CSR

Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2010 Chevrolet Traverse

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

668

Complaints

17

Crashes

6

Fires

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse have filed 668 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2010 and January 2026. The most complained-about system is the steering, named in 331 of them (50%). The typical failure was reported at 75,000 miles, the median across the 575 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 5 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (5)

AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

21V246000 · April 8, 2021

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
The risk
Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

General Motors, LLC · up to 108 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

15V415000 · June 30, 2015

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
The risk
If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

General Motors LLC · up to 691,144 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS

14V266000 · May 20, 2014

The defect
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
The risk
If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
The remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

General Motors LLC · up to 1,339,355 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

14V118000 · March 17, 2014

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
The risk
Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

General Motors LLC · up to 1,176,407 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS

10V375000 · August 12, 2010

The defect
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RETURNED TO A SEATING POSITION AFTER BEING FOLDED FLAT. IF THE BUCKLE CONTACTS THE SEAT FRAME, ADDITIONAL EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO RETURN THE SEAT TO A SEATING POSITION. IF SUFFICIENT FORCE IS APPLIED, THE BUCKLE COVER COULD BE PUSHED DOWN THE STRAP, EXPOSING AND PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE RED RELEASE BUTTON.
The risk
THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELDS. IF A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · up to 207,210 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (2)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

EA20002

Closed engineering analysis · opened August 31, 2020 · closed August 30, 2024 · led to recall 21V245

the seat belts

On August 31, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) EA20002, as an upgrade of Recall Query (RQ) RQ19003. This investigation, related to recall 14V-266, was opened to investigate instances of detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor cable attached to the outboard side of the front seats in vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The subject vehicles included model year (MY) 2009 through 2014 GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and Chevrolet Traverse SUVs as well as MY 2009 through 2010 Saturn Outlook SUVs. These vehicles were previously repaired for this defect under recall 14V-266. The subject vehicle population is approximately 1.3 million vehicles. Special Coverage N192219480, issued in June 2019, addressed the subject defect in vehicles that previously received the recall remedy repair for subject recall 14V-266. The Special Coverage allows for component replacement for 12 years or 180,000 miles from the initial sale date, whichever comes first. Special Coverage N192219480 instructed service technicians to inspect the driver’s seat belt anchor cable for any damage to the protective sleeve and if damage was observed, the cable was replaced with a new sleeve as well as a new closeout piece that relocated the cable to mitigate the subject condition. In view of the Special Coverage conducted by General Motors, the high detectability of the subject failure, and the low rate of occurrence, this Engineering Analysis is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov. Please see the attached document “EA20-002 Detailed Closing Summary” for more a detailed closing resume summary.

Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

RQ19003

Closed recall query · opened May 28, 2019 · closed August 31, 2020

the seat belts

On May 19, 2014, General Motors LLC (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct Safety Recall 14V266 to address fatigue and separation of the flexible steel cable that connects the front outboard seat belts to the seat-mounted belt pre-tensioner in 1.4 million model year (MY) 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook, 2009-2014 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse (Lambda Platform) vehicles.The remedy was to inspect for signs of damage and replace pre-tensioner anchor cables as needed. Re-work was conducted to relocate the pre-tensioner anchor cable out of the occupant entry path. ODI has subsequently received four (4) Vehicle Owners Questionnaires (VOQ) reporting anchor cable separations with no apparent warning in covered vehicles after the Recall 14V266 remedy had been applied.ODI opened RQ19-003 to assess the effectiveness of the actions GM took in Recall 14V266 and review the full warranty and complaint data related to seat belt anchor cable separations and replacements. ODI continues to receive occasional cable failure complaints both for the subject vehicles and other GM models and model years that have also been previously recalled addressing this condition.Although the cable separation complaint rate is very low, over the past three years ODI has received two (2) additional VOQ?s citing belt cable separations for Lambda platform vehicles outside the scope of recall 14V266, (11217092, 11118075) and complaints for other GM models covered in a number of similar Safety Recalls:* 15V269, 2011-12 Chevrolet Malibu (11181115, 11288168); * 16V209, 2014-15 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500 (11254364, 10935183, 10953851, 11025376, 11282043, 11288701, 11309884); and * 16V518 2014-16 Caprice Police Pursuit, SS (10905644, 10990669, 11340893).ODI's review of GM's data confirms the low potential failure rate for the vehicles covered by recall 14V266. However, ODI believes that complainants may not recognize accumulating cable fatigue damage from the visual cues available in routine vehicle use.ODI is upgrading RQ19-003 to an Engineering Analysis to more closely assess seat belt conditions and strength levels in the field. This work will include the collection of seat belt samples from a wider range of recalled and peer vehicles for detailed analysis and testing.The ODI reports (VOQs) associated with this RQ19-003 can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following reference numbers: 11144704, 11076704, 11185619, 11151922, 11164011, 10967518, 11113486, 11115648

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 668.

STEERING 331 50%
ENGINE 178 27%
POWER TRAIN 66 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 59 9%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 57 9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 42 6%
AIR BAGS 30 4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 28 4%
SEAT BELTS 25 4%
SERVICE BRAKES 16 2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12 2%
SUSPENSION 10 1%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2014 at 196.

2010 2014 2026
2010 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SEAT BELTS

2 injured · crash · towed · 110,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO CHILDREN SEATED IN THE THIRD ROW SEATS WAS INJURED DUE TO THE SEAT BELT NOT RETAINING THEIR FORWARD MOTION. THE TWO CHILDREN SEATED IN THE THIRD ROW OF THE VEHICLE HIT THEIR HEADS ON THE SEAT BACK OF THE MIDDLE ROW SEATS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V375000 (SEAT BELTS) OR

NHTSA complaint 11210247, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 103,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AS IT WAS MAKING A TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED BUT NOT TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL SHE WENT TO THE DOCTOR THE SAME DAY DAY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED AWAY TO A SALVAGE LOT. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. TF

NHTSA complaint 11210243. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 160,000 miles

DRIVING EAST IN THE FAR LEFT LANE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE, FORD TAURUS, ENTERED THE LANE CAUSING A HEAD ON COLLISION. I WAS TRAVELING WITHIN THE SPEED LIMITS. I HAVE INJURIES AND REINJURED PARTS OF MY BODY. OCTOBER 26 2020.

NHTSA complaint 11376062. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS

1 injured · crash · 3,600 miles

1. STOPPED AT RED LIGHT IN 2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE SUV AND REAR ENDED BY A NISSAN FRONTIER PICK UP TRUCK TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ON BUT DRIVER'S HEAD THROWN AGAINST WINDSHIELD AND THEN DRIVER'S BODY SLAMMED AGAINST THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHICH WAS FORCED BACK TO A RECLINING POSITION. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. 2. SEAT BELT FAILED TO PREVENT DRIVER'S HEAD FROM HITTING WINDSHIELD IF IT IS SUPPOSED TO IN THIS TYPE OF COLLISION. DID THE SEAT BACK ACT PROPERLY IN SUCH A COLLISION? WAS THE AIRBAG SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY IN THIS TYPE OF COLLISION. 3. IN BODY SHOP TO REPAIR TO PRE-ACCIDENT CONDITION.. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10315713. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash

Side airbags deployed when we slid off the road. No impact not even a scratch or dent on the vehicle. We did not hit anything but only slid sideways off the road. The insurance company inspected the vehicle nothing but the airbags were damaged. No other warnings.

NHTSA complaint 11710876. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS
Seat belts all lock up and back latch falls when opening

NHTSA complaint 11647549. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · 175,000 miles

The contact owned a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that the driver's side door, the driver's side seat, and the ceiling had caught on fire and was burned; the windshield was also cracked. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire. A Fire Department report was filed the following day and the Fire Department inspected the vehicle and determined that the wiring was hot to the touch and could have possibly caused the fire; the vehicle was deemed totaled. The local dealer was not contacted. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle remained at the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the

NHTSA complaint 11630211, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
No power steering at low speed . Makes it dangerous to turn sharp corners. Almost impossible to park in a parking spot if there’s other vehicles.so I park way out away from vehicles . I have had two power steering pumps and lines replaced . And still have the same issue. .

NHTSA complaint 11590864. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
For several years now, when someone sits on the front passenger seat, the airbag light will intermittently come on. It also comes on if the person gets out of the seat. I took the vehicle to a dealership and they charged me over $100 to diagnose, and said the cable was loose and they fixed it. The next day it started doing this same thing again, but it doesn't happen when the dealer looks at the vehicle to replicate and fix the issue.

NHTSA complaint 11545273. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
I have now been told that my rack and pinion is leaking by 3-4 different mechanics. In doing a google search, I see that through various years of the chevy traverse, the rack and pinion leaking and needing to be replaced at a high cost (and also being a big safety risk to not replace) is a very common issue in the traverse.

NHTSA complaint 11545275. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Traverse

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 20 1
2025 171 0
2024 130 0
2023 85 2
2022 95 1
2021 86 3
2020 218 8
2019 401 3
2018 454 2
2017 360 3 1
2016 291 5 1
2015 313 5
2014 547 7
2013 161 4
2012 354 5
2011 608 5 1

Other 2010 Chevrolet models

Every Chevrolet on this site — 298 vehicles, 747 recall campaigns and 5 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst