2018 Chevrolet Traverse Brakes Problems

The vacuum pump had a catastrophic failure. This led to failure of assisted breaking, and caused brake pedal to go rock hard while driving on the roadway. Metal shards from the vacuum pump broke off, and has now entered the engine. Chevy knows this vacuum pump is flawed, but did not include my model of vehicle in the recall. Even though it uses the same part. I received a “brake assist” message on the dash about 15 seconds prior to the loss of brakes. I had my wife and two kids with me, and this jeopardized their safety. Further research on the matter states this is a known issue at GM, but for some reason my year and model were not included.

NHTSA ID

11720348

Incident

Feb 19, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the driveway was on a slope, and his wife was attempting to reenter the vehicle while it was in parked and the engine was running, and in the process the vehicle began to roll forward down the contacts driveway, the contacts wife was injured in the process receiving bruises to her left leg and right hip, medical attention was required for the contacts injuries. The vehicle was brought to a stop upon crashing into a lawn mower trailer and the contact's garage with the vehicle's front passenger side quarter panel. Property damage was reported. The vehicle was going 5 MPH at the time of the crash. The contact confirmed that after the incident, the vehicle was still in the parked position after the crash. The vehicle was not towed. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not destroyed. The local dealer was contacted, however the vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

NHTSA ID

11670496

Incident

Jun 27, 2025

Mileage

107,000 mi

The E Brake engaged while driving our car, by the time we could safely stop our vehicle, less than a mile, the transmission fluid reached 175 degrees and our vehicle was smoking. We took the traverse to a local service center, they stated this has been a known issue with the make and model of our car. There is a service bulletin about this issue. The brake actuator is faulty, and allows water to seep into the actuator creating a short to ground the electric park brake actuator.

NHTSA ID

11658489

Incident

May 1, 2025

For the past 3 years my 2018 Traverse will randomly say shift to park and won't let me turn my vehicle off even though I am in park. In the last week it has gotten worse happening almost every time I drive it and not recognizing that I am in park for anywhere from 2-10 minutes.

NHTSA ID

11650947

Incident

Aug 18, 2021

The issue is with the Traverse Stabilitrak system. The Stabilitrak system controls, includes traction control, emergency brakes, tire monitoring, etc. as I understand it. The Stabilitrak lights has been intermittently coming on for several months. I took the truck to the manufacture and was charged over $1,700.00 to fix the problem. After the repairs, I picked up the vehicle and within three miles of the dealership the issue manifested itself again. The Stabiltrak system light usually indicates as the vehicle waits at a traffic light, and just as I accelerate for the signal change. The vehicle frequently stalls at that point, creating a rear end hazard, and a dangerous situation for me and other commuters. Upon returning the vehicle to the dealership, they claimed not to be able to identify the issue, that they initially charged me over $1,700.00 to fix. The said they could not recreate the problem, although it is a persistent problem that occurs within minutes of the vehicle operation.

NHTSA ID

11625700

Incident

Sep 2, 2024

Transmission issues :hard shifts, shift delays , hesitation upon acceleration, trouble on reverse gear. Engine issues: grinding noises , ticking noises ,check engine light turning on, loss of power engine Vibrating in steering wheel when braking.

NHTSA ID

11620781

Incident

Jul 18, 2022

Shift to Park Issue. Other years have been recalled for this issue but not 2018 (specifically this vin#). Car doesn't recognize when parking gear is engaged and asks for parking to be engaged. Issue is happening more often and it's becoming harder to park the car. Dealership says nothing can be done unless out of pocket.

NHTSA ID

11609981

Incident

Aug 20, 2024

The emergency park brake engaged automatically, and the battery had to be disconnect to reset it. When the vehicle is shifted to park, the dash display says shift to park even though the vehicle has been shifted to park. Have to start and turn off engine, the shift lever back and forth for vehicle display message has been cleared. This has happened more than once

NHTSA ID

11590822

Incident

May 25, 2024

The parking brake came on as I was driving and would not allow me to turn it off. It caused my brakes to smoke and they were radiating heat. It is currently at the shop Kelley Buick GMC Bartow, FL

NHTSA ID

11586220

Incident

Apr 23, 2024

Shift assembly has failed twice - April 2021 and April 2024. For both occurrences, the vehicle spontaneosly stops registering when I shift into park. When I shift, the vehicle sends a warning to shift into park. There is a safety concern because I cannot determine whether or not the vehicle is actually in park. The GM dealer determined that the issue is a faulty shifter switch and harness and a faulty shift knob. Both were replaced. In April 2021 transmission shifter (part #84698649) and jumper harness (part #84733196) were replaced.

NHTSA ID

11583463

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

Experiencing shift to park issues for the second time. Making it difficult to park and turn off vehicle. Vehicle only has ~68K miles. Chevy should also include the 2018 model year for recalls.

NHTSA ID

11549750

Incident

Oct 12, 2023

POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING COMES UP. BECOMES VERY DOICCICULT TO STEER AND ALSO CAUSED STABILITY CONTROL TO BE TURNED OFF. EXTREMELY DANGERSOUS AS MY CAR COULD HAVE ROLLED AND KILLED ME OR MY PASSENGERS. AND APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE, AS WHAT I HAVE FOUND ONLINE AND MANUFACTIRER/DEALER DONT CARE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE PEOPLE START DYING/CRASHING BECAUSE OF THIS. 2ND CONCERN - SHIFTER......STARTS REFYSING TO GO INTO PARK. EVENTUALLY KILLING THE BATTERY. SWITCH IS ALL MESSED UP AND ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HTE SAME ISSUE AN DDEALER/MANUFACTRURERE REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING... THEY WILL FIX IT, AT OWNERS COST, FOR 700 BUCKS, WHICH IT ONLY TOOK ME 30 MINUTES, NOT 2.5 HRS LIKE THEY SAID.

NHTSA ID

11549208

Incident

Oct 5, 2023

September 26th 2023 i noticed my traverse accelerated by itself while in park i reported the evap issue made my check emgine light come on and stay on i noticed gm recalled 2019 traverses and up a year models for the same reason but not 2018 models on september the 7th 2023 i also got a code saying control moduoe communication chassis expansion can bus offf when the check engine light ccame on also please help me with this matter i have a child i have to be responsible for im scared of this problem

NHTSA ID

11546741

Incident

Sep 27, 2023

The vehicles dashboard lit up with a service emergency brake, and then the brakes locked up while the car was in motion on the roadway.

NHTSA ID

11484643

Incident

Sep 9, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while parked or stopped at a traffic light, after releasing the brake pedal the vehicle failed to move. The contact had to wait approximately twenty to thirty minutes and restart the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

NHTSA ID

11448343

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

35,000 mi

On January 9, 2022 I was unable to release the parking brake. When I turned the car on, an alert popped up saying “service parking brake”. When I tried to release the parking brake, it would not release. It still made the sound as if it was trying to release but the parking brake was still engaged. I turned the car off and went back into my house for 10 minutes and then came out to try it again. Again, when I turned on the car, it said “service parking brake”. I tried to disengage the parking brake and it wouldn’t release. I pulled the button up as if I was setting the parking brake and pushed it down to release 3 times, with no change. On the 4th try, the parking brake disengaged. I received an email from OnStar Notifications informing me of the issue and directing me to take it to a service center. (Pic of email attached) This component has not been inspected by anyone. I would be willing to make the vehicle available for inspection upon request. This issue compromises safety because I have to set my parking brake, as I park on an incline and my truck rolls back a little each time I put it in park, or release the parking brake. It would be dangerous to leave my truck parked without the parking brake, but I can’t have my truck stuck with the parking brake on when I need to leave.

NHTSA ID

11446809

Incident

Jan 9, 2022

DUE TO THE EMS RECALL IT HAS CAUSED THE ABS TO MALFUNCTION WENT TO TWO DEALERSHIPS MORE THAN FOUR TIMES WAS TOLD TO PAY IN ORDER TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED DUE TO EMS RECALL SERVICE PROVIDER: DUE TO THE EMS RECALL IT HAS CAUSED THE ABS TO MALFUNCTION PER EMS RECALL THIS CAN BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. I AM BEING DENIED BY BOTH KILLEEN AND TEMPLE CHEVY DEALERSHIPS.

NHTSA ID

11434525

Incident

Jul 31, 2021

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that after leaving the dealer for maintenance work, there was an abnormal grinding noise coming from the brakes. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer twice where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they replaced the brakes however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ID

11430097

Incident

Oct 28, 2020

Mileage

95,000 mi

Electric Park Brake Malfuctions frequently. Park brake will not set or release properly which is dangerous and could allow vehicle to roll out of park on a hill. This problem is well documented online from other owners of 2018 Chevy Traverse but Chevy had not formally addressed this problem.

NHTSA ID

11428946

Incident

Aug 13, 2021

The vehicle randomly engages the electronic parking brake while driving. The only way to unlock the brake is to unplug the battery. Very dangerous when I'm high speed traffic. Please help.

NHTSA ID

11424683

Incident

Jul 13, 2021

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, MY CAR WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE BEING PUT IN PARK. I WOULD SHIFT THE CONTROL TO PARK BUT WOULD GET WARNINGS PARK WAS NOT ENGAGED. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR. NOW I AM GETTING A MESSAGE TO SERVICE PARKING BRAKE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT USE THE PARKING BRAKE, SO I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY SERVICE IS NEEDED. BOTH PROBLEMS WERE WHEN CAR WAS IN PARK. THE 'SERVICE PARKING BRAKE' WARNING STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11396591

Incident

Feb 15, 2021

Mileage

47,000 mi

WE PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE (TURNING IT OFF) ON A SLIGHT GRADE AS WE NORMALLY DO IN THE FRONT OF OUR HOUSE ON A PUBLIC STREET. WE AWOKE THE NEXT MORNING TO DISCOVER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ADVANCED OR SLID FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 15' COMING TO REST AGAINST A TELEPHONE POLE ADJACENT TO OUR CORNER PROPERTY. IF THE TELEPHONE POLE WAS NOT IN THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE IT WOULD HAVE CROSSED A SIDE STREET AND COME TO REST IN OUR NEIGHBORS FRONT YARD. UPON VIEWING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE DRIFT FORWARD, BEFORE ENTERING THE VEHICLE WE COULD SEE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CLEARLY IN PARK AND TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD (1) PREVIOUS SERVICE BY A DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR.

NHTSA ID

11388652

Incident

Jan 17, 2021

Mileage

40,000 mi

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE GEARS ARE GRINDING AND THE CAR IS BREAKING HARDER THAN I AM APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND I CAN FEEL THE VEHICLE SHUTTERING AND GRINDING TO A STOP THROUGH THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE DOES STOP, BUT A WARNING THEN DISPLAYS ON THE DASH "BRAKE ASSIST ACTIVATED". THIS WARNING DISPLAYS EVERYTIME THE BRAKES ARE USED. ONLY HAVE DISABLING THE FORWARD COLLISION BREAK ASSIST DOES THE VEHICLE THEN DRIVE NORMAL. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED TWICE NOW ONCE IN TOWN DRIVING 30-40 MILES AN HOUR AND ANOTHER STOPPING COMING UP TO A LIGHT AT INTERSECTION.

NHTSA ID

11378239

Incident

Dec 5, 2020

Mileage

46,900 mi

REPORTED BRAKES SQUEAKING IN DECEMBER OF 2019. NOW BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES SQUEAKING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES NOW. THEY STATE IT'S NOISE, NOT A BRAKE WEAR ISSUE. OUR NEIGHBORS ALSO HAVE A 2018 ARCADIA WHICH DOES THE SAME SQUEAKING AS OURS BOTH WHEN YOU FIRST START THE VEHICLE OR APPLY ANY TRACTION SUCH AS GOING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, SLOW BREAKING OR DRIVING AND BRAKES ON A LOW MPH SPEED.

NHTSA ID

11366563

Incident

Sep 24, 2020

AUTO WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN PUT IN PARK. MESSAGE INDICATES 'PUT IN PARK'. TRIED SEVERAL TIMES. ENGINE WILL GO OFF, ELECTRONICS STAY ON. WOULD DRAIN BATTERY IF LEFT ON. ALSO, BLUETOOTH CONTINUES TO DISCONNECT. BRAKES SQUEAK CONSTANTLY, FROM THE TIME IT WAS DRIVEN OFF THE LOT. CAR STUTTERS WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE. CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER MANY TIMES, SUPPOSEDLY 'FIXED'. I WAS TOLD TO TRY HIGHER OCTANE GAS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE INCREASING. WE HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL CHEVROLETS, THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST VEHICLE AS FAR AS PROBLEMS WHICH, AFTER 2-1/2 YEARS, HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL??? CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329767

Incident

Jun 19, 2020