2011 Chevrolet Traverse Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 204about this part
- Share
- 34%of 608 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 204 complaints about the engine of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, 34% of the 608 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving the vehicle down the road it starts making a noise. I pull the vehicle over off the street. There is no power, the vehicle still starts but does nothing but makes a loud noise. The timing chain is the issue. I have saw multiple complaints about the timing chains in these vehicles being defected. Please make this right!”
NHTSA complaint #11343902, filed 2020-08, 11,500 miles“Sitting in the parking lot waiting for my daughter to get out of school all of a sudden it smells hot then start to drive off and traction control lights and ABS go wild then I pull over turn off the engine open the hood and there's smoke letting it cool the key won't reverse out of the ignition and there's no power at all”
NHTSA complaint #11278521, filed 2019-11, 167,000 miles“Takata recall, I was driving my car down an interstate and the coolant had leaked out and overheated my car I have done had each hose and housing and the thermostat and the reservoir take replaced in it about 2 months ago. It's is now doing the same thing again it started again while I was on a highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11234365, filed 2019-07, 160,000 miles“My mechanic said my timing chain is loose & there should be a recall. Also my radio goes real low in a high pitch tone & I can't hear it so that means my turn singnals are low & everything else that makes a sound is very low. Also my window controls are all starting to not work one by one. I only have 89000 miles on my car. My mechanic is telling me I should get rid of my car but I always thought chevy was a good car.”
NHTSA complaint #11301187, filed 2020-01, 85,000 miles“**timing belt recall** I was driving my vehicle on the local parkway and it lost power while I was driving it then started riding rough as if the tires were wobbling then I went to make a left turn and it started making a reeving noise during the turn. I had the car towed to the auto shop and I was told there was no oil leaks but the oil was low and also I had to replace the timing chain on my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11184295, filed 2019-03, 130,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11026017Jun 5, 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- 11024485May 15, 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11014233Jan 30, 2025This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11010490Oct 5, 2024This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 11009532Sep 27, 2024This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 11009531Sep 27, 2024This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 11009756Sep 17, 2024This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 19% |
| 2025 | 14 | 8% |
| 2024 | 33 | 23% |
| 2023 | 19 | 20% |
| 2022 | 18 | 18% |
| 2021 | 11 | 12% |
| 2020 | 70 | 30% |
| 2019 | 62 | 15% |
| 2018 | 85 | 18% |
| 2017 | 25 | 7% |
| 2016 | 31 | 11% |
| 2015 | 37 | 12% |
| 2014 | 118 | 22% |
| 2013 | 45 | 28% |
| 2012 | 115 | 32% |
| 2011 | 204 | 34% |
| 2010 | 178 | 27% |
| 2009 | 50 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
165 complaintsElectronic stability control
103 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
79 complaintsElectrical system
67 complaintsVehicle speed control
58 complaintsOther or unknown
57 complaintsAir bags
43 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsSeat belts
21 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology