NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Chevrolet Traverse Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 292 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 Chevrolet Traverse owner complaints

Owners have filed 292 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, describing incidents dated October 1, 2015 to September 1, 2026.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 163 complaints
Power Train 37 complaints
Engine 31 complaints
Electrical System 26 complaints
Steering 24 complaints
Unknown or Other 19 complaints

Of the 292 complaints on file, 8 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 292 complaints, owners report 15 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11765991 · Filed September 21, 2026
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…
ODI #11752464 · Filed July 23, 2026
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…
ODI #11733800 · Filed April 25, 2026
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).

Read all 292 complaints

Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #23V334000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported May 10, 2023 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 995,085 vehicles

Repair completion: 50.79% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N232404980 · Owners notified February 23, 2024 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #21V782000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported October 7, 2021 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 555 vehicles

Repair completion: 75.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N212349040 · Owners notified January 10, 2022 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Side Curtain Air Bags May be Unsecured

NHTSA #21V246000 · Air Bags — Critical Fasteners · NHTSA notice

Reported April 8, 2021 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 108 vehicles

Repair completion: 50% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N202321200 · Owners notified May 24, 2021

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Third Row Seat Frame may be Incorrectly Welded

NHTSA #15V833000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported December 11, 2015 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 2,633 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.97% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 21930 · Owners notified January 28, 2016 · Vehicles built November 6, 2015 – November 12, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Front Windshield Wiper Motor may Overheat

NHTSA #15V609000 · Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Motor · NHTSA notice

Reported September 29, 2015 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 29,295 vehicles

Repair completion: 99.15% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 15780/15789 · Owners notified September 30, 2015 · Vehicles built August 18, 2015 – September 24, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2016 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

16% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional) Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

2016 Chevrolet Traverse SUV FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

17% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional) Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

292 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse.

Power Train; Vehicle Speed Control; Service Brakes

ODI #11765991

Incident: September 1, 2026 · Filed: September 21, 2026

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 showed that there is an issue with the braking switch (code C0161-00 ABS Brake Switch Circuit). A local mechanic replaced a fuse and the brake switch but the Traction Control/StabiliTrak issue hasn't been fixed. He's tried everything but the problem won't go away. Apparently this an ongoing problem with many Traverses.

Air Bags

ODI #11752464

Incident: July 23, 2026 · Filed: July 23, 2026

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.

Power Train

ODI #11733800

Incident: April 13, 2026 · Filed: April 25, 2026

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).

Air Bags

ODI #11723198

Incident: February 1, 2026 · Filed: March 10, 2026

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 get back to me next week. This has been going on for a month. My grandchildren are often passengers in this vehicle and I have major concerns for their safety. It should not take 2 years to get this issue resolved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags

ODI #11720675

Incident: May 10, 2023 · Filed: February 26, 2026

The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (AIR BAGS) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

Power Train

ODI #11714092

Incident: December 10, 2024 · Filed: January 28, 2026

the transmission lost power and almost caused an accident with the vehicle behind me

Air Bags

ODI #11711165

Incident: January 15, 2026 · Filed: January 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed that parts were in the warehouse, but no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Air Bags

ODI #11699825

Incident: July 1, 2025 · Filed: November 17, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was made aware of the issue and stated that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that a call would be received when parts became available; however, the contact had not yet received a call. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Power Train

ODI #11698126

Incident: November 7, 2025 · Filed: November 7, 2025

Transmission solenoid. Common. Needs to be reported. Its know as the week link to this vehicle. The manufacturer knows and there are many complaints. This vehicle needs to be recalled. Safety concern while driving.

Power Train; Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Engine

ODI #11692570

Incident: April 10, 2025 · Filed: October 10, 2025

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 that later, when the vehicle was picked up, while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Stability Control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lunged forward while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to another dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and had referred the contact to the second dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Other Chevrolet Traverse model years

Check your 2016 Chevrolet Traverse VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Traverse at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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