Here Are the Chevy Traverse Years to Avoid
We've rounded up six Chevy Traverse years to avoid. See which years (and why you should steer clear) so you can car shop with confidence.
The Chevy Traverse is a quality car that has been around since 2008. This midsize SUV has been satisfying customers since its inception. As with all vehicles, updates have occurred over the years. Some have been good, while others not so much. If you are thinking about buying one, you might wonder which Chevy Traverse years to avoid.
If you pick a great year, the Chevy Traverse can be an excellent used car. By having a foundational knowledge about the great makes and the ones that have caused users issues, you can select that will benefit you for years to come. Read on to learn more about the Chevy Traverse years to avoid.
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Chevy Traverse Years to Avoid
There have been some excellent models with the Chevy Traverse, but there have been some poor models. We’ve listed the Chevy Traverse years to avoid if you are buying a used version of this vehicle on the market.
The Chevy Traverse years to avoid include:
- 2010
- 2009
- 2012
- 2015
- 2018
- 2011
These are some of the worst years that have been created for the Chevy Traverse.
Keep reading to learn about some of the issues with the Chevy Traverse each year. Various complaints went into each of these poor-quality years, all varying. None of them are worth wasting your money on.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE CHEVY TRAVERSE
You’re probably wondering which model is the most reliable year of Chevy Traverse. While the Traverse offers many attractive features and options like responsive handling, a quiet interior, and a spacious third row, not all of its model years are reliable.
What Makes These Years Worth Avoiding?
Each of these years has a different complaint that made it one of the worst for the Chevy Traverse. There are many factors to consider. We will go over some of the largest overarching ones so you know what you could potentially be getting yourself into with this SUV.
Below are some of the most common complaints about the Chevy Traverse:
- Engine troubles
- Steering issues
- Excessive oil consumption
- Unusual brake noises
- Transmission issues
These complaints rose to the top amongst all the negative reviews of these years. Understanding these will assist you in making the best choice for your life.
Read on to learn more about these issues and what they mean for drivers. All of them are problems worth steering clear of, as they could cost you money in repairs and suffer inconveniences that would disrupt your drive. You want a car with as little of a poor reputation as possible.
Engine Troubles
Engine problems have plagued the Chevy Traverse across many models, including the 2010 and 2011 varieties. The most overarching complaint is engine failure, which has resulted in many customers paying a significant amount of money to have the piece replaced.
Other engine problems included:
- Reduced engine power
- Stalling engine while driving
- Check engine light on
These are just a few of the Chevy Traverse engine problems that have popped up for customers as they tackle the road.
While most of these are not dangerous, they can cost you a lot of money if something drastic happens to the engine. This trouble is a time bomb destined to go off at some point. It is best to avoid the models with extensive engine troubles as it will likely cost you down the line.
Steering Issues
Another problem that has plagued the Chevy Traverse is steering problems. The biggest one, specifically with the 2011 variety, had to do with power steering. Customers could not steer in an ideal manner, resulting in expensive replacements.
Some other steering issues popped up with the Chevy Traverse, including:
- Noisy steering
- Power steering fluid leak
- Loose steering pump
These are issues that came to light when customers attempted to drive some of the models listed above.
Steering issues can be expensive and dangerous on the road. It is best to avoid the models mentioned above so you do not have to deal with wheel problems that can cost an extensive amount in the future.
Excessive Oil Consumption
Finally, excessive oil consumption is one of the other issues the Chevy Traverse faced in some of these makes, particularly the 2010 and 2011 models. The car ate up more oil than intended, often resulting in a complete breakdown of the vehicle. Damages from these problems cost quite a bit of money for drivers.
Any model that uses oil to an excessive degree should be avoided. The newer models have managed to fix this to a significant degree.
Unusual Brake Noises
Some owners of the 2020 Chevy Traverse reported hearing unusual noises coming from the brakes. Although this is far from the most prevalent issue with the Traverse, it’s still worth keeping an eye on, primarily because it reared its ugly head at a very low mileage of 100 miles.
According to the report, they heard grinding noises coming from their brakes which is a significant cause of concern. As a result, Chevrolet had to issue a technical service bulletin (TSB) that addresses this particular problem for the 2018 to 2020 Traverse.
Transmission Issues
What is a car without transmission issues? In all seriousness, transmission problems are some of the most common mechanical woes in a vehicle – including the Traverse SUV. We’ve seen plenty of reports from 2009 Traverse owners experiencing transmission issues around 80k+ miles.
With a faulty transmission system, drivers experience a wide range of symptoms such as low fluid levels, lack of response, dragging clutch, grinding or shaking, hard shifting, slipping gears, burning smell, etc.
To address this issue, many drivers had to shell out as much as $3,000 to replace or rebuild the transmission or wave clutch plate replacement.
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Which Years Are Safe to Buy Used?
When purchasing, you should also determine the best years to compare and contrast and buy a Traverse that will last you a long time.
According to CarComplaints, some of the best years for the Chevy Traverse include:
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2017
- 2016
- 2013
- 2014
These are some of the best models of the Chevy Traverse available on the market.
If you are searching for a model that will serve you well, look at any of these years. With the Chevy Traverse, most models after 2013 will serve you well. The most recent iterations of the Chevy Traverse have been incredibly successful, garnering excellent ratings from customers who have driven them.
Conclusion
If you know which Chevy Traverse years to avoid and which ones to look into, you can confidently choose a Traverse that will last you long. Picking the wrong year for this vehicle can result in expensive repairs.
With this knowledge, you can feel safe taking your Chevy Traverse on the road. The best years of this vehicle will give you exceptional driving experiences comparable to a new car itself. Our guide can assist you in making a decision that will be excellent for your pockets.
Are Chevy Traverses typically reliable?
The Chevy Traverse’s reliability is summed up this way: it’s very hit-and-miss. Some model years make this full-sized crossover worthwhile, while others are prone to troubles. The key to success with a used Traverse is knowing what model years to avoid.
Is the Chevy Traverse a good car to purchase?
Large, three-row crossovers are in demand as family haulers and for generous cargo space. However, picking the wrong model year of a used Chevy Traverse can involve dependability issues. Before buying, learn about the most reliable years of the Chevy Traverse.
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