2017 Chevrolet Traverse Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Chevrolet Traverse, 2012 to 2017 model years
Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0
How the 2017 compares

About average for the Traverse

Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Traverse year. The main thing to watch is the air bags, which half of owners reported by about 38,000 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 361 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. The most reported problem area is the air bags (263, 73% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the electrical system. That ranks 4th of 13 Traverse years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 3 recalls.

Complaints361filed with NHTSA
Recalls3for this model year
Crashes1311 injuries reported
Fires2reported in complaints
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Most 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 2017 Chevrolet Traverse before you buy.

Air bags

263 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 38,000 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

A scheduled airbag recall repair could not be completed because the dealership did not verify that the recall part was in stock before my appointment. I arrived for the recall service after confirming the appointment days in advance and was told the part was not available. I was told I would be contacted when the part arrived, but weeks…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Dealership Lead car GMC Utica, verified code B0074 passenger presence sensor/module, found module internally faulty verified power and ground. This puts safety at risk because the passenger side air bags are off because of the faulty sensor. There is TBS on this issue. Dealership confirmed problem. there were no warning messages before…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Engine and cooling

25 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 30,000 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

There is a transmission recall for 2009 to 2017 Chevrolet traverses. My traverse has the exact same transmission and engine as the recall but for some reason GM decided not to add my Vin to the recall. My vehicle is experiencing the exact same issues recorded in the recall. I called the GM dealership who could not help. I called [XXX]…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while reversing into a parking space, the vehicle vibrated and made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the vehicle jerked and stalled while driving. The "Check Monitoring System” message was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact turned…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Electrical system

22 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 39,000 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

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse(R), the rear-view camera screen displayed a distorted image. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the front driver’s side window failed to roll up or down occasionally while the power window switch was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 60,000 miles
I had my charger plugged into the charge port and for no reason smoke started pouring out of it really bad while I had my kids in the car. Also my chevy link touch screen starting going in and out. My back up camera stopped working, my safety feature of the pre collision sytem stopped working. All of these things happened all at the same…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Transmission and drivetrain

18 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 61,000 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

Transmission body throttle and TCM had to be replaced a year after purchase because of failing shifts, reverse failed to work completely.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The transmission is going out at 107K miles and needs to be completely replaced for around $8500 (see attached quote). It has a shudder and has a hard time shifting into third gear. This is a known issue with Traverses.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Brakes and stability control

16 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 39,000 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

I have owned GM vehicles approximately 50 years and have never had brake issues on a vehicle in any of those years. I have always purchased new vehicles and the vehicle was/is a one person ownership. The current vehicle of concern and consideration is a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse with approximately 21,000 miles. Currently the 6 year old…Owner complaint, filed 2023
2017 chevrolet traverse. Consumer writes in regard to brake failure and unintended acceleration. The consumer stated when the vehicle [VIN] it crashed into an apartment building. The airbags did not deploy and the seat belt did not function properly. The driver was not hurt but, a resident was injured.Owner complaint, filed 2022

Steering

11 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 40,000 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 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn, the contact heard a loud clanking sound coming from the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 72,000 miles
Steering wheel randomly gets tight and difficult to turn. Eventually gets to a point where it won't turn. This doesn't occur all the time but randomly. No warning lights go on. Took to mechanic. Didn't happen to them when tested. But they flushed steering fluid and refilled. Taking the car back home. Again steering wheel got tight and…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Seats and seat belts

11 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 32,000 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 went to pull seat belt across me and the whole belt including the box that is attached by a wire cable came with it. It's no longer attached to the floor. I didn't have any signs that it was lose or anything it just broke when I got into my seat getting ready to leave my home.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The center row passenger side Seat belt buckle plug cover fell off. No accident took place. We tried to plug in the buckle and the cover fell off which made the plug ineffective. Could have been harmful had it disassembled during an accidentOwner complaint, filed 2023

Cruise control and acceleration

10 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 22,000 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

Stepped on brake to disengage cruise control. The car accelerated instead of slowing, I turned off cruise and kept stepping on the brake the car kept accelerating. I had to shift to neutral stop the car and shut engine off. When I restarted it was disengaged. This has happened twice now.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Upon slowly pulling into a parking spot my foot was on the brake bringing the vehicle to a stop when the rpms suddenly went up and the vehicle lunged forward striking the stone wall in front of me. The impact caused both my knees to make contact with the steering column. There were no warning lights. The airbag did not deploy and the…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Fuel system

9 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

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

I believe my vehicle should be part of the recent GM recall for defective fuel pumps. I have been experiencing issues with my vehicle surging during acceleration, and stalling during idle. This has happened at stop lights and is a safety concern.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Pm409 code purge vavle . I replaced the purge vavle and gas cap the engine check light is still on .Their is a recall on the purge vavle emissions systemOwner complaint, filed 2024

Wheels and tires

7 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

Tire size P255/55R20. I purchased 4 new tires February 2023 from Jim Dobson Ford in Winamac, In. I've taken my car back there at least 4 if not 5 times because of vibration. I finally took my car to a different facility and they showed me where 2 of my tires that was in the rear are separating and need replaced. I feel these tires was…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Dealership I bought this car from 5 days ago, mckluski chevy in Cincinnati Ohio stated it would be another week before i could buy the car as there was a recall on the tires and they were putting new ones on. They did not put new ones on cleared the recall without fixing it. I paid $100 locally just to have them plugged to hold air and…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Driver assist systems

5 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

gm issued a warranty extension/ service bulletin for the rear blind spot modules for water intrusion which can cause the airbag light to illuminate as well as shut off other features of the vehicle on the gmc acadia and other models while excluding the traverse, which is essentially the same vehicle as the traverse. the vehicle listed…Owner complaint, filed 2023
For the already known air bag recall for my vehicle, I have called GM and clearly stated how uncomfortable and unsafe I feel driving my vehicle with such a dangerous malfunction that is meant to save my life, not take it. They told me there was no way they could help, but for me to be patient. I live in a bumpy and windy area, and from…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Lights, wipers and visibility

5 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

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

Windshield defroster does not defrost 1/2 of the driver's side. Ice/snow remain completely intact. It has to be completely scraped and will finally start to clear when I continue to use washer fluid/wipers and inside of vehicle warms. This also happens when the outside temp drops and all window interiors fog/frost. This does not clear…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 2,500 miles
The contact owns a 2017 chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that the sun roof exploded without warning. There were no injuries. The dealer (autonation chevrolet northpoint, 2175 mansell rd, alpharetta, ga 30009, (770) 383-1536) provided a cost estimate for the sun roof glass [VIN] and stated that the failure was due to the…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 23,000 miles

Suspension

3 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy

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

When my vehicle is going between 30-45 mph there is shaking happening. Torque converter feels like its locking up and then releasing.Owner complaint, filed 2026
I can't stand having to drive a car with that risk to life any longer. I have to drive with my family inside, there are two small children and I'm scared, and Chevy just tells me that they still don't have the part for the airbag. I've been dealing with this for years and I still don't have an answer. My car's price has dropped a lot…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Body, doors and structure

3 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy

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 2017 chevrolet traverse. After the vehicle was parked outside in the rain, the contact noticed water inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to koons chevrolet (located at 10207 philadelphia road, white marsh, md 21162, tel: 410-931-8600) to be diagnosed. The diagnostic results were unknown. The [VIN] was not…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 820 miles
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request: *Drivers side airbag component malfunctioned *Yes the vehicle is available for inspection How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? *The drivers side airbag component has been ruptured since 2024 and given that the bag could…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Chevrolet Traverse complaints by year

Compare the 2017 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2017 midsize SUVs

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2017 Chevrolet TraverseAbout average3Air bags
2017 Toyota HighlanderAbout average4Transmission and drivetrain
2017 Honda PilotAmong the worst years4Engine and cooling
2017 Ford ExplorerAbout average14Body, doors and structure
Compare side by side

2017 Chevrolet Traverse recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Air bags Inflator module

May 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V334000
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Air bags

Oct 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V782000
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Air bags Critical fasteners

Apr 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V246000
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.

2017 Chevrolet Traverse questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?

The most reported problem areas on the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse are the air bags (263 complaints), the engine and cooling (25 complaints) and the electrical system (22 complaints).

Is the 2017 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 air bags, which half of owners reported by about 38,000 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 2017 Chevrolet Traverse have?

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. The most recent, from May 2023, covers the inflator module. 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 2017 Chevrolet Traverse problems start?

Half of the owners who reported a problem with the air bags gave a mileage of about 38,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 30,000 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.

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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.