CarBrief

Most of the 361 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Traverse involve air bags[1][2]. It also has 3 recalls, all related to air bags, and each lists a free dealer remedy[3][4][5].

361owner complaints[1]
3recalls[6]
17–18MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 361 owner complaints for the 2017 Traverse[1]. Of these, 13 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 11 injuries[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints
Air bags[2] 263
Engine[9] 25
Electrical system[10] 22
Power train[11] 18
Unknown or other[12] 18
Brakes[13] 12
Steering[14] 11
Seat belts[15] 11

Air bags. This group is by far the largest. It has 263 complaints, with 5 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries, and a median mileage at failure of 38,038[2]. In a sample of 12 complaint texts we read, 6 describe an air bag warning light or a sensor fault, and 4 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[2]. The recalls below cover related air bag defects.

Electrical system. There are 22 complaints[10]. In a sample of 12 texts we read, 8 describe a sudden loss of power, a shutdown or a stall, often with warning lights[10].

Engine. There are 25 complaints[9]. In a sample of 12 texts we read, 6 describe the engine cutting out or losing power while driving[9].

Power train. There are 18 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 60,770[11]. In a sample of 12 texts we read, 7 describe a shudder, a jerk or rough shifting while driving[11]. In a few of those texts, owners say the problem started or continued after a transmission fluid service[11].

The counts for each group are small next to air bags, so treat them as things to ask about, not as proof of a pattern.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 Traverse[6]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

Both versions use a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine with an Automatic 6-spd and run on regular fuel[7][16].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Front-wheel drive[7] 15 / 22 / 18 $3,700
All-wheel drive[16] 15 / 22 / 17 $3,950

EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the AWD version 5 stars overall, 5 for frontal, 5 for side and 4 for rollover, with a rollover risk of 15.5%[8]. The FWD version has the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 16.9%[17].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, converted to inches and pounds. US models can differ slightly.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
FWD[18] 204 in 78 in 70 in 119 in 4,645 lb
AWD[19] 204 in 78 in 70 in 119 in 4,844 lb

How 2017 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 recalls2017: 361 complaints, 3 recalls36120172018: 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 2017 is highlighted[6].
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 each Traverse model year show 361 complaints for 2017[6]. Six years have more: 2010 (669), 2011 (608), 2014 (548), 2018 (464), 2009 (448) and 2019 (412)[6]. The other twelve listed years have fewer[6]. For recalls, 2017 has 3, the same as 2019 and 2021[6]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Should you buy a used 2017 Traverse?

The clearest issue on file is air bags. They account for 263 of the 361 complaints, and all 3 recalls involve them[1][2][6]. Before buying, confirm with a dealer that the driver air bag and side curtain recalls were done, since each has a free dealer remedy[3][4][5]. Ask about shifting shudder and sudden power loss on the test drive, because owners describe both in the complaint samples we read[10][11]. The 5-star overall rating is a point in its favor[8][17]. EPA estimates fuel at $3,700 to $3,950 a year, so factor that in[7][16].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?
Air bags have the most complaints by far, 263 of 361[1][2]. Engine has 25, electrical system 22 and power train 18[9][10][11].
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
Yes, 3: two for a driver air bag inflator that may explode (23V334, 21V782) and one for side curtain air bags that may not be attached properly (21V246)[3][4][5].
What is the gas mileage of a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?
EPA rates the FWD at 18 MPG combined and the AWD at 17 MPG combined[7][16].
How safe is the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[8][17].
Is the 2017 Traverse a better year than others?
It has 361 complaints, fewer than 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018 and 2019[6]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 361 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse (13 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 11 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 263 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,038). 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. Recall 21V246, filed April 8, 2021: Air Bags › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Traverse model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 25 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,271). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 22 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,543). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 18 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,770). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 18 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 12 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,170). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 11 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 11 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,961). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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.