This vehicle is notorious for multiple electrical failures. The alternator fried the battery fried, both of which were replaced. This vehicle still wouldn't start. The wiring harness to the PCM is notorious for having shorts. The pcm itself is notorious for going out really early. This vehicle is almost undrivable and it dies while you're in the middle of driving where you can't stop. I do not know how this vehicle has been kept on the market without being recalled. I do not know how more people haven't been in accidents because of it. And even worse, it's notorious for the airbags messing up. I think I would be more understanding if it weren't for the fact that this vehicle has been well maintained. It has regular maintenance. It's never overdue for an oil change or a fluid top up. I have children that ride in this vehicle and now I have to worry about their safety.
2011 Chevrolet Traverse airbags problems
43 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 45,000. 8 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 43
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 45,000
- crashes
- 8
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Chevrolet Traverse airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
- 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.
Recall number 21V246000 · Recall details
Air bags: side/window
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Chevrolet owners at 1‑866‑694‑6546, Saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000, and GMC owners at 1‑866‑996‑9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.
Recall number 14V118000 · Recall details
What 2011 Chevrolet Traverse owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
side curtain airbags deployed driving 70 mph on I94 outside of Monticello, MN after drifting onto the rumble strip. Upon turning back there was a loud bang from the side airbags deploying. The drivers side came down and hit my daughter in the side of the head, the passenger side didn't come down all the way missing my 86 year old Mom as she is 5 ft tall. My daugther by some miracle didn't panic and veer into other traffic lanes with other vehicles driving 70 mph. GM is denying a problem and insinuating that something other than defect caused the airbags to deploy, even though there is nothing but rumble strips on the section of road. They are blaming some minor scraps on the side of the vehicle that were existing on a 2011 Traverse.
Service air bag comes on as well as it won't detect if someone is in the passenger seat. I had this issue serviced at the dealership twice. The issue has returned both times. My vehicle is continuing to have this problem. Service for airbag repair on 12/18/2020 and on 12/10/2021. Problem returned and continues to this day.
Service air bag comes on as well as it wont detect if someone is in the passenger seat. Apparently A LOT of people are having this issue how is it not a recall yet????
Service airbag warning on display, potential safety issue.
On the dashboard come on service air bag
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet traverse. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The contact also stated that the passenger air bag warning indicator remained in the off position while the seat was occupied. The contact reached out to the manufacturer, but was unable to speak with a representative. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
My service airbags front driver wire harness and connector no radio no blue tooth
**timing belt recall** I was driving my vehicle on the local parkway and it lost power while I was driving it then started riding rough as if the tires were wobbling then I went to make a left turn and it started making a reeving noise during the turn. I had the car towed to the auto shop and I was told there was no oil leaks but the oil was low and also I had to replace the timing chain on my vehicle.
Out of no where my air bag lights came on. The sensor in the passenger seat isnt detecting weight and stays off all the time now, also my service airbag light is on for the driver as well. I am also having power steering issues as well. My power steering fluid is full, no leaks but the steering is hard to turn. Had the steering pump checked and was told nothing was wrong with it. My last issue is with the speakers they cut in and cut out all the time and nine times out of ten I only have my tweeters for sound. Very disappointed with chevy right now.
Questions about the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse airbags
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 43 complaints about the airbags of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, 7% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Traverse airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 45,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 21V246000, 14V118000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Traverse have bad airbags?
The Chevrolet Traverse model years with the most airbags complaints are 2017 (263 complaints), 2014 (259 complaints) and 2015 (163 complaints).
Other 2011 Chevrolet Traverse problems
Engine 213Steering 165Driver assistance 116Transmission 79Electrical 67Acceleration 58Brakes 31Fuel system 26Body 21Seat belts 21Visibility 21Suspension 14Lights 7Wheels 7Seats 5Tires 3
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