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2016 Chevrolet Traverse problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 5safety recalls
- 292owner complaints
- 8crash reports
- 1fire report
- 15injuries reported
292 complaints, against an average of 249 for the other 14 Chevrolet Traverse model years.
Every Chevrolet Traverse model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
The components named most often in the 292 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2016 Chevrolet Traverse owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 292 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Traverse stall, lose power or shut off while driving?18 owners · 6.2%
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?18 owners · 6.2%
- Why are the ABS and stability control lights on in my 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?12 owners · 4.1%
- Has the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse had transmission failures?9 owners · 3.1%
Has the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse been recalled?
5 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Air Bags: Frontal: Driver Side: Inflator Module General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
Air Bags: Frontal General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.
Air Bags: Critical Fasteners General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Risk: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
Seats General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
Risk: If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.
Visibility: Windshield Wiper/Washer: Motor General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
Risk: A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.
What do 2016 Chevrolet Traverse owners report?
12 of the 292 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
My 2016 Chevy Traverse LT with 108,750 miles had issues with the rear brake lights, and the Traction Control light would come on and the Traction Control turns off. A message appears on the dash that shows Service StabiliTrak. When I drive the vehicle to accelerate it shakes, jerks and shudders, and then it rides fine for a bit but the Traction Control is still off. I also noticed that the cruise control doesn't work either. I decided to wait a few more days hoping it would clear out, which it did for a day but the problem returned. I took the Traverse to AutoZone to use an OBD2 scanner and it…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that four local dealers were contacted. The contact was informed that parts were on back order. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure associated with the unrepaired recall repair.
The vehicle only has 145,xxx miles and I experience a "shudder" which could be caused by torque converter issues, often felt at highway speeds (approx. 40-60 mph).
There is an open recall on my 2016 Chevrolet Traverse that I have been trying to get resolved for almost 2 years. I finally opened a case with GM (#{XXX]) back on February 15, 2026 in an effort to escalate the repair. I received a call from a GM rep who has been less than helpful telling me the recall was completed in February of 2024 at a dealership in South Carolina. I explained to him that my vehicle is housed in Florida and has never been to South Carolina. It is clear he is not interested in finding a resolution to my issue. He calls once a week to inform me he's working on it and will…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was retrieved from a dealer after a recall regarding the air bags; however, while driving approximately 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact stated that the Stability Control warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to the dealer, and the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle remained with the dealer for 2 months and the dealer attempted to perform the air bag recall again. The contact stated…
Front lights started dimming about the middle of April 2025 and now both back lights are out at the same time on June 3rd 2025.The car makes a rough grinding noise as it switches gears.
I had to replace the timing chain. I had to replace the Torque Converter. New issues: Interior lights on the dash and radio have been going out while driving. Message center warning has been not working sometimes when using remote start in winter. Sometimes it just goes blank while driving.
The big problem when I drive is that it is not safe, it jerks when I start to accelerate. I took it to the nearest dealer to have the problem fixed. And they do not want to fix the problem and now I just want to get this vehicle off the roads. I do not want to cause an accident and put my family at risk.
2 issues: 1: Brakes did not stop car nor did the abs braking system kick in causing the car to not stop on full demand! 2 cars slammed on their brakes at a yellow light instead of going thru causing a small number kiss Was going 35mph and when braking, car didn’t fully stop and out brakes tho to the floor. Abs did not kick in. No lights on dash board. 2: The very Next morning, The traction control light came on saying service the stabilitrak, traction control. The car ins denied it was from car accident. When The traction control light comes on the dashboard, by itself) it causes the car to…
I have a 2016 Chevy Traverse. The “traction control off” light has been on for about 2 months now, along with the service stabilitrak light, and ABS light. When driving it seems is if though my ABS is kicking in when it should not be. Since those lights have been on, the left passenger brakes seem to also be affected. Anytime I first begin driving until I hit about 30mph, or anytime I press the brakes, it feels like my brakes are locking up…or a better way to describe it is when driving in the snow and your ABS kicks in and you can feel it in your brake pedal like the brakes are locked up, but…
Power steering pump in the car had low pressure causing the steering wheel to barely turn or have a hard time turning the wheel. This put me and my family at risk while driving because when making turns it would feel like it was locking up which almost would cause accidents not being able to turn the wheel all the way to make the turn. I ended up having to pay 1309 to have a new power steering pump put in.
I WAS DRIVING MY 2016 TRAVERSE AFTER A CANCER TREATMENT HOME WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MSGS ON MY DASH STARTED APPEARIBG. SERVICE STABILITRAK, TRACTION CONTROL OFF. THE CAR STARTED SHUTTERING AND THE GUY BEHIND ME REAR ENDED ME WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. SINCE THEN I HAVE PUT 2 POWER STEERING PUMPS IN, AND HAD IT ST THE SHOP FOR SEVERAL TIMES THAT IT HAD SAID ABOUT SERVICIB SRABILITRAK. I HAVE READ OVER 300 HRS OF COMPLAINTS GAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE STABILITRSK. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED SPEED SENSORS AND MODULES. THIS IS A TRASH VECHILE AND NO ONE FROM GM CARES OR RESPONDS. WHEN SOMEONE CHILD…
2016 Chevrolet Traverse: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 292 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse; the most common categories were air bags (163, 55.8%), power train (37, 12.7%), engine (31, 10.6%). There are 5 safety recalls. 8 complaints mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 15 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
Across 292 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are air bags (55.8% of complaints), power train (12.7% of complaints), engine (10.6% of complaints), electrical system (8.9% of complaints), steering (8.2% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse; the most recent (campaign 23V334000, 2023-05-10) concerns Air Bags: Frontal: Driver Side: Inflator Module. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Traverse stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
18 of the 292 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse (6.2%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "Vehicle stalled going down the road. Warranty covered for new engine replacement. Then it was found that the transmission was no good. Warranty paid for new transmission. Vehicle still acting like it wants to stall after new engine, transmission, and battery." (NHTSA complaint 11507726, February 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
18 of the 292 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse (6.2%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "While driving down hwy 175, vehicles check engine light came on with message 'service stabilitrak' followed by an abrupt loss of power. happens regularly and without warning." (NHTSA complaint 11373736, November 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why are the ABS and stability control lights on in my 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
12 of the 292 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse (4.1%) describe ABS, traction or stability control warnings or faults. One owner wrote: "While driving down the expressway the vehicles stabilitrak light came on, there was a loss of power - which could have caused an crash at high speeds. the stabilitrak light has come on several time now, then the abs light, then the check engine light." (NHTSA complaint 11253374, September 2019). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Has the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse had transmission failures?
9 of the 292 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse (3.1%) describe transmission failure, slipping or a replaced transmission. One owner wrote: "Automatic transmission failure at only 62,169 miles. No reverse, slipping in drive. Towed 2016 Chevy Traverse to AAMCO Transmission Total Car Care and had to replace the transmission." (NHTSA complaint 11527375, June 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Traverse
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2016 only.