2011 Chevrolet Traverse recalls and problems

5 recalls and 608 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse.

5
recalls
608
owner complaints
16
complaints mentioning a crash
4
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2011 Chevrolet Traverse recalls

Air bags: critical fasteners

NHTSA campaign 21V246000 · reported April 8, 2021 · General Motors, LLC · 108 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
The risk
Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

Structure: body, hatchback/liftgate

NHTSA campaign 15V415000 · reported June 30, 2015 · General Motors LLC · 691,144 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. 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.
The risk
If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

Seat belts

NHTSA campaign 14V266000 · reported May 20, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 1,339,355 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
The risk
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.
The fix
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

Air bags: side/window

NHTSA campaign 14V118000 · reported March 17, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 1,176,407 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. 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.
The risk
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.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer, linkages

NHTSA campaign 12V151000 · reported April 9, 2012 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC · 47,846 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 chevrolet traverse, buick enclave, and gmc acadia vehicles currently registered in alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, wyoming and the district of columbia. 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.
The risk
If this occurs, driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Gm will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper arm nuts, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 20, 2012.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 6, 2025 · Tires

In summary, a business is selling unsafe "sidewall patched" used tire. On Sep 20, 2025 I purchased four used tires for my 2011 Chevy Traverse in this business. Mike's Tires Plano […] ) […] […] Ten days later, one of the tires started to have a slow leak. On Oct 5, 2025, I visited a nearby National Tire & Battery store…

Oct 8, 2024 · Engine

Components related to timing chain failed, and vehicle is currently available with plans to sell to a salvage yard by 10/25/24. My 9 year old and I were at risk of collision when the vehicle failed. I was driving approximately 70-75 mph when we started to lose power. At 65 mph, I managed to cross 2 lanes of highway…

Sep 18, 2024 · Service brakes

As i am driving down the road the service stable trak light and abs lights pop on and the brakes sieze up so bad you cant get the car to stop and brake pedal to unlock as well as when you try to turn the steering wheel locks

Jul 30, 2024 · Engine

My timing and my energy is going bad..I don’t know the problem.Im new on having my own car..And when I got it everything was great at first but Two trips going too Chicago it started going bad

Apr 10, 2024 · Air bags

This vehicle is notorious for multiple electrical failures. The alternator fried the battery fried, both of which were replaced. This vehicle still wouldn't start. The wiring harness to the PCM is notorious for having shorts. The pcm itself is notorious for going out really early. This vehicle is almost undrivable and…

Traverse model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2009 8448172
2010 5669176
2011 5608164
2012 5354102
2013 416272
2014 754881

Across all years, the 2010 Traverse has the most complaints (669). All Chevrolet Traverse years →

Questions

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, the most recent reported on April 8, 2021 (Air bags: critical fasteners). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?
Owners have filed 608 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (204 complaints), followed by steering (165).
How many 2011 Chevrolet Traverse complaints mention a crash or fire?
16 of 608 complaints report a crash and 4 a fire; 30 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 6, 2025.