The largest monocoque frame-based SUV from Chevrolet, the Traverse has been a popular mid-size crossover SUV that strikes a fine chord between the versatility of a three-row SUV and car-like ride quality. One of the larger options in the class, the Chevrolet Traverse has been a popular choice among family-oriented buyers since its debut in 2009.

With over 15 years of successful service, the Chevrolet Traverse now boasts a track record that makes it a compelling option in the used car market. 

Here, we have compiled information about the most reliable model years of the Chevrolet Traverse, based on reliability scores and owner experiences.

Chevrolet Traverse: Model Year History

• In 2009, Chevrolet introduced the Traverse as its largest monocoque three-row SUV, positioning it below its flagship full-size SUVs, Tahoe and Suburban.
• The first-generation Chevrolet Traverse (2009-2017) was available with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter LLT V6 gasoline engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. In 2013, it received a facelift with redesigned bumpers, grille, tail lamps, and a refreshed cabin.
• The second-generation Chevrolet Traverse arrived in 2018, with a thoroughly redesigned, more upright bodywork inspired by the Chevy Tahoe, and an all-new interior. It was based on the new C1XX platform, replacing the erstwhile Lambda platform.
• The second-gen Traverse offered a 2.0L turbo inline-four and a 3.6L V6, with the former discontinued in 2020.  A 2022 update brought sleeker lights, a grille, and added features.
• The third-generation Chevrolet Traverse debuted in 2024 with an all-new design, a new VSS-S platform underneath, and a new 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four gasoline engine.

Is The Chevrolet Traverse a Reliable Option to Buy Used?

The used car market has several options of both first-generation (2009-2017) and second-generation (2018-2024) versions of the Chevrolet Traverse. Buyers have been preferring the Traverse for all these years for its practicality as a three-row SUV, comfortable car-like ride quality, and solid performance and towing capacity from its 3.6-liter V6 engine.Barring a few earlier iterations of both generations, the overall reliability of Traverse has been ‘great’, if not the best in its category of full-size crossover SUVs.

In fact, the reliability has improved over the years, making later model years a safer bet for buyers. Independent agencies like J.D. Power confirm this upward trend, with better owner feedback, fewer complaints, and improved ratings

Reliability Depends on the Model Year

• The initial years of the Chevrolet Traverse were plagued with powertrain-related concerns, including timing chain failures and transmission replacement reported by high-mileage owners.
• Chevrolet improved the powertrain by addressing the niggles, which saw a noteworthy improvement from the 2012 model year onwards.
• The Traverse has a reliability score of 7.5 out of 100, rated by iSeeCars.com, which is a decent record. J.D. Power’s studies have also shown that the reliability of later model years of Traverse is better than that of its initial years, citing signs of improvement based on customer feedback.
• According to NHTSA, the reliability of the Chevy Traverse is considered “good” for later model years, based on the number of customer complaints and recalls issued against the SUV.

Chevrolet Traverse Reliability Ratings

• Based on customer ownership experiences, J.D. Power has ranked the quality and reliability of Traverse higher for the later model years of both first and second-generation versions, with the SUV having an average score of around 81/100 throughout its life. 
• The first-gen Traverse had its lowest J.D. Power reliability scores in 2010, 2011, and 2014 (77/100), reflecting notable issues. From 2012 onwards, ratings improved, peaking at 88/100 for the 2015 model.
• In the second-gen Traverse, only the debut 2018 model scored a below-average 77/100, but reliability improved from 2019 onwards and stayed consistently strong through the generation’s run,

Generation	Model Years	Quality and reliability index by J.D. Power (out of 100)	Average Score
1st Gen	2009-2017	81, 77, 77, 85, 83, 77, 88, 83, 80	81.22
2nd Gen	2018-2024	74, 81, 82, 87, 83, 82	81.55

Chevrolet Traverse Recalls

The number of recalls reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also partially supports the ownership experience reports from J.D. Power.

• The 2009 (8 recalls) and 2014 (7 recalls) models had the highest recalls in the first-gen Traverse. In the second generation, the 2020 model topped with 8 recalls.
• The 2017 model had the fewest recalls (3) in the first-gen, while the 2022 Traverse had just 1 recall, which is the least among second-gen versions.

Generation	Model Years	Number of recalls
1st Gen	2009	8
	2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016	5
	2013	4
	2014	7
	2017	3
2nd Gen	2018, 2023	2
	2019	3
	2020	8
	2021	3
	2022	1

Chevrolet Traverse Consumer Feedback

According to user complaints registered with the NHTSA show that early model years of both Traverse generations faced more owner complaints. The 2010, 2011, and 2014 models led with over 500 complaints, mainly engine and transmission issues. 

Among first-gen models, 2013 had the fewest complaints (153), while regarding the second-gen Traverse models, only the 2018 and 2019 models crossed 300 complaints, while the 2020 model had 158. Traverse models from 2021 to 2024 reported fewer than 100 complaints each, indicating strong reliability

Commonly-Faced Issues in Chevrolet Traverse: Things to Keep in Mind

Like most other Chevrolet offerings, the Traverse also followed a pattern of having a rough start, followed by a path of improvisation with customer feedback prioritized for betterment. Most of the problems reported by Traverse owners are of the initial model years of both its first and second-generation versions.

The following are some of the issues faced by Chevy Traverse owners of all model years, which you should note if you are planning to buy it from the used car market:

First-Generation Chevrolet Traverse (2009-2017)

• The 3.6-liter LLT V6 engine in the initial model years faced issues such as timing chain wear, excessive oil consumption, and transmission failure in vehicles driven over 100,000 km.
• The 2014 Traverse particularly faced several reports of air conditioner failures, which is one big reason behind its low reliability ratings.
• Other minor issues faced by customers of the first-generation Traverse are overheating due to thermostat failures and infotainment glitches.

Second-Generation Chevrolet Suburban (2018-2024)

• The first model year of the second-generation Traverse faced notable concerns, including jerky transmission at lower speeds, rattles in the interior, and paint chipping, which were significant reasons behind its low reliability ratings.
• The short-lived 2.0-liter LTG turbocharged inline-four engine had fuel injector problems and incorrect check engine light warnings.
• The transmission-related concerns decreased with every passing model year.

Most Reliable Model Years of Chevrolet Traverse

2013 Chevrolet Traverse

Chevrolet updated the first-generation Traverse in 2013 with a comprehensive facelift, which brought not only updated exterior and interior styling but also significant improvements to its powertrain. 

These enhancements addressed many of the mechanical issues that troubled earlier model years, making the 2013 Traverse the earliest variant advisable for used car buyers.

• The 2013 Traverse has a score of 83 out of 100 in J.D. Power’s quality and reliability index.
• Chevrolet issued four recalls for the 2013 Traverse, one each to address the chances of explosion of driver’s airbag inflator, unsecured side curtain airbags, failure of flexible steel cable for seat belt, and loose wiring connections of side impact airbags.
• The 3.6-liter LLT V6 engine improved significantly, with many fewer issues reported thereafter.
• The changes introduced in the 2013 Traverse over the pre-facelift model included redesigned front and rear profiles, new taillights, and a mildly reworked dashboard.

2021-2023Chevrolet Traverse

The model years on sale from 2021 to 2023 have the most consistent track record of reliability for the Chevrolet Traverse, with almost all these model years faring equally well in reliability reports.

• The J.D. Power quality and reliability index of the 2021 Traverse is 87 out of 100, the highest among all model years of the second-gen version, followed by 2022 (83/100) and 2023 (82/100) model years.
• The recalls issues for these three model years were to address the possibility of roof rail airbags not deploying (2021 and 2023 models), front airbag not deploying not deploying (2021), possible transmission fluid leak (2021 model), incorrect sun gear for transmission (2022 model) and missing retaining ring in in half-shaft assembly (2022 model).
• The 3.6-liter LFY V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission offered in the second-generation Traverse had the least number of issues reported for these model years.
• The 2022 facelift of Traverse included sleeker front and rear profiles, along with additional ADAS features.

Conclusion: Buying A Used Chevrolet Traverse

Buying a used Chevrolet Traverse is a good idea given its practicality and the good mix of performance and efficiency. However, while buying one, there are a few points that you shouldn’t ignore.

It is advisable to completely ignore the earlier, pre-facelift model years of the first-generation Traverse. These are too old and infamous for powertrain-related issues, specifically for cars with mileage over 100,000 miles. With all the changes and improvements it gained over the pre-facelift, the 2013 model year is the one to go for, along with the 2015 and 2016 model years, if you are searching for samples of the first-generation Traverse.

With the second-generation version, the Chevrolet Traverse became more SUV-like in its appearance. It also received more new-age features and a new engine and transmission combination, which is known to be relatively more reliable than that of the first-generation version. However, avoid the first model year of this generation – the 2018 Traverse – due to the early mechanical issues in its first batch.

With the third-generation Traverse on sale featuring significant improvements in styling, equipment, and mechanicals under the skin since 2024, only time will tell about its long-term reliability.

FAQs

Q1.What is the most common problem with the Chevy Traverse?

The most common problems associated with the Chevrolet Traverse are engine issues in its pre-facelift first-generation model years, AC failures in the 2014 model, and jerky transmission in the 2018 model.

Q2. What years were bad for Traverse?

The model years of Chevrolet Traverse that are avoidable due to more prominent mechanical and electrical problems are 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2018.

Q3.Which Chevy Traverse has transmission problems?

The 2009, 2010, and 2011 model years of Chevrolet Traverse are infamous for transmission failure in high-mileage units (driven over 100,000 miles). A few owners of the 2018 Traverse reported jerkiness in the transmission at lower speeds.

Q4.What years of Traverse have AC problems?

The 2014 model year of Traverse is known to have AC failures, which significantly affected its reliability rankings.

Q5.What year of the Chevy Traverse is the most reliable?

The most reliable model years of the Chevrolet Traverse are 2013, 2015, and 2021-2023 versions, which have high reliability rankings and fewer customer complaints.