2011 Chevrolet Traverse: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 8, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · MI

Components related to timing chain failed, and vehicle is currently available with plans to sell to a salvage yard by 10/25/24. My 9 year old and I were at risk of collision when the vehicle failed. I was driving approximately 70-75 mph when we started to lose power. At 65 mph, I managed to cross 2 lanes of highway traffic and stopped on the shoulder. I turned off my vehicle and waited several minutes, hoping it would help reset or cool off a component or something. I had to try a couple of times before it started, and I attempted to drive as safely as I could, made it to 60 mph before it stopped running completely. I had to pull hard on the steering wheel to get to the shoulder again, only this time, the shoulder was pinched off in front of us and around a small blind spot behind us. I had my daughter move to the side closer to the cement barrier while waiting for a tow truck. She became very nervous about how close some of the other vehicles got. Afterwards, the error codes indicated several components pointing to a timing chain problem. I had the timing chain repaired around April or May of 2023 by a certified mechanic. I watched the oil life percentage and oil temperature gauge consistently. Everything indicated as normal, but I had difficulty pulling out the dipstick to check the oil level. Since it was hard to get a good reading, I tried to add some oil and recheck. The oil cap was nearly impossible to open, so I decided to wait for an oil tech to do it. Around 40-50% oil life, I had planned to have the oil changed. In spite of my efforts to maintain proper oil quality, the oil cap had to be opened with a wrench. Smoke rose out and dried out oil residue lined the inner walls. It was about a quart low. I don’t drive hard on it and it had only been around 3,000 miles between oil changes. It had been one year since the timing chain was replaced. Error codes remain and the vehicle runs rough if it stays on long enough after much effort to start it.

Filed Sep 10, 2022 · Engine · KY

Engine failed at 182,000 miles. No warning. No indicator lights. Speed was 45+ miles per hour on 2-lane highway. Loss of engine power resulted in loss of steering control. Very hard to maneuver as vehicle coasted to stop at side of road. Put all occupants in a dangerous situation due to significantly reduced vehicle control. Vehicle would not re-start (or attempt to turn over) after failure. Towed to local shop. Local, trusted auto service center reported engine had “locked up” potentially due to low oil pressure. Again, no indication lights and routine, full oil service completed just 2500 miles prior. Engine was replaced after cost-benefit analysis of current car market prices and availability and the well-maintained condition of the vehicle overall. Concerns: Loss of control. Disappointments: One of many reliability issues with this vehicle that was purchased new in January 2011.

Filed Mar 18, 2021 · Engine · 90,000 miles · CA

At 90,000 miles I was driving and the vehicle just shut down. Loss of power steering, brakes locked up, engine died. Brought it home replaced battery and serpentine belt. Attempted to start, and took several tries. Once running there was a horrific loud knock coming from the engine. Towed to a mechanic who reported the engine would "throw a rod any time now" and that having looked the vehicle over it was no fault of my own. Fluids were all fresh and full, no debris in oil, no reason for failure. I'm now stuck with a loan on a car that failed way before industry standards. Do your job gm and help out your customers! I have heard of many other traverse models in this year range having the same issue!

Filed Jan 20, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 140,000 miles · AZ

We were driving about 70mph on the highway when the engine started to make a knocking sound and losing power. We pulled over to see what was wrong and the car wouldn't start. We got a jump and had to buy a new battery due to it being drained. Got a new battery and pulled up the code for the knock sensor. We replaced it and new codes pulled up. The engine thru a rod with no warning of anything being wrong with the traverse. It was well maintained with only 140,000 miles. The new battery we bought was drained almost immediately and needs to be charged for the traverse to even start when the mechanic looked at it.

Filed Dec 13, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 968,000 miles · IA

While driving down highway at 55 MPH suddenly hear a beep and see a warning that traction control is off, then service stabilitrak warning kept flashing and car in skid image is on constantly. Also after these warnings started flashing the speed control could not be set. Luckily I did't lose power this time as so many others have reported. After arriving home and restarting the car later all the warning lights were off. For several weeks now when resuming speed after stopping the car lunges while getting back up to speed. This could have been very dangerous had I lost or had reduced power like has happened to so many. Gm really needs to issue a recall and fix this problem before someone is killed.

Filed Jul 30, 2020 · Engine · 114,078 miles · LA

Driving down the highway and the engine started making horrible noises, overheating losing power and bucking. Once it was towed home, learned the engine jumped time and the car wouldn't run and barely starts. Bought a timing chain kit as well as previously changing the cam sensors to no avail. Need a whole new motor now. I cant afford to change it and now have an expensive yard ornament I'm still paying on. Chevrolet knew of these issues and has done nothing to recoup those of us who have lost out on a vehicle we purchased andcannot drive. Chevrolet should have done a massive recall to address this issue and saving all of us this financial burden.

Filed May 18, 2020 · Engine · 108,000 miles · IA

Vehicle lost power while driving on a city street and engine started knocking. We were able to get off the road without getting hit. Vehicle stopped running and would not start.

Filed Mar 5, 2019 · Airbags, Engine · 130,000 miles · AL

**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.

Filed Mar 1, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 82,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet traverse. While driving, the vehicle lost power and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle safely to his residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not provide assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

Filed Feb 12, 2019 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 110,000 miles · WI

Reduced power on vechile with dash lights indicating check stabile track. See a lot of complaints on this. Happened 3 times finally had to replace throttle body and harness for $550. No recalls? 110,000 miles. Very dangerous to have car slow down on highway during winter conditions.

Filed Feb 3, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 100,000 miles · ND

While the vehicle is stationary or being driven the traction control turns off, the stabilizer goes out, and the engine power reduces. I was on the highway and I lost power going from 65 MPH down to 25-30 MPH. I had to pull over and shut off the car, waited for 15 minutes and started driving again. I hadn't gone far and all the warnings came up again and power was reduced. While driving in town the same thing happens and I can be going 25 MPH and the power goes down to 10 MPH. Warning lights say traction 'control off, stabilizer off, engine power reduced. All of this happens while the vehicle is stationary or being driven!!!

Filed Jan 24, 2019 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 101,000 miles · CO

While driving normally on a freeway where speed limits are 65+ the car suddenly lost engine power and its impossible to reach speeds above 15 MPH. Several codes appear "service traction control" "reduced engine power" "traction control off". The cause is a faulty throttle body, which is not a serviceable part it just randomly fails. Online forums show reports of this problem 100s and 100s of times dating back to at least 2014, on low mileage vehicles no less. Dealers deny knowing of a problem. Chevy has been notified many times by many customers yet no recalls have been issued and dealerships aren't aware of the problem in order to fix it. A loss of engine power like this could be fatal. If your fortunate enough to be near a dealership you might find a repair. Otherwise your stuck trying to limp it to a shop, find the part and reset the idle codes. This is turning into a very expensive repair.