452 Total complaints
9 Crash reports
2 Fire reports
3 Injury reports
Quick answer: The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse has 452 consumer-submitted complaints in our database. The most common complaint categories are power train, unknown or other, electrical system. Enriched records show 9 crash reports, 2 fire reports, and 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.

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.

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?

Enriched complaint indicators from official bulk records.

9 Crash
2 Fire
3 Injury
0 Fatality
11 Towed
4 Medical attention

Mileage at failure is available on 186 complaints ; average reported mileage is 69,149 miles.

Most common incident states: TX (4), NC (3), CA (2), FL (2), IA (2), NJ (2), OH (2), WA (2).

What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Traverse complaint categories?

452 total complaints on record

Latest complaints

Showing 201-225 of 452 complaints.

Date Component Summary Severity Mileage
Nov 2023 UNKNOWN OR OTHER “When the vehicle is in park and you try to turn it off with the start/stop button an on dash error code of ‘Shift to Park’ appears even though the vehicle is clearly in park. You are not able to turn the vehicle off. I took the vehicle in for service and was told that GM is aware of the issue, however, their engineers have not found a solution. This currently is forcing me to restart the engine, put my car in reverse, shift back in drive, try re-parking and turning it off again, repeating the process until it eventually turns off. I do not know if my car is truly in gear or not. I’m afraid that it might cause a dangerous situation.” not sure but I think the doors stay locked and I would not be able to exit in an emergency. The dealer wants to charge diagnosis and hundreds for repairs with the same faulty parts . I have 42000 mi and out of warranty I see this is a widespread problem and GM is not addressing what is a serious dangerous problem please help I have been living with this problem for the past 2 years it is getting worse I was hoping it would be recalled with a new part no for permanent fix. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident: Nov 2021
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Nov 2023 Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness The harness is coming loose by just being pulled. It comes loose with out pushing the button to loosen it. No debris in button
Incident: Nov 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Nov 2023 SUSPENSION 51000 miles.Rear toe links replaced.Well kept highway miles driven with low mileage. Other GM cars have been recalled for this.Well known problem on Traverse.
Incident: Nov 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2023 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the welt was defective, and that there was a hole in the exhaust pipe. The dealer offered to assist with the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to Special Coverage Adjustment N212356540 Front Exhaust Pipe. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 72,741.
Incident: Oct 2023
Crash: No Fire: No 72,741
Oct 2023 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, there was an exhaust odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taking to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter was cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that he had headaches due to the exhaust odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 76,600.
Incident: Feb 2022
Crash: No Fire: No 76,600
Oct 2023 SERVICE BRAKES Experiencing shift to park issues for the second time. Making it difficult to park and turn off vehicle. Vehicle only has ~68K miles. Chevy should also include the 2018 model year for recalls.
Incident: Oct 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2023 STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING COMES UP. BECOMES VERY DOICCICULT TO STEER AND ALSO CAUSED STABILITY CONTROL TO BE TURNED OFF. EXTREMELY DANGERSOUS AS MY CAR COULD HAVE ROLLED AND KILLED ME OR MY PASSENGERS. AND APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE, AS WHAT I HAVE FOUND ONLINE AND MANUFACTIRER/DEALER DONT CARE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE PEOPLE START DYING/CRASHING BECAUSE OF THIS. 2ND CONCERN - SHIFTER......STARTS REFYSING TO GO INTO PARK. EVENTUALLY KILLING THE BATTERY. SWITCH IS ALL MESSED UP AND ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HTE SAME ISSUE AN DDEALER/MANUFACTRURERE REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING... THEY WILL FIX IT, AT OWNERS COST, FOR 700 BUCKS, WHICH IT ONLY TOOK ME 30 MINUTES, NOT 2.5 HRS LIKE THEY SAID.
Incident: Oct 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2023 POWER TRAIN,ENGINE N222385510, the exhaust system separated from the car. There are current recalls from GM for 2019-Current Traverse models with the exact same issue. Our 2018 has the exact same problem and our local GM dealer verified it, but they will not cover this expense. We were quoted $2,000 + for the fix, GM Customer Care has been no help.
Incident: Sep 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2023 UNKNOWN OR OTHER I have a 2018 chevrolwt Traverse which needs repairs matching the TSB PIP5681C. This issue is on every traverse from 2018, and they have since created a special coverage to fox the issue for every vehicle from 2019 until now. One of the special coverage#'s is - N222385510. This is an emissions issue and a safety issue as the bracket that breaks actually punctures the exhaust pipe causing exhaust fumes to constantly smelled inside the cabin. There is no reason that GM is paying a special coverage on the 2019-2022 but not on the 2018 as well for the same exact parts and same manufacturing flaw.
Incident: Sep 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2023 POWER TRAIN "Shift to Park” message displays despite vehicle being in ”Park”. This prevents the engine from being shut off. Consistently need to move vehicle gear shift back into other gears, then shove gear shift into Park with force allowing me to shut off ignition. Apparently there was a recall about this same common issue many others are experiencing. My vehicle report shows No outstanding recalls, despite this exact issue being a documented, previous recall.
Incident: Sep 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2023 POWER TRAIN Taken in for transmission shudder, dealer has known service bulletin for issue. Serviced and fixed issue. Few months later, same issue. Taken back for service, this time, no issues found. Transmission still shudders.
Incident: Oct 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2023 POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES September 26th 2023 i noticed my traverse accelerated by itself while in park i reported the evap issue made my check emgine light come on and stay on i noticed gm recalled 2019 traverses and up a year models for the same reason but not 2018 models on september the 7th 2023 i also got a code saying control moduoe communication chassis expansion can bus offf when the check engine light ccame on also please help me with this matter i have a child i have to be responsible for im scared of this problem
Incident: Sep 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2023 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM I went to shell and got Gas on september 7th and september 8th when i started. My traverse it started shaking like it was cold then the check engine light came on i went to autozone it read a p0496 code forevap system flow during non purge
Incident: Sep 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2023 POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM When I put my car into park and turn it off I’m Shift to park error code. So the car stays on and won’t turn off. I turn the car on and off shift the gear and nothing happens. I have to sit in the car a hope that it goes into park. See photo.
Incident: Sep 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Aug 2023 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Put vehicle into Park and push engine stop button. The engine does not shut off and shift to park light comes on along with alarm. You cannot shut off and lock the vehicle. This is a serious safety issue which GM has not issued a recall. They issued a Technical Service bulletin 19-NA-206 to dealer and requiring customer to pay for the update. This should be a safety recall. There are many complaint on file from GM customers on various models. Can you investigate this and get them to correct this safety issue.
Incident: May 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Aug 2023 UNKNOWN OR OTHER Just started happening: on occasion, when trying to shut vehicle off, the accessory light kicks on and DIC says "SHIFT TO PARK". I have to restart the car many times and shift it from drive to park to finally get it to shut off. The issue is commonly discussed on youtube. It's the sensor/switch that tells the car it's in park. Please offer a fix.
Incident: Aug 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Aug 2023 POWER TRAIN Vehicle had known service bulletin transmission shudder and told torque converter failure for vehicle with only 57000 miles. Vehicle already had TCM and transmission control and flush services at 9,000 and 15,000 miles. GM did 50/50 split of bill since 5 year power warranty was expired. GM should be paying these entire costs to customers for a known quality issue documented in numerous service bulletins for the Traverse.
Incident: Aug 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Aug 2023 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER SHIFT TO PARK error comes up when park to shut down. Does not allow shutdown of the car without beeping notices. Not allowing doors to lock or driver to exit. Must be fairly common as Google shows a lot of workarounds or how to fix a clip under the shifter knob down in the console.
Incident: Jul 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jul 2023 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE Side Detection unavailable alert keeps coming and off on, when car is started. The alert comes and goes.
Incident: Jul 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jul 2023 SEAT BELTS Drivers side seatbelt, wont stay latched. On several occasions seatbelt just released. Seatbelt button was not engaging.
Incident: Jun 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jul 2023 POWER TRAIN I see that there is a recall for the exhaust leaks on the 2019 model. But there is a service alert for all Chevrolet Traverse from 2018-2022. Why are repairs on covered on the 2019?
Incident: Feb 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jul 2023 POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER “Shift to Park” message displays despite vehicle being in ”Park”. This prevents the engine from being shut off.
Incident: Jul 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jun 2023 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Catalytic converter issues and flex pipes, needing replaced due to weak welding and lack of structure is dangerous releasing carbon monoxide and gas in the car while driving with my children
Incident: Jan 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jun 2023 UNKNOWN OR OTHER When you turn off engine it tells you to shift to park when it is already in park. Then it continues to give you bells there is a problem. My nephews 2018 equinox has started doing the same thing. Since we just put $1400 in A/C and going back in for A/C we will probably park in since our income can not accommodate more repairs. It only has 53,000 miles on it very well taken care of.
Incident: Jun 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jun 2023 UNKNOWN OR OTHER Starting on June 1, 2023 (odometer 73,200), when I shift to park my vehicle & then attempt to turn off my vehicle, I receive a warning “ACTION REQUIRED Shift to Park.” I am unable to turn my vehicle off or lock it until I repeatedly jiggle the shifter for it to sense that my vehicle actually is parked. This is a know issue with multiple GM vehicles.
Incident: Jun 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown

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