NHTSA & EPA data · updated October 21, 2026

2012 Chevrolet Traverse recalls, problems & safety ratings

Quick answer

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse and 354 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are engine (115), electronic stability control (esc) (84), steering (62). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is about 19 mpg combined.

The 2012 ranks #10 of 14 Traverse model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with more complaints than the average year (268). It has 5 recalls vs. an average of 3.4 per model year.

Free. Shows whether a recall applies, plus specs, problems and ratings for your exact vehicle.

Recalls 5

Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

Air bags · critical fastenersNHTSA #21V246000 · 04/08/2021

Problem: 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.

Risk: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Structure · body · hatchback/liftgateNHTSA #15V415000 · 06/30/2015

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

Risk: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

Seat beltsNHTSA #14V266000 · 05/20/2014

Problem: General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Risk: If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

Air bags · side/windowNHTSA #14V118000 · 03/17/2014

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. 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.

Risk: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

Visibility · windshield wiper/washer · linkagesNHTSA #12V151000 · 04/09/2012

Problem: 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, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, wyoming and the district of columbia. Snow or ice buildup on the windshield or on the wiper may restrict the movement of the wiper arm, causing the wiper arm to loosen and cause the wiper to become inoperative.

Risk: If this occurs, driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper arm nuts, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 20, 2012.

Common problems

From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.

Most-reported problem areas

Engine115
Electronic stability control (esc)84
Steering62
Electrical system48
Air bags48
Power train46
Vehicle speed control37
Unknown or other35

By the numbers

354owner complaints filed
10involved a crash
2involved a fire
14injuries reported

Recent owner reports

11/11/2025 · Steering,electrical system,vehicle speed control

It sways left to right really bad.. but when it rains or even even the car detected that it's going to rain.. as soon as the car senses it is going to rain u can't even drive it.. it like hydro plains even before it starts to officially rain.. very dangerous plus I had to replace the two back tires because they seemed like they were being forced and drug that all u seen was wir…

10/09/2025 · Suspension,fuel/propulsion system

The car feels like it’s bouncing everywhere on any kind of surface and now there is a loud very loud rattling noise coming from underneath the car and the car starts shaking excessively if you try to accelerate

08/25/2025 · Steering,electrical system,engine

White smoke was coming out the car and my car eventually sat on fire. I had to call the fire department.. fire department stated that it was a electrical issue

Safety ratings

2012 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

2012 Chevrolet Traverse SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse.

Traverse AWD

Auto 6-spd · 6 cyl · 3.6 L

16city
23hwy
19combined

Regular

Traverse FWD

Auto 6-spd · 6 cyl · 3.6 L

17city
24hwy
19combined

Regular

Other model years

Compare every Chevrolet Traverse year

Questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse have?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse, most recently for air bags · critical fasteners (04/08/2021). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse?

Based on 354 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are engine (115), electronic stability control (esc) (84), steering (62).

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse safe?

The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.

Is the 2012 a good year for the Chevrolet Traverse?

The 2012 ranks #10 of 14 Traverse model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with more complaints than the average year (268). It has 5 recalls vs. an average of 3.4 per model year.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse get?

The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse is EPA-rated at about 19 mpg combined.

Own a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse in South Carolina?

Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.

Related vehicles

Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: TRAVERSE, Traverse.

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