2021 Chevrolet Traverse problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, most often about electrical system. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 90
Recalls: 3
Crashes: 4
Fires: 1
Injuries: 6
Median mileage: 57,500 mi

Key facts

Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 22 of 90 complaints (24%).
Engine (18) and transmission & drivetrain (15) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 57,500 mi.
Owners reported 4 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries.
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse has 3 recalls on file.
It ranks 11th of 18 Chevrolet Traverse model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 61% fewer complaints than the 2020 model year (232).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Electrical system	21
Unknown or other	19
Power train	15
Engine	11
Service brakes	9
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system	5
Steering	4
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control	3

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2021 Chevrolet Traverse complaints that list mileage.

2021 Chevrolet Traverse recalls (3)

Recall 22V210000Mar 31, 202289 vehicles
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
Risk: Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212352140.
Recall 21V817000Oct 18, 2021639 vehicles
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible vehicles with Power In-floor Ramp conversion. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the screw and clip, and inspect for signs of contact with the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
Recall 21V472000Jun 24, 20216 vehicles
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:FRONTAL IMPACT
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N212340220.

Recent 2021 Chevrolet Traverse complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Oct 5, 2026105,000 miALFireTowedOther / Unknown
The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on the driveway, the contact's sister-in-law became aware of a burning odor. The contact stated that while walking towards the vehicle, the contact became aware of smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact unlatched the hood and became aware of the fire underneath the hood. The contact's husband attempted to extinguish the fire with a water hose. The Fire Department…
NHTSA complaint #11769100 · source
Filed Sep 8, 2026NYTransmission & Drivetrain
I went in for service at Chey 112 in Medford, NY they advised me that my computer needed to be replaced they replaced the computer and I started having transmission issues.
NHTSA complaint #11762657 · source
Filed Aug 21, 2026WVTransmission & Drivetrain
Transmission shutters at lower gear going from 20-30 mph approximately and at the speed of 60-70 mph. When this happens it causes a delay in acceleration and for the whole car to shake. This was also noted by my mechanic even after changing transmission fluid and had concerns for the safety if it was to completely disrupt the transmission causing an accident. I was advised to check for recall since a lot of these makes and models have been having this issue. The SUV only has…
NHTSA complaint #11758560 · source
Filed Aug 18, 2026GAEngine
The welding that holds the exhaust together has failed. They offer a Special Warranty to cover only the passenger side, however it has failed and exhaust is super loud. Also reading 4 codes from check engine alert. All are P0420 (cat convertor). The smell of exhaust and cat convertor is super disgusting
NHTSA complaint #11757809 · source
Filed Jul 8, 202672,400 miTXEngine
The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an inspection, where a leaking oil pan gasket was diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure had also occurred on a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse he owned. Although the vehicle had been taken to the dealer two months prior, the dealer did not find the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure…
NHTSA complaint #11749147 · source
Filed Jun 25, 2026CAOther / Unknown
On [XXX] I purchased the vehicle from Bakersfield Hyundai within days I reported break failure and notified them about a noise that was coming from the SUV that sounded like a mini motorcycle, they first said (Xavier) that the noise would go away because it had just gotten serviced but they kept me there for four plus hours and said I had to take it back which I did and again I took it for break replacement and I told them the noise would get louder and sometimes it would…
NHTSA complaint #11746551 · source
Filed May 13, 2026KSEngine
Check engine light came on and I noticed that the cooling fan would continue running for several minutes even after turning vehicle off. Had a mechanic run the diagnostics and the code came back as a thermostat/cooling issue. Although when I called to make an appointment and told him the issue and that it was a 2021 Traverse, he knew exactly what the issue was. He said that is a very common issue in all 2021 Chevy/GM engines. Online research provided a couple special…
NHTSA complaint #11737628 · source
Filed May 9, 2026KYTransmission & Drivetrain
I am filing a safety complaint regarding two vehicles provided through Bob Hook Chevrolet in [XXX] . My Chevrolet Traverse has been at the dealership for approximately one month due to a transmission failure. The vehicle has remained unrepaired during that time. The transmission issue has made the vehicle unreliable and unsafe to operate. While my Traverse was in the shop, the dealership provided me with a Buick Enclave loaner vehicle. On Thursday, while driving the Enclave,…
NHTSA complaint #11736727 · source

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Other 2021 Chevrolet models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology