2011 Chevrolet Traverse: misfire or rough idle

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 Apr 4, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 77,000 miles · GA

So far I have had nothing but issues with my SUV, bought a 2009 for 6,000 and had to pt 7,200 in it to get it running right. I traded it in at the dealership it was being diagnosed at thankfully. Now I have a 2011 and starting to have many issues unfortunately. First it started 3700 miles after I got my 2011 by leaving me with no power steering while trying to make a turn and almost wrecked 3 times going to the hospital. I was able to put power steering fluid in and got my power steering back but immediately took it back to the dealer. They said if I came in at 3500 miles they would have replaced the pump and whole rack under warrenty, but they didnt. So I gotta top it off every few months, no big deal. Suspension has been replaced twice, rough idle, tuned up 3 times in 42,373 miles. A/c only blows cold on driver side now, it makes a different noise every day and the dealership says I need to have the engine dropped and timing chain replaced. I cant drop 2400 bucks on something that doesnt fix the problem! Way too many negative outcomes that I've read on the timing chain issue. People that have had the engine replaced had better luck than a rebuild. This is absurd because it's a great family vehicle but with these issues I really dont want to buy american made cars anymore.

Filed Nov 8, 2019 · Engine · 119,397 miles · IL

2011 chevy traverse in great condition. Engine stared missing and roughly idling occasionally.check engine light came on just short of 119000 miles. Auto parts store reported diagnostic code: p008. Googled p008 and message boards stated gm has an extended warranty program for this problem. Went to the local chevy dealer, asked about the coverage up to 120,000 miles since I was almost up to 120,000 miles. Provided the VIN & the dealer said that my vehicle does not qualify for repairs under the program & recommended scheduling service to have it fixed at my expense. Another option was to take my chances. He advised keeping oil level high & clean to extend possible life of the engine & timing chain. Service rep said that he sees this problem on a fairly-regular basis, about 2-4 times per month. A critical failure rate of that for just one dealer is way too high! Gm should extend the coverage, especially when this is a known issue! Days later I decided I didn't want to re-experience my 2001 saturn timing chain failed at 67,000 miles while driving 70 MPH, nearly caused an accident on the freeway. Had to replace the engine with a re-manufactured engine for approximately $3,000.00. Due to fatalities resulting from the timing chain failures, saturn/gm finally decided to recall the affected vehicles or reimburse for replacement engines. I had replaced the engine at my own expense, so I was later reimbursed ~$2,500.00 by saturn (gm). With this in mind, I scheduled service for my 2011 traverse about a week later at the gm dealer. It required pulling the engine, metal shavings cleaned out of engine, guides, tensioners, and timing chain replaced. Cost 2 days labor and parts $2924.87. Gm should extend covering diagnosed p008 fault repairs, or at the very least, offer an after-failure reimbursement for repairs/replacement due to faulty/stretched timing chains on their engines.

Filed Feb 5, 2018 · Engine · 120,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet traverse. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle misfired and stalled without warning. Additionally, there was an abnormal winding noise. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer (legacy chevrolet, 13307 us hwy 25e, corbin, ky 40701) where it was diagnosed that the timing chain and valves needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: 8-3858409715. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Oct 10, 2017 · Engine · 146,000 miles · MI

Vehicle had had been shuddering and misfiring on and off for quite some time, check engine light came on, took to shop for diagnosis. Shop stated codes were related to stretched timing chains. I then took to dealer, got same diagnosis and a $2,000 estimate. Had repairs done. Check engine light has not come back on since. Car would hesitate and loose power attempting to accelerate when taking off in traffic. Felt unsafe driving, as I never knew when car was going accelerate or not.

Filed Jun 27, 2013 · Engine · 2,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that front end of the vehicle would randomly shake. The check engine light illuminated when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the engine had misfired. The dealer also checked for leaks, but the contact was not aware if any leaks were found. The dealer stated that the contact should not let the vehicle sit too long with out driving it to prevent the shaking issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,000 and the current mileage was 25,700.

Filed Dec 6, 2011 · Engine · 11,000 miles · NJ

Car shakes and vibrates when stopped at stop signs and lights. Car suddenly came to a completely halt. Was able to get help and move it to shoulder. Was able to start the car later in the day and drive to the dealer. Dealer mentioned that 4 cylinders are misfiring. Surprised that a car only 9 months old and with 11k miles would do that.

Filed Dec 6, 2011 · Engine · 11,000 miles · NJ

Call vibrates and suddenly came to a halt. Was able to move the car to shoulder. Prior to this I noticed the car was showing me a RPM indicator on 2 and 3 even when in parked condition, scary. Managed to get the car to dealership. Dealership advised that cylinder are misfiring, about 3 to 4 of them. Surprised that this can happen in less than 9 months of buying the car...