The first time this happened was in 2024, my Traverse started to sound like a go-cart, loss of power to accelerate, and exhaust smell would leak into the cabin. Being active duty living on base with one car it was more convenient to use an insured Mobile Mechanic. - Front bracket that secures the Exhaust Manifold/ Catalytic Converter in place welds failed resulting in the parts to be under extreme additional stress breaking it. This has happened every year since, everytime Chevrolet/GM customer service has been contacted and we are told that my VIN year make and model are not on the Special coverage list and there is nothing they can do. Three Catalytic Converters in three years from an engineering flaw is not normal wear and tare.
2018 Chevrolet Traverse: sudden loss of power
18 of the 466 complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 18
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 12,000
- recalls
- 0
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
Lost power to transmission at 36k miles. Transmission replaced by GM. Currently, the vehicle lost transmission power while driving and had to be towed to dealership. Notified that the transmission needs replaced again
After refueling we re-entered I495 Northbound. While traveling in the fast lane of traffic my vehicle shut off. I lost all power, including the ability to use On-Star. The vehicle refused to start for thirty minutes. This problem repeats within a mile of refueling. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer. The first time the said it was a sensor in the stable trak. This last time they claimed a bolt on the battery was loose. There was no pre-warning the car just stopped in rush-hour traffic on the busiest highway in America.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the "Shift to Park" message was displayed. The message was displayed after shifting into park(P). The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. However, the dealer informed the contact that the issue was a known issue, requiring that the wiring harness and shifter needed to be replaced. There was no diagnostic code was detected on the OnStar App. The failure occurred intermittently, but during the most recent failure, the vehicle continued to roll after being shifted into park(P). The contact quickly shifted into reverse and engaged the parking brake, and the vehicle lost power without being turned off. The vehicle became inoperable and could not be unlocked. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for additional examination. The manufacturer was not informed about the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
9t65 auto transmission failed at 115,000 miles. It won't change past 3rd gear, and engine has reduced power. Towed it to the Chevy dealership where we bought it in York SC. They told me it needed a new transmission and it was not covered by any warranty. I then took it to a transmission repair place and was told it needed a new transmission and the cost was estimated at $7300. I've read lots on the Internet about numerous people having the same issue. There was even a very short term trial program to repair or replace the transmission on some vehicles....had to be low miles and fairly new. Meanwhile, our traverse has been sitting for about a year while I continue to make monthly payments on it.
Transmission issues :hard shifts, shift delays , hesitation upon acceleration, trouble on reverse gear. Engine issues: grinding noises , ticking noises ,check engine light turning on, loss of power engine Vibrating in steering wheel when braking.
Experienced slipping and shuddering while driving and a sudden loss of power. The vehicle also would not accelerate while driving. The vehicle was towed to a Chevy dealer as it was not drivable. The Chevy service department found an evap leak, vehicle does not move in reverse, slips going into drive. Checked fluid level and condition found level ok.
Catalytic converter failed, 3rd time in 2 years. Vehicle began losing power while on interstate. Issue has been confirmed by dealership inspection. Issue has been claimed by many other owners of this make and model but no recalls issued or warranty coverage for known issue. Check engine light came on just as issue began while driving with my family.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 2 mph and making a turn, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle then restarted on its own with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that no issues were found however, the computer system was reset. The contact stated the failure reoccurred while making a left turn at a stoplight. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 21,685. Consumer stated vehicle has been in the shop for 6 months and still in the shop.
As I was turning onto route 32 my car lost power, was shaking, and vibrating; the check engine light also came on. I took the car to the dealership. They told me the issue is being investigated under general motors and to continue to drive the vehicle even though it was a hazard to my life as it could happen again at any time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet traverse. While attempting to turn into a parking lot, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was towed to hampton chevrolet (757‑325‑9604, located at 1073 w mercury blvd, hampton, va 23666) where the technician performed a diagnostic test and found codes p0014 and p0024. The manufacturer was made aware of the codes and advised the technician to clear the codes and return the vehicle to the contact. The technician acted accordingly. The contact stated that the manufacturer and the technician stated that there was no remedy for the failure. The contact insisted that the vehicle was not repaired and unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was 4,571.
Driving late at night with family down a state highway/city street with some stoplights and rotary, vehicle suddenly seems to be intermittently losing power or transmission slipping when driving. When giving gas entering rotary, intermittent slipping/power loss (like a skipping power/slipping transmission) worsened - felt greater loss of power and for slightly longer periods. Noted engine light came on. Worsening intermittent power failure/slipping/hesitation/jerking continued when giving gas to engine for ~1/4 mile until pulled into shopping mall parking lot. Felt lucky to be able to reach lot, called for flatbed tow to dealer. Dealer had vehicle for 1 week, and when assessment complete, reported dtc p0011, p0014, p0021 and p0024 cam codes. They visually inspected with no concerns, test actuator system operating. Search for bulletins revealed document 5251270 with no repair yet for anomaly, which describes "some customers may comment that the ses [service engine soon] lamp is illuminated. This lamp may have come on by itself or in some cases, the customer may experience drivability issues such as a stall, lurch, stumble, hesitation or power loss after an auto stop/restart." notes technician may find the above listed codes. Cause is listed as "a software anomaly that allows the 'verify sync' status to not restart and reach full 'sync' when the engine restarts. The ECM then reports actual cam positions as '0' while it continues to command the actuators to move resulting in engine roughness and/or drivability concerns (as stated above) with the possibility of setting multiple cam phaser performance dtcs." instructions on the bulletin are to check and clear codes and return vehicle to customer. Bulletin created on 5/7/2018 with 5 updates since. Brought vehicle back to dealer due to concerns of lack of fix and safety when recurs, dealer unable to replicate.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle...
- This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000...
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California...
- This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of a Malfunction Indicator...
- This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in...
- This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the...
- This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?
18 of 466 owner complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse (4%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2011.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?
There are 0 recalls and 198 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
Check engine light 60Jerking 32Stalling 22Transmission failure 20Shudder 17Slipping 15Grinding brakes 12Hesitation 11Battery drain 9Fuel smell 8Won't shift 8Power steering loss 6Engine failure 5Seat belt 5Sunroof shattered 5
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