I was driving on the highway and the vehicle shut off while I was driving at 70 MPH. Lost power steering and brakes out of no where which is when I noticed the rpms was at 0. After we, by the grace of god, made it to the side of the road safely, we had it towed to a garage where the said the timing chain came off and ruined the engine and that it is a common problem and could be fixed for around $5600. The vehicle has 65k miles and blew up? Its a common problem for a vehicle to shut off on the highway and I wasn't warned that this vehicle has this kind of history and gm don't recognize this is a problem!
2011 Chevrolet Traverse engine complaints
Page 4 of 8: complaints 71 to 100 of 213, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While the vehicle was crossing a the I-395 bridge into washington dc at 45 MPH, the engine suddenly failed taking out the power steering with a jerk to the left. This failure was not precipitated by an engine warning light or a change to the ride and feel of the vehicle.
I was driving on a highway and my car lost power, it showed "traction control off" and then "service stabilatrack" I was able to coast off the side of the road and the engine shut off and it will not restart. Had to have it towed to a repair shop and waiting to hesr from them.
Another 2011 traverse with a timing chain failure at 82k miles. Driving ho e from work on a busy route and without warning the engine started making horrendous noises and lost power almost causing us to be rear ended. Had car towed to local mechanic who determined it was the timing chain. Have open case with gm (8-4399513745) but too date nothing but run around. Vin is not in parameters for extended warranty. How many traverses need to fail before gm takes ownership of their gross manufacturing defect and makes their customers whole again - this should be recalled and a class action suit filed. This happened 2 months after replacing water pump, alternator , battery and crank shaft sensor after sudden power loss. Someone needs to hold gm responsible. They are blaming the consumer in every case and refuse to correct their mistake. How many more will it take before someone steps in and makes gm do the right thing? In the meantime another chevy customer leaving the ranks. I will let everyone who's anyone know the true gm customer service and commitment or should I say lack there of.
I got my car 6 months ago, so far the brakes went out, rotors went out, all struts had to be reolaced, heater broke, air conditioner leakes, and now timing chains need to be replaved. I found an inspection completed 2 weeks before I bought my car done at another dealership. The list of issues is scary.
While driving down the interstate I attempted to pass a vehicle at 70 MPH when suddenly the vehicle lost all power. I was not able to get to the right lane so I had no choice but to pull off to the left where I was being passed by vehicles going 70 plus MPH next to a cement barrier. The vehicle wouldn't restart or give any indication of doing so. After having it towed to the local chevy dealer I was told that the timing chain busted and seized up the engine. I contacted chevy and they stated since the vehicle has 129400 moles on it there was nothing they could do about it because it was out of warranty. They stated they had no complaints of this being a problem but that contradicts what multiple chevy dealers have told me. The engine in the 2011 chevy traverse is apparently known to have this problem so the engines are hard to find. Upon further research I found multiple sites where customers have also stated the same problem. This vehicle seats 7 passengers. While I was alone on this particular date it is not always the case. I could have had my family with and may not have been able to pull to safety (as scarry as it was being stranded on a four lane interstate). Chevy fails to acknowledge that this is not only a mechanical issue but also a huge safety concern. This is not a two seater economy vehicle but a 7 seater family vehicle.
Without warning, I get an alert on my information panel that stabilitrak is off and traction control needs servicing. At the same time, the vehicle downshifts hard and rapidly decelerates. Several months ago, the check engine light started coming on at random times resulting in an emission error code. The catalytic converter was replaced. A month later, same error code. This current problem happens frequently at various speeds while in motion only.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet traverse. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle shook and stalled. Also, the low power mode warning indicator illuminated. The contact called an independent mechanic and was referred to the dealer. The local dealer (macmulkin chevrolet, 3 marmon dr., nashua, nh 03060, (603) 821-0370) stated that they there were unaware of a failure with the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 140,000.
My vehicle has tie rod loose, leaky motor rack, rear valve cover leak, brakes and rotors loose, control arm loose, all wheels corroded, front strut leaks.
Purchased new and at 63,500 miles the engine malfunctioned. Started missing/hesitating on highway heading 2 hours away for a wedding. Dealer wants over $7k to repair cracked piston/valve in cylinder 4. According to chevy/gm customer assistance (opened case #8-4134087852), dealer told them it had low oil, which is incorrect because my husband always checks the oil, even at the gas station while filling up and is meticulous with maintenance. We have the receipts and maintenance log to prove it. Also, low oil would cause bearing problems, which we don't have. Gm offering some sort of goofy assistance that is backwards and will cost us even more. Thoroughly disgusted with my traverse, which was supposed to eventually replace my 2000 gmc safari van, which is very much alive with original trans and engine at over 165k miles. I see lots of internal damage/engine issues - why no recall? I wonder who they paid off to avoid this financial nightmare...
Check engine light came on about a month later took the vehicle to a local mechanic and was told the engine was blown. 3 cylinders were checked and had low compression and was told it could have caused the motor to stall while driving and to not drive it any more due to the dangerous condition this could cause. Never received any indication there was a catastrophic issue with the motor, never received low oil or high temp nothing?
2011 traverse only 67000 miles on it but experience engine error code p0008 and p0017 which indicates something wrong with timing chain. 2009 model of traverse has the same problem and is covered under extended warranty by gm. But 2011 model is not covered, and will cost $3000 to fix and repaire
My traverse started at the beginning of winter randomly having the engine light come on then the vehicle would ding and I would get a message of "service traction control" then "service stabilitrack" and then it would ding again and I would get the message "reduced engine power" after a couple months this happened every time I started the car and was finally able to take it in to have the code read. Turns out the throttle body was shot. Gm replaced this under an extended warranty. Well upon picking my vechel up I was told the rear o2 sensor was shot, they wanted to charge me $250 to replace it, I opted out and my husband, an on the side mechanic, fixed it for a total of $30. Service light still on after new o2 sensor. My vehicle was also making a weird sound at this time which I described to my husband as a grinding. They hooked it up to the computer again and said that they gave me the wrong info last time that it was the front o2 sensor that was bad but that was the only code. So I ordered another o2 sensor for my husband to fix... 2 days later my service engine light started flashing at me. I immediately pulled over and shut my vehicle off. I called the local dealership to again ask if another code was thrown, was told no... Drove my vehicle home and my husband drove it. He knew it was the timing chain. He called the local dealership once more and they quoted us at $2500 to replace as the entire motor has to come out. He called to a different dealership 40 miles away and it was $1900 to fix. I got on the phone with gm and wanted to know if there was any recalls as this is a very common problem and at this time there are not so they didn't cover any of the cost!!! I have a cousin who also has a 2011 traverse and it is currently sitting at the shop with the exact same problem, however hers also needs the catalytic converter replaced!!
While driving the car is just died and everything locked up and almost rain into a curb with kids in the car. Check engine light was on and had the code p008 and car diagonosed with timing chain issues and needs to be replaced.
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.
Codes are as followed: p0008, p0496, p0221 , p0017, c0242, c00561
Timing chain went out at 86000 miles
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated one week after the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing belt was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 117,000.
I keep getting codes for emission and timings chain. My back up safety sensor and wheel sensor doesn't work.
The timing chain needed to be replaced at 113,000 miles. This was a know flaw by gm as problems occurred in the 2009 and 2010 traverse engine that resulted in reimbursements for repairs. The 2011 traverse has the same problem and the cost to repair is about $4,500. Gm should reimburse for this issue as the flaw has not been fixed in 2011 model.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet traverse. While driving 80 MPH, the headlights and all the instrument panel lighting turned off without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and was able to drive back home only with the high beam lights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (rydell chevrolet, 18600 devonshire st, northridge, ca 91324) where it was diagnosed that the headlights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that when driving on a rainy day at 15 MPH, the headlights turned off and all the instrument panel lights turned off without warning. The failure caused the contact to crash into another vehicle that was parked on the side of the road. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred several other times even after the vehicle was repaired. Also, while driving 30 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic (ultimate connections, 9517 1/2 sepulveda blvd, north hills, ca 91343) where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft, oil pump, and engine mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800‑222‑1020 and stated that they would replace the vehicle; however, the contact did not hear back. Case number: 8-3184289974 was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
I was on my way home from dinner when the engine started revving on it's own and the car began jerking. I pulled to the side of the road and the engine killed. I restarted the vehicle and noted that the battery was suppling enough power and the temperature gage was normal. At this time, the lights started to flicker, the rpms were going up and down fairly quickly and the windows and locks were clicking. I was able to get the vehicle home (5 miles), but the problems persisted the entire drive. The second I would let me foot off the gas pedal, the engine would kill. I took it to the mechanic and he said when he hooked it up to the machine to see what the problem was, there was so much wrong he couldn't actually tell what was causing what. The computer and engine both were recommended to be replaced. I let him know as well it had become more difficult in the last few months to turn the wheel when going at a slow speed and virtually impossible to park. He stated it is a known issue with this make, model and year. The steering, the computer and the engine he has seen multiple customers have problems with.
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.
Was driving home from work engine made a ticking sound then knocked a little upon acceleration, no lights came on and I was within a 1/2 mile to my home so I kept driving. Car died as I pulled into driveway, had I been on the street I would not have been able to pull over as there was no warning. I took it to the dealer who said the timing belt went out and ruined the engine, total cost for new engine $7250 and despite other years and VIN numbers being recalled they refused to cover my vehicle that only has 52,000 miles. Mechanic all but admitted it was a flaw and told me to save my receipt. I asked him if the only way chevy will cover it is if someone gets killed, or if enough people complain and he said yes. Why not be honest about it and stand behind their product? Now I'm scared even with a new engine it could happen again, only I might not be lucky enough to be in my driveway.
Went for an oil change and then noticed my coolant reservoir completely. I contacted oil company and topped coolant off. Next day went to work and oil company came to inspect the car and coolant empty again. Went to oil company after work and was advised to go to dealership as it appears to be a water pump leak. Next morning went to shaheen chevrolet and paid $101.86 and the advised it was my water pump leaking at shaft weep hole. I research3rd and found recall 13079 and contacted gm at 18002221020 and s/w anna and was advised its not a recall but a customer satisfaction program. And that I had the customer satisfaction on 4/19/2014 and it only carried a 12 month warranty. However since this seems related they will assign my case to a senior advisor ...case 8-3280633041
We were doing normal driving around town when the check engine light came on and the vehicle started running very rough. We were able to drive slowly and get the vehicle home. The engine started making a knocking sound. We took the car to a chevrolet dealer to be looked at. The dealer said the timing chain and pistons were out and they recommended replacing the motor. They said they had seen this before on the traverse and wouldn't know for sure until they took the engine apart but that was what the diagnostics were showing. We towed the car to another shop to get a second opinion. They also stated the pistons and bearings were bad, the timing belt was bad and they would know more if they took it apart. They also recommended replacing the motor because of the extent of the damage. We replaced the engine. The vehicle had 108,000 miles at the time of the engine failure.
A number of months ago, while I was driving on the highway all lights on the dashboard went on an a message displaying "reduced power engine" was displayed. At the same time, that is exactly what happened., the engine power was reduced for few seconds and then everything went back to normal. Months before the described incident, I received a letter from chevrolet describing this issue and stating about an extended warranty to cover this issue. I went to the dealership and I was I will be charged roughly $150.00 to detect the issue and, if and only if, certain codes were displayed on the scan, it will be covered by the extended warranty. Since it was expensive I decided to go to another place and the scan for free and obtain the codes. No codes were displayed. Since 4 months ago the engine shutoff while the vehicle is moving, to start the engine is required to stop by any possible way, and restart the engine. Once again, all lights on the dashboard turn and the vehicle completely shutoff. This had happened at least six times in the last 4 months. In all of this incidents I can not tell if the "reduced power engine" message is displayed since the priority is to stop the vehicle. I took the vehicle couple weeks ago to the dealership and I was charged about $150.00 to diagnose the problem. The feedback from chevrolet was that nothing was with in the vehicle. It is inconceivable that I was charged that much by chevrolet to come back with a response that there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. Chevrolet is well aware (the letter received in the past) there is an issue with the vehicle. Furthermore, the internet is plenty of people describing the same issue with the traverse. I do not know the parameters of the federal safety agency to call when should be a recall , but based on the letter that chevrolet sent, and the multiple complains suggests it might be.
My engine keeps using oil but not leaking anywhere between oil changes
In january 2016, my vehicle started having stability track issues. It got so bad I had the car sit up for a month then called a mechanic out to diagnosis the car. They sent me to the chevy dealership and they fixed something within the steering, but that did not stop my stabilitrak from malfunctioning. While driving the stabilitrak light turns on and says it needs servicing. Then it makes the engine slow down and it starts stalling so we have to pull over and turn the car off and turn it back on for it to do the same thing again within minutes. If the cruise control is on it turns it off starts to stall and puts my family and I in danger, I just thank god we've been able to alleviate major accidents. It's been one minor accident but because we were already going slow it didn't affect either car, so we let it go especially because our vehicle was at fault not the people behind us.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet traverse. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact smelled coolant. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to shottenkirk chevrolet (located at 755 hickman rd, waukee, ia 50263) where it was diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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