Is the 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE reliable?

The 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE has 945 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE?

Top problems: ENGINE (213 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (165 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS (103 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS, SEAT BELTS, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE?

The 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE is approximately $1,404/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE has 945 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.2x the segment average of 421. The most common issue is engine problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: car shakes and vibrates when stopped at stop signs and lights. car suddenly came to a completely halt. was able to get help and move it to shoulder. was able to start the car later in the day and drive to the dealer. dealer mentioned that 4 cylinders are misfiring. surprised that a car only 9 months. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 20 crash reports 26 injuries

945

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

213 complaints

23%

• CAR SHAKES AND VIBRATES WHEN STOPPED AT STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS. CAR SUDDENLY CAME TO A COMPLETELY HALT. WAS ABLE TO GET HELP AND MOVE IT TO SHOULDER. WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR LATER IN THE DAY AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER. DEALER MENTIONED THAT 4 CYLINDERS ARE MISFIRING. SURPRISED THAT A CAR ONLY 9 MONTHS
• CALL VIBRATES AND SUDDENLY CAME TO A HALT. WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR TO SHOULDER. PRIOR TO THIS I NOTICED THE CAR WAS SHOWING ME A RPM INDICATOR ON 2 AND 3 EVEN WHEN IN PARKED CONDITION, SCARY. MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT CYLINDER ARE MISFIRING, ABOUT 3 TO 4 OF THEM
• THE VEHICLE ALWAYS ROLL BACKS WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED ON A SLOPE. THIS HAPPENS TO ME AT ALL TIMES WHEN I AM PICKING UP KIDS FROM SCHOOL AND HAVE A STOP SIGN AT A SLOPE. THE SLOPE IS NOT VERY STEEP AND OTHER CAR I HAVE DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. JUST BIZZARE THAT YOU REALLY HAVE TO ACCELERATE YOUR WAY

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“CAR SHAKES AND VIBRATES WHEN STOPPED AT STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS. CAR SUDDENLY CAME TO A COMPLETELY HALT. WAS ABLE TO GET HELP AND MOVE IT TO SHOULDER. WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR LATER IN THE DAY AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER. DEALER MENTIONED THAT 4 CYLINDERS ARE MISFIRING. SURPRISED THAT A CAR ONLY 9 MONTHS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE

Based on 768 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 72K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

108

30-60K

162

60-100K

285

100-150K

190

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 41K mi · 22 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Reported earliermedian 47K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Reported earliermedian 45K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 84K mi · 182 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 67K mi · 142 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In line with typicalmedian 81K mi · 99 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS08/04/2021

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.

Risk: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,404

Full coverage / month

$117

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-16%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1404

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet TRAVERSE Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2011 TRAVERSE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 945 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: CAR SHAKES AND VIBRATES WHEN STOPPED AT STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS. CAR SUDDENLY CAME TO A COMPLETELY HALT. WAS ABLE TO GET HELP AND MOVE IT TO SHOULDER. WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR LATER IN THE DAY AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER. DEALER MENTIONED THAT 4 CYLINDERS ARE MISFIRING. SURPRISED THAT A CAR ONLY 9 MONTHS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: PULLLING UP TO THE AIRPORT PARKING AS I WAS GETTING MY TICKET TO ENTER THE PARKING LOT THE GATE OPEN AND I STEP ON THE GAS TO CONTINUE WHEN THE TRUCK SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT BEING IN BETWEEN TWO BARRIERS THE TRUCK DID HAD MINOR SCRATCHES ON THE RIGHT BUMPER WHEN IT SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT I COULD NOT GO F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM INCLUDES STABILITRAK AND ABS SYSTEM. THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FIVE TIMES FOR BRAKING FAILURE. WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ABS KICKED IN AND THE BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE SENSORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED/DEBRIS CLEANED/AND FRAYED WIRES REPLACED. THE VEHICL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE SHIFTING INTO THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT INDICATED THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED IN THE TRANSMISSION MODULE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)