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KLUNK
KLUNK

2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The Verdict

77 Solid Pick

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse has 86 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (24 complaints) and electrical (22 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 77/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Traverse, consider the 2023 model year which has 4% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2023 has 4% fewer complaints

View the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse dashboard →

77

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

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.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20092849446544
2010364145619638
2011239197722845
201212996512823
2013332476019
2014771425613521
20156761454716
20165231333723
20173881793312
2018902752123158
201998136284140
2020557229830
2021249222011
2022226111735
2023148162222
2024333753216
202523107161110

By Category

Body
24
Electrical
22
Engine
20
Transmission
11
Brakes
9

By Severity

1
29
2
53
4
4

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Engine 2

The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an inspection, where a leaking oil pan gasket was diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure had also occurred on a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse he owned. Although the vehicle had been taken to the dealer two months prior, the dealer did not find the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,400.

10d ago
Body 1

On [XXX] I purchased the vehicle from Bakersfield Hyundai within days I reported break failure and notified them about a noise that was coming from the SUV that sounded like a mini motorcycle, they first said (Xavier) that the noise would go away because it had just gotten serviced but they kept me there for four plus hours and said I had to take it back which I did and again I took it for break replacement and I told them the noise would get louder and sometimes it would smell inside the vehicle like vinegar again they did nothing they falsely said I declined to stay because of time Which I didn't I asked if they were able to provide me with a vehicle while mine could get serve since I have children that attend school to who they said no, so I couldn't stay longer I had to pick up my children from school this is my only vehicle so Hyundai would not do anything about the breaks nor that sound the vehicle started making beeming noises from across the dashboard the main screen freezes and not to mention the vehicle stalls I have to jump start it, also when I sent Hyundai a video of the exhaust pipe ruptured they automatically contact Chevy and vehicle has to be towed to them there was a very strong oder of vinegar and rotten eggs coming into the cabin to which I had let Hyundai dealership know but they didn't document they said I had to take it to Chevy now they replaced the pipe but the vehicle still has issues starting up the screen still freezes and once in a while I still get that smell of vinegar in the cabin I have paperwork from Chevy and Hyundai I also have video, pictures and txt from Hyundai personal admitting to knowing about the pipe leak not to mention I was exposed to this for about 40 minutes I had driven my children to school I had my OBGYN appointment to which I informed my doctor I was experiencing a headache and dizziness I thought it was because of early pregnancy not knowing it was carbon monoxide I miscarried that following day 4/13/26. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

23d ago
Engine 2

Check engine light came on and I noticed that the cooling fan would continue running for several minutes even after turning vehicle off. Had a mechanic run the diagnostics and the code came back as a thermostat/cooling issue. Although when I called to make an appointment and told him the issue and that it was a 2021 Traverse, he knew exactly what the issue was. He said that is a very common issue in all 2021 Chevy/GM engines. Online research provided a couple special coverages for repairs on 7 different GM vehicles from that same time period. Of course, the Traverse is one that is not included. Seems fairly obvious this was a GM engine issue from all vehicles in the 2021-2023 timeframe. Not sure how they can only pick out 7 models, but I am hoping an update can be made to add the Traverse and any other GM models that have that same 2021 engine.

2mo ago
Transmission 2

I am filing a safety complaint regarding two vehicles provided through Bob Hook Chevrolet in [XXX] . My Chevrolet Traverse has been at the dealership for approximately one month due to a transmission failure. The vehicle has remained unrepaired during that time. The transmission issue has made the vehicle unreliable and unsafe to operate. While my Traverse was in the shop, the dealership provided me with a Buick Enclave loaner vehicle. On Thursday, while driving the Enclave, the vehicle repeatedly stalled. The entire electrical system shut down, and the power steering failed and locked up. This created a very dangerous situation and made it difficult to safely control the vehicle in traffic. After reporting the breakdown and safety concerns, the dealership’s only solution was to return my Chevrolet Traverse to me even though it had not been repaired. I am concerned about the serious safety risks involving sudden stalling, electrical failure, loss of steering assist, and unresolved transmission problems. I request that these issues be investigated to determine whether defects exist that could endanger other drivers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2mo ago
Electrical 2

Alternator fail before 60,000 miles. Had the car almost 3 years and children in it. Apparently a known common issue yet no recall it’s not a reliable car

2mo ago
Body 2

While driving, the steering wheel became very hard to control. A system warning came up on the dashboard screen stating that the steering wheel was not working. With an 18-wheeler coming up behind me the decision to pull over was made. The left hand turn into an auto part store was made with much difficulty and so was trying to park. Gentleman inside inspected the vehicle and highly recommended NOT driving the vehicle since it was a safety issue not only for myself but others as well.

2mo ago
Transmission 1

The car sometimes will not accelerate in the 25-35 mph range and will begin to shudder and shake. This can be very dangerous when attempting to merge on a highway. This also happens when completely stopped and and then accelerating. It will shake and shudders until or not accelerate at all forcing you to take your foot off the gas and reapplying pressure slowly or slower than what should be. This shuddering can also happen at higher speeds as well. This will likely cause an accident at some point if this continues.

2mo ago
Electrical 4

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? My wife and daughter were both involved in a car accident. My wife was driving the speed limit (30-35 mph) when a car traveling in the opposite direction turned left into her lane, cutting her off, and causing a collision of the two vehicles. The front driver side of the Traverse contacted the other driver's passenger side. Upon collision, none of the airbags deployed. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My wife hit her face on the steering wheel and suffered a fractured nose, excessive bleeding, and head/neck pain. My daughter has bruising on her legs. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Police and paramedics responded to the scene and a police report was generated. My insurance company is currently assessing the damage, and the vehicle is being held in a lot. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No

3mo ago
Body 2

Rear camera failed; worked intermittently then failed completely. Dealer took two hours to supposedly diagnose it; did what they called a "reboot"; camera failed again immediately. Ordered component, $699.00, plus another two hours to install. $1,339 total to repair.

3mo ago
Transmission 1

I was driving and without any type of warning the car stopped shifting so I was barely touching the gas but my tac was all the way up.

4mo ago
Transmission 2

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH and stopping at a red light, the vehicle accelerated but failed to exceed 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the failure could not be replicated. The contact stated that on another occasion, while stopped and attempting to make a left turn onto a highway at 75 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

4mo ago
Engine 1

Both exhaust pipes before the catalytic converter are cracked and leaking at the same welded mounting bracket. One of them GM is coving under the extended warranty but the other one also needs replaced the turn off the engine warning light. It is allowing exhaust gas to leak under the car and is preventing the emissions from operating properly.

4mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to respond intermittently upon depression of the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the gear shifter failed to respond or responded slowly when releasing the gear shifter button intermittently. The gear shifter was easily moved to a different gear from unintended contact. While accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to respond, jerked, and made an abnormal sound while the RPMs were significantly elevated. The vehicle failed to respond upon shifting to reverse(R), and the gear shifter was sticky. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that there were fault codes found that were related to the transmission. An appointment was scheduled with the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

4mo ago
Transmission 2

I AM HAVING A LOT OF TRANSMISSION SHUDDER ESPECALLY WHEN ACCELERATING. NOTICED THAT CONSUMER REPORTS STATED IN THEIR MAGAZINE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY NHTSA HAS NOT MADE CHEVROLET DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER.

5mo ago
Transmission 2

I was driving 45 mph on a state route when all of a sudden my drive shaft bolt came completely out and split my drive shaft in two causing me to lose control. No damage at all or rust or anything is visible on the drive shaft. Could have caused a serious injury or worse. I just had a Multi Point Inspection done the day before the incident occurred

6mo ago
Body 2

UNKNOWN Steering assist reduced has been issued to the vehicle. Upon inspection we are being told that the steering rack needs to be replaced to resolve the issue.

6mo ago
Body 2

Shift to park message comes on 50% of the time when shutting down the engine, Tapping the shift lever forward sometimes Removes the message, other times restarting the engine and shifting to drive and back to park several times will remove the message

6mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the front exhaust pipe made an abnormally loud sound, and there was an odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

7mo ago
Body 1

The electronic stability control (ESC) system and power steering system malfunctioned. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The power steering warning indicated a potential loss or reduction of steering assist, which could have made it difficult to steer and control the vehicle—especially at higher speeds or in traffic. This posed a potential safety risk to me and others on the road. Yes. The issue was confirmed by my local Chevrolet dealership. They determined that a software update was required to correct the malfunction. The vehicle was inspected and serviced by my local Chevrolet dealership. It has not been inspected by police, insurance representatives, or others. Yes. Immediately after shifting from reverse into drive while backing down a driveway (at approximately 5–10 mph), two warning messages appeared: “Service ESC” and “Service Power Steering, Drive with Care.” There were no prior warning lights or symptoms before this occurred.

8mo ago
Electrical 1

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 49,000. It was later discovered, after checking the Carfax report, that the mileage was 75,000.

8mo ago

86 total

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