Is the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse a bad year?
447 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 60, 2.4× a quiet Traverse year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 85k–135k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 Traverse owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 106,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 60 (13%) | 85k–135k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 57 (13%) | 65k–113k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 36 (8%) | 68k–118k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 26 (6%) | 48k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 21 (5%) | 69k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 17 (4%) | 56k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 13 (3%) | 70k–109k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 231 (52%) | 59k–97k miles · mostly behind | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed control | 18 (4%) | 56k–100k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 13 (3%) | 68k–100k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 106,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 447 complaints: 17 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 12 report an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jan 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
As soon as my vehicle reached just over 102,000 miles, my engine completely shut down while we were driving our kids to practice.
Purchased from Honda of slidell, louisiana around 1 1/2 year ago. Has had engine problems, electrical and ac problems since purchased.
The timing chain has been an issue now twice on this car. I purchased the car at 51,000 miles. In january of 2015 I got the timing chain replaced.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 106,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse: 8
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. If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time. If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
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. Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
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. The safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
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. It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
These vehicles may have a park brake cable link (Connector) that is not to specification. This connector may fracture when the park brake pedal is depressed. If the transmission shift lever is in the park position, there will be no unintended vehicle movement.
These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "Transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect", and FMVSS 114, "Theft protection and rollaway prevention". The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
16,667 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet traverse, GMC acadia, and Saturn outlook vehicles for failing to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209… In a vehicle crash, if the rivet is missing, the buckle may separate from the mounting strap, increasing the risk of injury to the passenger.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 410
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Inspection/diagnosis/correction information on a cold start misfire and/or rough idle and DTC P0300 that may also be set
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Neighbouring years
2010 Traverse: 669 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Chevrolet Traverse year
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Questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse a bad year?
447 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 60, 2.4× a quiet Traverse year. At 106,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 85k–135k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (60), transmission and drivetrain (57), electrical system (36), air bags (26), stability control (21). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 85k–135k miles.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse have?
8 recall campaigns list this model year: Body structure (NHTSA 15V-415), Seat belts (NHTSA 14V-266), Air bags (NHTSA 14V-118), Seat belts (NHTSA 10V-375) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.