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CarComplaints.com Notes: There are a fair-number of power steering related complaints which is a continuation of problems from the previous model year. Considering the problem tends to happen beyond the standard warranty (73k+) it's best to avoid this vehicle or at least be prepared for the $1,300+ repair.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,040 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Chevrolet Traverse drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2011 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #77

Jun 092021

Traverse

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle stalls due to transmission issue at 40 mph, yes it is available for inspection. When vehicle stalls at 40 mph at that point you have no steering support and the vehicle is just coasting until you can stop. You could crash with no steering support at 40 mph into stationary object, another vehicle or pedestrians. I have had it inspected by GM dealership No warning lamps or messages or other symptoms and it is repeatable started to appear on June 9, 2021

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #76

Feb 102021

Traverse

  • 133,000 miles
As described by hundreds, if not thousands, of other owners...obdii codes P0008 and P0017, in conjunction with "service stabilitrack, AWD disabled, traction control off". we have replaced multiple sensors, replaced throttle body(and sensor), replaced driver front wheel hub assembly (magnet that has to do with sensor came off). The above two codes persist. Purchased used vehicle with 118xxx miles and within a year these codes appeared. Took vehicle to dealer, who insisted it was timing chain, with estimate of $2300. However, second and third opinions disagreed...suggesting sensor issues, throttle body issues, etc. Why has the timing chain or tensioner not been recalled, if this is the issue? fortunately, our vehicle does not go into limp mode...however, we've been told this could happen in the future. Would greatly appreciate it if the NHTSA would do a deeper dive and generate a recall. Going to address camshaft bank sensors next before possibly replacing timing chain and/or tensioner. Additionally, problems with moisture issue of unknown location that causes the stereo speakers to not work. On sunny, warm days, stereo speakers work fine...any moisture, no speakers.

- Orland, ME, USA

problem #75

Feb 052021

Traverse

  • 110,000 miles
It has happened a few times where the stabilitrack goes haywire while driving and locks the vehicle up allowing to only travel a few miles per hour super unsafe when on highway. Have had a Chevy dealership replace the throttle body snd less than 10,000 miles later same problem. In researching online seems this is a very common problem on all Chevy that is extremely unsafe when it happens and your driving.

- Laconia, NH, USA

problem #74

Dec 192020

Traverse

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We were driving about 70mph on the highway when the engine started to make a knocking sound and losing power. We pulled over to see what was wrong and the car wouldn't start. We got a jump and had to buy a new battery due to it being drained. Got a new battery and pulled up the code for the knock sensor. We replaced it and new codes pulled up. The engine thru a rod with no warning of anything being wrong with the Traverse. It was well maintained with only 140,000 miles. The new battery we bought was drained almost immediately and needs to be charged for the Traverse to even start when the mechanic looked at it.

- Wickenburg, AZ, USA

problem #73

Dec 182020

Traverse

  • miles
I have been in small and big inclines and my car rolls back. I have to keep my foot on brake and give at same time I release the gas or it rolls back. I have come close to hitting the car in back of me.

- Clovis, CA, USA

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problem #72

Dec 122020

Traverse

  • miles
My engine went out on my 2011 Chevy Traverse and this is part of of the recall the dealer didn't do nothing about it and now I am without a car

- Claymont, DE, USA

problem #71

Dec 082020

Traverse

  • 968,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving down highway at 55 mph suddenly hear a beep and see a warning that traction control is off, then service stabilitrak warning kept flashing and car in skid image is on constantly. Also after these warnings started flashing the speed control could not be set. Luckily I did't lose power this time as so many others have reported. After arriving home and restarting the car later all the warning lights were off. For several weeks now when resuming speed after stopping the car lunges while getting back up to speed. This could have been very dangerous had I lost or had reduced power like has happened to so many. GM really needs to issue a recall and fix this problem before someone is killed.

- Letts, IA, USA

problem #70

Sep 182020

Traverse

  • 111,000 miles
My 2011 Chevy Traverse check engine light came on, on 9/18/20 and referenced error codes P0009 and P0018. The car is looses power when driven and is getting terrible gas mileage. It only has 111,000 miles on it and has been maintained according to the manufacturer's guidelines. The mechanic that reviewed my car indicated a timing chain issue, which I have found all over the internet has happened to other 2011 Traverse owners. Luckily my chain did not break while I was driving on a major highway and cause an accident. When will Chevy be held accountable for this issue?

- Williamsburg, VA, USA

problem #69

Dec 152019

Traverse

  • 100,800 miles
Driving at highway speed of 75 mph, the motor siezed without any warning. The motor locked and the technician said the engine needs to be replaced. He commented something wrong with the engineering of the engine specific to oil. He is concern that changing the engine may result in the same situation given the motor's design.

- Manassas Park, VA, USA

problem #68

Nov 072019

Traverse

  • 109,000 miles
The engine time chain is bad. If the time chain finishes braking it will kill off all the engine making the repair over $5,000 it seems like is a very common problem on these cars with the 3.6 vvt V6 engine, as I have seen people go thru this also online many people were talking about how unrelaible these cars are on that way. I have different quotes from different mechanic shops the lowest been $2,500.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #67

Jul 012019

Traverse

  • 92,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Timing chain issue code P0008 avoided crash. Locked up engine weak timing chains are stretching causing the engine to lock up major safety hazard at highway speed. Much more of a safety issue than the air bag or seat belt recalls

- Homer Glen, IL, USA

problem #66

May 202019

Traverse

  • 70,000 miles
The vehicles control panel displays multiple errors such as engine power is reduced, park assist off, traction control off, brake (in red), ABS and all the gages go up and down, automatic locks-lock and unlock all while driving on city street and highways. Attempting to pull the car over, the transmission wont go into park. Multiple times it won't start and sometimes the vehicle fails to gain speed while driving.

- Kalispell, MT, USA

problem #65

May 042019

Traverse

  • 107,000 miles
The timing chain when out on my 2011 Chevy Traverse. There are known issues with these vehicles not much older than mine and I am hearing about a lot of issues with the 2011 models as well. I think that this should be looked into. The timing chain went out when I was driving on the highway with my family and that could have turned into a deadly situation. My vehicle was purchased used but has been well maintained. With just over 100K miles and known issues with the timing chains in these vehicles I really think that it should be looked into.

- Sartell, MN, USA

problem #64

Mar 222019

Traverse

  • 6 miles
2nd owner. At 91K miles whole electrical system blew out. Cost $600 to fix. At $111K miles engine light came on. Went to dealership and timing chain needed to be replaced. Parked the vehicle as dealership said it keeps happening for 2011 Traverse and they are waiting for recall. 6 months later decided to take car back to dealership to get fixed quoted $3800. On way to dealership (20 minutes away) going 40 miles an hour car started making machine guns noises and slowing down. Pulled into a neighborhood and parked car. Called a tow company and had them tow it back to the house. Luckily, our neighbor works at a mechanic shop and came over. He turned the car on and it shut right off. After his examination he said my engine had seized and would need to replace it. Already having to reset the electrical system now I need to replace a timing chain and replace an engine?? seems after reading all of the complaints the 2011 Traverse has major issues and this needs to be addressed!

- Wonder Lake, IL, USA

problem #63

Apr 012019

Traverse

  • 113,000 miles
Air conditioner snowflake light blinks 3 times then goes off and turns onto auto. Air conditioner charged and repeats what is mentioned above.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #62

Nov 012018

Traverse

  • 178,000 miles
Bad shuddering in between shifting gears at low speeds. Mechanic determined that it is 3-5-R wave plates in the transmission. In accordance to the Chevrolet garage, this is an on going problem in Traverses and have replaced them in numerous vehicles. If not corrected immediately, it will lead to a replacement of the transmission..

- West Liberty, KY, USA

problem #61

Mar 132019

Traverse

  • miles
Timing chain

- Davison, MI, USA

problem #60

Jun 102017

Traverse

  • 40 miles
I had to replace an engine at 30K miles due to 'metal in oil". never once missed an oil change and no warning of any issue until car died in the middle of a busy road while trying to turn right onto side street.. after replacing engine had to get new wheel senors as they went bad 2 weeks later. One and a half years later here we are dash flashing saying 'service stabilitrack, service traction control, engire power reduces". check engine light also on. Mechanic says I will need a new accelorator pedal along with throttle body. The car itself at this point is under 50K miles. Also passenger side window does not go up or down with drive side door levers.

- Dracut, MA, USA

problem #59

Nov 012018

Traverse

  • 110,000 miles
'timing chain'. recently engine light appears on and goes off while driving my 2011 Chevy Traverse lt 3.6L with almost 113,000 miles. I used my scanner and codes P0008 and P0017 appeared. After doing my research I discovered that, 1. the codes are for the engine timing chain. 2. tons of customers that own the same make, model and year as mine along with many different GM model vehicles that have the 3.6 L engine, are having the same code and engine problem. 3. GM knows about this issue since they have extended the warranty up to 120,000 miles on some of the 2011 Chevy Traverse's and other GM makes and models. GM advised me that my VIN is not covered and I should bring my vehicle to the closest GM dealer to have them diagnose the problem. I brought my vehicle to adams Chevrolet located in havre de grace, Maryland on 01/10/19. Adams Chevrolet tech stats: Found codes P0008 and 0017. Found timing is not in sync due to faulty timing chains. Stated customer declined repairs at this time. Customer would need to replace timing chains and actuators. I contacted GM a second time a few days after I brought my vehicle to adams Chevrolet, the GM employee stated that she will note everything and has my current address and phone number on file if they need to get ahold of me. She stated again my VIN is not covered and that I should keep in touch with a customer service employee from a GM dealership and see if they will work with me on a price at my expense. I have had an issue with the power steering while driving in 2018 and adams Chevrolet recently advised me that there is an extended warranty on the power steering as well but timing chain is not covered on my VIN. My 2011 Chevrolet Traverse timing chain and /or issues related to that problem needs rplaced for free or I will gracefully accept a new vehicle from GM for free and you can have my Traverse back. Respectfully, dylan

- Conowingo, MD, USA

problem #58

Jan 152019

Traverse

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving approximately 45 mph, the traction control warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- New Salem, PA, USA

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