2012 Chevrolet Traverse: check engine light

Filed Feb 4, 2025 · Driver assistance, Engine · 120,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle stopped abruptly. The check engine, traction control, stability control, and air conditioner warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined the failure was due to the throttle body. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The throttle body was previously replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · MN

2012 chevy traverse. Feb 20 2020. Milage 127691 My valve cover gaskets failed causing the cabin to fill with smoke. Sept 11 2020 right front axel seal failed causing ptu to lose all the transfer case fluid and bearings. Transfer case replaced. Feb 22 2021 milage 141464 transmission slipping had new one installed. Jan 5 2022 milage 153350 had timing chains replaced. Check engine light came on. Back on june 29 2012 Chevrolet issued a bulletin No. 11340B special coverage adjustment timing chain wear. It is for 2007-2009 traverse acadia outlook enclave equipped with the same 3.6L Engine as my 2012 and other years. they extended warranty coverage for 10 years 120k miles. seeing this problem existed in 07-09 models this should be looked at and to include other years as well. I am a member of 2 facebook traverse groups and there are a lot of others with the same issue. The owners manual says to change engine oil every 5000 miles I have done that. Please look into adding additional years to this recall. Timing chains should not fail stretch or need replacing as much as I have seen others needing to. A vehicle should go well over 200k miles before needing replacing.

Filed Aug 24, 2021 · Airbags, Brakes · 99,655 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle took a long time to start-up. While driving approximately 20-40 MPH, the vehicle would not accelerate then shifted into limp mode. The ABS, check engine, traction control, and service air bags warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the wheel bearings were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,655.

Filed May 26, 2021 · Engine · 95,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to three different independent mechanics and on all three occasions, it was diagnosed that the timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.

Filed Apr 30, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 165 miles · FL

Dash is throwing different codes such as service and check traction control, stabilitrack, air bag, and at times while driving it will say reduced engine power and my foot would be on gas not wanting to barely move. One time I almost got hit. Other several times I was able to pull over and we would have to disconnect battery wait a little and car would be ok again. I have been experiencing problems with this car that it makes me not want to drive it and thank god we have another car. I am also experiencing catalytic converter issues for the 4th time. Car feels at times like it is bogging when on gas peddle as if something had a clog in it and starts pulsating. Check engine light is also on.

Filed Apr 12, 2021 · Engine · 165,000 miles · IL

Check engine light came on had the codes checked and I had the engine taken apart twice because the timing chain had jumped causing it to run rough and light came back had to do again and it was fine for a few months but mechanic said the engine is the same as the enclave and acadia which both have had recalls on this issue. This happened the first time while car was in motion.

Filed Mar 4, 2021 · Airbags, Electrical · 130,000 miles · NM

After replacing every code thrown at me on my 2012 traverse, it continues to sit in my driveway un-working. Last time I had it "repaired", while driving home from the mechanic, the check engine light came on, the vehicle started losing power with lights visibly dimming. I pulled off the freeway and pulled over and checked the battery cables. It was working fine. I get back in the vehicle to drive the rest of the way home and the traction control started toggling on and off and a check air back message came up. Just then I started feeling like I was being shocked by my driver seat!!! Since the dealership or privateechamics can not figure out what is wrong with it, I had a friend get me all the information on this vehicle. There is zero recalls on my vehicle but I found a recall for the wire harness under the driver and passenger seats and also under the dash, calling to replace and splice those wires. My vehicle has the yellow harness that was recalled buy the dealership says my VIN is not included. It's been 2 yearssince all this has begun and that I have been without a reliable vehicle. (my ex who co-signed but did noy pay for it, refuses to sign the title over). Just save yourself the headache and buy non gm. You would think they would be willing to fix something that is so unsafe to it's customers. Electrical faults, engine faults causing failure while driving full speed (with my daughter in the vehicle), and fuel pressure issues leaving me stranded on multiple occasions which even helped lead to a job loss. This vehicle has put our safety and livelihood in jeopardy one too many times.

Filed Sep 23, 2020 · Engine · 100,238 miles · IN

At approximately 99,000 miles, the engine warning light came on while on an out of state trip. An auto store read the code as timing chain stretched. And stated that we should have the vehicle repaired soon. We returned home from our trip and shortly after received a warning "engine power reduced." the car would not accelerate quickly. In attempting to take the vehicle in for repair the traction control function quit operating. We were informed that there was a technical service bulletin from gm stating that this problem would be repaired by gm under warranty. We took the vehicle to our chevy dealer who stated that this VIN is not part of that recall. The vehicle has 100,243 miles.

Filed Sep 14, 2020 · Engine · 65,600 miles · NY

We purchased our 2012 chevy traverse brand new in april of 2013. I had the extended pip warranty 6 years, 60,000 miles. The mileage is 65,674. On 9/12/2020 while driving rural state road at 55mph the engine stalled losing power steering and brakes. We safely pulled to the side. The engine started back up with the check engine light on and an obvious knock. Towed the traverse to the dealership for service monday when they opened. Drivers village dealership cicero ny checked vehicle and confirmed 'very bad knocking when vehicle is running, noise changes with rpms. Scanned and found p0016 crank cam.' diagnostic repair fee of $250 determined the #1 bank rod broken- need engine replacement. They also reported oil level full and clean with 57% life remaining. The oil has always been changed at the 3,000. I was presented with two quotes to install a gm new engine or a rebuilt engine. Both options are over $8,500 to repair.

Filed Sep 3, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 125,000 miles · WI

The vehicle at 125,000 the check engine light turned on and there is a problem with the timing chain stretching. It is the crank shaft/cam shaft. It is over a $2,000.00 repair and the mechanic said this is a common problem with chevy traverse's.

Filed Apr 24, 2020 · Electrical · 113,906 miles · PA

I noticed the last few days the engine of my 2012 chevrolet traverse was slow to start. I thought it was the battery, but it was still holding a good charge. The check engine light was not on. I was driving it at 35 MPH on a rural road when the engine shut off without warning. First time it ever happened. I started the vehicle and it was slow to start. When it did, I attempted to drive it and it would shut off again immediately. Happened 3 times in a row. Every electrical component inside the vehicle was still working. I let it sit for about 2 minutes and restarted the vehicle again. I then drove it to a parking spot about 30 yds away. While doing some research, I found this to be a common problem with gmc / chevy with the ignition switch, yet no recall.

Filed Mar 2, 2020 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 112,000 miles · PA

While driving the car, the traction control turns off. When this message comes on the driver information panel, the following messages appear: the check engine light comes on, engine power reduced, and service stabilitytrac system. At the same time, when you press the gas pedal, the car does not accelerate. Also, the cruise control does not work. This happens whether you're driving 5 miles an hour or 55+ miles per hour. This is a problem that occurs every time I drive the car. I have noticed that if the temperature is under 40 degrees, it happens more times than when the temperature is greater than 40 degrees. I live in pennsylvania and the temperature dips very low. I drive a minimum of 300 miles a day m-f and this is a very dangerous flaw. I am reporting this because I have exhausted all of my resources. The only way I have found to reset the traction control, is to pull over, turn the car off, and wait for 3-5 minutes. This will reset the traction control but it does not turn off the check engine light.