2021 Chevrolet Traverse problems, complaints & recalls
Far fewerRising
NHTSA has received 92 owner complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, or 15.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.39, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #33 of 85 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Chevrolet models its rate is 66% lower; against other Midsize SUVs it is 70% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2021-05-10 and 2026-10-13. Median delay from incident to filing: 7 days.
92Complaints
15.9Complaints per year on the road
0.39Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
5.4%Share involving a crash or fire
30Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 34.3 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 20.7 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 12 complaints, 80% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (23.9% of complaints), followed by Engine (19.6%) and Unspecified or other (16.3%). Electrical complaints are 1.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 5 reports (5.4%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 6 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 46 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (52% of incidents). In the last 12 months 30 new complaints were filed, versus 23 in the 12 months before — up 30%.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.39
vs. other Chevrolet models0.34
vs. other 2021 models0.41
vs. other Midsize SUVs0.3
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (12)0.2
The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on the driveway, the contact's sister-in-law became aware of a burning odor.
Other · 2026-10-05 · ODI 11769100 · Fire
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? My wife and daughter were both involved in a car accident.
I bought 4 new General Grabber HT tires 255/65 R 18 I have only driven on them for 13,000 miles and the tires shake and have wear on them.
Wheels, tires & suspension · 2026-10-13 · ODI 11770767
When I accelerate at a stoplight the car shuddered and slammed into gear then it shop the rpms up to 8000 and back down i was barely able to make it home and when I arrived at home I tried to park and it would not go into reverse tostraighten my vehicle.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-13 · ODI 11770889
I went in for service at Chey 112 in Medford, NY they advised me that my computer needed to be replaced they replaced the computer and I started having transmission issues.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-08 · ODI 11762657
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN Campaign 22V210000 · 2022-03-31
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
Risk: Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212352140.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Campaign 21V817000 · 2021-10-18
Summary: Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible vehicles with Power In-floor Ramp conversion. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the screw and clip, and inspect for signs of contact with the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:FRONTAL IMPACT Campaign 21V472000 · 2021-06-24
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N212340220.
