Is the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse a bad year?
354 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 116, 4.6× a quiet Traverse year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 74k–115k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 9 of 108 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2012 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 99,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 116 (33%) | 74k–115k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 84 (24%) | 70k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 48 (14%) | 42k–104k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 48 (14%) | 60k–127k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 46 (13%) | 55k–104k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 37 (10%) | 61k–114k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 18 (5%) | 49k–105k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 16 (5%) | 30k–101k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 16 (5%) | 36k–100k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 62 (18%) | 56k–90k miles · mostly behind | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Body structure | 11 (3%) | 22k–87k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seat belts | 15 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 8 (2%) | 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 99,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 354 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 14 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My vehicle has 99,000 miles on it and is outside of the 5 year warranty period. My timing chain and actuators are being replaced.
The check engine light came on showing codes P0018 and P0019, the vehicle will start to idle and the traction controls come on and the vehicle goes into safety mode not able to go above 30 miles/hour.
My 2012 Chevrolet traverse with 72,000 miles is experiencing the same issue as many other Chevrolet vehicles regarding V6 timing chain.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 99,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2012 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: 464
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2012 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
2011 Traverse: 608 complaints, consider selling · 2013 Traverse: 162 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Traverse year
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Questions
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse a bad year?
354 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 116, 4.6× a quiet Traverse year. At 99,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 74k–115k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 9 of 108 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (116), stability control (84), air bags (48), electrical system (48), transmission and drivetrain (46). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 74k–115k miles.
How many recalls does the 2012 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.