2021 Chevrolet Traverse Problems, Recalls & Reliability

112 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 14/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Other leads the reports.

One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.

112Complaints
14/100Trouble index
3Recalls

Better year

Where 2021 sits among all Traverse years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Other 23 complaints (21%)
Electrical 22 complaints (20%)
Engine 20 complaints (18%) · typically ~61,000 miles
Transmission & drivetrain 13 complaints (12%)
Brakes & stability 9 complaints (8%)
Driver assistance 7 complaints (6%)

Recalls (3)

AIR BAGS 22V210000 2022

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…

Fix: 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…

POWER TRAIN 21V817000 2021

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,…

Fix: 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…

AIR BAGS 21V472000 2021

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.

Fix: 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…

Technical service bulletins

662 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2021 Traverse TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2021peak 36 in 20252026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse drew 112 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 14/100, scored against the model's worst year (2011).

What are the most common 2021 Chevrolet Traverse problems?

The top reported problems for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse are other (23 complaints), electrical (22), and engine (20).

Does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?

3 recall campaigns apply to the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.