207 Total complaints
11 Crash reports
1 Fire reports
5 Injury reports
Quick answer: The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse has 207 consumer-submitted complaints in our database. The most common complaint categories are engine, unknown or other, engine and engine cooling. Enriched records show 11 crash reports, 1 fire report, and 5 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

207 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 engine, unknown or other, engine and engine cooling. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.

Severity flags

Enriched records include 11 crash reports, 1 fire report, 5 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.

Mileage clue

Mileage is available on 47 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 49,726 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Have you had any problems related to engine, unknown or other, engine and engine cooling?
  • 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 2020 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.

2020 Chevrolet Traverse
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.

How severe are the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse complaints?

Enriched complaint indicators from official bulk records.

11 Crash
1 Fire
5 Injury
0 Fatality
12 Towed
5 Medical attention

Mileage at failure is available on 47 complaints ; average reported mileage is 49,726 miles.

Most common incident states: CA (3), VA (3), AZ (1), FL (1), GA (1), IA (1), PA (1), TX (1).

What are the most common 2020 Chevrolet Traverse complaint categories?

207 total complaints on record

Latest complaints

Showing 26-50 of 207 complaints.

Date Component Summary Severity Mileage
Jan 2026 UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER The backup camera system on my 2020 Chevrolet Traverse fails repeatedly and intermittently. When shifting into reverse, the camera frequently displays a black screen, a crossed-out camera icon, or an error message indicating the camera is unavailable. I have brought the vehicle to a Chevrolet dealership multiple times for this issue. The dealer has replaced the rear/front camera twice and replaced a corroded cable, but the problem continues to occur. The repairs have not permanently resolved the issue. The failure happens unpredictably and makes it unsafe to reverse the vehicle, especially around pedestrians, children, or obstacles. This vehicle is equipped with a federally required backup camera, and its repeated failure presents a safety concern. The problem appears to be a recurring defect rather than normal wear, as many other Chevrolet Traverse owners have reported similar issues online. I am concerned this may indicate a broader defect affecting this model year.
Incident: Nov 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jan 2026 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES Burning oil. There is something wrong. I took it to the dealership i still have warranty i really think this needs to be looked into.
Incident: Jan 2026
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jan 2026 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING The contact's son owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic who could not perform the repair. The contact was referred to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that a crack in the catalytic converter had caused a defect within the exhaust manifold. The contact was then informed that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin Number: PIP5681C and was referred to the dealer for assistance. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle no longer qualified for the TSB repair due to the mileage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and made the same assessment. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,100.
Incident: Dec 2025
Crash: No Fire: No 90,100
Nov 2025 ENGINE Weld on exhaust was faulty the bracket malfunction. The exhaust system has leak and rattle with exhaust noises, causing the converter fail.
Incident: Oct 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Nov 2025 UNKNOWN OR OTHER Leaking exhaust noise at start up began around 9/22/25. Noise became louder over the following week. Check engine light came on morning of 9/24/25. Immediately took it to local GM dealership for inspection. Dealership first said it was a cracked front exhaust pipe at the bracket and then they called back and said rear pipe at the bracket was broken also the whole system needed to be replaced because the brackets were not separate but welded directly to the pipe. The estimate was over $1300. Dealership then said the error coded was probably because of the exhaust pipe and catalytic converter and that they require replacement. I discovered there are already recalls and special coverage for the same issue on the 2019, 2021 and 2022 year models of this vehicle. I contacted GM and they acknowledged the problem in other model years before and after but said there isn't enough complaints for this model year. This is a known problem and design flaw. This needs to be addressed by GM immediately. NONE of the welds have held on any parts of the exhaust system or the catalytic converter.
Incident: Sep 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2025 UNKNOWN OR OTHER Due to exhaust bracket failure where converter with muffler and side down pipe needs replaced. This was diagnosed at the Chevy dealer and appointment for repair is made. The exhaust suddenly became very loud so I took it to the dealership. There were no messages or warning lamps.
Incident: Oct 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2025 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there were abnormal sounds coming from the exhaust system. The contact stated that the vehicle sounded like a motorcycle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and DTC: P0171 was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that there were exhaust fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that there were cracks in the exhaust pipe and the catalytic converter pipe at Bank 2 and Bank 1 that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: PIP5681A. The contact had called the dealer to advise that there was a bulletin covering the cracks on the exhaust and the catalytic converter pipes, but was informed that the cracks on the pipes were on the wrong side and that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,045.
Incident: Oct 2025
Crash: No Fire: No 110,045
Oct 2025 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER When I put my car in park and turn it off I get an error message that I need to "Shift to Park". It shows in the dash that it is in park but my radio, and lights stay on. I have to restart my car and put it in park, reverse, or neutral and try to put it in park again. I takes several try's to make the error message go away.
Incident: Aug 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2025 ENGINE The car has 45,000 and started burning oil. The car is in brand new condition and well under mileage for an issue of such to be occurring. Took to car dealership where purchased and was told $8,500 fix!
Incident: Oct 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2025 STEERING A few months ago I was driving and without any warning the steering wheel would lock up and I couldn’t turn it at all. I had to use my strength to wiggle it to unlock it. It happened several times on busy roads and highways. It’s currently at the dealership for the past 2 months because there is a short and the steering gear box needs to be replaced but the part is on back order with no date of when it’ll become available. I obviously can’t drive it due to the steering locking up and that it’s a danger to not only myself and my family but other drivers on the road. Anyone could have been seriously injured or killed had it locked up and caused an accident. It would happen no matter what speed I was going.
Incident: Jul 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2025 POWER TRAIN Receiving a persistent “Shift to Park” message, after the car has been placed in Park. This causes an inability to turn off my engine completely and is draining my battery. As a temp fix, I've had to wiggle the shifter many times, turn the car on and off, place the car from park into drive many times to get the car to realize it's in Park. Scheduled with the dealership and referenced the TSB that was issued for this specific safety issue (in writing). Brought the car in for the repair and the technician and intake person were both aware of this major problem and have seen other Chevy's with the same issue. Repair is $809.00 for a shifter assembly. [XXX] - [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident: Oct 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2025 EXTERIOR LIGHTING 19 Sep 2025. The headlights turn off at night while driving. With the switch in the "auto" position, I turned the switch to "off" then back to "auto" and they came back on for a short period of time. They turned off again, I turned them to "on", they came back on for a brief period. I had to keep switching the headlight switch from "on" to "off" and back to "on" every 20 to 30 seconds (estimated) to keep driving. The dealership could not schedule a diagnosis until 8 Oct 2025. This is a potentially fatal issue.
Incident: Sep 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2025 ENGINE Exhaust started to rattle, now it is a loud clangy exhaust. Clearly a part has separated or there are holes in it. Dealership told me my car has a repair out for that for years 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 but NOT my year, 2020.
Incident: Sep 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2025 UNKNOWN OR OTHER Rattling noise when starting vehicle started occurring a year ago. Dealership diagnosed a broken bracket weld that holds the exhaust pipes in place. Dealership cut off bracket. A year later there is a hole in one of the exhaust pipes because of the broken bracket and a check engine light comes on. There is a recall for the 2018-2023 Traverse models EXCEPT the 2020 year for the exact same issue. Why is every other covered but not the 2020? Why do I have to pay for a known GM issue that causes a hole in the exhaust pipes from their crappy bracket welds? This is an emissions issue yet we are being denied by our dealership.
Incident: Sep 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2025 UNKNOWN OR OTHER I own two 2020 Chevrolete Traverse. I am currently dealing with my second one that has an exhaust leak at the forward joining exhaust bracket. This is a poor design for a hanging exhaust and is a known issue for the 2019 and 2021 models, but not the 2020. These other years have a special coverage to repair the forward exhaust but not the 2020 traverse because there have not been enough reports on it. I already paid out of pocket to repair my other 2020 traverse with this known problem and I refuse to do it again because of a design flaw. This needs to be addressed by Chevrolete immediately.
Incident: Sep 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2025 POWER TRAIN Slipping in low gears of transmission. Shaking of vehicle. Potential to break down.
Incident: Sep 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2025 SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER Exhaust and catalytic converters keep breaking off causing loud noise and check engine light to stay on
Incident: Sep 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2025 POWER TRAIN Check engine light came on day after I purchased this vehicle. Cracks in both front exhaust pipes. Seem to be an issue with 2020 chevy traverse models.
Incident: Aug 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2025 POWER TRAIN I recently had to replace my transmission (2020 Chevrolet Traverse) due to shuddering from manufacturer's fault in assembly process. Now I'm having to replace the transmission in my mother's 2018 Chevrolet Colorado that has less than 65k miles. These issues cause power loss while driving. I was in the middle of passing another vehicle when my vehicle experienced power loss. This is a HUGE safety issue, not only for my family but many others that I know that are experiencing or have experienced the same issues. I have 3 family members that have had to have the same repairs as well as over 40 acquaintances. I had assumed with the thousands others that I've chatted with on facebook and reddit that this would have been a recall, sadly, GM/Chevrolet doesn't seem to care that it is their fault that their consumers are having to spend THOUSANDS of dollars to correct an issue that leaves the manufacturer at fault. With the thounsands experiencing the same issue, i feel that those that have already had to spend money should be reimbursed.
Incident: Jun 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Aug 2025 UNKNOWN OR OTHER Catalyst converter bracket on the front of my exhaust is broken causing loud noise and the check engine light to remain on. This should be in connection with specialized coverage program N212356540
Incident: Aug 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Aug 2025 POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Ive got this vehicle on 5/12/2025 and all of this need to be done CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT. DURING INSPECTION FOUND LOUD EXHAUST ON STARTUP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND BANK 1 CATALYTIC CONVERTER CRACKED CAUSING EXHAUST LEAK. BOTH EXHAUST FRONT PIPES DAMAGED AS WELL(BROKEN MOUNTING BRACKETS BETWEEN BOTH PIPES) . RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND BOTH EXHAUST FRONT PIPESBRAKE SYSTEM FLUID EXCHANGE-PERFORMED PRESSURIZED FLUID EXCHANGE OF OLD BRAKE FLUID, REMOVED MOISTURE AND AIR CONTAMINATION FROM BRAKE SYSTEM. INSTALLED NEW DOT SPECIFIC FLUID TO MEET MANUFACTURE SPECIFICATIONSAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERVICE FLUID EXCHANGECF - COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE 6830/5881-01 INCLUDES FLUSH COOLING SYSTEM, PRESSURE TEST, CHECK HOSES, CAP AND CHECK CONNECTION. INSTALL COOLING SYSTEM CORROSION CONTROL KIT Drain old Transfer case fluid and replace with new fluid REAR DIFFERENTIAL SERVICE This should have been done when the dealership got the vehicle, and it should be GM or BERGER responsibility. I am sure this was an issue to begin with.
Incident: Aug 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Aug 2025 POWER TRAIN Severe transmission shudder, issues accelerating. Torque converter failure is very common with this vehicle, even with following routine scheduled maintenance. There is no engine or MIL light on and symptoms appeared out of nowhere. Failing to be able to safely accelerate can cause accidents, putting lives and property at risk. Looking information up online will show that this is a very common issue with this model year and transmission.
Incident: Nov 2024
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Aug 2025 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM The alternator failed randomly while driving down the road. The vehicle only has 26500 miles. There was no lights on prior to the car stalling. When it failed my whole car started to flash every warning at the screen to me. My car then stopped working and I barely was able to coast into a parking lot. Luckily I was not on the highway and no one was behind me when the car stopped working. The problem was confirmed by the dealer it was the alternator. What sucks though is that the alternator killed the battery. The battery is not covered by warranty so it is $507 to replace a battery.
Incident: Aug 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Aug 2025 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who retrieved diagnostic trouble code: P0091 (Fuel Pressure Regulator 1 Control Circuit Low). The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Incident: Jul 2025
Crash: No Fire: No 68,000
Jul 2025 UNKNOWN OR OTHER Leaking exhaust noise at start up began around 7/14/25. Noise became louder over the following week. Check engine light came on morning of 7/25. Immediately took it to local GM dealership for inspection. Dealership first said it was a cracked front exhaust pipe but then they also determined that the check engine light was from the catalytic converter. Dealership said both the exhaust pipe and catalytic converter require replacement. Through research, we discovered there are already recalls and special coverage for the same issue on the 2019, 2021 and 2022 year models of this vehicle.
Incident: Jul 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown

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