Print this page

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:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,166 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #66

Apr 062024

Traverse

  • miles

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

This vehicle is notorious for multiple electrical failures. The alternator fried the battery fried, both of which were replaced. This vehicle still wouldn't start. The wiring harness to the PCM is notorious for having shorts. The pcm itself is notorious for going out really early. This vehicle is almost undrivable and it dies while you're in the middle of driving where you can't stop. I do not know how this vehicle has been kept on the market without being recalled. I do not know how more people haven't been in accidents because of it. And even worse, it's notorious for the airbags messing up. I think I would be more understanding if it weren't for the fact that this vehicle has been well maintained. It has regular maintenance. It's never overdue for an oil change or a fluid top up. I have children that ride in this vehicle and now I have to worry about their safety.

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #65

Jun 012023

Traverse

  • miles
Care loses connection shuts off while driving and unable to accelerate. Loses steering control

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #64

Jul 012021

Traverse

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the engine was still running independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that water was entering the hood of the vehicle causing the vehicle to have electrical issues and the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #63

Jan 042021

Traverse

  • miles

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

The whole vehicle shakes while driving it seems like the battery is going dead or it doesn't want O to go anywhere. Timing change the gas guage not reading right it horrible gas mileage

- Waterloo, IN, USA

problem #62

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 #61

Jan 012019

Traverse

  • 0 miles
Drivers information center does not work in daylight. I have tried everything and nothing is working. So if something is wrong with my car I won't know till at night.

- Jacksonville, NC, USA

problem #60

Nov 102020

Traverse

  • miles

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

Main window switches have failed and the wipers do not work on the highest setting.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #59

Apr 212018

Traverse

  • 77,000 miles
So far I have had nothing but issues with my SUV, bought a 2009 for 6,000 and had to pt 7,200 in it to get it running right. I traded it in at the dealership it was being diagnosed at thankfully. Now I have a 2011 and starting to have many issues unfortunately. First it started 3700 miles after I got my 2011 by leaving me with no power steering while trying to make a turn and almost wrecked 3 times going to the hospital. I was able to put power steering fluid in and got my power steering back but immediately took it back to the dealer. They said if I came in at 3500 miles they would have replaced the pump and whole rack under warrenty, but they didnt. So I gotta top it off every few months, no big deal. Suspension has been replaced twice, rough idle, tuned up 3 times in 42,373 miles. A/C only blows cold on driver side now, it makes a different noise every day and the dealership says I need to have the engine dropped and timing chain replaced. I cant drop 2400 bucks on something that doesnt fix the problem! way too many negative outcomes that I've read on the timing chain issue. People that have had the engine replaced had better luck than a rebuild. This is absurd because it's a great family vehicle but with these issues I really dont want to buy american made cars anymore.

- Boston, GA, USA

problem #58

Oct 042019

Traverse

  • 85,000 miles
My mechanic said my timing chain is loose & there should be a recall. Also my radio goes real low in a high pitch tone & I can't hear it so that means my turn singnals are low & everything else that makes a sound is very low. Also my window controls are all starting to not work one by one. I only have 89000 miles on my car. My mechanic is telling me I should get rid of my car but I always thought Chevy was a good car.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #57

Oct 262019

Traverse

  • 112,000 miles
The speakers will quit working when it is either wet or cold outside. Aside from the stereo not working this is a safety issue as all warnings do not sound as they come through the speakers. Warnings include backup sensor seat belt and much more.

- Story City, IA, USA

problem #56

Dec 012019

Traverse

  • miles

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

My service airbags front driver wire harness and connector no radio no blue tooth

- Attleboro, MA, USA

problem #55

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 #54

Nov 062019

Traverse

  • 167,000 miles
Sitting in the parking lot waiting for my daughter to get out of school all of a sudden it smells hot then start to drive off and traction control lights and ABS go wild then I pull over turn off the engine open the hood and there's smoke letting it cool the key won't reverse out of the ignition and there's no power at all

- Pace, FL, USA

problem #53

May 092019

Traverse

  • 160,000 miles
Takata recall, I was driving my car down an interstate and the coolant had leaked out and overheated my car I have done had each hose and housing and the thermostat and the reservoir take replaced in it about 2 months ago. It's is now doing the same thing again it started again while I was on a highway.

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #52

Aug 232018

Traverse

  • 88,000 miles
Less then a year ago the battery gauge started dipping below 14V to 12V periodically while driving. When getting off the highway one day(batter gague did not dip) and coming to a light on a 2 lane smaller major road the lights all came on check engine, stabilitrak, battery, etc and the car shut down. Fortunately, my husband was able to cruise through the light and somehow everyone was out of his way so he could come to a stop O the side of a road that the speed limit is 50 on. The windows were open couldn't do anything. Tow came out and his jumpers were zapped. Tried again and was able to get into N so could be flat-bedded to the mechanic. The alternator was fried, and fried battery and messed up ac. Replaced alt and battery and other parts that were fried. Less than 6 months later battery started dipping really low and so we had the car checked several times and nothing seemed wrong. Now we're 10 months in and had to replace alt. Again and within a week (today) battery started dipping to 12V again. This is while driving and happens about 20 minutes or so into drive. I drive on major highways and have my children in the car the majority of the time. This is dangerous and seems to be a recurrent problem on tons of these cars. If the car dies again, thankfully the stars aligned and my husband was able to at least pull to the side of the road, we may not be so lucky. Of course, the car is out of warranty now too so how is it that all these people, including us, will be asked to shell out tons of money to fix a common issue that needs to be taken care of so people don't die! this is not simply a maintenance issue.

- Gloucester City, NJ, USA

problem #51

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 #50

Dec 152015

Traverse

  • miles
The air conditioner still faulty. Replaced hoses and freon. The struts still leaking fluid around tire area since purchased. I see many complaints online at different forums about this. My engine light comes on intermittently anf when I have it tested it just says O2 sensors. The light will stay on for 1-2 days and then go out and remain off for several months at a time. Everything in the car is plastic and keeps popping off. I have replaced so many door and seat pieces that this is crazy even down to replacing motor mounts. I love Chevrolet but this by far has been my most aggravating and costly purchase.... I used to go to my local Chevy dealer for service but I noticed when I log in to my Chevy/GM profile they don't load anything innthe system for Chevy to see you are really maintaining your car. These dealers are ripping people off.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #49

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 #48

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 #47

Feb 252019

Traverse

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving, the vehicle lost power and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle safely to his residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not provide assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

- Clifton, NJ, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?