Is the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse a bad year?
608 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 213, 8.5× a quiet Traverse year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse were filed between 59k and 110k miles. You're at 85,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2011 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 213 (35%) | 59k–110k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 165 (27%) | 48k–90k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 103 (17%) | 60k–109k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 79 (13%) | 50k–107k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 58 (10%) | 53k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 67 (11%) | 55k–124k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 31 (5%) | 21k–87k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 26 (4%) | 55k–104k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 21 (3%) | 24k–112k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 21 (3%) | 42k–114k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 21 (3%) | 48k–91k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 14 (2%) | 67k–100k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bags | 43 (7%) | 24k–71k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Traction control | 21 (3%) | 47k–84k miles · mostly behind | — |
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 608 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 15 report an injury · 11 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Oct 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While driving, the vehicle suddenly showed alerts reading traction control off, service traction control, service stabilitrak, and engine power reduced.
A beep occurs and an error - no traction control off - service stabilitrack - engine power reduced; the vehicle has 110k miles and this have never happend before.
When I pulled out of a driveway and began to drive down the street, my traverse message board read, traction control off, engine power reduced, service stablitrac.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 85,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2011 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.
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. If this occurs, driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
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: 456
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2011 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…
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
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
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Neighbouring years
2010 Traverse: 669 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2012 Traverse: 354 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Chevrolet Traverse year
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Questions
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse a bad year?
608 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 213, 8.5× a quiet Traverse year. At 85,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse were filed between 59k and 110k miles. You're at 85,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (213), steering (165), stability control (103), transmission and drivetrain (79), speed control (58). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 59k–110k miles.
How many recalls does the 2011 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.