Best & Worst Years of Chevrolet Traverse – Graphs & Owner Surveys

The Chevrolet Traverse is one of Chevy’s top-selling models and has been one of the most popular midsize crossover SUVs since its introduction in 2008. It’s known for its cavernously spacious and comfortable interior, rich feature set, and commendable on-road mannerisms, making it a practical and sensible choice for large families.

Among Chevrolet’s lineup, it sits in the middle of the Golden Bowtie’s range of crossovers and SUVs, slotting above the smaller compact Equinox and below the full-size truck-based Tahoe and Suburban SUVs. It serves as Chevy’s largest crossover SUV and an ideal choice for those who need the added space and comfort without needing to shell out the extra money for the larger and more heavy-duty trucks.

The Traverse thus far has endured two generations with over 709,100 sold to date in North America, according to GoodCarBadCar.net. Because of its popularity and decent overall reliability scores both on the long- and short-term, plenty of examples can be found in the second-hand market. Additionally, the Traverse has proven itself to be a generally dependable automobile. Though useful, not all model years are the most desirable.

With our vast collection of data combined with other sources, we’ve sought out the best and worst model years for the Chevrolet Traverse. Knowing which models are the most dependable and reliable will help you make a better-informed decision when purchasing a second-hand example. 

To help separate the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Traverse, we accounted for several sets of data to help determine the most ideal model years using both third-party statistics and our own reports from FIXD’s own sensor. 

The Traverse is a reliable automobile, though, it tends to become more expensive to own with higher mileage. This correlation is typical for an automobile that sees frequent use as a family vehicle, where road trip vacations may be a common occurrence. Though some model years should be avoided, particularly with the first-generation model, as they exhibited a higher number of wear-related issues than the newer, updated, second-generation models.

Chevrolet Traverse Engine Reliability Score, Safety Ratings, MPG and Value v.s. Maintenance & Repair Costs – Year by Year

To determine the best years of the Chevrolet Traverse, we considered all of the following:

• FIXD reliability score (engine reliability)
• Owner Reliability Score (based on owner survey data)
• NHTSA safety ratings
• Fuel economy (EPA ratings)
• Survey of annual maintenance and repair costs in correlation to market value (from owner survey and KBB market data)

The Traverse has only been around for a total of two generations, meaning the product results are consistent with minimal change. They are built on the same platform, utilize the same family of V6 engines (the two-year optional turbocharged four-cylinder from 2018-2019 notwithstanding), and use the same transmissions found in a plethora of other GM vehicles. The only changes amount to revisions and updates according to the newer generation models.

That said, the Traverse overall has been a pretty consistent automobile. But like most other vehicles, the earliest model years of a new generation are the most trouble-prone due to early teething issues. These issues are typically sorted out over the production period through factory-engineered revisions. This is reflected in the Traverse’s reliability statistics.

If you’re in the market for a car, take a look at our article on the USAs’ most reliable and cheapest to repair cars in the U.S. Don’t get stuck with a lemon, use our data to help you shop.

Engine Reliability Score – Over The Years

Our in-depth analysis of the Chevrolet Traverse’s reliability comes from two different datasets: data received based on reports from the FIXD app and results surveyed from owners.

• FIXD Reliability Score (Green): This line in the graph represents the dataset reported through Check Engine Lights, or CELs, registered and recorded with the FIXD app
• Owner Reliability Score (Gray): This alternate gray line represents the dataset collected by owner reports and the Traverse’s perceived reliability, with surveys asking how owners are likely to trust their vehicles over the course of different trip lengths. Those questionable about their car successfully completing short-distance trips rate lower, while those feeling confident about long-distance trips rate higher.

The higher the number, the better the reliability rating, with 10 being the most reliable and 1 being the least reliable.

Since its introduction and through today’s model, the Traverse came with a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter gasoline V6. For 2018 and 2019, the second-generation’s first two years, Chevrolet offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder for base models. 

Overall, GM’s ubiquitous 3.6-liter V6 is a reliable motor. Though according to our collected data and graph, overall reliability is still lower for the older versions when compared to the newer versions. We observe a noticeable uptick in FIXD app and owner survey reliability after the first-generation’s mid-cycle refresh in 2013, which introduced a bunch of updates and revisions to the Traverse, both inside and outside.

Owners of earlier Traverses from 2009 to 2013 reported above-average reliability in their experience, though FIXD data saw a higher number of registered check-engine lights. This could be due to several reasons, both significant and insignificant. Registered check engine lights with the FIXD scanner range from errors with the gas tank’s evaporative system, which could be directly caused by an unsecured gasoline filler cap or a failing gasoline filler cap seal.

More significant check-engine lights were related to the catalytic converter and the V6’s timing chain issues, both of which are widely documented problems for earlier versions of the V6. Other vehicles in GM’s portfolio used this V6 and experienced the same timing chain-related problems, according to GoTech.com.

While these issues are common for early Traverse’s V6, its prevalence still depends on how the vehicle was driven and maintained over its lifetime. Additionally, in our surveys, higher-mileage V6s were more susceptible to timing chain problems, which is a natural result of a vehicle’s wear and tear from high use.

For example, the model years reporting timing chain and catalytic converter repairs also reported higher-than-average mileage numbers above 110,000 miles, meaning these were likely a result of high-mileage wear and/or expiration from age. Owners reported that both repairs ranged in between $1,000 to $2,000 in terms of cost.

A failed catalytic converter may also have been caused by worn timing chain components. That’s because a timing chain helps keep an engine running optimally by maintaining a properly timed cycle of mixing air and fuel for the combustion process, which is a part of the engine’s four-stroke operating cycle. An engine with proper timing results in the best performance.

When a timing chain stretches over time and from use, this mixture of air and fuel can become unbalanced, leading to running issues and an uneven mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber, also known as “running rich” or “lean.” This uneven mixture can contaminate the catalytic converter, which is a very sensitive part in a vehicle’s exhaust system that controls emissions for the environment.

When an engine runs rich, it’s injecting too much fuel into the cylinder, whereas an engine running lean injects too much air into the cylinder. This improper balance can cause poor-quality combustion, and lead to contaminated exhaust fumes. These contaminated exhaust fumes resultantly damage catalytic converters.

From these results, we can deduce that it’s probably advisable to avoid the early first-generation Traverses manufactured between 2009 and 2013, unless the vehicle has a well-documented service history and had its timing chain and catalytic converter issues addressed by previous owners.

From 2013 onwards, reliability skyrocketed, it could be partially because of General Motors making improvements to the 3.6-liter V6 along with the Traverse’s mid-cycle refresh. Though additionally, the average mileage of the vehicles surveyed dropped below 110,000 miles as they are newer vehicles. As expected, models 2017 and newer are seeing higher reliability scores due to lower mileage, less use, and being younger in age.

There is an observable anomaly in the FIXD Reliability Score for the 2020 model-year Traverses, where reliability takes a brief dip. Though that may be attributed to two powertrain-related recalls in 2020, one for an “insufficient fuel supply which may cause engine stalling” (campaign number: 20V639000; issued October 15, 2020) and an improper installation of the engine’s automatic stop/start accumulator, which may cause a transmission fluid leak and fault (campaign number: 20V668000; issued October 29, 2020).

For a quick breakdown of some of the most common causes of check-engine lights in Chevrolets, refer to our list of “top 5 causes for each Chevy model.”

NHTSA Safety Score – Over The Years

Safety is one of the leading determining factors to vehicle purchases, especially when it comes to family vehicles used to haul children. The Traverse is a popular family vehicle and an overwhelming number of owners surveyed claim that they primarily use their Traverse as a family vehicle. Thus, safety is of great concern. The safer the vehicle, the safer your occupants are, and thus, they’re more likely to survive a collision, all of which helps lower your insurance rates by reducing safety risks.

Thankfully, the Traverse has always been rated highly as a very safe vehicle by both government and private crash-testing agencies.

A vehicle’s overall safety is assessed by two agencies: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS. However, we only concentrate on the NHTSA ratings as they’re a government agency federally regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation whereas the IIHS is an independent nonprofit agency.

Overall, the Chevrolet Traverse has always maintained a strong safety record thanks to its high crashworthiness and solid structure with crumple zones, lots of airbags, and abundant passive and active safety systems. Thus, it’s no surprise that in our findings, the Traverse has always maintained at least a four-star NHTSA rating overall. However, we see a normal dip in the 2022 model year as newer models don’t go as frequently assessed by the NHTSA if they remain largely unchanged or updated for the new model-year.

Additionally, the NHTSA announced revisions to its testing standards in January 2022 to account for greater protection and crashworthiness for pedestrians. The change came as part of U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s new “National Roadway Safety Strategy,” which accounts for the dip in the Traverse’s NHTSA safety rating in 2022.

Safety is a big factor in your insurance costs – If you live in one of the states listed below, we can show you the cheapest vehicles to insure in yours. 

MPG – Over The Years

It’s important to remember that the Chevrolet Traverse is a large and heavy three-row midsize crossover SUV powered by a large six-cylinder engine. Thus, it’s going to have considerably higher fuel consumption and costs than your average vehicle.

When first introduced, the U.S. Department of Energy and NHTSA assessed the Chevrolet Traverse with ratings of 15 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined at their lowest with its V6 engine and all-wheel drive.

Newer models peaked at 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined with the short-lived turbocharged four-cylinder in 2018 and 2019. The front-wheel-drive V6 model returned similar figures as its past variant.

With our survey, owners observed average fuel economy figures close to their official fuel economy ratings, keeping steady at around 18 mpg average. The dip in fuel economy ratings in 2016 on our graph is a result of changes in the Environmental Protection Agency’s fuel economy testing standards as a result of new greenhouse gas emissions regulations and compliance and General Motors overstating fuel economy figures, specifically for models like the 2016 Traverse.  

In 2010, the EPA and NHTSA implemented new fuel economy and emissions compliance regulations implemented for vehicles between the model years of 2012 and 2016 under supervision of California’s Clean Air Act–a first of its kind to incorporate the Clean Air Act officially in EPA relations.

While the agency established new testing procedures, standards, and emissions compliance requirements to begin in 2012, some automakers delayed implementing new emissions control equipment to their vehicles by leveraging their Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) credits against the new compliance requirements. By leveraging their CAFE credits, they allowed some automakers, like General Motors, to buy time and delay the need to meet these new fuel economy and emissions standards.

However, in some cases, these extra and CAFE credits ran out, forcing automakers to make the needed adjustments to meet the new fuel economy standards. Instead, in GM’s case, they chose to ignore the new compliance regulations, publish false fuel economy ratings for certain 2016 models. They were eventually caught and forced to publish correct and republish adjusted fuel economy ratings and compensate owners of 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave models accordingly.

In 2018 with the arrival of the second-generation Traverse, which received a significantly revised 3.6-liter V6, automatic stop/start engine technology boosted fuel economy ratings. Additionally, the stark increase in 2018 also accounts for the availability of the more fuel-efficient turbocharged four-cylinder from model year 2018 to 2019.

If fuel efficiency is a concern when shopping for a three-row crossover SUV, there are other more fuel-friendly alternatives such as the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. In terms of its direct competition however, the Traverse sits in line with the rest, returning similarly based on the combined average cycle rating of city and highway ratings. Though due to the similarities, differences in fuel consumption may not be obviously observable as it’s still down to driving style and conditions.

Current Market Value of All Chevrolet Traverse Years & Cost Per Year to Repair and Maintain Each

When considering the overall average repair and maintenance costs of a Chevrolet Traverse, it’s crucial to consider the reliability of the specific model year example in question. For instance, if you’re considering one of the first-generation Traverses with the early V6s that were prone to timing chain and catalytic converter issues, there’s an increased chance that you may experience these repairs in your ownership if they weren’t addressed by the previous owner.

Thus, as a result, earlier Traverse models from 2009-2013 are likely to have the highest annual maintenance costs, which is also reflected in our surveyed data, displayed by the gray line, indicating the “Average Cost of Repairs.” The average cost of repairs is the highest for the 2009 to 2013 models, with the biggest reported bill peaking at $1,063 annually. These models were the first-generation variants prior to the mid-cycle refresh in late 2013 for the 2014 model year.

The 2014 model year vehicles see a dip in average cost of repairs likely due to engineering updates to the 3.6-liter V6 and other revisions to improve the overall vehicle. The highest reported annual maintenance cost surveyed in our data peaked at $727.

As exhibited by the chart by the green line indicating the “KBB Average Market Value,” older examples suffer heavily from depreciation, mostly because they’ve been used quite a bit and racked up considerable mileage, necessitating the heightened need for maintenance and repairs. This need may be the reason why owners may be selling their vehicles from a lack of interest in “putting any more money” into the vehicle than they’ve already invested.

Additionally, the reputation for timing chain and catalytic converter issues for the earlier models between 2008 and 2013 are reflected in their overall lower market values. This is a natural result of the lower desirability for the model since they’re known to have more issues than the newer models. 

The previous owner’s care and maintenance of the vehicle also significantly affects resale value. For example, if the vehicle being sold falls into the year range that had timing chain and catalytic converter issues, but have no record of these repairs being addressed, it’s important to consider the costs of those repairs by deducting that amount from the asking price of the vehicle.

Naturally, newer examples, which have higher reliability scores from improvements at the engineering level, also have higher resale values because they are less likely to need repairs or maintenance. Additionally, because the Traverse hasn’t been significantly changed throughout the course of its two generations, the average cost of repairs has remained rather consistent.

Furthermore, in our survey, the newest models have the lowest average cost of repairs at maintenance, peaking at $250 annually, and the highest market values. This is unsurprising as they’re some of the newest models that are still covered under their initial factory warranties. 

When shopping for a used Chevrolet Traverse, it’s important to keep in mind that not all vehicles are cared for equally. To protect yourself from lemons, take along a FIXD Sensor on your test drive. FIXD connects to a free app on your smartphone to tell you more about the vehicle you’re checking out, including check engine lights and other hidden issues that the owner or dealership may be attempting to hide. Click here to learn more and get FIXD for only $19.99 (regular price $59)!

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