NHTSA has 448 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse[1]. Steering is the biggest group, with 231 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in NHTSA's file, biggest first. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.
- Steering. 231 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe whining or clunking sounds when turning, a pulsing wheel, and stiff steering at low speed. Several say the dealer pointed to the steering rack.
- Engine. 62 complaints[5]. Owners describe a check engine light, lost power, hesitation when passing, and noises they link to the timing chain. A few describe an engine that failed outright.
- Power Train. 58 complaints[6]. Owners describe the vehicle rolling backward on a slope, gears that seem to skip, and a drop to a lower gear that stays put. Some say dealers could not find the cause.
- Electrical System. 36 complaints[7]. Owners describe dim dash lights, gauges that read wrong, sudden power loss with warning lights, and headlights that burned out.
- Unknown Or Other. 35 complaints[8]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
- Air Bags. 26 complaints[9]. This group has 6 crashes and 10 injuries attached to it[9].
- Electronic Stability Control (Esc). 21 complaints[10].
- Speed Control. 18 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2009 Traverse is necessarily included.
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate (15V415), June 2015. About 691,144 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Seat Belts (14V266), May 2014. About 1,339,355 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Side/Window (14V118), March 2014. About 1,176,407 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Seat Belts (10V375), August 2010. About 207,210 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Electrical System (10V240), June 2010. About 1,365,070 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire.[16]
- Parking Brake (09V153), May 2009. About 15,393 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Column Shift (09V073), March 2009. About 276,729 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[18]
- Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Buckle Assembly (08V615), November 2008. About 16,667 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, parts separating.[19]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD/AWD[21] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4 | 15.5% |
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRAVERSE 4DR SUV FWD LS/LT1/LTZ[22] | 205 in | 78 in | 70 in | 119 in | 4,729 lb |
How 2009 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 448 | 8 |
| 2010 | 669 | 5 |
| 2011 | 608 | 5 |
| 2012 | 354 | 5 |
| 2013 | 162 | 4 |
| 2014 | 548 | 7 |
| 2015 | 313 | 5 |
| 2016 | 292 | 5 |
| 2017 | 361 | 3 |
| 2018 | 464 | 2 |
| 2019 | 412 | 3 |
| 2020 | 234 | 8 |
| 2021 | 92 | 3 |
| 2022 | 100 | 1 |
| 2023 | 93 | 2 |
| 2024 | 141 | 0 |
| 2025 | 185 | 0 |
| 2026 | 25 | 1 |
| 2027 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Traverse show 448 complaints and 8 recalls for 2009[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 14 have fewer complaints than 2009 and 4 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (1) and the most are for 2010 (669)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2009 Traverse?
The complaint file for this Traverse is dominated by steering, with 231 complaints[2]. Engine and power train reports come next at 62 and 58 complaints[5][6]. The file also lists 8 recalls, which are covered in the Recalls section[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what owners report and not as a failure rate. A pre-purchase inspection that looks closely at steering, shifting and warning lights makes sense for any used example.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
- Steering leads the complaint file with 231 complaints, followed by engine and power train reports[2][5][6].
- Does the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?
- Yes. The file lists 8 recalls for this model year, and the Recalls section on this page lists them[3].
- Is the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
- Owners filed 448 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Steering is the largest group[2]. The numbers are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide only.
- What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse get?
- See the Fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
- Is 2009 the best year for the Traverse?
- See the by-year comparison on this page to compare complaints and recalls across model years.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Chevrolet Traverse
Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Traverse
Other Chevrolet models from 2009
Similar cars from 2009: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 448 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse (17 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 231 complaints name the steering component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,725). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Traverse model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Traverse FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 62 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 103,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 58 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 36 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 35 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,700). NHTSA vehicle records
- 26 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,121). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,863). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 15V415, filed June 30, 2015: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V266, filed May 20, 2014: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V118, filed March 17, 2014: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V375, filed August 12, 2010: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V240, filed June 4, 2010: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 09V153, filed May 6, 2009: Parking Brake. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 09V073, filed March 6, 2009: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Column Shift. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V615, filed November 24, 2008: Seat Belts › Rear / Other › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Traverse AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAVERSE 4DR SUV FWD LS/LT1/LTZ: length 205 in, width 78 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,729 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov