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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:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,238 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Comments (Page 3 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #162

Aug 042019

Traverse

  • 86,000 miles

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

2011 Chevrolet Traverse: While driving all the lights start flashing and the vehicle turns off and on, not letting you accelerate and slowing the car down rapidly. Then the traction control turns off and vehicle idols rough. If I step on the accelerator there is no repose from the vehicle. We do not treat the vehicle hash or drive wild. I dont have the money for a lot of repairs. I change the oil when it's time and make sure its running smoothly. I have looked online and have seen many other complaints about the same issue and GM has not done anything about it. This is a major safety issue especially for someone driving at a high speed. Death is a major possibility if this were to happen in front of another vehicle. This has happened once before today.

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

problem #161

Jul 202019

Traverse

  • 114,000 miles
Driving 75 on freeway with cruise on. Car acted like gas pedal was floored shut cruise off seemed fine 10 miles later hear a flapping and engine dies. This was very scary and could have caused major accident but my husband managed to steer us to shoulder. Had car towed home as would not start. Had mechanic look at it and need new engine $6,300 dollars to fix only 114,000 miles on it and still owe.

- Mecosta, MI, USA

problem #160

Jul 142019

Traverse

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain failed. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The mechanic provided failure codes P0017 and P0008. The contact stated that the failure codes were related to the crankshaft and the exhaust system failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 88,000.

- Essex, MD, USA

problem #159

May 092019

Traverse

  • 160,000 miles

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

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 #158

Jul 192017

Traverse

  • 80,000 miles
Engine bearing failure causing engine to seize. While driving on busy highway vehicle stalled causing unexpected stopping with no warning from vehicle.

- Pocatello, ID, USA

problem #157

Jun 102019

Traverse

  • 81,331 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle seized and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The contact had the vehicle towed by aaa to baierl Chevrolet (10430 perry hwy, wexford, pa 15090, (877) 217-0160) where it was diagnosed that the timing chain belt failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 81,331.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #156

Jun 012019

Traverse

  • miles

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

The water pump leaking- only 68,0000 miles

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #155

May 112019

Traverse

  • 124,000 miles
Service stabilitrak/traction control off light keeps coming on when driving at normal speed

- Coon Rapids, MN, USA

problem #154

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 #153

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 #152

Mar 182019

Traverse

  • miles

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

I have the cel on reading code P0017. The SUV is starting to idle a bit rougher and I have garaged the vehicle until I can have it serviced. I contacted the dealership regarding the service bulletin 11340 and referencing bulletin 12-06-01-009D for timing chain and tensioner failure and replacement the service tech stated that although they have issues regarding this engine, the year of my Traverse didn't qualify. I then contacted GM. The best they could provide is a case # regarding my complaint and offered to get me the phone # to my nearest dealership. I will have to keep on pressing the issue until the problem is resolved (considering the Chevy has 89,000 miles).

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA

problem #151

May 292018

Traverse

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the shoulder and it would not restart. The vehicle was towed to phillips Chevrolet (1400 locke dr, bourbonnais, il 60914) where it was diagnosed that the engine seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle was repaired by the same dealer approximately one year ago for engine failures. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.

- Kankakee, IL, USA

problem #150

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 #149

Feb 272019

Traverse

  • 130,000 miles
**timing belt recall** I was driving my vehicle on the local parkway and it lost power while I was driving it then started riding rough as if the tires were wobbling then I went to make a left turn and it started making a reeving noise during the turn. I had the car towed to the auto shop and I was told there was no oil leaks but the oil was low and also I had to replace the timing chain on my vehicle.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #148

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

problem #147

Jan 302019

Traverse

  • 130,000 miles
While driving my 2011 Chevy Traverse lt on highway with 130,000 miles on it when my Traverse lost acceleration and stalled out with cars flying up on me at 65-70 mph, I finally costed over to the emergency lane, had it towed to dealership and techs couldn't figure this out, after a week of service techs couldn't find the problem, I was finally notified by dealership that there's something wrong with motor and electrical and it's not worth fixing. I would like to know what I can do with this.

- Delaware, OH, USA

problem #146

Feb 172019

Traverse

  • 116,000 miles
My car doesn't even have 120000 miles and the crankshaft is out of it. I get regular oil changes and maintain my car. As I was driving my cheek everyone light came on and my engine made a loud noise

- Siren, WI, USA

problem #145

Jan 292019

Traverse

  • 6 miles
Was driving on the freeway when a I heard a bang noise from the engine. Engine completely died, no warning signs nothing. Mechanic looked at it, the engine locked and told me it was the timing belt and it gave out, and I need to replace the engine completely. Looked online there has been similar cases and GM is doing nothing about it. Now I'm looking at $7,880 to get the car running. The value of the car is over 8K mechanic said its a total lost because its about what the car is valued. Very disappointing, have had a lot of trouble with this car.

- Dublin, CA, USA

problem #144

Feb 102019

Traverse

  • 110,000 miles
Reduced power on vechile with dash lights indicating check stabile track. See a lot of complaints on this. Happened 3 times finally had to replace throttle body and harness for $550. No recalls? 110,000 miles. Very dangerous to have car slow down on highway during winter conditions.

- West Bend, WI, USA

problem #143

Oct 012018

Traverse

  • 100,000 miles
While the vehicle is stationary or being driven the traction control turns off, the stabilizer goes out, and the engine power reduces. I was on the highway and I lost power going from 65 mph down to 25-30 mph. I had to pull over and shut off the car, waited for 15 minutes and started driving again. I hadn't gone far and all the warnings came up again and power was reduced. While driving in town the same thing happens and I can be going 25 mph and the power goes down to 10 mph. Warning lights say traction 'control off, stabilizer off, engine power reduced. All of this happens while the vehicle is stationary or being driven!!!

- New Rockford, ND, USA

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