2016 Chevrolet Traverse
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 167 of 291 complaints (57%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 313 in 2015 to 291 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,300 | 3,300 | 3,450–3,650 | 3,450–3,650 | 2,950–3,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 19 | 19 | 17–18 | 17–18 | 20–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–17 / 23–24 | 16–17 / 23–24 | 15 / 22 | 15 / 22 | 17–20 / 25–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 465–476 | 465–476 | 507–518 | 507–518 | 404–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 547 | 313 | 291 | 361 | 459 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 15 | 11 | 15 | 11 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
Airbags & Restraints: 167 of 291 NHTSA complaints (57%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse get?
EPA rates it 17–18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
EPA estimates $3,450–$3,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 15 mpg | 22 mpg | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 507 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 15 mpg | 22 mpg | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 518 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 31 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 36 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 26 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 22 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 167 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 24 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 23V334000 · May 10, 2023
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 21V782000 · Oct 7, 2021
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 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 N212349040.
AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS · Campaign 21V246000 · Apr 8, 2021
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.
Consequence: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
SEATS · Campaign 15V833000 · Dec 11, 2015
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
Consequence: If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR · Campaign 15V609000 · Sep 29, 2015
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
Consequence: A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.