NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical connector linking to the left or right roof rail air bag may have incompatible terminals that prevent the air bag from deploying during a crash.
This page covers 8 recalls, 206 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse.
20–21 mpg combined
11.2–11.8 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse report the heaviest complaint volume around the engine and drivetrain. On the engine side, a wide range of issues surface, but the powertrain complaints paint a more specific picture: owners frequently describe transmission shuddering and hard shifting, particularly noticeable in the 25–30 mph range. Several report being told the torque converter or valve body needed replacement, often just after the warranty expired. A recurring frustration is dealers responding to the shudder by recommending a transmission fluid change ahead of the scheduled interval, with a wait-and-see approach. Exhaust system problems also show up across multiple reports, with owners describing brackets failing and catalytic converters needing repeated replacement, some reporting two or three replacements on the same vehicle within a few years. The shift-to-park mechanism draws complaints as well, with some owners describing the gear selector refusing to accept the Park position, requiring many attempts before the vehicle will shut off.
206
Total Complaints
11
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
5
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse has 8 recalls, the most serious including a fuel pump defect that can starve the engine and cause a sudden stall, and a transmission issue where missing bolts can lead to an oil leak and complete loss of drive power.
Two separate tire recalls involve Continental tires that were over-cured during manufacturing, which can cause the sidewall to crack and lose air suddenly or shed tread while driving. On the transmission side, a second issue affects wheelchair-accessible Traverse models with a Power In-floor Ramp conversion: a plastic shroud can rub against the transmission case, causing a fluid leak that may cut drive power or ignite if it reaches a heat source.
The curtain airbag system has two concerns worth noting. A diffuser component inside the roof-rail airbag inflator may not be properly secured and can break free during deployment, reducing how well the airbag protects occupants. Separately, wiring connectors to the left or right roof-rail airbag may be incompatible, preventing the airbag from deploying at all in a crash. There is also a structural concern: the right-hand frame rail in the engine compartment may be cracked on some vehicles, which can reduce how well the body holds up in a collision.
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical connector linking to the left or right roof rail air bag may have incompatible terminals that prevent the air bag from deploying during a crash.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the roof rail air bag harness connector at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The screw and clip securing the inner wheel-well plastic shroud may rub against the transmission case, causing transmission fluid to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the screw and clip and inspect for damage to the transmission at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain Continental tires were overheated during manufacturing, which can weaken the tire structure and increase the risk of tire failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your tires and replace any affected ones at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some Continental tires may have been overheated during manufacturing, potentially affecting their durability and performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your vehicle and replace any affected tires at no cost based on tire identification numbers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The endcap on the start-stop transmission accumulator may be missing bolts, which could affect transmission operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the accumulator endcap and replace it if bolts are missing, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump's nozzle may have a plastic burr left from manufacturing, blocking the nozzle and preventing enough fuel from reaching the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module to restore proper fuel flow to the engine.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The diffuser on the roof-rail air bag inflator may not be properly crimped and could separate during air bag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the roof-rail air bag modules at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right-hand frame rail in the engine compartment may develop cracks, which can weaken the structural integrity of the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the frame rail and replace it if cracked, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.