2016 Chevrolet Traverse Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse.

20152017
Complaints
380
per 10K Sold
32.6
US Sales
116,701
Crashes
16
Fires
1
Injuries
17
Fatalities
1
Recalls
5

Worst 2016 Chevrolet Traverse Problems

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

#1161 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:40,733 mi
Crash-related:3
#235 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:43,804 mi
Crash-related:1
#331 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:51,230 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse.

Airbags
161
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
40,733
Transmission / Drivetrain
35
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
43,804
Engine Problems
31
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
51,230
Electrical Faults
25
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
43,504
Steering Defects
24
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
56,044
Unintended Acceleration
18
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
40,621
Electronic Stability Control
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
94,214
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
36,840
Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
28,000
Wheel Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
34,980
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other/I Am Not Sure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Door
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Tread/Belt
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 Chevrolet Traverse

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,027,676 vehicles.

23V334000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~995,085 affected

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

21V782000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module · Air Bags:frontal
~555 affected

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

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.

15V833000Seats
~2,633 affected

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.

15V609000Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
~29,295 affected

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.

Other Chevrolet Traverse Years

2016 Chevrolet Traverse — FAQ

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

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse has 380 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 161 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
Top reported problems: Airbags (161 complaints, avg 40,733 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (35 complaints, avg 43,804 mi); Engine Problems (31 complaints, avg 51,230 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 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 45,408 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse include 16 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 17 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 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,027,676 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 2016 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.

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