2018 Chevrolet Traverse: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
2 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 42% about transmission & drivetrain.
Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.
Known problems on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.
2018 Chevrolet Traverse recalls
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Transmission & drivetrainFire risk
Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Details 20V668000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
- Airbags
Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Details 21V246000
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.
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.
2018 Chevrolet Traverse safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Seat belts: On certain vehicles, equipped with the second row bench seats (RPO ABC or ABA) may have a condition in which the second row middle seat belt buckle…
- Doors and locks: During service, certain vehicles equipped with OnStar (RPO UE1), may have received an incorrect and partially programmed/configured replacement OnStar module.
- Engine: Certain 2018 model year Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Impala and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles, equipped with a 3.6L engine (RPO LFX or LFY), may have a condition where the piston oil control ring may have been damaged during installation.
- Glass: Certain vehicles, may have been built without a trailering package (RPO V92) before the trailering package was made standard for this trim/model.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2018 Chevrolet Traverse safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
461 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Chevrolet Traverse years
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
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