The esteemed midsize SUV Chevrolet Traverse happens to be an ideal pick for families.
The comfortable handling, cushioned ride, and spacious seating capacity makes this vehicle ideal for holiday adventures and road trips.
Besides, it couples up as a cargo mover and comes with a powerful infotainment system.
Along with the robust engine capable of towing and roomy interiors, the car might seem alluring to you.
So, you must be wondering about the lifespan of the Chevy Traverse.
We have discussed the longevity of the Chevy Traverse in this article.
Also, we have discussed the reliability, best and worst years, most reliable model, and common problems of this car.
What is the lifespan of Chevy Traverse?
The Chevy Traverse has an average lifeline between 230K to 250K miles.
The longevity of the Chevy Traverse depends on several factors.
With proper upkeep, you can expect your Chevy Traverse to serve you at least 200K miles without any major technical glitch.
The average driver in the US drives around 15K miles a year.
With this figure as the parameter, your Chevy Traverse should serve you for 13.5 years without any technical issues.
The health of your car largely relies on how you maintain it.
A few users have also reported the car lasting more than 250K miles without any issue.
With defensive driving habits and routine changing of the fluids and oils, you should expect the car to last its full lifeline.
A study reveals that 5.18% of the Chevy Traverse cars last more than 150K miles.
For SUVs, you can expect 3% to be the healthy benchmark for cars crossing this milestone.
Chevrolet has come up with a reliable model, capable of delivering the value of its cost.
You can use the Chevy Traverse for light off-roading. Besides, the manufacturers have designed this SUV for heavy-duty towing.
Based on how you use this car, the lifeline of the vehicle significantly varies.
The parts and components become susceptible to faster wear and tear in case you push the vehicle to its extreme limits.
So, try not to load more than 5,000 pounds of goods into the car.
Also, closely follow up the recommended schedule of the manufacturers.
Is the Chevy Traverse a reliable car?
In the midsize SUV market, the Chevy Traverse has proven to be a moderately reliable car.
The chances of the car requiring unscheduled repairs are 0.43 times a year.
The possibility of the car facing severe problems is 18%. On average, the owners of Chevy Traverse need to shell out $656 a year for repairs.
In 2021, J.D. Power rated this car 81/100 based on quality-related feedback from consumers.
Also, Car.USNews has rated the 2021 model of this car 3 out of 5.
According to RepairPal, the reliability of the Chevy Traverse is 3.0 out of 5.0.
Out of 26 SUVs in the midsize category that this platform considered, the Traverse ranked 22nd.
This is based on the performance and complaints against this car across all the years. All these statistics reveal that the car is fairly reliable.
Some of the earlier models of this car had some technical glitches. This reveals why RepairPal has rated the car average.
However, recent Chevy Traverse models look much more promising.
Some of the competitors of this car are enjoying better ratings, thanks to their superior performance.
For instance, you have cars like the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Venza, Hyundai Veracruz, Toyota Highlander, Dodge Journey, Mitsubishi Endeavor, and Toyota 4Runner with better reliability ratings.
On the other hand, the Chevy Traverse performs almost the same as cars like Subaru Outback Ford Edge, Honda Pilot, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Jeep Liberty, Mazda CX-7, Nissan Pathfinder, or the Ford Explorer.
The good thing is that the Traverse enjoys a better reliability rating than models like the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, Volkswagen Touareg, or the Ford Police Interceptor Utility.
Do Chevy Traverse have problems?
Before you buy a Chevy Traverse, it makes sense to explore the common problems that these cars face.
1. Transmission shudder
Many Chevy Traverse models reported issues with the transmission shudder.
Particularly, the new generation of the Traverse has this problem evident in it.
For instance, the 2018 model had several issues with the torque converter clutch.
This led to the shuddering of the car when it traveled at speeds lower than 40 mph.
Dealers had to reprogram the module for controlling the transmission.
Although there was no problem with the 2019 model, it didn’t receive a TSB.
2. Hard shifting of gears
Some of the Chevy Traverse drivers reported hard shifting issues while driving in the 3rd or 5th gears.
This issue happens due to the presence of the 6-speed automatic transmission.
It is present in several model years. However, this was primarily an issue for the 2009 model year.
Commonly, the breakage of the 35R wave plate makes it impossible to reverse the gear.
Besides, you would find it challenging to shift gears while driving in the 3rd or 5th gears.
To address this issue, Chevrolet extended the warranty up to 120K miles or ten years.
3. Loss of power steering
Between 2009 and 2011, many models of the Chevrolet Traverse experienced the loss of power steering issue.
To address the problem, the brand extended the warranty to 150K miles for 10 years.
The models tend to develop a glitch with the power steering pump leading to a significant drop in the power steering hydraulic pressure.
To mitigate the issue, the drivers need to put in more effort when the car travels at low speeds.
Almost all the first-generation models of the Chevrolet Traverse experienced similar issues.
Particularly, the models that the brand launched between 2015 and 2018 had several similar cases.
4. Engine problems
Between 2014 and 2014, many of the first-generation Traverse models had notorious engine issues.
Some cars that the brand launched between 2009 and 2012 faced problems as the timing chain failed.
This resulted in complete propulsion loss resulting from the engine failure. The brand issued a TSB to address this issue.
Some cars that the manufacturer launched between 2009 and 2017 had a TSB due to the accumulation of debris on the magnetic encoder ring of the wheel speed.
This component is responsible for the emergency braking of the car.
This led to messing up of the sensor’s input, leading to the loss of power in the Chevy Traverse.
5. AC problems
AC problems were persistent in the models between 2012 and 2015.
This happened due to the presence of dust in the blower motor brush that might have copper particles.
This led to faster corrosion of the evaporator.
The blower motor releases these copper particles as a part of the motor breaks in phase.
The corrosion often resulted in leaks in the rear evaporator core.
In case you own a model that the brand launched between 2012 and 2015 and have been encountering this glitch, you need to get this component replaced.
Besides, you need to remove the rear blower motor and clear the blower cage and fan off the particles.
6. Noises in the brakes
Chevrolet Traverses that hit the road between 2018 and 2020 often emit squealing noises from the rear brakes.
This happened due to the presence of a particular material in the pad shim of the rear disc brakes.
Addressing the problem involved the installation of new brake pad shims in the cars.
7. Shifter not in park
Due to a technical issue involving the shifter not being in park, the 2009 model of the Chevrolet Traverse had a recall.
This happened as a result of a shift cable adjustment clip that failed to engage fully.
This resulted in the shifter moving out in the park position when the driver removed the ignition key.
As a result, the cars were at risk of rolling away.
8. Torque converter clutch solenoid getting stuck
This was a common problem in the 2013 model integrated with 6-speed automatic transmissions. Eventually, the manufacturer issued a technical service bulletin.
Chevrolet explained that in the TECHM, the accumulation of debris can lead to the torque converter clutch solenoid getting stuck.
Eventually, the component failed to release the clutch of the torque converter.
So, the engine remained connected directly to the wheels during driving.
To fix the problem, you need to get the system reprogrammed and install a revised calibration.
9. Shift table adjuster failure
The 2014 model of the Chevy Traverse encountered a failure of the shift table adjuster.
This component used to disengage from the lever to control the transmission shift.
As a result, the transmission failed to react to the driver’s input. The manufacturer issued a recall to replace the defective component.
Factors that can impact the longevity of Chevy Traverse
The lifeline of your Chevrolet Traverse largely depends on how you maintain the car. Let’s check how you can prolong the life of your Chevrolet Traverse.
- To ensure the best grade of service from the reputed brand, try not to go for any over-the-top modifications. When you replace the parts, get branded spares only.
- At regular intervals, keep an eye on the tire pressure.
- Follow up the maintenance schedule recommended by your factory.
- Store the car in a garage, free from the elements of nature.
- Secure the bodywork of your car using wax or ceramic coating so that minor scratches or contaminants do not affect it.
- When you drive your car over snow or salt, wash it thoroughly.
- As a part of regular engine servicing, top up the fluid level regularly.
- Every couple of weeks, inspect the engine oil.
- Make sure to use high-quality fluids and engine parts.
- Don’t exceed the hauling limit by overloading the car.
What is the worst year for Chevy Traverse?
Chevrolet launched its Traverse in 2008, and soon after the car hit the streets, there were plenty of complaints.
Car Complaint reveals that the model year 2011 was the worst for the SUV since it recorded the largest number of complaints.
Even after several years of producing the car, the brand failed to address these issues. Many owners complained of engine failure of this car.
An interesting fact about the Traverse, these technical glitches affected the vehicles mostly after they crossed 88K miles.
Addressing an engine failure issue required the owners to shell out $5,200. Also, several Chevy Traverse owners had to shell out the repair expenses from their pockets.
Once the 2016 model hit the road, there was a steady decline in the number of complaints.
Of late, the owners rarely complain of engine failure or report any other technical issues.
2009 tops the list of years recording the maximum number of recalls, with 8 such cases.
However, this is obvious, considering that it was the first year after the brand launched the car. In 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014, there were four recalls each.
What is the best year for Chevy Traverse?
The best years for the Chevy Traverse include the models that the brand launched in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
The number of complaints significantly decreased in these models. The number of recalls in these models is also lower than the previous ones.
How Long Do the Tires Last?
Given that you take proper care, the tires of your Chevrolet Traverse would last for 3 to 4 years.
So, taking the average annual mileage to be 15K, these tires should serve you for around 50K miles.
Make sure to inflate your tires properly and maintain the correct pressure.
Look out for the right pressure on the door jamb of the driver.
Rotate and align the tires regularly, so that you can prolong the lifeline of the tires by mitigating uneven wear.
How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?
The spark plugs of your Chevrolet Traverse would serve you for 30K to 40K miles.
After this milestone, you need to get these components replaced.
The function of spark plugs is to generate a spark that ignites the mixture between fuel and air.
It causes an explosion that helps the car’s engine to produce power.
Usually, the technicians would inspect the spark plugs during routine services and tune-ups.
How Long Do the Batteries Last?
Typically, the batteries of your Chevrolet Traverse would last between three to five years.
This largely depends on the size and nature of the battery, along with your driving habits.
Make sure to get the battery inspected by a mechanic from time to time.
Even if it is not completely dead, it might not be operating at the best levels.
Each time you get across to the car service center, get the battery professionally inspected.
How Long Do the Brakes Last?
Typically, the brakes of your Chevy Traverse would last between 30K to 70K miles.
Your driving habits largely decide the longevity of the brakes in the Chevy Traverse.
Therefore, navigating through heavy traffic on city roads, or adopting stop-and-go driving habits can reduce the lifeline of the brakes.
To make the most of the brakes, try not to apply them frequently, or at least, abruptly.
The brakes are likely to wear off faster if you apply them completely while driving at a high speed.
How Long Do the Transmissions Last?
As a Chevy Traverse owner, you can expect the transmissions to serve you between 130K and 180K miles.
However, to attain a long lifeline like this, the transmissions would demand timely maintenance and proper upkeep.
So, make sure to flush the fluid and top it up with the right level. Also, don’t overlook the scheduled servicing.
In case you detect possible technical glitches, make sure to get them fixed immediately. Also, try not to abuse the transmission when you have an automatic system.
Conclusion
Now that you know the lifeline of the Chevy Traverse and its key components, it’s time to decide whether or not buying one would be a logical decision.
In the first place, the high mileage is tough to overlook. So, with proper upkeep, you can take the car beyond 240K miles.
This is pretty impressive for a midsize SUV you would use for your family.
Some of the similar cars like the Expedition, Sequoia, and the Highlander have better mileage.
However, this shouldn’t be why you should refrain from purchasing this car.
In recent years, Chevy Traverse owners are quite satisfied with these cars.
It’s wise to avoid the problematic year, as we outlined earlier in this article.
So, try to purchase a Chevy Traverse model 2016 onwards.
The models between 2016 and 2017 are the best to choose from, as they have only two recalls.
Also, the owners have rated these models higher than the others.
In case you decide to settle for a used Chevy Traverse, it would be logical enough to choose from these two model years.
Alternatively, go for the 2020 or 2021 models if you are purchasing a new one.
Both these models are yet to receive too many complaints from the owners.
