2016 Chevrolet Traverse Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe two kinds of trouble: power steering that suddenly stops assisting at low speeds, and dash warnings (StabiliTrak/traction control, reduced engine power) that cut acceleration without warning. A large share of sampled complaints are simply about the driver air bag recall and parts not being available, while transmission slipping, engine misfires and electrical faults fill out the rest.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist drops out at low speed

   Mentioned in 14 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the steering wheel suddenly becoming very hard to turn, usually while parking, backing out or making a slow turn, sometimes with a growling or moaning noise. In some complaints the wheel is fine at higher speed and stiff only at low rpm. Dealers have replaced the power steering pump and lines, and some owners report leaks from a power steering hose or gear that dripped onto other parts; others say a service bulletin covers a hose rubbing or a power steering flush and bleed. Mostly reported between about 12,000 and 110,000 miles, typically during low-speed turns and parking maneuvers.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: At a cold start, turn the wheel lock to lock at idle and listen for groaning or stiffness. Ask whether the power steering pump, hose or gear has been replaced, and check the fluid level and for leaks near the pump and lines.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power steering pump connection issue. Pump kicks in and out cause steering wheel to suddenly stiffen. Can be very dangerous if in traffic. Some recall needs to take action to save lives on this serious matter. No recalls as of now I was on the highway when I felt a sudden stiffness in the steering wheel. Got off and checked the fluid. It was topped off and it was even harder to maneuver when vehicle is stationed.”

   NHTSA complaint #11329499, filed 2020-06, 93,000 miles

   “I was driving in a neighborhood road and came to a stop sign. I proceeded to make a left turn and the power steering no longer worked. My Traverse had 54k. I took it to a local repair shop and they replaced the power steering pump, high pressure line, flushed the power steering system and had to replace the serpentine belt because fluid got all over the belt. I got the SUV back and it still wasn't right. The replacement pump was also bad.”

   NHTSA complaint #11397768, filed 2021-02, 54,000 miles
2. 2
   Electronic stability control

   StabiliTrak and traction control warnings, power cut

   • 25 complaints (9%)
   • median 52,000 mi at 3.3 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe the StabiliTrak, traction control and check engine lights coming on together, often while cruising, followed by reduced engine power and the vehicle slowing on its own or shuddering. Several say restarting clears most lights but the check engine light stays on for a while. Complaints describe dealers being unable to reproduce the codes or finding no stored fault, and some mention the vehicle lunging or losing power after dealer visits. Reported across a wide mileage range, roughly 40,000 to 100,000 miles, often at highway speed.

   What to check: Scan for stored powertrain and ABS codes rather than just checking the dash, and ask whether the throttle pedal sensor or wiring has been replaced. Test drive at highway speed and note any hesitation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle was parked, then I started it up and three error messages were blinking: service traction control, traction control off, and service stability traction. The light with vehicle and tire marks behind it was on as well. When I started to drive it would cut in and out like it was going to die. The rear instrument panel for AC/heat also gets extremely hot. The vehicle only has 52,000 miles on it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11407524, filed 2021-04, 52,000 miles

   “My car, on four separate occasions, while I'm either driving on the freeway, or long stretches of roads, has malfunctioned, starting with the service stabilitrak indicator coming on, then traction control off function flashing, then the engine reducing speed until you're able to pull over and eventually stop before the car cuts off. I have taken it to the dealer twice in an effort for them to tell me what's wrong, and each time, they either didn't know, or were unsure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11176216, filed 2019-02, 93,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, shudder and harsh shifts

   • 24 complaints (8%)
   • median 44,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe slipping between gears, a shudder or vibration between second and third gear, and delayed or rough engagement from a stop. Some report the transmission revving without moving or a warning light and loud noise before losing drive. Complaints mention fluid flushes, torque converter replacement and in some cases a rebuilt or replacement transmission, with problems returning afterward. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 100,000 miles, often during acceleration or gear changes.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive from a stop through the first three gears and feel for shudder or slip, and check the transmission fluid condition. Ask whether the torque converter or transmission has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Had to have a rebuilt transmission placed in vehicle 1 year ago and subsequent work done 6 months later on the new transmission. Now 6 months later it began slipping when going from stopped through first 2 gears, rpms rev over 3. Called south charlotte chevy to report I would be bringing it back in. Approximately 60000 miles on it. I am sick of it!”

   NHTSA complaint #11385328, filed 2020-12, 60,000 miles

   “Driving at posted highway speed of 65 m.p.h. A vibration appears. Vibration lasted approximately 90 seconds and became harsher and vehicle was getting undriveable as time elapsed. As vibration increased in intensity, I slowed down to about 15 m.p.h. To maintain control. I exited the highway onto a county road, came to a complete stop & put the vehicle in park. Put the vehicle in reverse and backed up approximately 30 feet. Brought vehicle to a complete stop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11185827, filed 2019-03, 43,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine misfire, hesitation and check engine light

   • 36 complaints (12%)
   • median 46,800 mi at 3.0 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on with rough idle, misfire, hesitation or sluggish acceleration, sometimes with running-lean codes. Some report coil replacement and recurring faults after repairs, and a few say a power steering leak dripped onto a sensor and triggered the codes. Complaints also mention hard starting and stalling. Reported from very low mileage up to about 60,000 miles, sometimes soon after purchase.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check for stored or pending engine codes, listen for ticking or knocking at cold start, and confirm the oil and coolant are clean. Ask about recent ignition coil or sensor repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On jan. 8,2016 while driving, my check engine light came on followed by a knock in the motor. I pulled over and shut the car off. I took it to shottenkirk chevy in quincy, il where they diagnosed a coil was bad at 11,993 miles, but told me to continue driving the car. They replaced the coil 2 days later. That same night we got it back, we took it back and told them we weren't satisfied. They kept it 3 days and told me nothing was wrong on jan. 16 when we picked it back up. On jan. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10956982, filed 2017-02, 11,993 miles

   “Check engine light came on at 56k miles. Vehicle having misfire while driving, rough idle while sitting and sluggish at times. Misfire and rough idle not happening all the time. Had generic code check done before I could get into dealership to see what I was looking at... Multiple codes with running lean and 02 sensor. Was able to get into dealer after the weekend and they did diagnostic. Found power steering gear inlet hose leaking onto o2 sensor (b1 s1) causing the whole problem. Not covered under powertrain warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11324187, filed 2020-05, 56,100 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Air bag recall parts not available

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Many owners describe receiving a recall notice for the driver air bag inflator but being told the replacement part is not yet available, sometimes waiting months or longer. Some also report the air bag warning light or a service air bag message staying on. Complaints describe dealers charging a diagnostic fee without repairing anything. Reported at widely varying mileage, often on higher-mileage vehicles above 100,000 miles.

   Recall 23V334000Recall 21V782000Recall 21V246000

   What to check: Ask the seller for proof that the driver air bag inflator recall was completed, and confirm the air bag warning light goes out after the bulb check at startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall. The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Additionally, the contact stated that the service air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11522115, filed 2023-05, 89,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of acceleration and experienced a complete loss of power. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensors in the accelerator pedal needed to be changed. The vehicle was repaired however the service airbag warning indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10924945, filed 2016-11, 12,000 miles

Buying note. Check the power steering and take a highway test drive to look for StabiliTrak warnings, and confirm the driver air bag recall has been completed. A pre-purchase scan for stored codes and a transmission test through the first gears are worthwhile on this model year.

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.