2009 Chevrolet Traverse problems
NHTSA has received 584 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, and 40% of them involve steering. Next are engine (11%) and drivetrain & axles (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 584 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 40% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 26 and 5
- Injuries and deaths
- 29 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 85,000 miles 496 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 25 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 34 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 58 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 103 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 111 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 67 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 48 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 17 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 22 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 7 |
| 200k+ miles | 4 |
What the data shows
Of the 496 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 85,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 76,000 miles (214 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 26 complaints mention a crash; 5 complaints mention a fire; 29 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2009 ranks 7th most-complained-about out of 18 model years of the Chevrolet Traverse with enough data (300 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 8 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that various warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the warning indicators for the air bags, service engine, and low beam headlights shorted several times. The contact smelled a burning odor near the front of the vehicle several times. The vehicle was repaired several times by the dealer, but the failure recurred. While driving at an unknown speed, a deer crossed the vehicle's path and crashed into the front of the vehicle.
The rack and pinion on my traverse is leaking. The mechanic said they had the same thing on a couple other 2009 traverses that have come through their shop. This is a $1,000-$1,200 repair that is common for these vehicles at this mileage. This will also make the power steering pump go out and not be able to turn. Why hasn't this been recalled yet? This is something that needs to be looked into by the government/gm as to how many of these similar issues have been repaired by dealers.
Was driving fine and all of a sudden with no warning car would not go faster than 15 MPH. Check engine light came on then traction control went off. Across the dash it said "service traction control, service stabilitrack and reduced engine power" the car started shifting between 2 different gears making it extremely scary to try driving to a safe spot with 3 young kids.