VehicleVerdict

2010 Chevrolet Traverse problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 922 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Traverse year — the 2010 model ranks #2 of 18 Traverse years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 334 reports (36% of the total).

922

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

25

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

18

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Traverse years?

See all Traverse years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Chevrolet Traverse problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering33436%
Engine18720%
Electrical System12013%
Transmission687%
Speed Control425%
Other323%
Airbags303%
Seat Belts253%
Brakes182%
Fuel System152%
Suspension101%
Visibility & Wipers91%
Body & Structure81%
Tires & Wheels81%
Seats61%
Lighting51%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)40%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V246000AirbagsApril 8, 2021 · 108 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

15V415000Body & StructureJune 30, 2015 · 691,144 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

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. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

14V266000Seat BeltsMay 20, 2014 · 1,339,355 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

14V118000AirbagsMarch 17, 2014 · 1,176,407 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

10V375000Seat BeltsAugust 12, 2010 · 207,210 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RETURNED TO A SEATING POSITION AFTER BEING FOLDED FLAT. IF THE BUCKLE CONTACTS THE SEAT FRAME, ADDITIONAL EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO RETURN THE SEAT TO A SEATING POSITION. IF SUFFICIENT FORCE IS APPLIED, THE BUCKLE COVER COULD BE PUSHED DOWN THE STRAP, EXPOSING AND PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE RED RELEASE BUTTON.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELDS. IF A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY, PRIMARILY AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE CONTROLLED FOR LOW SPEED STEERING, PUMP HAS BEEN CHECKED AND DEALER SAID IT IS ELECTRONIC BUT NOT CERTAIN. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 6, 2014 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, FLAMES WERE PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. MOMENTS AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 29, 2020 · fire

2-18-2022 Complaint Previous NHTSA report #11339183 Ongoing complaint with additional information. Tag #[XXX] Georgia. Onstar failed with direct manipulation from Emergency Management Agency Statesboro Georgia daily mapping and stopping my vehicle Chev Traverse ([XXX]) to harass, threaten and…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 18, 2022 · fire

2-18-2022 Complaint Previous NHTSA report #11339183 Ongoing complaint with additional information. Tag #[XXX] Georgia. Onstar failed with direct manipulation from Emergency Management Agency Statesboro Georgia daily mapping and stopping my vehicle Chev Traverse ([XXX]) to harass, threaten and…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 18, 2022 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN AN ABOVE GROUND PARKING FACILITY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEIZED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH THE GATE OF THE PARKING FACILITY AND ALSO CRASHED INTO A PARKED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 19, 2017 · crash

2010 Chevrolet Traverse — common questions

Is the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 922 complaints put the 2010 model at #2 of 18 Traverse years. It is one of the Traverse years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Traverse problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (334 complaints), engine (187 complaints), electrical system (120 complaints).

Does the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Traverse years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Traverse years to avoid are 2011, 2010, 2014, 2018. The cleanest record among Traverse years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.