Owners have reported 9 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints173
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the power train of the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, particularly involving the "Shift to Park" message that prevents the vehicle from recognizing it is in park, often requiring manipulation of the gear shifter to resolve. Complaints frequently mention problems with the transmission, including failure to engage reverse and the need for complete transmission replacement, sometimes as early as 65,000 miles. Symptoms described include vehicle vibrations, inability to turn off the vehicle, and unintended vehicle movement even when parked. Safety implications are noted, with one incident involving a crash and multiple reports of vehicles stalling or losing power while driving. These patterns suggest potential concerns for used car buyers considering this model, especially regarding costly repairs and safety risks.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints60
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the "Shift to Park" error in the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, where the vehicle fails to recognize it is in park, preventing the car from shutting off and potentially draining the battery. This problem often requires repeated attempts to resolve and is commonly mentioned at various mileage points, with some reports starting as early as 26,000 miles. Additionally, multiple owners describe recurring alternator failures and related electrical issues that can lead to vehicle stalling, with some incidents occurring while driving. Safety implications include the potential for loss of control and battery drainage, which could leave the vehicle inoperable. These patterns suggest buyers should be aware of potential electrical system concerns when considering this model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints59
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report persistent issues with the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse related to the "Shift to Park" error, where the vehicle fails to recognize when it is in the park position. This problem often prevents the vehicle from shutting down properly, leading to battery drainage and difficulty locking the car. Complaints frequently mention this issue persisting over several years, with some owners experiencing it as early as 2022. Additionally, there are reports of exhaust system problems, including rattling noises and fissures in the catalytic converter. While one complaint involves a crash and another a fire, the data does not provide detailed context on these events. These issues, particularly the "Shift to Park" error, are significant for potential buyers to consider, as they may involve costly repairs and impact the vehicle's usability.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints19
ENGINE
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse frequently report issues with the exhaust system, particularly involving broken or poorly welded brackets on the exhaust flex pipe, which can lead to exhaust leaks and cracked catalytic converters. Complaints often mention check engine lights and error codes like P0420, with some issues appearing around 33,000 to 63,000 miles. Additionally, there are reports of problems with the purge valve affecting emissions systems, causing rough idling and stalling with check engine lights illuminated, typically around 60,000 to 93,000 miles. A few complaints also describe sudden loss of power or stalling while driving, which could pose safety risks, but no crashes or fires are reported. These patterns suggest potential reliability concerns for used car buyers considering this model.
Owner complaints18
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse frequently report issues with the electric parking brake, including malfunctions that prevent the brake from setting or releasing properly, which can lead to the vehicle rolling unexpectedly. Several complaints describe the electronic parking brake engaging while driving, causing smoke from overheating brakes. Reports also highlight "shift to park" issues where the vehicle does not recognize when it is in park, making it difficult to turn off the vehicle. Symptoms often occur at various mileages, with some incidents noted as early as 35,000 miles. Safety implications include a crash resulting from the vehicle rolling while parked on a slope, and multiple instances of unintended brake engagement while driving, posing a risk of loss of control. These issues are significant for used car buyers considering this model year.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners report frequent issues with the exhaust system of the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, including cracked exhaust manifolds, fractured exhaust pipes, and catalytic converter failures. Common symptoms described include loud engine noises, exhaust fumes entering the cabin, and illuminated check engine lights. These problems often occur at mileages ranging from approximately 30,000 to over 182,000 miles. Several complaints highlight safety concerns due to exhaust fumes affecting occupants' health and the vehicle losing motive power. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the potential need for exhaust system repairs in this model year.
Owner complaints13
STEERING
Owners report frequent issues with the steering system of the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, often involving sudden power steering failure, which results in difficulty steering the vehicle. Symptoms commonly described include error messages such as "Power Steering Assist Warning" or "Assisted Steering is Limited," and the steering wheel becoming hard to turn while driving. These issues appear at various mileages, with some vehicles experiencing problems as early as 552 miles. Additionally, some complaints mention associated problems with the Stabilitrak system, leading to vehicle stalls and loss of control, particularly at low speeds or when accelerating from a stop. Safety implications are evident, with several owners expressing concern about the potential for accidents due to the sudden loss of steering control.
Owner complaints9
SEAT BELTS
Owners report recurring issues with the seat belts in the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, particularly with buckles failing to latch or remain latched. Complaints frequently mention that the seat belts in both the passenger and driver seats, as well as the second-row middle seat, either do not extend, fail to secure, or release unexpectedly. These problems are reported at varying mileages, with some occurring well before 30,000 miles. The inability to securely fasten seat belts poses a significant safety risk, as it may prevent proper occupant restraint in the event of a collision. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these potential seat belt malfunctions, especially as some owners report difficulty obtaining warranty coverage for repairs.
Owner complaints8
SUSPENSION
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse frequently report issues with the rear suspension, particularly involving the rear toe links and control arms. Complaints often describe failures such as broken sway bar links and rust-related detachment of suspension components, with some incidents occurring around 46,000 to 51,000 miles. Symptoms include a shimmy or grinding feeling when driving and visible rust on suspension parts, raising concerns about potential loss of vehicle control. These patterns suggest that used car buyers should be cautious of suspension component integrity and inspect for rust and wear, especially in vehicles with similar mileage.
Owner complaints5
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse frequently report issues with airbag non-deployment during crashes. Complaints often describe severe accidents where no airbags deployed, even with significant vehicle damage, such as engine displacement and total vehicle loss. Two incidents also note that OnStar did not activate. These reports involve vehicles with varying mileage, including one with as low as 3,000 miles. Additionally, one complaint describes a vehicle catching fire after a minor accident. Buyers should be aware of the potential safety implications given the involvement of crashes, injuries, and a fire in these reports.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 1 fire, 2 injury reports
