VehicleVerdict

2017 Chevrolet Traverse problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse sits mid-pack among Traverse years: 430 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 402, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 7 deaths and 15 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 61% of all reports (263 of 430), far ahead of electrical system at 26. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

430

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

15

Injuries

7

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Traverse years?

Traverse NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted945 complaints2009: 584 complaints2010: 922 complaints2011: 945 complaints2012: 587 complaints2013: 295 complaints2014: 881 complaints2015: 421 complaints2016: 381 complaints2017: 430 complaints2018: 666 complaints2019: 563 complaints2020: 283 complaints2021: 110 complaints2022: 125 complaints2023: 106 complaints2024: 189 complaints2025: 311 complaints2026: 24 complaints
Traverse NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Traverse years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Chevrolet Traverse problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags26361%
Electrical System266%
Engine256%
Other184%
Transmission174%
Brakes123%
Seat Belts113%
Steering113%
Speed Control102%
Fuel System92%
Tires & Wheels82%
Driver Assistance61%
Visibility & Wipers61%
Body & Structure31%
Suspension31%
Seats10%
Lighting10%

Does the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?

3 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND GOT HIT T-BONES ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER CAR CAME FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE HIGHWAY AND HIT HER T-BONE AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY WIFE HIT HER HEAD, CHEST AND NECK ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 26, 2019 · crash

“THE FIRST TIME I HAD AN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I WAS STOPPED TO PUMP GAS, TRIED TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULD JUST MAKE A SHAKING AND START BUT NOT TURN OVER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID AN ISSUE WITH DEFECTIVE PART, FIXED IT AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN AS SO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 2, 2018 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER, OPENED THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND FOUND SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT MOVED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 20, 2019 · fire

“THE FIRST TIME I HAD AN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I WAS STOPPED TO PUMP GAS, TRIED TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULD JUST MAKE A SHAKING AND START BUT NOT TURN OVER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID AN ISSUE WITH DEFECTIVE PART, FIXED IT AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN AS SO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 2, 2018 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. AFTER THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND ROLLED AWAY APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE LATER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 7, 2017 · crash

2017 Chevrolet Traverse — common questions

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

It is close to typical for the Traverse: 430 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2017 Traverse problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (263 complaints), electrical system (26 complaints), engine (25 complaints).

Does the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 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 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 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.