I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding an engineering defect in the exhaust support system of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse that creates a direct chain-reaction failure, compromising vehicle safety and emissions controls. My vehicle experienced a complete structural failure of the front exhaust pipe mounting bracket—a known manufacturing defect heavily documented by General Motors under GM Special Coverage Adjustment N242445280. When this corporate-acknowledged bracket snaps, the exhaust system loses its vital structural anchoring point. As a direct mechanical consequence, the heavy catalytic converter assembly is left completely unsupported, subjecting it to violent, unmitigated engine vibrations and structural flexing during normal operation. This extreme mechanical stress directly forced a hairline crack to split open along the welded seams of the catalytic converter inlet pipe. Safety Risk and Consequences: This defect poses an immediate safety hazard on multiple fronts: 1. Exhaust/Carbon Monoxide Leak: The structural crack in the catalytic converter assembly allows raw, unfiltered, toxic exhaust gases—including carbon monoxide—to escape directly into the engine bay, creating a severe risk of passenger cabin intrusion while the vehicle is idling or in operation. 2. Fire Hazard: The unmitigated vibration and shifting of an unanchored, cracked exhaust line running at extremely high operating temperatures (exceeding 1,200°F) near surrounding components creates an elevated risk of thermal damage or engine bay fire. 3. Engine Stall Risk: The exhaust leak introduces erratic sensor readings, triggering a check engine light, risking unexpected engine performance degradation or a sudden stall at highway speeds. General Motors is actively utilizing the restrictive text of bulletin N242445280 to dodge liability for the full scope of this failure, forcing consumers to pay thousands out-of-pocket for cracked catalytic converters that are explicitly broken as a direct
Chevrolet Traverse check engine light comes on
660 of the 5,526 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Traverse describe check engine light, most of them for the 2010 model year.
- owner complaints
- 660
- worst model year
- 2010
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,300
- typical mileage
- 79,169
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 101Stalling 78Jerking 54Misfire 32Engine failure 30Hesitation 21ABS 21Won't shift 18
Trouble codes mentioned
P0008 20P0017 14P0420 7P1682 6P0700 5P0300 5P0171 5P2138 4P0496 4P0024 4
What owners say
-The Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) inside the automatic transmission is malfunctioning. It is experiencing a known defect outlined in GM Service Bulletin 23-NA-072. The vehicle is still being driven and is available for inspection upon request. -The transmission violently shudders and vibrates under light acceleration at low speeds (such as pulling out into traffic, merging, or navigating intersections). This violent, unexpected shaking creates a distraction, mimics the feeling of a blown tire or driving over a rumble strip, and causes hesitation in acceleration, which creates a safety hazard when merging with oncoming traffic. -The problem has been consistently reproduced by the owner. It matches the exact diagnostic criteria of GM’s active Technical Service Bulletin for TCC shudder. -No, it has not been inspected. - No check engine lights, warning lamps, or dashboard messages have appeared. The physical symptom is a severe mechanical shudder/vibration at low acceleration speeds, which first began appearing at approximately 75,000-80,000 -
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving, approaching a traffic light, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), rear collision warning, service assist, front collision warning, check engine light, and multiple brake warning lights illuminated. The emergency brake failed to function. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where the master cylinder failure was diagnosed, and the part was replaced. However, while driving after the repair, a complete brake failure occurred alongside the same warning lights. The contact lost control of the vehicle and traversed two intersections. The contact attempted multiple times to stop the vehicle, and the contact's daughter exited the moving vehicle before the contact stopped the engine by depressing the ignition button. The police were contacted, and a CAD report was generated. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where a second master cylinder failure was diagnosed and repaired under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 19,357.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a fractured flex pipe. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure was associated with GM Technical Service Bulletin: PIP 5681C and Manufacturer Communication Number: 10211780 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the contact was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed the failure was not covered under warranty. The contact spoke with the manufacturer, who also confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Vehicle: 2025 Chevrolet Traverse LT FWD VIN: [XXX] Purchase Date: XXX Incident Date: XXX Mileage: 35,975 INCIDENT DESCRIPTION: On Fr XXX, just seven days after purchasing this vehicle from Enterprise Car Sales, I started my 2025 Chevrolet Traverse and was immediately presented with multiple serious braking and vehicle safety-system warnings. The primary warning stated: "BRAKE ASSIST FAILURE. PRESS HARD TO BRAKE. SPEED LIMITED." Additional warnings included: - Service ESC (Electronic Stability Control) - ABS warning light illuminated - Traction/stability control warning - Forward Collision System Unavailable - Red BRAKE warning illuminated - Check Engine light illuminated These warnings appeared during the same startup event while the vehicle was stationary. SAFETY CONCERNS: I am extremely concerned that a vehicle with fewer than 36,000 miles is reporting a potential failure of its power-assisted braking system, along with simultaneous malfunctions involving ABS, stability control, and forward collision protection. The dashboard specifically instructed me to press harder to brake and indicated that vehicle speed was limited. This raises serious concerns about braking performance and the ability to safely stop the vehicle, particularly during an emergency. I am aware of the federal safety agency investigation EA26006 concerning potential electronic braking-system failures in certain General Motors vehicles, including the Chevrolet Traverse. The symptoms reported in that investigation appear similar to the warnings displayed by my vehicle. The underlying cause has not yet been confirmed. MANUFACTURER NOTIFICATION: I formally reported this incident to Chevrolet/General Motors. GM Case Number: XXX Photographs documenting the warnings and mileage are available. REQUEST: I request that the federal safety agency document this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect and evaluate whether it relates to existing complaints or investigations INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the exhaust system was sagging due to an improperly welded mounting bracket. The contact became aware that an exhaust system bolt was cracked and missing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a technician confirmed that the weld on the exhaust hanger had separated from the subframe, causing the loud rattling sound of the exhaust system. Additionally, the check engine warning light was frequently illuminated, and the exhaust system was louder than normal. The failure mileage was 82,000.
First issue-cracked catalytic converter caused leaking carbon monoxide inside vehicle. When I was driving I could smell strong, nauseating fuel smell and would have to drive with windows open to try and get fresh air. Took it to local shop for repair which cost $2700. After repair did some research and found special coverage warranty for 2018 Traverse for this same issue, however chevy told me because I took it to a third party they would not reimburse. Second issue-when car would go into gas saving mode vehicle would shut off quickly then start back up and all alert lights would come on (ie. engine light, parking light, etc.), vehicle would also show typed alert on screen something about power steering would be modified and drive safely. Recently took it to chevy to have it looked at, 3 issue were wrong, one being the purge solenoid needing to be replace. Because of known issue before, did some research and also found a special warranty coverage for 2018 traverses for this issue as well. However, my VIN is not showing any of these recalls so now chevy says they will also not cover this.
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Traverse. While the contact’s wife was driving approximately 5 MPH, the brakes independently activated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The ABS, traction control, check engine, collision avoidance, and other unknown warning lights illuminated. An audible alert chimed erroneously without a pedestrian nearby. Due to the failure, the contact’s chest struck the steering wheel. A passenger seated in the front passenger’s side seat experienced mental distress. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and DTC: P053D, C055F, P25A2, and 25NA240 were retrieved. The vehicle was repaired under warranty; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer and scanned with an OBD2 scanner, and the failures were confirmed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,188.
On September 18,2026 owner #3 bought the vehicle on December 9,2026 at the time of purchase it had 46,545 on September 17 check engine light came on and the diagnostic code came up as P0171 lean bank one from Pep Boys.Pep Boys scan found P0171 lean bank 1 meaning that is sucking in too much oxygen, upon inspection found rear exhaust manifold is cracked, creating a vacuum and suck. ng in oxygen,causing the engine light, the exhaust hanger is broken and pictures from PepBoys show the exhaust hanger is broken and was held by poxy putty from previous owner #2 this was not disclosed at the time of sale on December 9,2026 and CarMax failed to complete a 125+ inspection before it left the dealership lot.The Poxy putty caused the manifold to crack with catalytic converter and 2 O2 sensors. Further another serious concerns owner #3 has as reported on history from Good Car reported from other consumers owning 2020 Chevy Traverse is the Shift to Park issue which was discovered on August 5,2026 at Affordable Transmission in Lancaster when i got my transmission service. This is also another pre-existing condition that was not disclosed by CarMax at the time of sale on December 9,2025. I feel the car is defective and not safe. The vehicle is at my mechanic getting evaluated. Per Car Facts this vehicle was involved in a minor accident which was not disclosed.
For months we have had issues with the known issue of “Shift to Park” which is a huge potential safety risk to myself, my children, and all of my neighbors who are ever remotely close to the vehicle. No dealer can resolve the known issue for this year/make/model. It has slipped from park to drive once but thankfully I was still in the vehicle. Additionally, at barely 100,000, my transmission has failed suddenly. After having the vehicle suddenly buck when driving down the road— again risking the safety of myself and my children, as well as other drivers around me- the check engine light came on. After being inspected, the codes coming up are P0700, P2723, and some other transmission related codes indicating there is an internal issue with the transmission. I am told I will need to replace the entire transmission and it will cost well over $9,000. This vin should have been included in the prior transmission recall for this year/make/model due to the negligent risk of the vehicle slipping out of park and slipping gears while driving. Please help.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Chevrolet Traverse check engine light
Why does the check engine light come on in the Chevrolet Traverse?
Owners who report it most often also describe sudden loss of power, engine stalls while driving and jerking or lurching, and the codes they mention most are P0008, P0017 and P0420.
Which Chevrolet Traverse years have check engine light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2010 (102 complaints), 2014 (98 complaints) and 2012 (74 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the Chevrolet Traverse?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,300 (median of 73 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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