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2021 Chevrolet Traverse problems

The most common problem on the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is electrical system. It has fewer complaints than a typical Traverse model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
87/100
Owner complaints
95
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
6671 warranty
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
20-21mpg

The worst 2021 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.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

Stalling 11Check engine light 8Grinding brakes 5

Recalls 3

Air bags: side/window: curtainReported March 31, 2022 · 89 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
Risk
Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 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 N212352140.

Recall number 22V210000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported October 18, 2021 · 639 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible vehicles with Power In-floor Ramp conversion. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Risk
A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the screw and clip, and inspect for signs of contact with the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1‑800‑488‑0359.

Recall number 21V817000 · Recall details

Air bags: sensor: frontal impactReported June 24, 2021 · 6 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.
Risk
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 and Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300. GM's number for this recall is N212340220.

Recall number 21V472000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse 667

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 667 bulletins for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

2021 Chevrolet Traverse fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.6L 6‑cylFWD182721
3.6L 6‑cylAWD172520

What 2021 Chevrolet Traverse owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Suspension · NJ

I was driving and had pulled out onto the road and the back of the car was fishtailing all while the front end was pulling to the right and I couldn’t control the car steering because a bolt had dislodged from the rear suspension link and we almost crashed because of it. The back driver side back wheel started to smoke and was making a loud While I tried to safely get on the shoulder away from traffic. The vehicle 3 days prior started showing service ESC and appointment was made to service car Monday November 9th. The vehicle is now at the dealer and is available for inspection.

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · IN

In the upper right hand corner the plastic is starting to pull away. The seat belt is routed through this area.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Brakes · 96,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse out of the driveway and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle finally stopped at the end of the driveway. The brake assist warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake booster pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was awaiting the parts to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Transmission · CO

When I accelerate at a stoplight the car shuddered and slammed into gear then it shop the rpms up to 8000 and back down i was barely able to make it home and when I arrived at home I tried to park and it would not go into reverse tostraighten my vehicle. I had it towed to a shop the next morning and they informed me I needed a new transmission that would cost $12400.00 to repair. This is a car that is only 5 years old and this is a catastrophic failure that I can't afford to fix and in a car that is 5 years old.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Tires · OH

I bought 4 new General Grabber HT tires 255/65 R 18 I have only driven on them for 13,000 miles and the tires shake and have wear on them. The shaking through my car out of alignment, caused my rear suspension Toe links to need replaced and my passenger front tie rod to fail. I had to pay Johns Tires of Eaton Ohio wanted to charge me over $500 to have my SUV aligned, replace rear suspension toe links and balance the tires. This is absurd after I paid 1000 for these tires at Johns tires. They wanted me to wait another 3 weeks because they did not have an opening, yet they claim to do Walkins. For my safety, I had to contact another dealer who had to replace the suspension toe links, right front tie rod end, balance my tires and perform a certified alignment. Due to tire vibration of the General Grabber HT Tires 255/65 R 18's my tires already have signs of excessive wear, and I had to pay another $725 for parts and labor. If I had not gone to another service center, I could have been driving, and my suspension toe links given way or my tie rod could have broken due to the tire vibration. The car dealer confirmed the tire vibration and wear on the suspension toe links and tie rod as well as the tires due to tire vibration.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · 105,000 miles · AL · fire

The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on the driveway, the contact's sister-in-law became aware of a burning odor. The contact stated that while walking towards the vehicle, the contact became aware of smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact unlatched the hood and became aware of the fire underneath the hood. The contact's husband attempted to extinguish the fire with a water hose. The Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was consumed by the fire. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Transmission · NY

I went in for service at Chey 112 in Medford, NY they advised me that my computer needed to be replaced they replaced the computer and I started having transmission issues.

Filed Aug 21, 2026 · Transmission · WV

Transmission shutters at lower gear going from 20-30 mph approximately and at the speed of 60-70 mph. When this happens it causes a delay in acceleration and for the whole car to shake. This was also noted by my mechanic even after changing transmission fluid and had concerns for the safety if it was to completely disrupt the transmission causing an accident. I was advised to check for recall since a lot of these makes and models have been having this issue. The SUV only has about 64,000 miles on it and has had all of its routine maintenance done regularly. I have only had it in my possession for 6 moths. No engine lights on. I do a lot of highway driving and I am concerned that this issue will possibly cause an accident. Ameritech Tire and Auto at 304‑229‑8924, Inwood, WV. August 12, 2026 was date of service.

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Engine · GA

The welding that holds the exhaust together has failed. They offer a Special Warranty to cover only the passenger side, however it has failed and exhaust is super loud. Also reading 4 codes from check engine alert. All are P0420 (cat convertor). The smell of exhaust and cat convertor is super disgusting

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Engine · 72,400 miles · TX

The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an inspection, where a leaking oil pan gasket was diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure had also occurred on a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse he owned. Although the vehicle had been taken to the dealer two months prior, the dealer did not find the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,400.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse before you buy

Compare the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

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Other model years

2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027

Questions about the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

Owners have filed 95 complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, fewer than a typical Traverse model year.

What is the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse year score?

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse scores 87 out of 100 (good). 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 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?

Electrical system, with 22 complaints. Next is engine (18).

How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse have?

3 recalls, covering air bags and power train.

What year does the Chevrolet Traverse have the most electrical problems?

The Chevrolet Traverse model years with the most electrical complaints are 2014 (128 complaints), 2019 (114 complaints) and 2018 (102 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse get?

Official estimates for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse range from 20 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.6L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 27 highway.

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