Are there open safety recalls?
5 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse has 5 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 291 owner complaints, and gets about 18 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2016 Chevrolet Traverse
- Engine 6-cyl 3.6L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Should you worry?
Be careful
Serious flags in the public record. Read below, and verify recall work was done.
What do owners report?
1 death reported
Out of 291 owner reports. Read the Owners section before you buy.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2016.
- 20147recalls
- 20155recalls
- 2016 · this car5recalls
- 20173recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 28, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane-departure warning
- Optional
Tested as: 2016 Chevrolet Traverse SUV FWD · 2 versions tested
Open safety recalls
5 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
-
Visibility
29/09/2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
How they fix it: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.
-
Seats
11/12/2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
How they fix it: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.
-
Air Bags
07/10/2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
How they fix it: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 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 N212349040.
-
Air Bags
08/04/2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
How they fix it: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
-
Air Bags
10/05/2023
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
How they fix it: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 28, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2016.
- 2014547reports
- 2015313reports
- 2016 · this car291reports
- 2017360reports
291 owner reports on file
8 crash mentions 1 fire mentions 15 injury mentions 1 death mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 291 total reports.
- AIR BAGS 159 of 291
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that four local dealers were contacted. The contact was informed that parts were on back order.
- POWER TRAIN 33 of 291
The vehicle only has 145,xxx miles and I experience a "shudder" which could be caused by torque converter issues, often felt at highway speeds (approx. 40-60 mph).
- STEERING 24 of 291
Power steering pump in the car had low pressure causing the steering wheel to barely turn or have a hard time turning the wheel. This put me and my family at risk while driving because when making turns it would feel like it was locking up
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21 of 291
Front lights started dimming about the middle of April 2025 and now both back lights are out at the same time on June 3rd 2025.The car makes a rough grinding noise as it switches gears.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11 of 291
Passenger side mirror exploded randomly
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 of 291
The big problem when I drive is that it is not safe, it jerks when I start to accelerate. I took it to the nearest dealer to have the problem fixed. And they do not want to fix the problem and now I just want to get this vehicle off the roa
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 28, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2016.
- 201419mpg
- 201519mpg
- 2016 · this car18mpg
- 201717mpg
$3,400
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 15 mpg
Highway driving 22 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 18 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $6,000 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 28, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
6-cyl 3.6L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic 6-spd
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 6-cyl 3.6L
- Cylinders
- 6
- Displacement
- 3.6 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic 6-spd
- Body
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 28, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 5 open NHTSA recalls (including the visibility). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the air bags
Owners report problems with the air bags more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2016 Chevrolet Traverse listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse? +
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, including the visibility. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse get? +
The EPA rates the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse at 18 mpg combined (15 city / 22 highway), about $3,400 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse? +
Owners have filed 291 complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, including 8 involving a crash. The most-reported area is air bags.
FREE IN THE APP
Comparing a few cars? Save the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse and line it up against the others in the app.
No account. Saving and comparing cars is free.
FREE ON iOS
Shopping for a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse?
Scan any VIN with your camera, save cars you’re comparing, and browse listings near you. All free. Same NHTSA and EPA data you see here, plus a camera-first VIN scanner.