2021 Chevrolet Traverse Safety Report
2021 Chevrolet Traverse Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (77) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 3 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse with 66 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Traverse Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Traverse years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Chevrolet Traverse | 83 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Chevrolet Traverse | 198 | 8 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Chevrolet Traverse | 66 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Traverse | 366 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Chevrolet Traverse | 115 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Chevrolet Traverse | 427 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Chevrolet Traverse Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
16 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlyUnknown Or Other
12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Chevrolet onlyService Brakes
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Chevrolet onlyEngine
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse
Reliability Score
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags And Electrical System Recalls have been issued for side and curtain airbags, and for automatic transmissions. These issues can affect safety in the event of a collision. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering And Transmission Several reports of steering assist issues and transmission shudder have been noted, which can impact vehicle control and safety. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Exhaust System Cracks in exhaust pipes have been reported, which can lead to emissions issues and potential safety hazards. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Odometer Fraud A significant concern is the reported odometer fraud, where the vehicle's mileage was misrepresented at the time of purchase. |
High | Occasional | N/A miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse:
Airbag issues are a common problem, affecting 30% of vehicles.
Transmission issues are a common problem, affecting 25% of vehicles.
Steering issues are a common problem, affecting 15% of vehicles.
Exhaust system issues are a common problem, affecting 10% of vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse by NHTSA:
Summary: 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 from deploying in a crash.
Consequence: Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: 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 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212352140.
Summary: 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, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Consequence: A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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 customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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 Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N212340220.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
I was driving and without any type of warning the car stopped shifting so I was barely touching the gas but my tac was all the way up.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH and stopping at a red light, the vehicle accelerated but failed to exceed 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the failure could not be replicated. The contact stated that on another occasion, while stopped and attempting to make a left turn onto a highway at 75 MPH, the vehicle fa...
Both exhaust pipes before the catalytic converter are cracked and leaking at the same welded mounting bracket. One of them GM is coving under the extended warranty but the other one also needs replaced the turn off the engine warning light. It is allowing exhaust gas to leak under the car and is preventing the emissions from operating properly.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to respond intermittently upon depression of the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the gear shifter failed to respond or responded slowly when releasing the gear shifter button intermittently. The gear shifter was easily moved to a different gear from unint...
I AM HAVING A LOT OF TRANSMISSION SHUDDER ESPECALLY WHEN ACCELERATING. NOTICED THAT CONSUMER REPORTS STATED IN THEIR MAGAZINE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY NHTSA HAS NOT MADE CHEVROLET DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER.
I was driving 45 mph on a state route when all of a sudden my drive shaft bolt came completely out and split my drive shaft in two causing me to lose control. No damage at all or rust or anything is visible on the drive shaft. Could have caused a serious injury or worse. I just had a Multi Point Inspection done the day before the incident occurred
UNKNOWN Steering assist reduced has been issued to the vehicle. Upon inspection we are being told that the steering rack needs to be replaced to resolve the issue.
Shift to park message comes on 50% of the time when shutting down the engine, Tapping the shift lever forward sometimes Removes the message, other times restarting the engine and shifting to drive and back to park several times will remove the message
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the front exhaust pipe made an abnormally loud sound, and there was an odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The fa...
The electronic stability control (ESC) system and power steering system malfunctioned. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The power steering warning indicated a potential loss or reduction of steering assist, which could have made it difficult to steer and control the vehicle—especially at higher speeds or in traffic. This posed a potential safety risk to me and others on the r...
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 49,000. It was later discovered, after checking the Carfax report, that the mileage was 75,000.
In the first 51,000 on my vehicle I have had 3 issues with the emissions system which has a negative impact on the environment and would prevent my vehicle from passing state inspection. GM covered the first 2 under warranty, but I now have a leak in my muffler which seems that it could be related to other issues involving brackets on the exhaust pipes breaking. This is widely reported by other ...
Right Rear upper and lower toe links broke nearly causing a serious accident when brakes were applied, vehicle pulled severely to the right causing it to swerve and narrowly missing another vehicle. The toe link failure on my vehicle which has only 29702 miles put my life and the life of my family members at risk. The vehicle was brought to our local licensed repair shop in Massapequa, NY where th...
The base does not look in place. The buttons do not look to put in position. The entire car seat slides back and forth on its base.
Front exhaust pipe is seperating
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the engine oil was abnormally low and required 2-quarts of oil to top off the oil level even though the vehicle had recently been serviced. The vehicle was not t...
Received a "Service Battery Charging System" dash warning message driving down the highway. Made it home and changed the battery but the issue persists and I can't drive the car. Reading online many complaints/problems with alternator and electrical premature failures. Car is a little more than 4 years old and has only 23,600 miles. Getting the car to the Chevy dealer tomorrow to diagnose prob...
While going around 40mph I approached a stopped vehicle and tried to come to a stop. At this time my braking system failed, speeding the car up instead of slowing it down, this resulted in my car rear ending another vehicle. When the car accident occurred my steering wheel air bag came out but did not inflate. There were no warning lamps or messages at the time of the crash. Due to the laws in Mis...
Radio went blank unable to access screen. Not sure reason. Upon start up couldn’t access any parts of radio. Couldn’t reset and issue still current as of today.
I was driving to work and my car made a loud noise. I was able to drive back home. I took my car to the Chevrolet repair shop. They said my front exhaust and catalytic converter are broken. They replaced my exhaust pipe and not the converter.
Showing 20 of 77 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse
Has the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE have?
The 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE has 77 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 4 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE?
The 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE involve electrical system (16 complaints), unknown or other (12 complaints), power train (8 complaints). Other affected components include engine and engine cooling, service brakes, engine.
How many crash reports does the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE out of 77 total complaints (3.9% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE?
4 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE is acceptable with caveats. It has 77 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (16 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (12 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (8 complaints), 4. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (6 complaints), 5. SERVICE BRAKES (6 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 16 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE?
Be cautious of the reported airbag and electrical system issues, as well as the transmission and steering problems. Also, verify the vehicle's mileage to avoid odometer fraud. The 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE has 77 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE?
The 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 77 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbags and Electrical System and Steering and Transmission.
What are the known issues with the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE?
Known issues with the 2021 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE include: Airbags and Electrical System, Steering and Transmission, Exhaust System, Odometer Fraud. These are based on patterns found across 77 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?
Yes, recalls have been issued for airbags and automatic transmissions.
What are the most common issues reported for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?
Common issues include airbag and electrical system problems, steering and transmission issues.
Is there any concern about the odometer of a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?
Yes, there have been reports of odometer fraud, where the vehicle's mileage was misrepresented.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of the reported airbag and electrical system issues, as well as the transmission and steering problems. Also, verify the vehicle's mileage to avoid odometer fraud.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Chevrolet Traverse
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. The data includes 77 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 4 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14