Photo: Original uploader was Aneekr at en.wikipedia / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2012 Chevrolet Traverse: common problems and reliability
An average Traverse year.
354 owner complaints, most about engine. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Traverse?The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse has 354 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electronic stability control (esc). Owners most often flag engine timing chain issues: a known concern for the 3.6l v6 engine in older models (2009-2012 mentioned), requiring costly repair.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Traverse years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Traverse?
Across the 18 Traverse model years we track, complaint volume runs from 89 (2023) to 669 (2010). With 354 complaints, the 2012 Traverse sits about the same as the model's median of 313.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Traverse
structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
Campaign 15V415000General 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.
seat belts
Campaign 14V266000General 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.
air bags:side/window
Campaign 14V118000General 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.
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages
Campaign 12V151000GENERAL 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.
Show 1 more recall
air bags:critical fasteners
Campaign 21V246000General 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year and generation.
- RecurrentEngine timing chain issues
A known concern for the 3.6L V6 engine in older models (2009-2012 mentioned), requiring costly repair.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Traverse. See the full Traverse owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Traverse listings typically run $17,900–$36,496.
Other Traverse model years
Compare every Traverse year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Traverse against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy