Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2014 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse faces significant airbag and electrical system issues, highlighted by multiple recalls and numerous complaints. Engine problems also appear commonly in owner reports. While this model's overall reliability may be concerning, it's important to carefully inspect any used Traverse for these problems before purchase, especially with limited data available on other potential issues.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 548 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #23V334000 Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V782000 Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V246000 Side Curtain Air Bags May be Unsecured NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V614000 Contamination of the Chassis Electronic Module NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V266000 Flexible Steel Cable for Seat Belt may Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V223000 Inaccurate Fuel Gauge Reading NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V092000 Broken Transmission Adjuster Cable/FMVSS 102/114 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 258 complaints
- Electrical System 127 complaints
- Engine 118 complaints
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 117 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 48 complaints
- Unknown or Other 44 complaints
Of the 548 complaints on file, 8 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 548 complaints, owners report 15 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Driver airbag inflator defect
How to check: Verify airbag recall repairs are completed with documentation.
Chassis electronic module short
How to check: Inspect dashboard for any warning lights or malfunctions.
Inaccurate fuel gauge reading
How to check: Check fuel gauge accuracy by comparing miles driven since last fill-up.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual engine noises or vibrations.
Red flag: Loud knocking or rough idling
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check dashboard for warning lights on start-up.
Red flag: Persistent warning lights
- 03
Initial acceleration
What to check: Feel for transmission smoothness when accelerating.
Red flag: Transmission hesitation or jerking
- 04
City driving
What to check: Observe braking performance for responsiveness.
Red flag: Unresponsive or weak braking
- 05
Low-speed maneuvers
What to check: Listen for noise from steering components.
Red flag: Clunking or grinding sounds
- 06
Highway acceleration
What to check: Monitor vehicle stability and control.
Red flag: Vehicle drifts or pulls to sides
- 07
Highway cruising
What to check: Watch for cruise control functionality.
Red flag: Inoperative cruise control
- 08
Parking
What to check: Check clarity and function of rearview camera if equipped.
Red flag: Blurry or non-functioning camera
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the airbag inflator recall been addressed?
- Have there been any recent electrical issues?
- How frequently is the oil changed?
- Are there any ongoing engine performance issues?
- Were any aftermarket modifications done?
- Is the vehicle's warranty still active?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Maintenance records
- Recall repair paperwork
- Vehicle title
- Accident history report
- Warranty documentation
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2014 Chevrolet Traverse? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.