Complaint volume
452 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Chevrolet Traverse Complaints
452 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, grouped by component category.
452 Total complaints
9 Crash reports
2 Fire reports
3 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are power train, unknown or other, electrical system. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 9 crash reports, 2 fire reports, 3 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 186 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 69,149 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to power train, unknown or other, electrical system?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Chevrolet Traverse
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse complaints?
9 Crash
2 Fire
3 Injury
0 Fatality
11 Towed
4 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Traverse complaint categories?
POWER TRAIN 114
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 56
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21
ENGINE 20
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 15
SERVICE BRAKES 14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9
452 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2026 | STRUCTURE | I work full time in an auto body repair shop and a fire chief. I am coming across more and more white GM vehicles where the paint is not stuck where the windshield is glued in. A couple real hard pushes and the windshield will about come completely out. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Front passenger tire was losing air, on the way to bring it to tire shop dashboard displayed tire pressure sensor, power steering system, TCM notification, Electronic brake control. Got it to the tire shop bought a new tire and they did a diagnostic test it showed TCM passed and failed, lost communication with power steering passed and failed, lost communication with inflatable restraint passed and failed. Once tire was replaced vehicle was jerking with TCM notification coming on and off like the vehicle was sliding. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2026 | POWER TRAIN | 2 failed transmissions 2018 vehicle 2024 replacement of transmission 2026 needs another transmission | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | the vehicle will not register that it is in park, when the engine is turned off a beeping notifcation reads "shift to park" - you have to start the engine and shut it off multiple times, or slam the shifter into place to get it register in park. this happens constantly and is starting to get old, and annoyoing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Vehicle shudders when driving between 18mph and 40mph. Brought into dealership, was told that the Torque Converter is coming apart, and that it would require an entire Transmission replacement. This vehicle has been immaculately maintained, and only has 34745 miles on it. There is no reason that a main component of a powertrain should fail at such a low milage. I was told that the Warranty only convers the part for 5 years regardless of the low milage. Was quoted $8500 (at a discount) for the repair required to make the vehicle road worthy. Just to be clear, this is a one owner, garage kept vehicle that averaged less than 5000 miles a year, with a flawless service record. This is 100% a manufacturing issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2018 Chevy Traverse purchased from Carvana caused carbon monoxide exposure to my family in military housing. Vehicle locked itself while running in the garage (garage door open), and CO entered the home where my children were standing near the interior door. Fire dept forced entry into the vehicle and cleared the home. All family members required oxygen at the hospital; all 3 children had elevated COHb levels. Mechanic confirmed catalytic converter failure and exhaust defect. Full Description: On 6/7/26, our Traverse turned on and locked itself while running in our garage (door open) as we were preparing to leave. Exhaust was blowing toward the interior door of our military home, and CO entered the house. My children were inside near that door and became exposed. We could not unlock or shut off the vehicle. Fire dept forced entry, confirmed high CO levels, and cleared the home. At the hospital, all of us required oxygen; all 3 children had elevated COHb. A mechanic later confirmed catalytic converter failure, exhaust defect, P0171, and incomplete catalyst monitor—stating this can cause ongoing CO exposure. A Build Verification sheet found in the glove box (not disclosed at sale) showed pre‑existing issues: exhaust rattle, check engine light, and multiple mechanical reworks. Carvana refuses to assist. This vehicle is unsafe to drive or idle. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 5 Medical attention | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | ENGINE | Corrosion of the exhaust pipes lead to an exhaust leak. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission had a shutter when we bought it from a dealership at approximately 80,000 miles and after taking it back to dealership 2 different times we were told that was just how these newer 9 speed transmissions shift. Everything was ok and there was nothing to worry about. At approximately 120,000 miles the transmission gave out. Dealership would not honor warranty. So we took it to a private repair shop, who repaired it. Then less than 2 months later, the transmission went out again. We had it towed back to the same repair shop, who kept it for 6 more months. I just got it back saturday June 13, 2026 and drove it about 100 miles out of town and transmission went out again. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Car not registering that its in park, it sometimes takes up to 30 minutes of needing this to shut off and with hot tempatures and young children this to me is a safety hazard. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Engine light came on. Car started shaking and making noise when shifting. Speed would not increase while driving. When shifting into park the car does not recognize that’s it’s in park and had to jiggle the gear shift. Took it to an independent mechanic and they said it’s probably the transmission. Have to take it to a transmission shop. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Shifter assembly- Shift to Park. The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse repeatedly shows a shift to park message when the vehicle is already in park, this causes the vehicle to not turn off. I have already had this issue fixed by a dealership previously and the issue has come back yet again. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | POWER TRAIN | I purchase my 2018 Traverse in 2020 from day one there was a transmission problem. Took it to a Chevrolet dealer and they told me there something broken inside the transmission which it was still under warranty. A year later we notice the transmission would slip from time to time. Took it to the dealership told the service department the issue I was having with the vehicle. Just to be on the safe side I told them to do a transmission flush on the vehicle and ask the service tech to drive it to make there were any problems. Of course I was told everything was fine with the transmission. Maybe three weeks later it was still doing the same thing slipping from time to time. Now current yesterday I went to the store with no problem, went to leave the vehicle wouldn't go in reverse and barely wanting to move. I had to put the transmission into manual to get it home. The next day I was able to drive it to the dealership to see what was wrong with it. A few hours later, I received the unwanted phone call saying the transmission was done. I was told $11,000 dollars for the repair and two weeks for it to be complete. Now I am stuck in between a hard place and a rock. I am not sure if I want to take the chance on having it replaced for it to do the same thing again in the future. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Repeated problems trying to turn off vehicle with a "Shift to Park" notification being displayed. It took numerous attempts each time of banging the shift lever and flicking the shift button for it finally properly turn off. Otherwise, it would continually alarm. While the milage is only 26500, it was beyond the 5 yr warranty. I was never notified of any recall notice concerning this well documented problem. There were several class action lawsuits about this known issue, but all have since been closed. Dealer replaced transmission control range selector harness and jumper for $500. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Lost power to transmission at 36k miles. Transmission replaced by GM. Currently, the vehicle lost transmission power while driving and had to be towed to dealership. Notified that the transmission needs replaced again | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | ENGINE | Check engine light came on after feeling hesitation while driving and roughness while stopped. Diagnostic eval was done at shop and Evaporation Emissions Purge Valve was found to be faulty and replaced. Mechanic stated after the repair that this was a problem with certain year Traverses (unsure of which at the time) and an extended warranty was added that include 10 years or 150,000 miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN | as i come to a stop and go to accelerate my transmission stutters and sometimes slips,i went to gm website and there is a recall on the 2018 chevy traverse transmission but my vin isnt included. i have all the symptons of the recall as described on the gm website but again my vin isnt included in the recall. it only has 61k miles i been having issue since around 30k i been in and out of dealership but the test drive it and it doesnt do it and they just give it back to me,they told me i gotta catch it doing it and try to get it in.i contacted chevy and they instructed me to come to this site fill this form out. chevy told me my vehicle probally wasnt included in the recall because not enough people reported it so i should fill out a report. around 55k miles when the transmission slipped and the rpms rose really high it snapped the drive shaft which was scary as i had my children in car and car just stopped moving right in the middle of traffic if it would of been busy i could of been rear ended because of the sudden stoppage. i keep trying to get back in dealership but i work mornings so the driving i do is later i day so when it acts up the dealer is closed and they are closed sat and sun so by the time i get to them the next day or on a monday it doesnt do it for them so they just keep giving me car back and i keep worrying about something happening like on the highway with my kids in car. the dealer did have someone test drive car and it did reproduce the symptoms but they made appointment for following week and when tech it then it didnt act up so it was returned to me once again | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Having to have the torque converter looked into, 2nd vehicle in the last 2 years with what appears to be same shifting / shuttering problem! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Special coverage programs for the 2018 Chevy Traverse front exhaust pipe mounting bracket failure. GM has focused on coverage specifically on 2019-2021 models, but 2018 models are affected as well. I'm being forced to pay for a new exhaust when 2018 models should have been included for the Specific special coverage (e.g., N212356540, N222385510) exists for 2019–2021 vehicles, offering repairs (sometimes for 15 years or 150,000 miles) when the front mounting bracket breaks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Purchased the car in 2022 noticed some trans slipping issues and immediately reported it to the purchasing dealer. They took the car in serviced it and said it was good shortly after that noticed the problem again. We took it to be looked at and was told "nothing was noticed". A few months later again noticed some issues took it to another dealership and was told "nothing was noticed". Driving time dropped on the vehicle 2023-2025. Once instance driving down a major highway transmission started slipping. I reached out to Chevrolet and they were less than inclined to offer help other than to say take it in for service. I explained to them that we were lucky we were not in an accident as we lost transmission while driving on a major highway. Same response. Sporadically it would happen but no major problems. Fast forward to 2026 we noticed 2 weeks ago that driving down the street it would slip. Before we could make an appointment we pulled into a parking spot and reverse dropped. Now we have a car with no reverse. Took it to be looked at a local shop near where we were and was told transmission is bad. Now it sits because it can not be driven safely. Waiting for an appointment at a Chevrolet facility. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | The vehicle shudders and it very slow to shift from park to drive. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | This vehicle has under 90,000 miles and is only used to transport my grandchildren to and from the local elementary school. We got in the vehicle, and it would not accelerate. The vehicle is currently at the Chevy dealership getting diagnosed, but the error message was for the transmission. We do not feel that this should happen on a vehicle with this low mileage and completely without any warning. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Our Traverse has the transmission shudder really bad. This started at about 20k miles. Dealership made some adjustments which helped. Now that it out of warranty, this has gotten soo much worse. This needs to recalled. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My engine light came on, so I took it the mechanic. According to the reading it says it was my purge valve, they replaced. After driving 30 miles it came back on. I took it back and they thought it was a defected part so they replaced it again. After 30 miles, it came back on. The mechanic searched online and showed me this issue was for 2019 for a recall. I contacted GM to see if there is a recall for 2018. They said no. At this time the engine lights stays on, but it gives a evap engine light. I can't pass smog due to the issue. The gas tank does not have a cap, it's open. This is how it was when I purchased the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Exhaust weld break similar to the 2019 Chevy traverse | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Valor Canister Purge solenoid is faulty. After filling it up with gas and start driving the vehicle begins to stutter. After a stop at an intersection the vehicle begins to stutter and shuts off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |