2009 Chevrolet Traverse Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse.

< older2010
Complaints
584
per 10K Sold
64.1
US Sales
91,074
Crashes
26
Fires
5
Injuries
29
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2009 Chevrolet Traverse Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1229 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:79,274 mi
Crash-related:5
#254 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:90,806 mi
Crash-related:1
#350 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:114,096 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse.

Steering Defects
229
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
79,274
Transmission / Drivetrain
54
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
90,806
Engine Problems
50
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
114,096
Electrical Faults
36
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
90,974
Airbags
26
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Avg Miles
83,348
Electronic Stability Control
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
108,512
Unintended Acceleration
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
81,869
Seat Belt Issues
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
92,361
Suspension Failures
13
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
98,143
Brakes
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
104,662
Engine & Cooling
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
63,644
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
79,362
Headlight/Taillight Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
70,623
Traction Control System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
70,018
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Child Seat
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 Chevrolet Traverse

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,779,186 vehicles.

15V415000Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
~691,144 affected

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

14V266000Seat Belts
~1,339,355 affected

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

14V118000Air Bags:side/window
~1,176,407 affected

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

10V375000Seat Belts
~207,210 affected

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RETURNED TO A SEATING POSITION AFTER BEING FOLDED FLAT. IF THE BUCKLE CONTACTS THE SEAT FRAME, ADDITIONAL EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO RETURN THE SEAT TO A SEATING POSITION. IF SUFFICIENT FORCE IS APPLIED, THE BUCKLE COVER COULD BE PUSHED DOWN THE STRAP, EXPOSING AND PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE RED RELEASE BUTTON.

10V240000Electrical System
~1,365,070 affected

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Other Chevrolet Traverse Years

2009 Chevrolet Traverse — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse has 584 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 229 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (229 complaints, avg 79,274 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (54 complaints, avg 90,806 mi); Engine Problems (50 complaints, avg 114,096 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 87,381 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse include 26 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 29 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,779,186 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Traverse reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2009 Chevrolet Traverse

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