Is the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse a bad year?
669 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 186, 7.4× a quiet Traverse year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 67k–110k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 4 of 133 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2010 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 85,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 331 (49%) | 53k–88k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 185 (28%) | 67k–110k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 57 (9%) | 63k–107k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 66 (10%) | 67k–104k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 60 (9%) | 60k–104k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 42 (6%) | 60k–98k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 30 (4%) | 50k–122k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 25 (4%) | 49k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 17 (3%) | 37k–100k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 15 (2%) | 51k–100k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 10 (1%) | 70k–102k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structure | 8 (1%) | 48k–93k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (1%) | 39k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Equipment | 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 85,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 669 complaints: 17 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 12 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My car engine continues to run while the key is out of the ignition.
My check engine light appeared this evening in my 2010 traverse as well as service stabilitrack and traction control.
The timing chain needed to be replaced. It's the same chain that was recalled on the 2009 traverse. The engine takes a while to accelerate.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 85,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse: 5
The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached. Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
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: 441
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Inspection/diagnosis/correction information on a cold start misfire and/or rough idle and DTC P0300 that may also be set
Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Neighbouring years
2009 Traverse: 447 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2011 Traverse: 608 complaints, consider selling.
Every Chevrolet Traverse year
2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Traverse years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse a bad year?
669 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 186, 7.4× a quiet Traverse year. At 85,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 67k–110k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 4 of 133 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (331), engine (185), stability control (57), transmission and drivetrain (66), electrical system (60). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 67k–110k miles.
How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 21V-246), Body structure (NHTSA 15V-415), Seat belts (NHTSA 14V-266), Air bags (NHTSA 14V-118) 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.