CarBrief

NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse[1]. Electrical system reports lead the list at 7 complaints[2].

25owner complaints[1]
1recalls[3]
21–22MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Here is how the complaints on file split up by component group, biggest first.

These are unverified reports sent in by owners, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2026 Traverse is necessarily included.

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, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] 20 / 26 / 22 $3,050
Traverse AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[14] 20 / 24 / 21 $3,200

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
SUV AWD[5] 5 5 5 4 18.5%
SUV FWD[15] 5 5 5 4 17.4%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2026 Chevrolet Traverse with 2.5L 4-cylinder[16] 328 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[17] 204 in 80 in 71 in 121 in 4,793 lb
TRAVERSE Z71 4DR SUV[18] 204 in 80 in 72 in 121 in 4,793 lb

How 2026 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 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 recalls2520262027: 1 complaints, 0 recalls2027
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Traverse model year. The 2026 is highlighted[3].
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 show 25 complaints and 1 recalls for 2026[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 1 have fewer complaints than 2026 and 17 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 2026 Traverse?

The 2026 Traverse has a modest pile of owner complaints on file so far[1]. The electrical system and brakes lead the groups[2][6]. Owners also describe braking that happens without warning, which shows up under forward collision avoidance[8]. The complaint count is not adjusted for sales, so treat it as a list of things to ask about rather than a final score. Check the recall section on this page and ask a dealer about open items before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse?
Owners report electrical system trouble most often[2], then brakes[6]. See the problems section for the full split.
Does the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
Yes, the by-year data shows 1 recall[3]. The recalls section on this page lists it.
How many complaints does the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse have?
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on file[1].
What gas mileage does the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse get?
See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
The complaint record is still short[1]. The by-year section shows how it compares with other years of the same model[3].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chevrolet Traverse

Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Traverse

Other Chevrolet models from 2026

All Chevrolet models

Similar cars from 2026: suvs

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse (2 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 7 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Traverse model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Traverse FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 6 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 5 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 5 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 4 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 3 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 2 complaints name the lane departure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 2 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 26V114, filed February 26, 2026: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
  14. EPA rating for Traverse AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  16. EPA Test Car List, 2026 Chevrolet Traverse with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 328 hp. www.epa.gov
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAVERSE 4DR SUV: length 204 in, width 80 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 121 in, curb weight 4,793 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAVERSE Z71 4DR SUV: length 204 in, width 80 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 121 in, curb weight 4,793 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.