My 2016 Chevy Traverse LT with 108,750 miles had issues with the rear brake lights, and the Traction Control light would come on and the Traction Control turns off. A message appears on the dash that shows Service StabiliTrak. When I drive the vehicle to accelerate it shakes, jerks and shudders, and then it rides fine for a bit but the Traction Control is still off. I also noticed that the cruise control doesn't work either. I decided to wait a few more days hoping it would clear out, which it did for a day but the problem returned. I took the Traverse to AutoZone to use an OBD2 scanner and it showed that there is an issue with the braking switch (code C0161-00 ABS Brake Switch Circuit). A local mechanic replaced a fuse and the brake switch but the Traction Control/StabiliTrak issue hasn't been fixed. He's tried everything but the problem won't go away. Apparently this an ongoing problem with many Traverses.
The worst 2016 Chevrolet Traverse problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags163
- Transmission37
- Engine31
- Electrical26
- Steering24
- Driver assistance22
- Acceleration19
- Fuel system9
- Brakes7
- Body5
- Visibility5
- Wheels5
- Seat belts4
- Lights3
- Tires3
- Seats2
- Suspension1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse
Check engine light 24Loss of power 15Transmission failure 10Stalling 8ABS 6Power steering loss 6Jerking 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse mention
P2138 2
Recalls 5
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
Recall number 23V334000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.
Recall number 21V782000 · Recall details
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
Seats
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
- Risk
- If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782 or Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.
Recall number 15V833000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
- Risk
- A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.
Recall number 15V609000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse 1,143
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size...
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities.
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
2016 Chevrolet Traverse fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | FWD | 15 | 22 | 18 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | AWD | 15 | 22 | 17 |
What 2016 Chevrolet Traverse owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that four local dealers were contacted. The contact was informed that parts were on back order. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure associated with the unrepaired recall repair.
The vehicle only has 145,xxx miles and I experience a "shudder" which could be caused by torque converter issues, often felt at highway speeds (approx. 40-60 mph).
There is an open recall on my 2016 Chevrolet Traverse that I have been trying to get resolved for almost 2 years. I finally opened a case with GM (#{XXX]) back on February 15, 2026 in an effort to escalate the repair. I received a call from a GM rep who has been less than helpful telling me the recall was completed in February of 2024 at a dealership in South Carolina. I explained to him that my vehicle is housed in Florida and has never been to South Carolina. It is clear he is not interested in finding a resolution to my issue. He calls once a week to inform me he's working on it and will get back to me next week. This has been going on for a month. My grandchildren are often passengers in this vehicle and I have major concerns for their safety. It should not take 2 years to get this issue resolved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V334000 (AIR BAGS) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
the transmission lost power and almost caused an accident with the vehicle behind me
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed that parts were in the warehouse, but no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact was notified of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was made aware of the issue and stated that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that a call would be received when parts became available; however, the contact had not yet received a call. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Transmission solenoid. Common. Needs to be reported. Its know as the week link to this vehicle. The manufacturer knows and there are many complaints. This vehicle needs to be recalled. Safety concern while driving.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was retrieved from a dealer after a recall regarding the air bags; however, while driving approximately 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact stated that the Stability Control warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to the dealer, and the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle remained with the dealer for 2 months and the dealer attempted to perform the air bag recall again. The contact stated that later, when the vehicle was picked up, while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Stability Control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lunged forward while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to another dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and had referred the contact to the second dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Compare the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse
Traverse vs Ford ExplorerTraverse vs Dodge DurangoTraverse vs Kia SorentoTraverse vs Honda PilotTraverse vs Nissan PathfinderTraverse vs Toyota HighlanderTraverse vs GMC AcadiaTraverse vs Buick Enclave
Other model years
2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027
Questions about the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
Owners have filed 292 complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, fewer than a typical Traverse model year.
What is the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse year score?
The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse scores 74 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Traverse: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
Airbags, with 163 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles. Next is transmission (37).
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have?
5 recalls, covering air bags, seats and visibility.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse airbags?
Yes, 3 recalls: 23V334000, 21V782000, 21V246000. 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).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse get?
Official estimates for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse range from 17 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.6L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 15 city and 22 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history