Verdict
2021 Chevrolet Traverse: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for SUV.
Owners filed 86 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 55% of 2021 SUVs. Electrical System leads the reports (24%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2021 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
86
Reports to NHTSA, 2021
Safety recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
20.5
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 55% of 2021 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2021 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (24% of 86 reports), followed by unknown or other (16%).
+ 8 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 86 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11736069, ODI 11697456, ODI 11691507, ODI 11690062, ODI 11684656.
Recalls(3)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Air Bags · 21V472000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
Power Train · 21V817000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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 · 22V210000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2021 Chevrolet Traverse SUV FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2021 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse FWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 18 | 27 | 21 |
| Traverse AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 | 25 | 20 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?
Owners filed 86 NHTSA complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse — more complaints than 55% of comparable 2021 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (24% of complaints) and unknown or other (16%).
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse have?
3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, covering components such as air bags. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse between 20 and 21 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.