2021 Chevrolet Traverse
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 22 of 89 complaints (25%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 225 in 2020 to 89 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,500 | 2,950–3,100 | 2,950–3,100 | 2,950–3,100 | 2,950–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–22 | 20–21 | 20–21 | 20–21 | 20–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–20 / 25–27 | 17–18 / 25–27 | 17–18 / 25–27 | 17–18 / 25–27 | 17–18 / 25–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404–438 | 420–442 | 420–439 | 417–448 | 417–448 | |
| Complaints filed | 404 | 225 | 89 | 97 | 87 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 14 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 16 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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 2021 Chevrolet Traverse have?
3 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 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?
Electrical: 22 of 89 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse get?
EPA rates it 20–21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,100 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 9-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 18 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 420 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 439 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 21 | 0 | 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 (3)
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN · Campaign 22V210000 · Mar 31, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 21V817000 · Oct 18, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:FRONTAL IMPACT · Campaign 21V472000 · Jun 24, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.