2020 Chevrolet Traverse
The Verdict
The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse has 224 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (106 complaints) and body (57 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 50/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Traverse, consider the 2023 model year which has 61% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2023 has 61% fewer complaints
View the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible vehicles with Power In-floor Ramp conversion. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well pl...
Risk
A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the screw and clip, and inspect for signs of contact with the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Braun...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
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Worst Problems
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Complaints
The front intermediate exhaust pipe mounting bracket weld fractured at the engine manifold, causing the exhaust pipe to break completely loose. We can now actively smell raw exhaust fumes inside the passenger cabin while operating the vehicle, creating an immediate safety hazard for carbon monoxide poisoning and driver disorientation. Additionally, the heavy steel exhaust system is completely unsupported at the front, creating an imminent risk of the pipe falling and dragging on the roadway at highway speeds, which could cause a catastrophic crash. The vehicle began getting progressively louder during cold weather between late 2025 and early 2026. A certified Chevrolet dealership technician officially inspected the vehicle, filmed an inspection video confirming this exact structural failure, and attempted to submit it for warranty coverage. GM Corporate denied the claim solely because my VIN is excluded from Special Coverage N212356540, despite the vehicle suffering from the identical manufacturing defect described in the bulletin. I possess the official dealer repair receipt and the technician's inspection video as proof.
I am filing a complaint regarding a persistent safety defect widely known as the "Shift to Park" issue. For over a year, my 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, VIN [XXX] has repeatedly displayed a "Shift to Park" warning message on the instrument cluster when the vehicle is placed in Park and the engine shutoff button is pressed. This occurs multiple times weekly. Despite the vehicle physically being in Park, the internal shifter sensor fails to recognize the gear position. This defect prevents the vehicle from shutting down properly, leaving the electrical system active and causing severe battery drain. Furthermore, because the vehicle does not recognize it is in Park, it creates a roll away risk if the driver exits assuming the vehicle is fully secured. General Motors is aware of this widespread component failure across this vehicle platform but refuses to issue a safety recall or cover the repair costs out of warranty. This is a systemic manufacturing defect that presents a clear financial and safety hazard to consumers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Bracket on the exhaust pipes just before the flex pipes broke free and there is now a hole in the pipe.
I made an error and incorrectly submitted an issue under the wrong vehicle, with NHTSA Safety Issue ID 11759404. This is the same submission under the correct vehicle and VIN. Issue ID 11759404 can be merged here or canceled.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that over time the sound became louder. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cracked front exhaust pipe and battery failure. The contact was informed that the front exhaust pipe and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 84,701.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a loud sound coming from the exhaust pipes, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate, with exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the exhaust mounting bracket had failed, causing the exhaust pipes to separate and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under a manufacturer-extended coverage that was associated with the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Loses oil between oil changes. No visible signs of leaks or odor of burning oil.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping and there was a delay while the transmission was shifting gears. The vehicle was sputtering and jerking while driving. While turning out of a driveway and driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was contacted and informed that there was no recall on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but referred the owner back to the local dealer for assistance. There was no additional assistance provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150,970.
I own a 2020 Chevy Traverse with currently 16,000 miles. I am currently dealing with a know shudder issue that has returned. I have already taken the vehicle under warranty to the dealership where the transmission was replaced on 6/29/2022 at 4919 miles for “catastrophic failure” where the fluids were dark, burnt, and several burnt up clutches. Then the torque converter was replaced separately on 9/20/2022 at 8106 miles for engine shudder. Took the vehicle again in on 7/21/26 for shudder returning at 16,450k miles where diagnostic shows dark, burnt fluid, with metal debri. Repair recommendations are to flush again and if not fixed to again replace the torque converter. There are no open recalls on my vehicle when there should. There is the most recent bulletin, Bulletin No.: 23-NA-072 dated May 2023 that covers the 2020 Chevy Traverse for TCC Shudder: (Typically seen on 4th-5th Upshift as ISS Oscillation) which is referenced on my last car diagnostic report. This car is basically brand new and should never have needed a brand new transmission, torque converter replacement and still having shudder problems. These vehicles need to be recalled for their power train.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P); however, the “Shift to Park” message was displayed. The contact shifted the gear shifter back and forth and then shifted into park(P) before the proper gear was recognized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the gear shifter. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,818.
GM published bulletin PIP5681A on 10/05/20 regarding defective welds on the exhaust brackets near the catalytic converter. I had the same exact weld failure and GM is not honoring the warranty coverage, even though their bulletin said that all 2020 Traverse SUVs were included.
There is a well known exhaust issue with the catalytic converter and the separating manifold and no recall has been issue yet. It causes the vehicle to lose pressure and shuts off in the middle of traffic. The seat belt secure locks are malfunctioning and could cause loss of life in the event of an accident.
I own a 2020 Chevy Traverse with currently 16,000 miles. I am currently dealing with a know shudder issue that has returned. I have already taken the vehicle under warranty to the dealership where the transmission was replaced on 6/29/2022 at 4919 miles then the torque converter was replaced separately on 9/20/2022 at 8106 miles for engine shudder. This vehicle is practically brand new. I reached out to GM with no help other than to pay to have it diagnosed again at the dealership. There are no open recalls on my vehicle when there should. There is the most recent bulletin, Bulletin No.: 23-NA-072 dated May 2023 that covers the 2020 Chevy Traverse for TCC Shudder: (Typically seen on 4th-5th Upshift as ISS Oscillation) This car is brand new and should never have needed a brand new transmission, torque converter replacement and still having the exact same problems as before.
The welds that hold the catalytic converter and exhaust pipe together have pinhole leaks. The hose that connects to the exhaust system is also failing. This has been confirmed by the Chevy dealership we took it too. No warning lights were triggered. We heard a rattling noise after having a prior hose replaced. One week later we were back at the same dealership. At this appointment they discovered the pinhole leaks and confirmed there are pinhole leaks while revving the engine to 1,000 RPMs. We requested GM pay to fix the issue and they have refused. Our safety is at risk because no sensors were triggered and we could smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle while using the air conditioning. This is not the first issue we had with this vehicle. Prior to this the whole car died while my wife was driving it with our 2 kids in the car with her. She had no steering or braking.
Getting error message on and off last several weeks - "Shift into park" which does not allow the ignition to be turned off!! The only way to resolve this issue is to jiggle the gear shift or restart the car, changing gears and trying again. Sometimes it works on the second or third try! Frustrating!!! What is it doing to the shift assembly? Have called local dealer they will diagnose and repair at my cost! In the neighborhood of $250.00 for diagnostic, which will be applied to the total repair costs. No idea what that bill will be. General Motors just advises if it needs repair save my receipts in the event of recall for reimbursement. The car only has 21,600 miles!! I have seen other complaints on line and there are videos on You Tube on how to repair this issue, obviously I'm not the only one this is happening to. The gear shift boot and console have to be removed to repair. If the above actions do not work, how do you shut the ignition off??? Just let the car run until it's out of gas??? Not what I would classify as safe! General Motors should be taking steps to rectify this problem immediately but since they have not had "enough" complaints to warrant investigating further they are sitting idly by! HELP!
This is a know issue on 2021 models. The exhaust bracket is breaking away from the muffler/catalytic converter. The weld is breaking causing the exhaust to break away and both pipes must be replaced resulting in a 1500 repair. Why if it bad in later years is there no maintenance bulletin or mandatory fix for the 2020 models? It was repaired and fixed by McClusky Chevrolet in Cincinnati OH.
Flex pipe for exhaust is broken at 61000 miles rattles and makes noise upon start up and acceleration.doesnt make sense repairs for model years before and after 2020 are being repaired for free
While driving the stereo went off, the ac, the car stopped in middle of the road and I lost all electrical. I tried turning back on and the emergency brake light was on and the dash said "Steering Assist is Reduced, Drive with Care.” I was able to put it in neutral and get it out of the way. Battery is good Fuses were all checked 350 replaced Car isn’t starting or Turing over, but some of the lights have turned on.
Brakes have screeching noise Transmission jumps when changing gear The shift to park is so constant can not even go out because it takes more than 20 to 30 tries for it to accept park and turn Vehicle off! I have taken it to the dealer for the concern stated no recall or warranty At this point I am afraid to even leave it in shift to park and walk to the store and it gets stolen or leaves me stranded with my children
2020 Chevrolet Traverse started to shudder and hard shift between 25 to 30 miles per hour. Vehicle only has 64,925 miles on it (4,925 miles above warranty). Vehicle was taken to garage and told the torque converter along with valve body was needed to be replaced. The torque converter malfunctioned right after warranty expired due to mileage and could have left my family stranded on the side of the road. The components have been inspected by Chevrolet manufacturer and they deemed they needed to be replaced and replaced them. No lights or anything came on the only sign was the shudder and hard shift which if not taken in immediately could put the owner past the warranty mileage. Vehicle was purchased brand new and routine maintenance conducted.
224 total