Complaint volume
212 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
212 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, grouped by component category.
Buyer interpretation
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
212 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
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.
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 is available on 51 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 51,787 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
212 total complaints on record
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | When I place the car in reverse, the rear view image does not show on the display screen. This is a recurring issue when it’s approximately 75-85 degrees out. I did some research and found information on where you have done a recall of the 2020 Acadia for the exact same issue, requiring a replacement of the coaxial cable. I wanted to let you know the same issue is happening in the 2020 Traverse. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | When the vehicle is shifted into "Park" the information system reports an error code "shift into park" and prevents the vehicle from being turned off. On the opposite side of the spectrum, there are times when the vehicle fails to start with error code displayed "shift into park" even though the vehicle is infact in park. The error code is sometimes resolved when the shifter levers forward facing button is actuated multiple times. This false error code is a grave safety concern as it build complacency within the operators. This could potentially lead to an operator ignoring a true "shit into park" error code as a false one and exiting the vehicle while it is actually in gear or neutral and cause death or injury to an innocent bystander or the operator! Please investigate this error as it has apparently existed and been well documented in the Chevrolet Traverse since at least 2018. Yet Chevrolet still fails to acknowledge or resolve it! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The exhaust broke under 2020 traverse with 41365 miles allowing fumes to come up through the floor into cabin. You have a repair notice # N212356540 for this problem on 2019 traverse and # N222385510 on the 2021 traverse ...dealer says my 2020 is not covered. Please let me know why. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE | The exhaust pipe and muffler developed a hole in both exhaust components at less than 32k miles. This is a known design issue for the model as a previous model year had a special coverage adjustment on 03/2022 [XXX] . It is apparent this is a design flaw that wasn't fixed for the 2020 model year. GM has only offered 50% of repair costs. I am requesting the NHTSA to open review of exhaust failure for the 2020 model year of Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Cadillac XT6 that are equipped with the 3.6 liter V6 engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while the vehicle was shifted into reverse(R), the back over prevention camera screen was black. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but was a recurring failure. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the video module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 36,000 |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated with a loud sound coming from the exhaust. Additionally, there was an abnormal odd odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact became aware that the front mounting bracket for the exhaust was fractured. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was 106,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 106,000 |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was a loud rumbling sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the front driver’s side exhaust pipe weld had fractured. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 56,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 56,000 |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made rattling sounds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front exhaust pipe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to Special Coverage Program: N222385510 (Front Exhaust Pipe); however, the vehicle was not covered by the Special Coverage Program. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 65,000 |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while parked, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that there were fractured brackets that rubbed holes into the exhaust pipe and front muffler. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: N222385510 (Front Exhaust Pipe). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 52,000 |
| Jul 2023 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Vehicle all of a sudden started sound loud when accelerating on a trip home. Vehicle is 58K miles. Upon investigation, the vehicle was loud when starting as well. Mechanic determined front pipe under driver side had rusted and broken. Was told there is no recall, not covered under purchased extended warranty - $600 to repair. This should not happen on a vehicle this age. There are similar complaints about the same issue for the 2020 model. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. There was an abnormal gurgling and bubbling sound heard. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the exhaust pipe bracket had fractured and there was an exhaust leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 83,000 |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Since Oct 2022, my backup camera has been intermittently working (it doesn’t work most of the time). I have taken it to the dealership and they replaced the coaxial cable in February 2023 but the problem keeps persisting. I have taken it to the dealership a total of 4 separate incidents and the problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the service tech each time. This last time, I was informed there was three codes showing up so they were not sure what the problem was. I was told that even though the service representative saw that the camera wasn’t working when the technician came it was working so they couldn’t do anything. I was told to bring the vehicle back when it did it again. It has constantly not been working properly since I brought it home. When the camera doesn’t work a a red triangle and a circle with a line through it displays on the screen. I feel as this is putting my safety as well as others safety at risk every time it doesn’t function properly. The inability to use my back up camera reduces my ability to see behind the vehicle. This increases the risk of a crash, injury or property damage when the vehicle is backing up. I have not been involved in any incidents but there have been a few near misses. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | Months ago I was driving, my 2020 traverse I hit the brakes and I heard a weird grinding noise & my car started wobbling, I figured I needed my brakes pads changed, I took it to Waldorf Chevy they looked at the brakes and told me everything was good I didn’t need pads and everything was ok, they said sometimes the pads get dust on them causing them to squeak, and wobble, i had the front pads replace at a local shop they also looked at the back brakes and said the back pads were good, sometime later I was heading to work I stopped at a gas station and the car wouldn’t start. On the Chevy app it said my antilock brake system and stability control needs serviced which was weird it gave no warning I had it diagnosed the mechanic said the engine seized I towed it to another shop they said the same thing I towed it to Chevy they insisted it was the battery I told them it was the engine, they later said the engine seized but not before charging me $500 for a diagnostic, $371 battery plate. I got oil changes regularly and often did preventive maintenance. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the service engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had experienced the failure several times. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | STRUCTURE | March 30, 2022 I was driving on a highway with no other vehicles nearby and I heard a sudden loud pop. At first I thought is was a tire but no pressure changes on the screen. Few minutes later I heard a plinking noise and realized it was above my head and my sunroof had shattered. Luckily my visor was pulled across so I didn't have glass raining on my head while driving. Brought it into my dealership who sent me to a auto body glass division. The glass was on back order for 10 days and repaired on 4/12/22. I paid my $500 deductible through my car insurance. My vehicle has a front sunroof and a back moonroof that does not open. On May 15, 2023 I was driving on a country road and again there was a sudden pop. Again thought it was a tire but there was a gravel truck about 5 cars ahead of me but my sister was in the front passenger seat and did not see a rock or gravel. Rear moonroof had 2 small cracks on top but luckily again my visor was closed. We had a 30 min ride home so we tried to wrap plastic wrap around and over it but the wind got underneath so the hardware store told us to duct tape it and it worked well for about a week until the roof completely caved in on May 24 th. I called my dealership and the claim was filed for replacement with same glass company but now the part is on back order until mid July!!! I paid $300 for my car insurance and my dealership is keeping it and I traded it in for a new 2023 Chevy Traverse which I paid $19,000 for and hoping the glass will not do this again on my new car. Grateful nobody was hurt but I feel this a safety problem that needs to be reported. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | ENGINE | I was operating my vehicle at 70 MPH on the freeway, when I took my foot off the accelerater pedal to exit I could feel a pop under my feet and the engine started to make a lot more noise. I lost engine power and had to coast/idle to the nearest gas station. I went under the car and discovered a hole in my exhaust where there used to be a bracket to mount the exhaust pipes to yhe undercarriage. I went on a chevy Traverse Forum to discover this is a common problem. I believe it is unsafe to operate the vehicle with an exhaust leak that also creates loss of engine power and eventually leads to engine damage. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | SUSPENSION | Took vehicle in for yearly inspection. Vehicle had 39950 miles on it. Vehicle would not pass inspection because of rear suspension adjustment link which could lead to accident. This problem is well known to service techs who inform owners this is a recurring issue at 40000 miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | SUSPENSION | Brought the vehicle in to dealer for oil change, and tire rotation. Dealer found that the rear toe links on the Traverse were corroded. It only has 36970 miles and is not covered under warranty which expired 36,000. This is a recall on numerous GM vehicles and GM should cover and issue recall on the traverse as well. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | SEAT BELTS | The driver's seat belt would not "buckle up" or latch into the buckle. This issue started a couple of months ago but it just seemed to be stiffer than the other belts. Then suddenly it started to release while driving. Then we were not able to get it to work at all. The dealership was able to get the vehicle in immediately and replaced the seat belt assembly. My safety and the safety of any of my family driving this vehicle was a risk of a malfunctioning seat belt. I don't know if it would have held if I were to get into an accident and I'm concerned about the passenger seat as well. Other than it being a little difficult to buckle up there were no other warning signs. The dealership replaced the part on 5/15/23. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | STRUCTURE | Cajun Red Paint Color has defect. Paint began showing white specks where paint is chipping off after only having vehicle for 3 months. Continues to get worse, mostly on hood of Traverse but also on sides. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | ENGINE | P0420 warning light came on car exhaust has whole in it | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | SEATS | I was in a collision at 60 mph and flipped through the air without hitting the roof and landed on my wheels. I had a car doing 80 lost control as he was passing me sideways and into my lane. The front on the car was completely unrecognizable z no side impact or sudden stop. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 2 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, there was a loud explosion and the sunroof exploded. The contact stated that the sunroof was closed during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the sunroof glass needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not under recall for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,213. | Crash: No Fire: No | 32,213 |
| Feb 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | On 02/24/2023 in the middle of a storm our Headlights suddenly going out for a few hours while driving the car when the knob is on AUTO. Had to turn them on manually. Then the next day we turned the car on they worked just fine. A couple hours later they went out again. Today 02/26/2023 they’re working again. This is a safety issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact then started to smell an exhaust odor inside the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was notified of a cracked exhaust pipe. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was made aware of TSB: PIP5681A (Exhaust leak, Lean Codes, Rattle Noise, or Catalytic Converter Failures). The manufacture was notified of the failure. The manufacture informed the contact that VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 49,643. | Crash: No Fire: No | 49,643 |