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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.

9.4

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$5,210
Average Mileage:
88,900 miles
Total Complaints:
27 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replaced engine (17 reports)
  2. not sure (8 reports)
  3. replace timing chain (2 reports)
2011 Chevrolet Traverse engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #7

Jun 292015

Traverse LT 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

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

This car is a death trap. It quit going down the road! NO warning, no service engine, no lights, no NOTHING!!! I drive my children in this car daily and it is not AT ALL SAFE. I for one did not expect to buy a 38,000.00 car and have a blown motor 4 years later. I treated that car well serviced it as it needed parked in a garage and overall took very great care of this car. I used to actually like it a lot until this ongoing issue with it.

I have replaced the throttle body as I too had the traction control issue service stablitrack, where the car lost all power just all of a sudden with out a warning. I live in Vermont and our last winter was horrendous, to say the least. I lost control and power in my car several times being stranded in a snow storm with two kids.

I will never get back into that car. It scares and is not worth risking my life for. GET IT TOGETHER GM AND HONOR this poor product and start recalling your junk 2011 Traverse's yet you recall the 2010 and the same idiots making them did not address the problem in the new 2011's.

I have contacted the congressional office and I will be going as far as I need to make sure GM honors and stands by the poor product that they are making an selling to the American public who buy GM products thinking it is worth it when it is not. This is nothing anyone wants to buy to high priced to be fixing a motor 4 years in. It is a scam and a joke and an insult. GM is too busy making junk and is a disgrace to the USA. I mean come on GM you have cars from 1995 still on the road but MY 2011 TRAVERSE NEEDS AN ENGINE. What a shame!!!!!

- chapsmom, Rutland, VT, US

problem #6

Dec 022013

Traverse LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I feel we all should come together and boycott GM until they treat their loyal customers with the same loyalty that we give them. They keep robbing everyone for their money and waiting five and ten years later to call a recall after they done suckered everybody for years out of their money and its nothing we can do at least I don't know what to do!

- Darnell L., Detroit, MI, US

problem #5

Mar 052015

Traverse LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

I was driving out of town on the highway and my car started making a strange noise. Within 30 seconds there was a small "explosion" and lots of smoke coming from behind the car and all power was lost! I was traveling at 75 mph at the time, so this could have been deadly - no power steering to get myself to the side of the interstate. Luckily, I managed and waited for a tow truck (in 5 degree weather with no heat!). Mechanic told me it was the equivalent of someone having a sudden and fatal heart attack. Needs a whole new engine! Luckily still covered under the power train warranty, but not sure how confident I am in continuing to drive it, let alone any other Chevy!

- Nancy W., Plymouth, MN, US

problem #4

Dec 232014

Traverse LT 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

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

Went to put new tires on my vehicle. My son and I got up about 9:00 am and headed to Winder with no problems at all with the vehicle. We went to Walmart and to grocery store as well. About 12:30 on our way home, about 10 minutes from home, vehicle motor started knocking and engine shut off. Thank god I had slowed down when it started knocking because I lost all power. Had I been going the speed limit I might not have been able to control it since we were in a curve and we could of had an awful wreck. I put the vehicle in neutral while still rolling and it started back up only to make the most horrific knocking grinding sound I have ever heard and engine shut off again and would not start back. I had to call roadside assistance and have it towed to dealership. There were never any warning signs. No lights came on except the engine light started flashing the second time. I have a service records. All maintenance has been done when needed to be done.

I know all about bad car wrecks because in 2007 I broke my neck and was injured badly in a wreck. Was told I may never walk again but thanks to god I can. That was one of the most deciding issues in buying the Traverse when I went back to driving. It had such a high safety My child was not with me in that wreck but was with me when this happened and I could have seriously injured him had I not been able to control the vehicle. The Chevy Traverse is very heavy and hard to control when all power is lost. I am livid! There was no warning! I do not know what happened or what is wrong with vehicle yet but powertrain is still under warranty.

Due to the fact though I have maintained this vehicle exactly as Chevrolet recommends, I will not pay a dime. I will get a lawyer and do what I have to do. It is time that Chevrolet puts its customers before its profits and I have never had any other make of vehicle. My husband's dad and all his brothers retired from GM so we are definitely a committed family, but I am not any more. This could have turned out very bad and the thought of my son being hurt makes my blood boil.

- cshaw, Pendergrass, GA, US

problem #3

Jul 112014

Traverse

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,000 miles

Last evening about 11pm I am driving my 2011 Traverse on the back roads when all of a sudden it chugs a little then starts making this god awful clanking noise. I pulled over, turned it off and restarted it. Same noise. So I was going to turn around and go home. Once I backed out of a drive way and started to go forward, it just dies. At this point it is diagonal across the road. There are still good people in the world because a mother with two teenage sons helped me to push it to the side of the road. My husband came to where I was at and started to do the normal checks. Everything was fine until he checked the oil. It was bone dry. Where had all my oil gone? There has been no markings or dripping where I park. My change oil light came on the day before but it has come on in the past with no concerns. I have read on line that this has happened to a lot of people. I am sure it is going to entail something that we can not afford like a new engine. I am at a loss.

- Betsy S., North Webster, IN, US

problem #2

Feb 012013

Traverse

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

Leased this vehicle NEW. Have had engine replaced twice in 2 years. Just driving along & engine will seize & not restart. Most recent issues have been engine will run, but all electrical goes out. This has happened 3 times in past 3 months. Vehicle is in shop more than at home.

- Karen L., Valparaiso, IN, US

problem #1

May 272013

Traverse 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

I had taken my car to dealer with engine noise rite away. they came out claiming that it was the oil filter brand that caused the problem. they told me I would most likely have to pay for the whole engine replacement.

they actually called me asking how many Chevy's I hand owned in my life that this would be considered toward weather they would pay part or all if anything. I flat out told them no way was I paying. I payed extra for extended warranty and this is the crap I get. they insisted that the oil filter be sent out for analyses. pointed out to them the federal law (magnuson-moss warranty act US code -title 15 chapter 50 sections 2301-12 ) this law states they cant tell you or specify witch brand you have to use. filter was sent out any way. mean while im without a car and they wont provide me with one that is within my warranty right. they claimed that I would have to pay for the rental car till it was determine who's fault the engine damage was. after several weeks with out my car and no results they called and offered to pay 50%. I still refused asking for them to explain how an engine with this few miles loses oil without leeking and causes bearing damage. they had no comment. also the filter representative had taken pictures of the top and bottom of the open engine it appeared that some one had placed this nasty gooey stuff on top of one of the pistons. ive bin in auto mechanics for 20 years ant no way gooey wet gunk would remain on top of the piston. it either burns up or goes out the exhaust valve. after I pointed out all these facts and surched thoroughly on the internet and found that several others were reporting the same problems and that I was in contact with a lawyer they called back the very next day and said they were sorry for any inconvenience and GM was going to replace my engine 100% and they would work quickly to get my car back to me (its been 30 days at this point). its been 5 days since the last phone call still don't have a car. What a bunch of BS. ive been a die hard chevy man my whole life this has put a real bad tast in my mouth for chevy by the way. I own right now five chevy trucks, one chevy work van and a gmc work van. when they asked I told them this. it made no difference. in there very stiff answer that it wasent there fault the engine faled??? then whos is it??? I still prefure a chevy truck but beware and be ready to stand firm and do your resurch when they try and pull this crap on other people Good Luck

- Luke R., Harrison Valley, PA, US

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