The most-reported Traverse run is 1GNER23D99S (2009 builds) with 21 complaints, 6.2× the typical run. Engine problems make up 18% of reports; 2009 is the worst model year at 5.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 32 recall campaigns for Traverse model years 2009–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Traverse has 1,512 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Traverse complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GNER23D99S•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| 1GNER23D69S•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| 1GNER23D19S•••••• | 2009 | 1 | — | |
| 1GNKRGKD0EJ•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 1GNERGKW8JJ•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 1GNER23D29S•••••• | 2009 | 1 | — | |
| 1GNER23D49S•••••• | 2009 | 1 | — | |
| 1GNKVGED6BJ•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| 1GNKRGED3BJ•••••• | 2011 | 1 | — | |
| 1GNKRGKD5EJ•••••• | 2014 | 1 | — | |
| 1GNEV23D59S•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| 1GNER23D89S•••••• | 2009 | — | — |
Each of the other 1,500 Traverse runs has 14 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 311 Traverse VINs so far, most often 2026, 2023, 2027 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Traverse the gap between build years is 3.9×: a 2009 car draws 5.5 complaints per run, a 2021 one 1.4.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 | 18 | 2 | |
| 2025 | 182 | 63 | 4 | |
| 2024 | 139 | 58 | — | |
| 2023 | 91 | 60 | 5 | |
| 2022 | 97 | 62 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 88 | 63 | 4 | |
| 2020 | 230 | 91 | 11 | |
| 2019 | 403 | 102 | 15 | |
| 2018 | 453 | 104 | 9 | |
| 2017 | 354 | 96 | 12 | |
| 2016 | 287 | 83 | 8 | |
| 2015 | 295 | 91 | 9 | |
| 2014 | 525 | 114 | 7 | |
| 2013 | 157 | 72 | 7 | |
| 2012 | 323 | 102 | 9 | |
| 2011 | 534 | 113 | 16 | |
| 2010 | 570 | 159 | 14 | |
| 2009 | 364 | 66 | 13 |
Heaviest year here is 2009 at 5.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1.1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 18% of everything Chevrolet Traverse owners report: Engine, 1,051 of 5,112 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 12 | 14 | |
| Air Bags | 60 | 2 | |
| Power Train | 16 | 5 | |
| Electrical System | 12 | 12 | |
| Steering | 20 | 3 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 | 3 | |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 6 | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 31 | 2 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 32 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Traverse; the 6 below cover build years 2009 to 2019. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 21V246000 | Air Bags:critical Fasteners | 2010–2019 |
| 14V266000 | Seat Belts | 2009–2014 |
| 21V782000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2013–2017 |
| 14V118000 | Air Bags:side/window | 2009–2013 |
| 23V334000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 2014–2017 |
| 15V415000 | Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate | 2009–2012 |
21V246000 was opened in 2021 on cars built from 2010: 11 years on the road before the recall.
The Traverse against its rivals
The Traverse draws 3.4 complaints per production run; the Toyota Highlander 2.9, the Ford Explorer 5 and the Toyota Sequoia 5.1.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Traverse | 5,112 | 1,512 | 2.9% | |
| Toyota Highlander | 5,305 | 1,807 | 8.2% | |
| Ford Explorer | 29,405 | 5,833 | 5% | |
| Toyota Sequoia | 2,696 | 529 | 3.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 5,112 reports on the Chevrolet Traverse, 2.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Chevrolet Traverse | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 5,112 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 148 (2.9%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 28 (0.5%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 176 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 5 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 50% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Chevrolet Traverse share of that is 5,112 complaints over 1,512 runs, 0.46% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Chevrolet Traverse VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 5,112 NHTSA complaints from 1,512 Traverse runs and 32 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Traverse production run has the most complaints?
1GNER23D99S, a 2009 build, with 21 complaints. The typical Traverse run has 3.4.
Which Traverse years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2009 is heaviest at 5.5 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.1.
Does the Traverse get more complaints than the Toyota Highlander?
Yes: 3.4 complaints per production run for the Traverse against 2.9 for the Toyota Highlander.
How many Traverse complaints involve a crash?
2.9% of 5,112 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 28 involved a fire.
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