The Lemon Index2012 Chevrolet Traverse.
The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse is better than average by owner complaints: 65 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 62, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 19 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Traverse year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2009–2017 Chevy Traverse, 9.9M views. The 2012 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical1.3M views
How To Replace Starter 2009-17 Chevy TraverseTRQ · 349K views · 12 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring976K views
How To Replace Chevrolet Traverse Headlight Low Beam Replace 2009-2014 | Save Money Fix It YOURSELF!Fentertainment · 479K views · 7 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door687K views
A/C ReCharge Chevy Traverse 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017Dirt Road Auto Repair · 283K views · 5 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors380K views
2010-2017 Chevy Traverse - Replace ECT Sensor (Engine Coolant Temperature) - Girlie GarageGirlie Garage · 171K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition380K views
2011 Chevy Traverse - No Start Diag & Repair!Advanced Level Diagnostics · 130K views · 4 videos - Timing chain & engine245K views
How To Replace Engine Knock Sensor 2009-17 Chevy TraverseTRQ · 109K views · 3 videos - Cooling system242K views
2008 - 2012 TRAVERSE /ENCLAVE OVERHEATING COMMON FIXJoeTheAutoGuy · 79K views · 4 videos - Brakes & ABS206K views
2014 Chevy Traverse Brake Light Problem - Quick Fix!!!Joe Flo · 125K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Chevy Traverse SUV 1st Generation 2009-171A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 616K views
TOP 5 Problems With The Chevy Traverse SUV (1st Generation 2009-2017)Alex The Car Doctor · 215K views
2013 Dodge Durango vs Chevy Traverse Muddy Off-Road Mashup Review (Part 2)The Fast Lane Car · 228K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 354 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Traverse year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 56K to 112K miles on the car (284 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 70K–115K miles
- stability control complaints mostly came at 70K–120K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 55K–90K miles
Recalls 5
- airbags 2021
The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
- body structure 2015
The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open.
- seat belts 2014
In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Show all 5 recalls
- airbags 2014
In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash…
- visibility 2012
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1557 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Reservoir for power steering fluid is heat damaged and leaking
- Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc: during extreme low temperature conditions, the power steering…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedOutboard front seat belt anchor cable failure2020–2024
- ClosedSeat belt anchor cable failure2019–2020
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Traverse SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The power steering locks and becomes almost uncontrollable in wet conditions. It appears earlier Model years have been recalled or covered under warranty but not 2012.
2012 Chevrolet Traverse owner · NHTSA complaint 10703342
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 62; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Traverse year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Traverse problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (18%), steering (18%) and stability control (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Traverse problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 56,000 and 112,800 miles. The middle report was at 85,000 miles, from 284 complaints.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Traverse year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2021 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works