2011 Chevrolet Traverse Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

5 safety recalls on file

The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse has 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.

Owners have filed 608 complaints with NHTSA, including 16 crashes, 4 fires, 30 injuries.

The most-reported problem area is Engine (204 reports).

NHTSA rates it up to 5 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.

5Recalls
608Owner complaints
16Crashes reported
5/5NHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your Traverse?

A recall covers specific vehicles. Your VIN shows whether yours still needs the free repair.

2011 Chevrolet Traverse recalls

Side Curtain Airbags May Not Deploy Properly

Recall 21V246Apr 8, 2021108 vehicles affected

Some vehicles have side curtain airbags that may not be properly attached to the vehicle.

Open liftgate can fall suddenly and strike someone

Recall 15V415Jun 30, 2015691,144 vehicles affected

Certain 2007-2012 GM crossovers with a power liftgate have gas struts that can wear out prematurely.

Seat Belts

Recall 14V266May 20, 20141,339,355 vehicles affected

Air Bags:Side/Window

Recall 14V118Mar 17, 20141,176,407 vehicles affected

Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages

Recall 12V151Apr 9, 201247,846 vehicles affected

Most common 2011 Chevrolet Traverse problems

Problem areas named in the 608 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem areaReports
Engine204
Steering165
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)103
Power Train79
Electrical System67
Vehicle Speed Control58
Air Bags43
Unknown Or Other36
Service Brakes28
Structure22

What owners report

2025-10-06, Tires
In summary, a business is selling unsafe "sidewall patched" used tire. On Sep 20, 2025 I purchased four used tires for my 2011 Chevy Traverse in this business. Mike's Tires Plano [XXX] ) [XXX] [XXX] Ten days later, one of the tires started to have a slow leak. On Oct 5, 2025, I visited a nearby National Tire & Battery store to have it checked. And was told that the tire is not repairable, since it already had a sidewall patch and the same patch had a leak again. After some research, I found it was illegal to sell and install sidewall patched tires in Texas, since it is unsafe to drive with such tires. (A failed patch on the sidewall dramatically increases the risk of a sudden and cat
2024-10-08, Engine
Components related to timing chain failed, and vehicle is currently available with plans to sell to a salvage yard by 10/25/24. My 9 year old and I were at risk of collision when the vehicle failed. I was driving approximately 70-75 mph when we started to lose power. At 65 mph, I managed to cross 2 lanes of highway traffic and stopped on the shoulder. I turned off my vehicle and waited several minutes, hoping it would help reset or cool off a component or something. I had to try a couple of times before it started, and I attempted to drive as safely as I could, made it to 60 mph before it stopped running completely. I had to pull hard on the steering wheel to get to the shoulder again, onl
2024-09-18, Service Brakes
As i am driving down the road the service stable trak light and abs lights pop on and the brakes sieze up so bad you cant get the car to stop and brake pedal to unlock as well as when you try to turn the steering wheel locks
2024-07-30, Engine
My timing and my energy is going bad..I don’t know the problem.Im new on having my own car..And when I got it everything was great at first but Two trips going too Chicago it started going bad
2024-04-10, Air Bags
This vehicle is notorious for multiple electrical failures. The alternator fried the battery fried, both of which were replaced. This vehicle still wouldn't start. The wiring harness to the PCM is notorious for having shorts. The pcm itself is notorious for going out really early. This vehicle is almost undrivable and it dies while you're in the middle of driving where you can't stop. I do not know how this vehicle has been kept on the market without being recalled. I do not know how more people haven't been in accidents because of it. And even worse, it's notorious for the airbags messing up. I think I would be more understanding if it weren't for the fact that this vehicle has been well ma

2011 Chevrolet Traverse safety rating

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2011 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD★★★★★ 5-star454 (15.5% rollover risk)
2011 Chevrolet Traverse SUV FWD★★★★★ 5-star454 (16.9% rollover risk)

2011 Chevrolet Traverse questions

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse: Side Curtain Airbags May Not Deploy Properly; Open liftgate can fall suddenly and strike someone; Seat Belts; Air Bags:Side/Window; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?

Based on 608 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (204), Steering (165), Electronic Stability Control (Esc) (103).

How safe is the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse up to 5 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.

How do I check if a recall on my 2011 Chevrolet Traverse has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

Other Chevrolet Traverse years

Other 2011 Chevrolet models