2011 Chevrolet Traverse Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse.

20102012
Complaints
945
per 10K Sold
88.2
US Sales
107,131
Crashes
31
Fires
6
Injuries
37
Fatalities
1
Recalls
5

Worst 2011 Chevrolet Traverse Problems

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

#1204 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:81,978 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:2
#2163 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:69,631 mi
Crash-related:2
#3103 complaints

Electronic Stability Control

Avg mileage:82,313 mi
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse.

Engine Problems
204
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Avg Miles
81,978
Steering Defects
163
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
69,631
Electronic Stability Control
103
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
82,313
Transmission / Drivetrain
77
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
83,840
Electrical Faults
66
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
77,982
Unintended Acceleration
58
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
82,949
Airbags
43
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
Avg Miles
48,210
Brakes
28
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
64,398
Seat Belt Issues
21
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
67,502
Traction Control System
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
64,220
Fuel System
19
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
70,908
Wipers & Visibility
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
62,385
Suspension Failures
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
89,397
Body Structure
13
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
58,583
Engine & Cooling
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
18,714
Gasoline Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
33,752
Wheel Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
267,219
Headlight/Taillight Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
73,788
Seat-Related Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
26,328
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Rear Window Wiper/Washer
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2011 Chevrolet Traverse

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~3,254,860 vehicles.

21V246000Air Bags:critical Fasteners
~108 affected

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

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.

12V151000Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
~47,846 affected

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Other Chevrolet Traverse Years

2011 Chevrolet Traverse — FAQ

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

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse has 945 NHTSA complaints, 31 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 204 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (204 complaints, avg 81,978 mi); Steering Defects (163 complaints, avg 69,631 mi); Electronic Stability Control (103 complaints, avg 82,313 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 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 75,942 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse include 31 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 37 injuries, and 1 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 2011 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,254,860 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 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine problems) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

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.

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