2018 Chevrolet Traverse: jerking or lurching

Filed Sep 6, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · AR

the vehicle will not register that it is in park, when the engine is turned off a beeping noise reads shift to park - you have to start the engine and shut it off multiple times, or slam the shifter into place to get it register in park. this happens constantly and is starting to get old, and annoying. it is listed as a known problem on the forum group. when the notice to shift into Park is stuck on, the beeping will not stop... Also there is a shudder while driving no matter the speed. They did a transmission service and messed with torque converters but has not done anything. Also will be driving down the road with cruise control and the cruise control with randomly jerk and shut off for no reason. Has happened on the interstate.

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · AR

Front passenger tire was losing air, on the way to bring it to tire shop dashboard displayed tire pressure sensor, power steering system, TCM notification, Electronic brake control. Got it to the tire shop bought a new tire and they did a diagnostic test it showed TCM passed and failed, lost communication with power steering passed and failed, lost communication with inflatable restraint passed and failed. Once tire was replaced vehicle was jerking with TCM notification coming on and off like the vehicle was sliding.

Filed Jul 7, 2025 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and jerked abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Jan 31, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · SC

I recently had my alternator fixed and the torque converter last year. I was having issues with the battery staying charged, car would jerk, radio, heat and air would shut off and come back on, car would go in reverse although I'm trying to go forward, shift to park warning message when car was in park and there are shortages out something that will connect and disconnect the Bluetooth when I'm on calls via Bluetooth. I picked my car up from Love Chevrolet 1/28/2025. Everything seemed fine but the car still jerked when I would take off at lights, make turns or go up hills. The shift to park message is still happening. When I park the car and turn it off the car makes a sound and the warning pops up. The car lights will not go off when this happens. I have to turn the car off and on or take it out of park a few times for it to stop. I'm afraid to leave the car with that warning on because the doors won't lock and I'm afraid it will roll. Love Chevrolet said they didn't see the error message for it while they were driving but it constantly happens to me. Even when I turn the car on to warm it up it gives me that error message.

Filed Jan 2, 2025 · Transmission · 65,505 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and jerked abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,505.

Filed Dec 12, 2024 · Transmission · IL

I purchased this vehicle in 2022 of October after about a year. I started noticing the car beginning to jerk back. Also, I noticed that the shift the handle when I would put it into park. It would not stay in park. It kept giving me a beeping noise. It kept slipping. At the time it wasn’t doing is it as much but lately I’ve noticed that it’s been happening more frequently so I took it into a mechanic to have it checked and they said it is a defect on the transmission. when I searched it up under the federal safety agency website I seen that there was multiple defects for this 2018 Chevy traverse.

Filed Nov 8, 2024 · Transmission · IL

After I purchased the vehicle in 2021 I noticed there was a shuddering feeling when accelerating at speeds below 40mph. I found the service bulletin and the dealership flushed the transmission fluid and reprogrammed the transmission. Issue seemed to be resolved, but on 11/4/24 I was pulling my car out of a parking lot after being parked 4 hours and when shifting from park to drive the car lurched forward and made a loud clunking sound. There were no lights on so I drove onto the highway and shortly after the check engine light came on and I could not accelerate above 50 mph. I limped the car to a nearby dealership and they indicated that the transmission was shot and needed to be rebuilt or replaced. It is currently in the shop waiting to be rebuilt. The total cost is around $5,500. Between both transmission incidents I also had an issue with the shift to park and service stabilitrak warning lights. That was fixed before warranty expired, but I am now out of warranty and need to pay out of pocket. Called Chevrolet corporate and was told they'd look into offering financial relief but still haven't heard back from them despite the case being escalated. This is a known issue and is a risk to driver safety. There should be a recall and all expenses should be reimbursed!

Filed Jun 1, 2024 · Transmission · FL

The transmission will not go into reverse. While in drive, the transmission will completely stop, thus jerking the car to a stop. Prior to this, there was difficulty putting into park.

Filed Apr 9, 2024 · Acceleration, Transmission · MO

The transmission on my 2018 Chevy Traverse went out per the mechanic that recently inspected it. It was just purchased from a Chevy dealership not even 8 months ago. I first noticed the problem a couple weeks ago when my car hit about 25mph getting on the highway then wouldn’t go any faster as I would try to accelerate speed, then it was jerking and was harshly engaging from time to time. Then it finally felt like someone crashed into the back of my car it jerked so hard and then accelerated but only went up to 40mph and wouldn’t go any faster. It would hit 40 mph and then idol at the speed when you would hit the gas to accelerate. No engine light came on or anything at that time. Then a couple days later the shifter would be put into reverse and then not go in reverse when you hit the gas to go. Having two young kids, my husband told me it wasn’t safe to be driving it at all. We had it towed to a mechanic shop to be inspected since we depend on a car for our job. The mechanic inspected it with a diagnostic code reader as well as looking at the transmission. The overall condition is that the transmission is not working anymore. I have done research and for this specific make, model and year there are tons of recalls for the transmission.

Filed Mar 22, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · PA

Car has many issues: Jerks Shift to park error when it is parked causing car to have lights on for hours Brake error Fuel issue Traction error Computer failure at times I got the car used was not fixed when I received it needs recalls I have kids you people expect me to pay for your faulty equipment please make this right if I het into an accident it's because of your brand

Filed Jan 9, 2023 · Fuel system · 87,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the EVAP purge valve was replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the check engine warning light became illuminated again. The contact also stated that the vehicle was jerking and stalling while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was a leak coming from the purge valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.

Filed Jun 7, 2022 · Transmission · NJ

Transmission seems to be slipping causing the vehicle to jerk or stutter while accelerating. When accelerating the vehicle will stutter while trying to shift causing temporary loss of propulsion. While reversing and shifting into drive the vehicle may continue in reverse momentarily until the drive gear kicks in. The vehicle is going in for service next week. No lights, warnings or messages are on. There are tons of other complaints online about the same issue involving many different vehicles. The only real safety risk is when trying to merge onto a highway and temporarily losing acceleration.