Is the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse a bad year?
466 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 196, 7× a quiet Traverse year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 16k–51k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 4 of 196 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 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 33,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 196 (42%) | 16k–51k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 102 (22%) | 10k–37k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 88 (19%) | 8k–40k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 38 (8%) | 5k–47k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 38 (8%) | 19k–68k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 5 (1%) | 22k–51k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 12 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 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 33,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 466 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 12 say the car was towed.
70 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
When putting the transmission in park the cars computer says it is not in park (Shift to park) comes on the screen and all the cars systems stay on.
We purchased this SUV less than two years ago and at about 50k miles the transmission started shuttering while driving.
Takata recall my 2018 Chevrolet 3LT AWD traverse that was purchased in march 2018 and with only 15k miles does not recognize that it is in park when placed in park.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 33,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse: 2
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 start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts. Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, 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: 401
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 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…
Correct a customer concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P3055 Set
Correct a customer concern of No Crank, No Start, Quick Start/Stall, No FOB Detected, Key FOBs Inoperative, B3924 00, B3925 00, B3926 00, B3927 00, B3928 00 Set
Correct a customer concern of Vehicle Will Not Lock and Unlock (Loss of Active Functions) Crank or Start (Loss of Passive Functions) with DTC P0513 Set
Neighbouring years
2017 Traverse: 360 complaints, keep it · 2019 Traverse: 412 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
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 2018 Chevrolet Traverse a bad year?
466 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 196, 7× a quiet Traverse year. At 33,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 16k–51k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 4 of 196 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (196), electrical system (102), engine (88), brakes (38), fuel system (38). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 16k–51k miles.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 21V-246), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 20V-668). 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.