VehicleVerdict

2016 Chevrolet Traverse problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 381 owner complaints run below the Traverse median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 17 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 43% of all reports (162 of 381), far ahead of electrical system at 42. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

381

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

17

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Traverse years?

See all Traverse years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Traverse problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags16243%
Electrical System4211%
Transmission369%
Engine318%
Steering246%
Other195%
Speed Control185%
Fuel System92%
Tires & Wheels82%
Driver Assistance62%
Brakes62%
Visibility & Wipers51%
Body & Structure51%
Seat Belts41%
Lighting31%
Seats21%
Suspension10%

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?

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

23V334000AirbagsMay 10, 2023 · 995,085 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.

21V782000AirbagsOctober 7, 2021 · 555 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.

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.

15V833000SeatsDecember 11, 2015 · 2,633 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.

Consequence

If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.

15V609000Visibility & WipersSeptember 29, 2015 · 29,295 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.

Consequence

A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

The car was broadsided on Interstate 40 Westbound outside of Knoxville, TN on 3-12-22 by a Tractor Trailer and totaled. The airbags did not deploy allowing the driver to hit her head on the window of the vehicle causing her head trauma. In Oct of 2021 The same vehicle hit a 200 pound dear head on…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 12, 2022 · crash

I WAS DRIVING MY 2016 TRAVERSE AFTER A CANCER TREATMENT HOME WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MSGS ON MY DASH STARTED APPEARIBG. SERVICE STABILITRAK, TRACTION CONTROL OFF. THE CAR STARTED SHUTTERING AND THE GUY BEHIND ME REAR ENDED ME WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. SINCE THEN I HAVE PUT 2 POWER STEERING PUMPS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 23, 2020 · crash

ENTERPRISE RENTED ME THE CHEVY TRAVERSE. I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING AREA OFF A DIRT ROAD. I'D BEEN WAITING FOR THE CAR BEHIND ME TO BACK OUT SO THAT I COULD BACK OUT. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, WEATHER SUNNY AND WARM, MIDDLE OF THE DAY. I TURNED ON THE IGNITION, HAD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 21, 2016 · crash

2 issues: 1: Brakes did not stop car nor did the abs braking system kick in causing the car to not stop on full demand! 2 cars slammed on their brakes at a yellow light instead of going thru causing a small number kiss Was going 35mph and when braking, car didn’t fully stop and out brakes tho to…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 5, 2023 · crash

WHEN TURNING AT SPEED - YOU CAN FEEL NOTICEABLE PLAY/LAG AS YOUR HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL. AT SLOWER SPEED, THE WHEEL BECOMES SLIGHTLY HEAVIER TO TURN BUT REVERTS BACK AT TURN FROM COMPLETE STOP - WHEEL RETURN TO CENTER IS EXTREMELY DELAYED IF NONE AT ALL REQUIRING YOU TO BRING IT BACK TO CENTER.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 7, 2020

2016 Chevrolet Traverse — common questions

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

It is close to typical for the Traverse: 381 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2016 Traverse problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (162 complaints), electrical system (42 complaints), transmission (36 complaints).

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.

How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.