2017 Chevrolet Traverse Common Problems & Defect Telemetry
Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 360 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 3 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.
The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse receives a 4.9/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 360 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 3 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports with a median failure point at 55,000 miles (IQR: 35,000 – 75,000 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $400 – $1,200 .
30 complaints / 10k sold
Verified US federal records
Crash, fire & stall audit
3 Active / Free Remedies
2017 Traverse Failure Distribution by Vehicle Subsystem
Top Reported Problem Clusters (7)
Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports
- SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
- Seat belt retractor lockup
“THERE is a recall for the year, make and model for driver side airbag, also to do with transmission slipping and both of those I'm currently having issues with on my vehicle but with my vin its not coming up for any of the recalls but I want to request a Investigation on if my...”
“Dealership Lead car GMC Utica, verified code B0074 passenger presence sensor/module, found module internally faulty verified power and ground. This puts safety at risk because the passenger side air bags are off because of the faulty sensor. There is TBS on this issue. Dealers...”
“The driver door main window control panel and steering wheel, where the airbags seem to deploy from, have both had to be repaired/recalled parts installed on multiple occasions however the main window control panel still does not work and it started shorting out my battery ult...”
Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports
- Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
- Abnormal oil burning / consumption
- Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
- Engine overheating / coolant loss
“THERE is a recall for the year, make and model for driver side airbag, also to do with transmission slipping and both of those I'm currently having issues with on my vehicle but with my vin its not coming up for any of the recalls but I want to request a Investigation on if my...”
“Sometimes my backup camera will not show a screen. I have considerable amount of trouble trying to connect my phone to the car. Hands down can I use the GPS on the car. Lights do not come on my dashboard. The RPM bounces up and down from starting it all the way to the while yo...”
“There is a transmission recall for 2009 to 2017 Chevrolet traverses. My traverse has the exact same transmission and engine as the recall but for some reason GM decided not to add my Vin to the recall. My vehicle is experiencing the exact same issues recorded in the recall. I ...”
Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports
- Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
- Steering wheel pull or highway wander
- Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
“The driver door main window control panel and steering wheel, where the airbags seem to deploy from, have both had to be repaired/recalled parts installed on multiple occasions however the main window control panel still does not work and it started shorting out my battery ult...”
“When my vehicle is going between 30-45 mph there is shaking happening. Torque converter feels like its locking up and then releasing.”
“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn, the contact heard a loud clanking sound coming from the steering wheel. The...”
Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports
- Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
- Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration
- Transmission slipping between gears
“Transmission body throttle and TCM had to be replaced a year after purchase because of failing shifts, reverse failed to work completely.”
“THERE is a recall for the year, make and model for driver side airbag, also to do with transmission slipping and both of those I'm currently having issues with on my vehicle but with my vin its not coming up for any of the recalls but I want to request a Investigation on if my...”
“The transmission is going out at 107K miles and needs to be completely replaced for around $8500 (see attached quote). It has a shudder and has a hard time shifting into third gear. This is a known issue with Traverses.”
Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports
- Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
- Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
- Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
“The driver door main window control panel and steering wheel, where the airbags seem to deploy from, have both had to be repaired/recalled parts installed on multiple occasions however the main window control panel still does not work and it started shorting out my battery ult...”
“While driving my entire dashboard goes dark and once I shut my car off it did not start again. Brought it to the mechanic who is rated as 5 stars, to have no codes come up. He has been looking for the answer for over 5 months now. Car will start for a short time then do the sa...”
“Sometimes my backup camera will not show a screen. I have considerable amount of trouble trying to connect my phone to the car. Hands down can I use the GPS on the car. Lights do not come on my dashboard. The RPM bounces up and down from starting it all the way to the while yo...”
Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports
- Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
- ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
- Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
“The driver door main window control panel and steering wheel, where the airbags seem to deploy from, have both had to be repaired/recalled parts installed on multiple occasions however the main window control panel still does not work and it started shorting out my battery ult...”
“Stepped on brake to disengage cruise control. The car accelerated instead of slowing, I turned off cruise and kept stepping on the brake the car kept accelerating. I had to shift to neutral stop the car and shut engine off. When I restarted it was disengaged. This has happened...”
“My Chevrolet Traverse was purchased in July 2019. At that time, the vehicle had 58667 miles. As I drove the vehicle over the next year and half or so, approaching 80000 miles the vehicle would shudder/shake/jerk as I accelerated and shifted gears. At first it was very random a...”
Fuel Pump Pressure Loss & Fuel Delivery Defect Reports
- Sudden loss of propulsion power at highway speeds
- Extended engine cranking / failure to restart
- Fuel odor near fuel tank / engine bay
“I believe my vehicle should be part of the recent GM recall for defective fuel pumps. I have been experiencing issues with my vehicle surging during acceleration, and stalling during idle. This has happened at stop lights and is a safety concern.”
“Vehicle has had multiple recalls one recall to do with fuel pump was supposed to be fixed but came back and new recall still no remedy and it can cause death. The vehicle is very unsafe”
Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (3)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
Tools for Diagnosing the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse
Reads & clears all DTC codes including ABS, SRS, TPMS. Live sensor data with freeze frames. Works on all 1996+ vehicles.
Tests 0.1V–5.0V sensor reference signals, ground continuity (<0.20Ω), and harness resistance.
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Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2017 Chevrolet Traverse
Before purchasing a used 2017 Chevrolet Traverse, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:
Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).
Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.
Verify that all 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.
Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.
Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2017 Chevrolet Traverse
Is the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse a reliable used car?
The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse earns a 4.9/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 360 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.
What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?
The leading complaint category is Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports, with a median failure point around 55,000 miles (IQR: 35,000 – 75,000 mi).
Are there free recall repairs available for the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?
Yes, the NHTSA records 3 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.