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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 455 owner complaints, and gets about 20 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2018 Chevrolet Traverse

  • Engine 6-cyl 3.6L
  • Drive All-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

Should you worry?

Look closer

Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

2 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Caution

What do owners report?

7 injuries reported

7 of 455 reports (~2%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.

Good

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 2018.

  • 20165recalls
  • 20173recalls
  • 2018 · this car2recalls
  • 20193recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 20, 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
4 / 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
Government crash-test photo
Photo from a government crash test of this model

Tested as: 2018 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

2 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Power Train

    29/10/2020

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

    How they fix it: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

  2. 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.

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 20, 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 2018.

  • 2016291reports
  • 2017360reports
  • 2018 · this car455reports
  • 2019401reports

455 owner reports on file

9 crash mentions 2 fire mentions 7 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 455 total reports.

  • POWER TRAIN 189 of 455

    Car wouldn’t move in Reverse, I’d give it gas and it would just rev. It would drive forward but very sluggish. Brought to 2 different mechanics and they both said I need to replace the transmission. Car has 97,500 miles on it. This is a

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 66 of 455

    the vehicle will not register that it is in park, when the engine is turned off a beeping notifcation reads "shift to park" - you have to start the engine and shut it off multiple times, or slam the shifter into place to get it register in

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 65 of 455

    2018 Chevy Traverse purchased from Carvana caused carbon monoxide exposure to my family in military housing. Vehicle locked itself while running in the garage (garage door open), and CO entered the home where my children were standing near

  • ENGINE 23 of 455

    Corrosion of the exhaust pipes lead to an exhaust leak.

  • SERVICE BRAKES 19 of 455

    On 08/15/26, I was at a traffic light waiting to make a left turn on a major roadway. Because the wait was on a hill, the park brake automatically engaged. When the traffic light turned green and as I attempted to accelerate, the electronic

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16 of 455

    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, there were exhaust fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 20, 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.

Sold in 2 versions

They range from 20 to 21 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2018.

  • 201617mpg
  • 201717mpg
  • 2018 · this car20mpg
  • 201920mpg

$3,100

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 17 mpg
Highway driving 25 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 20 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $4,500 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 20, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

6-cyl 3.6L

Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic 9-spd

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
6-cyl 3.6L
Cylinders
6
Displacement
3.6 L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic 9-spd
Body
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 20, 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 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the power train). 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 power train

Owners report problems with the power train 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

2018 Chevrolet Traverse listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse? +

    NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, including the power train. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse get? +

    The EPA rates the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse at 20 mpg combined (17 city / 25 highway), about $3,100 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse? +

    Owners have filed 455 complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, including 9 involving a crash. The most-reported area is power train.

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