What are the most common problems with the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?

Engine complaints lead, followed by power train and electrical reports. See the problems section for what owners describe.

Does the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show recalls for this model year. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

Owners filed 234 complaints with NHTSA. Read the problems section and the by-year comparison to judge for yourself.

Is 2020 a good year for the Traverse?

The by-year comparison section shows how 2020 stacks up against other years.

2020 Chevrolet Traverse Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 234 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 95 complaints^[2].

234owner complaints^[1]

8recalls^[3]

20–21MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups, biggest first, from reports owners filed with NHTSA.

Engine. 95 complaints^[2]. Owners describe the vehicle stalling without warning, sometimes at low speed in traffic. Some describe a rough, jerky feel when accelerating, and others mention a broken exhaust part that let fumes into the cabin.
Unknown or other. 56 complaints^[6]. These reports do not point to one clear part of the vehicle.
Power train. 39 complaints^[7]. In the stories we read, owners describe a transmission that is slow to engage reverse, and a shudder that gets worse after a long drive. Some also mention a stuttering feel at low speed.
Electrical system. 28 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a dead rear camera and a surround view screen that only shows a warning symbol. Others describe the engine shutting off at a stop and then refusing to restart, along with blown fuses and a dash that went blank.
Fuel/propulsion system. 16 complaints^[9]. Owners describe a loud, broken exhaust and a fuel gauge that swung to empty and back. Some say they could not get coverage for the exhaust repair.
Brakes. 10 complaints^[10].
Seat belts. 9 complaints^[11].
Steering. 7 complaints^[12].

These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2020 Traverse is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain (22V210), March 2022. About 89 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.^[13]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission (21V817), October 2021. About 639 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Tires (21V115), February 2021. About 33,838 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.^[15]
Tires (20V684), November 2020. About 7,516 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.^[16]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission (20V668), October 2020. About 194,105 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump (20V639), October 2020. About 2,781 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling.^[18]
Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain › Inflator (20V446), July 2020. About 769 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.^[19]
Structure › Frame And Members (19V643), September 2019. About 3,420 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.^[20]

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.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Traverse FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,200
Traverse AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[21]	17 / 25 / 20	$3,350

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[5]	5	4	5	4	15.0%
SUV FWD^[22]	5	4	5	4	16.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2020 Chevrolet Traverse with 3.6L 6-cylinder^[23]	310 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
TRAVERSE 4DR SUV AWD^[24]	204 in	79 in	71 in	121 in	4,700 lb
TRAVERSE 4DR SUV FWD^[25]	204 in	79 in	71 in	121 in	4,361 lb

How 2020 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Traverse model year. The 2020 is highlighted^[3].

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 234 complaints and 8 recalls for 2020^[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 10 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 2020 Traverse?

The complaint file for this model year is sizeable at 234 reports^[1]. Engine and power train issues lead the list, and electrical complaints are also worth a look^[2]^[7]^[8]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so they show where complaints cluster and not how likely a problem is. Check the recall list on this page and ask for service records before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?: Engine complaints lead, followed by power train and electrical reports^[2]^[7]^[8]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
Does the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?: Owners filed 234 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. Read the problems section and the by-year comparison to judge for yourself.
Is 2020 a good year for the Traverse?: The by-year comparison section shows how 2020 stacks up against other years^[3].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chevrolet Traverse

2009 448 complaints, 8 recalls
2010 669 complaints, 5 recalls
2011 608 complaints, 5 recalls
2012 354 complaints, 5 recalls
2013 162 complaints, 4 recalls
2014 548 complaints, 7 recalls
2015 313 complaints, 5 recalls
2016 292 complaints, 5 recalls
2017 361 complaints, 3 recalls
2018 464 complaints, 2 recalls
2020 this page
2023 93 complaints, 2 recalls
2025 185 complaints, 0 recalls
2026 25 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Traverse

Other Chevrolet models from 2020

2020 Chevrolet Blazer 222 complaints, 3 recalls

All Chevrolet models

Similar cars from 2020: suvs

2020 Ford Expedition 425 complaints, 18 recalls
2020 GMC Acadia 106 complaints, 6 recalls
2020 Hyundai Palisade 541 complaints, 5 recalls
2020 Lincoln Aviator 120 complaints, 30 recalls
2020 Lincoln Navigator 32 complaints, 13 recalls
2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2 complaints, 8 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 234 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse (11 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
95 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,500). 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 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
56 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
39 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,500). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 22V210, filed March 31, 2022: Air Bags › Side / Window › Curtain. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V817, filed October 18, 2021: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V115, filed February 25, 2021: Tires. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V684, filed November 5, 2020: Tires. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V668, filed October 29, 2020: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V639, filed October 15, 2020: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V446, filed July 30, 2020: Air Bags › Side / Window › Curtain › Inflator. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V643, filed September 6, 2019: Structure › Frame And Members. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Traverse AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2020 Chevrolet Traverse with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 310 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAVERSE 4DR SUV AWD: length 204 in, width 79 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 121 in, curb weight 4,700 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAVERSE 4DR SUV FWD: length 204 in, width 79 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 121 in, curb weight 4,361 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.

2020 Chevrolet Traverse: problems, recalls and fuel economy