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Chevrolet

2016 Chevrolet TRAVERSE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Chevrolet TRAVERSE has 381 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 421. The most common issue is air bags problems (43% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet traverse. the contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of acceleration and experienced a complete loss of power. the check engine warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensors in the accelera. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

10 crash reports 11 injuries

381

Total Complaints

5

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

162 complaints
43%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSORS IN THE ACCELERA
  • UNEXPECTED NOTICE OF A SERVICE WARNING LIGHT THAT SUDDENLY APPEARED ON MY WIFE'S TRAVERSE AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 WEEKS..... [XXX] AND I PURCHASED A DEMO TRAVERSE WITH 4000 MILES , AT A FT PIERCE CHEVROLET LOCATION RECENTLY... WE WENT ON A TWO WEEK TRIP TO HAWAII AND RETURNED THIS PAST WEEK ,AS WE STA
  • 12/21/16 FIRST, I PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 1-2 MILES AN HOUR FOR SEVERAL BLOCKS...PULLED OVER AND PUT IN PARK AND REVVED THE ENGINE A LITTLE AND PULLED OUT AGAIN. IT STILL WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AT FIRST, THEN GRADUALLY PICKED UP SPEED AND RODE THE REMAINDER WITHOUT I
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSORS IN THE ACCELERA

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Chevrolet TRAVERSE

Based on 144 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 47K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
45
30-60K
62
60-100K
28
100-150K
8
150-200K
1
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 49K mi · 18 reports
0-30K
7
30-60K
5
60-100K
6
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 80K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
0
60-100K
2
100-150K
2
150-200K
1
200K+
0

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 13K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 20 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
10
60-100K
3
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 42K mi · 18 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
9
60-100K
1
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 17 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
7
60-100K
6
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

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)

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR29/09/2015

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.

Risk: A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Chevrolet TRAVERSE

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,824
Per month
$235
Per mile
23.5¢
MPG
17
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$3,201/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,182/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
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 2016 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.
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 2016 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

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 381 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSORS IN THE ACCELERA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: ON TWO OCCASIONS ( 2/21/16 AND 2/28/16) WHILE DRIVING THE POWER CUT OUT COMPLETELY AND THE CAR STALLED. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE OR STOP. THERE WERE NOT ANY WARNINGS OR NOTIFICATIONS SUCH AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE DASHBOARD AND ALL OTHER LIGHTS/ INFORMATION WAS COMPLETELY DARK. THE F

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE WAS JERKING AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY BEFORE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAI

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: ON TWO OCCASIONS ( 2/21/16 AND 2/28/16) WHILE DRIVING THE POWER CUT OUT COMPLETELY AND THE CAR STALLED. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE OR STOP. THERE WERE NOT ANY WARNINGS OR NOTIFICATIONS SUCH AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE DASHBOARD AND ALL OTHER LIGHTS/ INFORMATION WAS COMPLETELY DARK. THE F

    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)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
381
Recalls
5
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
10
Injury reports
11
Segment avg
421

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Chevrolet TRAVERSE