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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 1 of 11)

problem #202

Jan 142024

Traverse

  • miles

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

Unknown

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #201

Jun 282023

Traverse

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 45 MPH, the RPM became elevated, and the check engine warning light illuminated before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 125,000.

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #200

Dec 242022

Traverse

  • miles
12/24/2022 while driving the car made a popping sound then started to slow down while I was driving. I went to make a left turn and the car stalled in mid turn. No warning or anything. Had it towed to a shop and was told that the motor had no oil in it. Which wasn-??t true, when they pulled the dip stick it read that it was full. However when they opened the motor up, it appeared to be bone dry.

- Knoxville , TN, USA

problem #199

Nov 102021

Traverse

  • miles

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

Engine failed at 182,000 miles. No warning. No indicator lights. Speed was 45+ miles per hour on 2-lane highway. Loss of engine power resulted in loss of steering control. Very hard to maneuver as vehicle coasted to stop at side of road. Put all occupants in a dangerous situation due to significantly reduced vehicle control. Vehicle would not re-start (or attempt to turn over) after failure. Towed to local shop. Local, trusted auto service center reported engine had -??locked up-?? potentially due to low oil pressure. Again, no indication lights and routine, full oil service completed just 2500 miles prior. Engine was replaced after cost-benefit analysis of current car market prices and availability and the well-maintained condition of the vehicle overall. Concerns: Loss of control. Disappointments: One of many reliability issues with this vehicle that was purchased new in January 2011.

- Taylorsville, KY, USA

problem #198

May 232022

Traverse

  • 145,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the air conditioning system was blowing warm air. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the timing chain was out of position. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

- Corbin, KY, USA

problem #197

Feb 142022

Traverse 6-cyl

  • miles
2011 Chevrolet Traverse. Consumer writes in regards to engine failure. The consumer stated the vehicle had not experienced any failure but, was concerned of the possibillty due to mileage. The vehicle had approximately 100,000 miles.

- Temple, TX, USA

problem #196

Mar 062021

Traverse

  • 131,000 miles

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

The contact's wife owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, an abnormal knocking noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they replaced the idler pulley however, the vehicle was not repaired, and the vehicle would not start. The contact called his son and towed the vehicle to his home. The contact then called the dealer where he arranged to have the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The dealer informed him that the failure was due to a defective timing chain; however, while repairing the vehicle, the dealer informed him that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact also mentioned that the middle rear seat belt would become stuck and would not unlatch as needed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was referred to NHTSA for further assistance. The contact replaced the engine himself. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000

- Plymouth, OH, USA

problem #195

Jun 092021

Traverse

  • miles
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 #194

Jun 092021

Traverse

  • miles
vehicle stalls at 40mph when slowing down and you have no power steering or any other engine running support. This is very dangerous it is hard to steer and stop, you coast till you you hopefully can find a safe area to stop and restart vehicle and drives normal until the next time you are above 40mph. no codes or mil lights. repeatable every time. Everyone in the vehicles safety is at risk and so is anyone else driving in our area, can't stop or steer fast with no engine support. has not been diagnosed by dealer yet. we are trying to get it in for diagnosis.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #193

Mar 102021

Traverse

  • 139,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud banging sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The front of the vehicle started shaking and vibrating before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine was damaged and needed to be replaced, due to a faulty oil pump seal which caused the engine rod to malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.

- Marrows, VA, USA

problem #192

Mar 012019

Traverse

  • 90,000 miles

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

At 90,000 miles I was driving and the vehicle just shut down. Loss of power steering, brakes locked up, engine died. Brought it home replaced battery and serpentine belt. Attempted to start, and took several tries. Once running there was a horrific loud knock coming from the engine. Towed to a mechanic who reported the engine would "throw a rod any time now" and that having looked the vehicle over it was no fault of my own. Fluids were all fresh and full, no debris in oil, no reason for failure. I'm now stuck with a loan on a car that failed way before industry standards. Do your job GM and help out your customers! I have heard of many other Traverse models in this year range having the same issue!

- Rohnert Park, CA, USA

problem #191

Jan 042021

Traverse

  • miles
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 #190

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 #189

Dec 032019

Traverse

  • miles
Engine began to make loud noise knocking noise while driving. Checked all fluids and they were all in good condition. Had a mechanic check, they said engine was shot and that they have seen a lot of the Traverse vehicles have engine failure.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #188

Nov 012020

Traverse

  • 150,000 miles
I was on the highway driving home from work and the car started making loud noises from the engine compartment. Had three different mechanic diagnosed the issue. All pointing towards the timing chain or possible engine replacement. The car has had maintenance regularly and well taken care of. Mechanic said that the Traverse has a lot of issues regarding the timing chain on a huge scale. I am at a loss road as to what can be done. I hooe that theteis a recall for this issue cause after reading so many people issues with their cars, it is wrong to just leave people stranded and hopeless to get back on the raod. Step up to the plate GM.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #187

Dec 192020

Traverse

  • 140,000 miles
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 #186

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 #185

Sep 092020

Traverse

  • miles
I purchased this car a month ago, didn't see any check engine light, but I now it is and it is a code related to the timing belts, it seems the car still work ok but sometimes starts shaking a litle. So I see there is a lot of complains about the same problem, I hope Chevrolet has a recall to solve this issue, becouse this is a very high cost repair.

- Addison, IL, USA

problem #184

Oct 012020

Traverse

  • 0 miles
Purchased the vehicle at the end of July and a couple of weeks after started noticing power fluctuation while driving and a knocking on the top part of the engine while driving, specially on the highway and decided to park it and wait for our shop to take a look at it. Apparently the timing chain needs replaced again despite of "issues already being corrected by the manufacturer'. this vehicle is around 98K-99K miles range and it might need the hole engine block replaced due to a sloppy recall repair. Spending 5K on a new engine that doesn't have even 100K seems ridiculous, but having people driving with the chance of malfunction a high speeds is very concerning.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #183

Jul 012020

Traverse

  • 116,000 miles
I bought this car used with 80,000 miles on it. A week after purchasing it I took it back to the dealership due to a burning oil smell and was told it was "normal Traverse smell". the smell kept getting worse but everywhere I took it they said it was normal. I have had the car for two years now and after taking it to a local mechanic, not a GM or Chevy mechanic, we were told it needs the timing belt replaced so we had that done. The burning oil smell never went away so I took it back and he found that the timing belt needs replaced after two months because a brass ring that was supposed to be replaced wasn't. this brass ring was never on the recall list so the previous owners knew nothing about it. Chevy knows they have a problem with this engine but they won't replace them. I am not stuck with a pile of junk that needs a new engine all because Chevy won't own up to their failure. Why not recall the brass ring instead of expecting people to fork out $6,000 for a new engine?

- Atkinson, NE, USA

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