Complaint volume
437 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
437 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, grouped by component category.
437 Total complaints
9 Crash reports
2 Fire reports
2 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, 2 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 183 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 69,391 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
2 Injury
0 Fatality
11 Towed
3 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Traverse complaint categories?
POWER TRAIN 108
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 54
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20
ENGINE 18
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 14
SERVICE BRAKES 14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8
437 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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? | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My car started making a rattling noise. It took over a month to finally determine it was coming from the exhaust system. When we inspected it to try to fix it, there is a crack and a hole at the exhaust bracket. This is what has caused it to loosen. After doing research on this, it appears this is a known issue and the warranty was extended for the 2019 but not the 2018 when it is the exact same issue for both. So my vehicle repair for a known issue is now not covered. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I have a 2018 Chevy traverse with less than 30,000 miles and I keep getting a “Shift to Park” message after my car is in park. It prevents me from turning off my car and locking it. Dealership told me it is a common issue. I will have to pay out of pocket in addition to, in order to diagnose, I have to have the issue happening while it is at the dealership. It randomly happens and I can’t go bk and forth to the dealership to fix it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the interior and exterior lights remained illuminated. Additionally, the radio remained on, and the horn sounded off. The instrument panel displayed the words "Shift to Park," which, the contact performed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, an appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 52,000 |
| May 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while parked in the driveway, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the exhaust pipe was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure TSB Number: PIP5681. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 42,000 |
| May 2023 | Carry Handle, Shell, Base | As a CPST, I am very concerned by the failure that I have witnessed on multiple occasions of the Snuglock mechanism of the Graco Turn2Me to secure the seat. The Snuglock mechanism is supposed to serve as a lockoff for the vehicle seatbelt, so that the seatbelt doesn't have to manually be locked. However, it seems that the Snuglock is failing to do so. I first noticed an issue back in October of 2022 when I went to put my rear facing 2yo into the seat and noticed that it was loose/"rocking". Upon taking hold of the seat, I could completely push the seat over, with very minimal force. I chalked it up to a squirming toddler whom was fighting his father to be bucked the previous day. However, since October, I have found that the seat repeatedly becomes loose over time. It is now to the point that I check the seat every single time we get into the car and there has been multiple times I have had to reinstall in the middle of store/restaurant parking lots. At this point, I am reinstalling weekly due to what I believe is a faulty Snuglock. When loose, you can visibly see the slack in the vehicle belt. It's my belief that, over time, the Snuglock is allow the vehicle seatbelt to "slip" causing this slack and, therefore, a very dangerous, unsecure install. As a CPST, I have helped a number of caregivers whom are experiencing the very same issue. I have 2 videos I would love to share: the first showing how loose the install becomes. The second showing the seat after I have reinstalled (testing in the same locations for reference.) Please reach out to me if you would like to view them. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | This Traverse is the Redline Edition. Beginning in November 2022, the Right Passenger quarter LED tail Lamp stopped working. it operates the turn signal and stop light. It is unavailable since that time. It is now 6 months I have been operating this vehicle which is unsafe. It is the whole assembly and I cannot replace it with the regular taillamp due to the wiring harness. I was told from Chevrolet to go to the dealer and the dealer tells me that the part has been on National Backorder for months. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift to park(P). The contact stated that the shift to park message was displayed. The contact stated that several manual attempts were needed before the vehicle properly shifted to park(P). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | SUSPENSION | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for tire replacement, the dealer determined that the rear toe link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to Ron Currier's Hilltop Chevrolet (385 NH-108, Somersworth, NH 03878) where it was also determined that the rear toe link needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the rear toe link. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 46,469. | Crash: No Fire: No | 46,469 |
| Mar 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I placed my car in park & an alert went off stating, “shift to park.” My car would not turn off, after multiple attempts, until I turned it on & off & drove the car a short distance. This has happened several times this month, with no warning or symptoms. My car is currently in for service & the dealership mentioned there’s a shortage in the switch, requiring a $400 repair. I feel my safety & that of others, is at risk, as my car currently does not know if it’s in park or drive. What’s to say this issue won’t arise, when I’m driving down the interstate at 70mph? Or I am having a medical emergency & can’t turn my car off to place it in park? I did a google search & apparently this is a very common issue with this type of car. The dealer mentioned it would have been covered under a 3 year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, but my car is 4 years old with 37,000 miles on it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Car has many issues: Jerks Shift to park error when it is parked causing car to have lights on for hours Brake error Fuel issue Traction error Computer failure at times I got the car used was not fixed when I received it needs recalls I have kids you people expect me to pay for your faulty equipment please make this right if I het into an accident it's because of your brand | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | POWER TRAIN | My 2018 Chevrolet Traverse says shift to park and an alarm sounds. The vehicle is in park but will not turn off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that after an independent mechanic performed an oil change, the vehicle made abnormal sounds while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the subframe was corroded and the fuel line bracket had fractured due to corrosion. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 15,000 |
| Feb 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I had my 2018 Chevy Traverse serviced at a local Chevrolet dealership and the mechanic suggested that I get my rear toe adjust links replaced as soon as possible. He said that when the toe links fail, the back of the car becomes unstable and starts moving from side to side when you are driving it. The dealership asked if I had noticed whether the back of my car was moving back and forth when I drove it. Fortunately, I did not have that problem before getting the toe links replaced for $599.56. Given that my car is only 4.5 years old with only 39035 miles on it, I asked why the toe links were failing. The Chevrolet mechanic said it was due to a "crappy design." It appears there is a recall on the Chevy Malibu toe links but none currently on the Traverse. There should be. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | SEAT BELTS | The component that failed or is not functioning properly is the passenger seat seat belt component where the seat belt inserts into. The seat belt cannot be inserted into the component and lock/secure in place. This poses a safety hazard to the front seat passenger as they are not able to easily and safely buckle the seat belt. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they acknowledge the malfunctioning seat belt component and stated they will not cover the replacement of it even though the vehicle is less than 5 years old. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | On multiple occasions the vehicle slowed to a stop but engine was still running. This happened once on the interstate at the speed limit. I got warning that power brakes and steering were not working. Other times the car shudders and stops. I then have to turn engine off and restart. I then take to dealer and they check with a computer and can find nothing wrong. I also had “shift to park”. Message and was unable to turn off engine. $300ish to get this fixed. The dealer said common in that vehicle. I want to make clear that this shuddering and limp mode problems have happened at least five times. The date above is the most recent | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |