2018 Chevrolet Traverse Safety Report

The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved strong crash test ratings from NHTSA, including a 5-star overall rating, 5-star side impact, and 4-star frontal and rollover ratings, its complaint data reveals significant recurring issues. With 427 total complaints, 9 crashes, 2 fires, and 2 injuries reported, there are areas of concern. The most prominent complaint pattern revolves around the 'Shift to Park' error, which prevents the vehicle from recognizing it's in park, leading to issues with turning off the vehicle and potential battery drain. This issue is frequently linked to the POWER TRAIN and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM components, which together account for a substantial portion of the 105 POWER TRAIN complaints and 22 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM complaints. Recall history for the 2018 Traverse includes two significant safety campaigns. One recall addresses potentially unsecured side curtain airbags, which could increase injury risk in a crash. The second recall pertains to missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap in the automatic transmission, which could lead to a transmission oil leak and a loss of propulsion. These recalls highlight critical safety defects that GM has identified and is addressing. The high number of complaints related to the power train (105) and electrical system (22), often intertwined, suggests that despite good crash test performance, owners are experiencing operational reliability issues that could indirectly affect safety, such as unexpected loss of propulsion or inability to properly secure the vehicle. Beyond the 'Shift to Park' issue, other notable complaints include transmission problems like not going into reverse or shuddering, and exhaust system failures leading to noxious fumes entering the cabin. The vacuum pump catastrophic failure, causing loss of assisted braking, is also a severe, though less frequent, concern. The data indicates that while the vehicle's structural integrity and passive safety systems (like airbags, once properly secured) perform well in controlled crash scenarios, the day-to-day operational reliability, particularly with the transmission and electrical systems, is a significant weakness for the 2018 Traverse.

Our recommendation: Given the strong crash test performance but persistent 'Shift to Park' and transmission issues, potential buyers should prioritize a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission and electrical system, and verify all recall repairs have been completed.