2015 Chevrolet Traverse Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2015 Traverse most often write about two things: the air bag warning light coming on, frequently tied to recalled driver-side inflators, and the power steering assist dropping out at low speeds. A smaller but steady share describe engine and transmission trouble — ticking or sparking noises from the engine bay, stalling and reduced power, and shuddering or slipping shifts at low speed — plus recurring air conditioning failures.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light on / air bag service message

   • 148 complaints (47%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe a "Service Air Bag" message or air bag warning light that appears intermittently, sometimes at startup and sometimes while driving. Several complaints note that the light returned after a dealer repaired a wiring harness, and a few were told the air bag module, sensors or clockspring needed replacement. Many owners mention they received recall notices but were told the inflator parts were not yet available, so the vehicle was not repaired. Reported from roughly 35,000 to 165,000 miles, with several complaints under 70,000 miles.

   Recall 23V334000Recall 22V246000Recall 21V782000Recall 21V246000

   What to check: Ask whether the open driver-side inflator recalls (23V334000, 22V246000, 21V782000) and the side curtain air bag fastener recall (21V246000) have been completed. Watch the warning light through a full start-up self-check and again after a short drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dashboard displays service airbag randomly and intermittently. I looked up special coverage 15804 and brought vehicle to dealership where I purchased. My VIN doesn't have the special coverage but the diagnostics are the same as described. Dealership agreed to obtain dic code which is b0014. This code is included in special coverage 15804 but my VIN hasn't been included. The service airbag light has come on while driving and upon ignition.”

   NHTSA complaint #11055401, filed 2017-12, 37,650 miles

   “The air bag light turns on and off for the past 3 days. I have taken it too the dealer in my hometown and the tech there said that this is a common issue for this model and chevy knows that its a easy and profitable one to repair. Someone please look in to this its not cool to have something like an airbag say it need service just to have them say that. The fix cost me 145.59 and it took them around 8 or 10 mins to repair it. Odd don't you think.”

   NHTSA complaint #11331890, filed 2020-07, 101,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine noise, stalling and reduced power

   • 25 complaints (8%)
   • median 46,358 mi at 3.7 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2024

   Owners describe ticking, clicking or sparking sounds from the engine bay traced in several cases to a failing harmonic balancer, and in others a sudden loss of power or stalling with the check engine light, sometimes with the StabiliTrak message. Some complaints note the engine needed replacement after a low oil pressure warning. Dealers variously replaced the harmonic balancer, spark plugs and coils, or could not reproduce the fault. Spread from about 12,000 to 180,000 miles, with several between 40,000 and 75,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for ticking or sparking noises from the front of the engine and check the oil level and condition. Ask whether the harmonic balancer or ignition coils have been replaced and whether stored codes were pulled after any stall.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When stopped at a red light, my car's oil pressure low light came on. I got to a place where I could pull off the road and park. I turned the car off and had it towed to my mechanic. The car was well maintained with about 65,000 miles. The engine is done and needs to be replaced. The cause of the problem is unknown.”

   NHTSA complaint #11363118, filed 2020-10, 65,000 miles

   “I was driving on the interstate at 60 miles per hour. The car jarred forward , made a popping sound and lost power and the engine speed dropped. I got off the interstate the car shut down and would not go. The stability trac came on the dash as well as the check engine light. I turned the car off for about 15 seconds and the car started and I drove home. I looked this up on youtube and found out the car does not keep a memory of the code the car throws when this happen. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11327318, filed 2020-06, 66,500 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out or is hard to turn

   • 23 complaints (7%)
   • median 59,500 mi at 4.5 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • filed 2018–2024

   Owners report the steering suddenly becoming very heavy, most often at low speed while parking, turning into a space or reversing, and sometimes coming back after revving the engine. Several describe grinding or whining noises beforehand and low power steering fluid. Dealers and independent shops diagnosed a failed power steering pump or the electric steering system, and some owners paid for pump or rack replacement. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 90,000 miles, with a few under 45,000 and some past 110,000.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the steering at parking-lot speeds with the engine idling and listen for whine or groan. Ask whether the power steering fluid has been flushed or the pump replaced; a service bulletin describes a flush-and-bleed procedure for noise or leaks in cold weather.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Chevy Traverse 2015 with 72700 miles has problems with power steering pump its making noises, and feels hard when maneuvering, I was checking recalls but, my car its out of it because it is from 11/2014 and recall is from 12/ 2014 just a coue of days, besides that the A/C was fixed because didn't worked for a while mostly in the back seats, I payed one thousand dollars to get it fixed.”

   NHTSA complaint #11408541, filed 2021-04, 72,700 miles

   “Purchased a 2015 chevy Traverse the power steering went out and it's leaking. This vehicle is only 3.5yrs old this should not be happening! It's extremely dangerous when you have two children in the vehicle!! The noise was grinding and whining, you could not turn the vehicle if you were reversing. And trying to drive forward and turning onto another road was very hard. This is not normal and this needs to be a recall!!”

   NHTSA complaint #11166574, filed 2019-01, 90,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, hesitation and slipping

   • 16 complaints (5%)
   • median 85,700 mi at 5.7 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe shuddering or heavy vibration at low speed, especially climbing a slight incline or between second and third gear, along with hesitation, lurching or slipping shifts. Some were told a torque converter or the transmission needed replacement, while others had the solenoid reprogrammed. One complaint references a GM service bulletin covering the exact shift complaint. Mostly reported between roughly 15,000 and 120,000 miles, often described at 15-25 mph.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Drive at 15-25 mph on a gentle incline and feel for shudder or hesitation on light acceleration. Ask for transmission service records and whether the solenoid or converter was addressed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Initially I had an issue with sudden heavy vibration, primarily while turning, was not recording with a fault. Per my service records attached there were several trips try a diagnose and repair the issue. The mysterious issue requiring GM engineer support outside of the local dealership technicians. Shortly after my final service for the vibration issue I reported abnormal shifting during acceleration and was advised that the shifting trained to the driver. The abnormal shifting never resolved itself. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11338094, filed 2020-07, 118,000 miles

   “Vehicle began stuttering when upshift or downshift 2nd-3rd gears low speeds. Took to dealer. At first could not replicate but then found GM service bulletin # 18-na-358 (see attached). First released in november 2018 and most recently updated october 2020. It lists this exact problem and a fix for the problem. It includes many GM vehicles including my 2015 Chevrolet Traverse. The dealer said there was not a recall that this was just a normal bulletin to help technicians handle previously reported problems. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11414194, filed 2021-04, 94,000 miles
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Air conditioning stops cooling, especially rear

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the air conditioning, often the rear system, stopping cold output, with some describing compressor, evaporator or blower motor replacement and repeat visits. Several complaints note refrigerant was refilled and the problem returned, and a few mention ticking or rattle noises from the blower area. Reported from about 35,000 to 95,000 miles, with several complaints in warm-weather months.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Run the front and rear A/C on max for several minutes and check outlet temperature at the rear vents. Ask whether the compressor, evaporator or blower has been replaced and whether refrigerant has been topped up more than once.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “A week after the purchase, the car started to stall while driving and the AC went out. The dealer replaced the air compressor. About a few weeks later, the vehicle stopped wouldn't start. I took it back to the dealer and they claimed to have taken it to another repair shop and they deemed it an electrical issue. They claimed to have fixed it. I got the vehicle back and the very next day it started to smoke while driving and the AC went out again.”

   NHTSA complaint #11339528, filed 2020-07, 112,000 miles

   “When my vehicle is in idle or park the fan makes a ticking noise. I turn AC or heat up or down and the noise continues at times the noise is louder. Took it back to the dealer right after I bought it used and they told me I think it was the evaporator was empty so they refilled it after I paid my deductible for warranty. About a ya later I heard it again I went to a friends shop they told me the same thing he filled it and it's been about another year and it's making the noise again and it's the same issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11300170, filed 2020-01, 35,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying, confirm the open air bag recalls were completed and check that the steering, A/C and transmission behave normally on a test drive that includes parking-lot maneuvers and a light-throttle climb. Records of prior steering pump, harmonic balancer or transmission work are worth asking about, since several complaints describe repeat visits for the same symptom.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.