About average for the Traverse
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Traverse year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 96,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Traverse years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 354 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (117, 33% of complaints), followed by the brakes and stability control and the steering. That ranks 5th of 13 Traverse years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 5 recalls.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse before you buy.
Engine and cooling
117 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 96,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vehicle died while taking off from the intersection. Leaving us stranded on a busy highway. Engine had sized but oil has been changed every 5k miles with synthetic. No warning light just shut off and wpuld not restart. With 6 kids in the carOwner complaint, filed 2022
2012 chevrolet traverse. Consumer writes in regards to defective catalytic converter. The consumer stated the vehicle shut down while it was being driven with no warning. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the repair costs.Owner complaint, filed 2021
Brakes and stability control
95 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 97,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
After driving about 500yards , speed not a factor, my ABS light and traction control light come on when I put code reader in OBD port it shows no codes. Shut the vehicle off for few moments. Start it back up and the lights are still on until I drive it about 25 yards and the lights go out. The ABS works, I can feel it in the peddle when…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 103,666 miles
At approximately 45 MPH on a straight 2 lane road the service stabilitrak message came on, engine power was greatly reduced, smoke from exhaust and gas smell appeared and traction control turned off. Could be extremely dangerous on a major highway or in rainy conditions.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 116,100 miles
Steering
62 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the power steering pump was leaking. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 127,305 miles
Power steering intermittently fails at low speed we have had near collisions and as a result my wife cannot drive the car she’s not strong enough to turn the wheel at low speeds I’m afraid somebody’s gonna get in a wreck with this or another car like it I’ve heard other complaints from traverse owners about the same thingOwner complaint, filed 2021
Electrical system
48 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 99,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
This car keeps shutting off due to a faulty engine switch it is unsafe as the car will just shut off while on the highway or just drivingOwner complaint, filed 2021, at 129,000 miles
I noticed the last few days the engine of my 2012 chevrolet traverse was slow to start. I thought it was the battery, but it was still holding a good charge. The check engine light was not on. I was driving it at 35 MPH on a rural road when the engine shut off without warning. First time it ever happened. I started the vehicle and it was…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 113,906 miles
Air bags
48 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 87,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
After sliding into a ditch, my drivers side, curtain airbag deployed but, instead of covering the drivers side door window, it came out and went across my face, hitting me on the right side of my head, slamming my head into the drivers side window glass and pinning me between the airbag and the window glass, obviously putting my safety…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Airbags failed to deploy on drivers side and in the front after an impact of 35 MPH. My daughter and myself got severely hurt due to this malfunction. yes it has been inspected. no there were never any indicators for the airbags ever in the four years I have owned the car.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Transmission and drivetrain
46 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 87,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet traverse. The contact stated the while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The stall lasted for a few seconds before the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the stall was due to an electrical…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 139,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet traverse. When the gear was shifted into reverse, the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that an unknown part related to the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 100,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
37 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 94,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that after shifting into drive, the vehicle erroneously [VIN] and crashed into a telephone pole. The contact sustained back, hip, and knee injuries while the passenger sustained lung contusions from the air bag deployment. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that he applied the brakes however, the vehicle erroneously [VIN]. The contact removed his foot from the brakes and the vehicle began to function normally. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The [VIN] was not notified of the…Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 5,800 miles
Seats and seat belts
23 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
I got in the car to put the seatbelt on and it just snapped at the floor, the lap belt cable which runs down to the left of the drivers seat. That braided cable just snapped. Shoulder harness still works, but no lap belt.Owner complaint, filed 2022
In an accident yesterday where the car was rear ended on the back passenger side while on the highway. The drivers seat reclined back during the crash. Pictures to be attachedOwner complaint, filed 2021
Lights, wipers and visibility
19 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 94,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The rear Sun/Moon Roof on my 2012 Chevrolet Traverse LTZ (FWD) exploded while driving on the highway in Houston, Texas on [XXX]. There were no known scratches, dents or damage to the window prior to it self-destructing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)Owner complaint, filed 2024
Vehicle is registered in montana, one of the states listed in recall #12v151000, re: windshield wipers becoming inoperable in cold weather. Check shows my vehicle is not subject to this recall, but my problem matches it exactly. Conditions, -12deg and light snow. Vehicle has been idling about 10 min with defroster on. I brushed off…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 105,000 miles
Fuel system
16 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 95,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
It is a known proplem that gm makes fuel pumps with fuel sensors that fail randomly and often. I know one person who has replaced it four times. Ours has failed.. The fuel gauge now doesn't work, and sometimes the vehicle will reject fuel. My wife has been stranded with our children in one hundred degree weather because of this. The…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 90,000 miles
Vehicle shuts off, can't start accerleration drops. Vehicle was in motion when this occurred on the highway and on the street.Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 20 miles
Body, doors and structure
12 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 85,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (7).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that the liftgate failed to open wide and would not remain open. The contact had to manually open the liftgate. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The [VIN] was notified of the failure and provided case number…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that the tailgate, when opened, would automatically close without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the dealer was not contacted. The [VIN] was informed of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 7,300.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 7,300 miles
Suspension
9 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The car feels like it’s bouncing everywhere on any kind of surface and now there is a loud very loud rattling noise coming from underneath the car and the car starts shaking excessively if you try to accelerateOwner complaint, filed 2025
The brakes have never been fixed even though they said (there times) that they have been replaced. There is a leak in the suspension, struts, cv/u joints, oil leaks, and possibly the coolant. The alignment is off even though the dealership stated they fix the alignment, but they can't if there's a leak they wouldn't be able to properly…Owner complaint, filed 2019
Wheels and tires
4 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet traverse. While driving at approximately 60 MPH or any speed, the vehicle vibrated and made an abnormal noise. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The [VIN] was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6,500.Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 6,500 miles
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet traverse equipped with goodyear fortera hl tires, size: p255/65r18 109s. The contact stated that the rear driver side tire suddenly deflated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that all four tires had cracks and needed to be replaced. The [VIN] was not notified of the failure. The…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 44,661 miles
Driver assist systems
2 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
it is an ongoing daily issue. it has been occurring for over 2 years. The radio display does not work properly. It will show the display and then it won't. This display and speakers are connected via wiring. The speakers all do not work at the same intervals. The park assist function is connected to the speakers. When the radio display…Owner complaint, filed 2024
While returning from work the engine just shut down. It would not start. I thought it may have been the battery. It would barely turn over purchased a new battery and installed it .this all took about a hour and a half. Started the car and it knocked rattled and and squealed. I shut it down and had it towed home. I have no warning lights…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 107,000 miles
Chevrolet Traverse complaints by year
Compare the 2012 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2012 midsize SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Chevrolet Traverse | About average | 5 |
| 2012 Toyota Highlander | About average | 2 |
| 2012 Honda Pilot | One of the better years | 9 |
| 2012 Ford Explorer | One of the better years | 7 |
2012 Chevrolet Traverse recalls
Air bags Critical fasteners
- Risk
- Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge.
Full recall summary
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Body and structure Hatchback / liftgate
- Risk
- If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge.
Full recall summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
Seat belts
- Risk
- If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
- Fix
- General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge.
Full recall summary
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Air bags
- Risk
- Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge.
Full recall summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
Windows, mirrors and wipers Linkages
- Risk
- If this occurs, driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Gm will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper arm nuts, free of charge.
Full recall summary
General motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet traverse, buick enclave, and GMC acadia vehicles currently registered in alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, wyoming and the district of columbia. Snow or ice buildup on the windshield or on the wiper may restrict the movement of the wiper arm, causing the wiper arm to loosen and cause the wiper to become inoperative.
2012 Chevrolet Traverse questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?
The most reported problem areas on the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse are the engine and cooling (117 complaints), the brakes and stability control (95 complaints) and the steering (62 complaints).
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse a good year to buy?
About average for the Traverse. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Traverse year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 96,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Traverse years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. The most recent, from Apr 2021, covers the critical fasteners. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Traverse problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 96,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 97,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Chevrolet Traverse years should I avoid?
The Traverse years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2014. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2013 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?
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