CarBrief

NHTSA has 292 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse[1], and the air bag group is named far more often than any other[2]. The recalls include driver air bag inflators that can explode[3][4].

292owner complaints[1]
5recalls[5]
17–18MPG combined (EPA)[6]
5★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 292 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Eight mention a crash, one a fire, 15 injuries and one death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component group.

Here is how the biggest groups line up:

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Air bags[2] 163 79,500
Power train[8] 37 42,357
Engine[9] 31 46,900
Electrical system[10] 26 48,500
Steering[11] 24 55,000

Air bags. This group is far ahead of the rest[2]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, five say the owner was told the recall repair parts were not yet available[2]. Four describe an air bag warning light coming on[2]. Other texts in the sample describe crashes, including one where the owner says the air bags did not deploy[2]. The recall section below covers the inflator recalls.

Power loss and stalling. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, eight describe power cutting out, the car stalling or engine power being reduced, often with stability or traction control warnings[10]. In four of them the dealer could not find or repeat the cause[10]. A sample of 12 engine complaints shows a similar pattern[9]. Several describe a warning that engine power is reduced, and some say the car slowed to about 25 mph[9]. In a sample of 12 power train complaints, six describe stalling or power loss while driving[8]. Three describe transmission trouble, such as a failure that needed a replacement or slipping[8].

These are small samples of owner stories. They show what owners describe, not how often it happens.

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year[5]. Newest first[5]:

Fuel economy

EPA rates both versions at 15 city and 22 highway[6][15]. The combined rating is 18 MPG for the front-wheel-drive version[6] and 17 MPG for the all-wheel-drive version[15]. Both use regular fuel and a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine with an Automatic 6-spd[6][15].

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA estimated annual fuel cost
Front-wheel drive[6] 15 / 22 / 18 $3,700
All-wheel drive[15] 15 / 22 / 17 $3,950

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives both versions 5 stars overall, 5 stars in the frontal test and 5 stars in the side test[7][16]. The rollover rating is 4 stars for both[7][16]. NHTSA lists a rollover risk of 15.5% for the all-wheel-drive version[7] and 16.9% for the front-wheel-drive version[16].

Engine and size

The EPA fuel economy listings show a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine for both versions[6][15]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Measure Front-wheel drive All-wheel drive
Length 204 in 204 in
Width 78 in 78 in
Height 70 in 70 in
Wheelbase 119 in 119 in
Curb weight 4,645 lb 4,844 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

2009: 448 complaints, 8 recalls20092010: 669 complaints, 5 recalls2011: 608 complaints, 5 recalls20112012: 354 complaints, 5 recalls2013: 162 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 548 complaints, 7 recalls2015: 313 complaints, 5 recalls20152016: 292 complaints, 5 recalls29220162017: 361 complaints, 3 recalls20172018: 464 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 412 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 234 complaints, 8 recalls2021: 92 complaints, 3 recalls20212022: 100 complaints, 1 recalls2023: 93 complaints, 2 recalls20232024: 141 complaints, 0 recalls2025: 185 complaints, 0 recalls20252026: 25 complaints, 1 recalls2027: 1 complaints, 0 recalls2027
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Traverse model year. The 2016 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20094488
20106695
20116085
20123545
20131624
20145487
20153135
20162925
20173613
20184642
20194123
20202348
2021923
20221001
2023932
20241410
20251850
2026251
202710

NHTSA's counts for the Traverse run from 1 complaint for 2027 up to 669 for 2010[5]. The 2016 model year has 292 complaints and 5 recalls[5]. Nine of the 19 listed years have more complaints than 2016, and nine have fewer, so it sits in the middle[5].

The neighboring years are 2015 with 313 complaints and 5 recalls, and 2017 with 361 complaints and 3 recalls[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so treat them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2016 Traverse?

The record has two things to weigh. The air bag group has far more complaints than any other[2], and the model year has driver air bag inflator recalls that can cause serious injury[3][4]. Before buying, ask a dealer to confirm that every recall on the vehicle has been done. Owners in a small sample also describe sudden power reduction and stalling that some dealers could not diagnose[10]. EPA rates fuel economy at 17 or 18 MPG combined depending on drive type[6][15], and NHTSA gives 5 stars overall[7][16]. This page cannot say whether any one vehicle has problems, so a pre-purchase inspection and a recall check are sensible.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
The air bag group is named in 163 of the 292 complaints on file, far more than power train at 37[1][2][8]. Owners in small samples also describe power loss and stalling[8][9][10].
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?
NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year[5]. They cover driver air bag inflators[3][4], side curtain air bags[12], a third row seat frame[13] and a wiper motor[14].
What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
EPA rates the front-wheel-drive version at 18 MPG combined[6] and the all-wheel-drive version at 17 MPG combined[15]. Both are rated 15 city and 22 highway[6][15].
How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover[7][16]. Its recalls include air bag issues that carry injury risk[3][4][12].
Is the 2016 Traverse a better year than 2015 or 2017?
It has fewer complaints than both, 292 against 313 and 361[5]. Recalls on file are 5 for 2016, 5 for 2015 and 3 for 2017[5]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 292 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse (8 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 15 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 163 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 23V334, filed May 10, 2023: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 21V782, filed October 7, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Traverse model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Traverse FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 37 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,357). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 31 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 26 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 24 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 21V246, filed April 8, 2021: Air Bags › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 15V833, filed December 11, 2015: Seats. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 15V609, filed September 29, 2015: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Traverse AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAVERSE LS/LT/LTZ FWD 4DR SUV: length 204 in, width 78 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,645 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAVERSE LS/LT/LTZ AWD 4DR SUV: length 204 in, width 78 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,844 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.