Is the 2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE reliable?

The 2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE has 587 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE?

Top problems: ENGINE (117 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS (84 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (62 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE?

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

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE?

The 2012 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 2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE is approximately $1,520/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.

2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE has 587 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 421. The most common issue is engine problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: this vehicle has engine defect, which dangerously stops the car while driven. the chevrolet dealership tried to repair once but failed. i purchased this vehicle from chevrolet dealership in november of 2012. on september 28, 2013, the engine of my vehicle suddenly completely stopped running w. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 12 crash reports 14 injuries

587

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

117 complaints

20%

• THIS VEHICLE HAS ENGINE DEFECT, WHICH DANGEROUSLY STOPS THE CAR WHILE DRIVEN. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TRIED TO REPAIR ONCE BUT FAILED. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER OF 2012. ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2013, THE ENGINE OF MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING W
• DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, STARTED UP HILL AT 55 MPH IN TRAFFIC. FOLLOWING ALARMS CAME ON: TRACTION CONTROL DASHBOARD SYMBOL; STABILITRACK OFF; ENGINE POWER REDUCED; TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO 40 MPH AND WOULD NOT GO FASTER. ONLINE FORUMS INDICATE THIS IS A THROTTLE BODY OR EC
• RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS ALL OF THE SUDDEN: TRACTION CONTROL OFF, TRACTION CONTROL NEEDS SERVICE, STABILITRAK OFF, STABILITRAK NEEDS SERVICE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. VEHICLE BEGAN TRYING TO STALL. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A COUNTRY ROAD AND COULD EASILY PULL OVER QUICKLY. ALL OF

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

“THIS VEHICLE HAS ENGINE DEFECT, WHICH DANGEROUSLY STOPS THE CAR WHILE DRIVEN. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TRIED TO REPAIR ONCE BUT FAILED. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER OF 2012. ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2013, THE ENGINE OF MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING W”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE

Based on 467 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 88K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

159

100-150K

145

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Earlier than typicalmedian 65K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Earlier than typicalmedian 85K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 51 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 87K mi · 35 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 87K mi · 31 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 90K mi · 14 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)

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE30/06/2015

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.

Risk: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 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 2012 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

$1,520

Full coverage / month

$127

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-9%

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 age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1520

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 2012 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

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~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 587 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: THIS VEHICLE HAS ENGINE DEFECT, WHICH DANGEROUSLY STOPS THE CAR WHILE DRIVEN. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TRIED TO REPAIR ONCE BUT FAILED. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER OF 2012. ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2013, THE ENGINE OF MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, STARTED UP HILL AT 55 MPH IN TRAFFIC. FOLLOWING ALARMS CAME ON: TRACTION CONTROL DASHBOARD SYMBOL; STABILITRACK OFF; ENGINE POWER REDUCED; TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO 40 MPH AND WOULD NOT GO FASTER. ONLINE FORUMS INDICATE THIS IS A THROTTLE BODY OR EC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55MPH WE WERE HIT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DAMAGE TO THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WELL AND REAR RIGHT SIDE ON THE BODY WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE UNDERNEATH. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT ANYTIME IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER'S COLLISION AND REPAIR SHOP AND AFTER SEVERAL WEEK
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)