around me- the check engine light came on. After being inspected, the codes coming up are P0700, P2723, and some other transmission related codes indicating there is an internal issue with the transmission. I am told I will need to replace the entire transmission and it will cost well over $9,000. This vin should have been included in the prior transmission recall for this year/make/model due to the negligent risk of the vehicle slipping out of park and slipping gears while driving. Please help.
- NHTSA ID
- 11765375
- Incident
- Aug 31, 2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding a complete transmission failure in my 2018 Chevrolet Traverse (VIN 1GNEVGKW7JJ279077). The vehicle's transmission stopped functioning altogether, resulting in a complete loss of propulsion. The vehicle can no longer be driven and requires repair/towing. A sudden loss of propulsion can create a serious safety hazard, particularly if the failure occurs while driving in traffic. My mechanic has informed me that they have experienced multiple transmission problems with 2018 Chevrolet Traverses and that issues involving this transmission are still being researched and addressed. I am concerned that my failure may be part of a larger, known problem involving GM's 9T65 9-speed automatic transmission. GM has previously issued technical service information concerning the 9T65 transmission and established a transmission replacement pilot program involving certain vehicles equipped with this transmission. GM also developed additional diagnostic and repair strategies based on transmissions returned through that program. These actions raise concerns regarding the reliability and premature failure of this transmission. I am concerned that a transmission capable of completely failing and causing loss of propulsion represents a potential safety defect that warrants investigation, regardless of whether the vehicle remains under the original factory warranty. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate transmission failures involving 2018 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles equipped with the 9T65 transmission and determine whether there is a common defect or premature failure pattern. I ask NHTSA to review GM's technical service bulletins, warranty claims, field reports, customer complaints, and previous transmission replacement programs to determine whether additional corrective action or a safety recall is warranted. Vehicle: 2018 Chevrolet Traverse VIN: 1GNEVGKW7JJ279077 Component: Power Train / 9T65 Automatic Transmission Failure: Complete loss
- NHTSA ID
- 11763686
- Incident
- Aug 24, 2026
Car recently started to jolt when accelerating. Noticed it firsthand on the highway while on stop and go traffic. It's been doing it more often now when driving around the city. As soon as you accelerate past 15mph, it starts to jolt. The check engine light is not on. I do see that other 2018 Chevy Traverse have a recall, but my car (when checking by VIN) is not included.
- NHTSA ID
- 11762454
- Incident
- Aug 30, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3
This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 30 | 2 | 1 | 65.3 |
| 2025 | 186 | 0 | 1 | 46.7 |
| 2024 | 148 | 0 | 1 | 46.2 |
| 2023 | 95 | 2 | 0 | 55.5 |
| 2022 | 103 | 1 | 0 | 49.0 |
| 2021 | 95 | 3 | 0 | 55.8 |
| 2020 | 235 | 8 | 0 | 59.7 |
| 2019 | 412 | 3 | 0 | 55.4 |
| 2018Viewing | 466 | 2 | 0 | 51.4 |
| 2017 | 361 | 3 | 0 | 52.5 |
| 2016 | 292 | 5 | 0 | 50.2 |
| 2015 | 314 | 5 | 0 | 51.4 |
| 2014 | 549 | 7 | 2 | 54.3 |
| 2013 | 162 | 4 | 2 | 56.0 |
| 2012 | 354 | 5 | 2 | 54.1 |
| 2011 | 608 | 5 | 2 | 54.1 |
| 2010 | 669 | 5 | 2 | 55.2 |
| 2009 | 448 | 8 | 3 | 58.4 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.