Home · 2018 Chevrolet Traverse · Complaints

What 451 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (451)Crash / fire / injury (11)Transmission & drivetrain (189)Electrical system (100)Engine (83)Fuel system (37)Brakes (36)Engine & cooling (16)Steering (14)Lights (12)Seat belts (11)Body & structure (10)

2 of 451 complaints match · Electrical system · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Jun 19, 2026Electrical system5 injuries

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 the interior door. Fire dept forced entry into the vehicle and cleared the home. All family members required oxygen at the hospital; all 3 children had elevated COHb levels. Mechanic confirmed catalytic converter failure and exhaust defect. Full Description: On 6/7/26, our Traverse turned on and locked itself while running in our garage (door open) as we were preparing to leave. Exhaust was blowing toward the interior door of our military home, and CO entered the house. My children were inside near that door and became exposed. We could not unlock or shut off the vehicle. Fire dept forced entry, confirmed high CO levels, and cleared the home. At the hospital, all of us required oxygen; all 3 children had elevated COHb. A mechanic later confirmed catalytic converter failure, exhaust defect, P0171, and incomplete catalyst monitor—stating this can cause ongoing CO exposure. A Build Verification sheet found in the glove box (not disclosed at sale) showed pre‑existing issues: exhaust rattle, check engine light, and multiple mechanical reworks. Carvana refuses to assist. This vehicle is unsafe to drive or idle.

NHTSA ODI 11745280

Oct 29, 2019Electrical systemBrakesEngineCrash

VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON A STEEP CITY STREET BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNING LEFT. VEHICLE WENT TO MOVE FORWARD AND TURN LEFT AND IT SHUT OFF AND ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN THE STEEP HILL. WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED, BRAKES COULD NOT BE PRESSED, WHEN GAS WAS PRESSED IT DID NOT GO FORWARD, IT ROLLED BACKWARDS IT WAS LIKE IT SHUT OFF AFTER BEING IN AUTO STOP MODE. PARKING BRAKE ASSIST CAME ON AUTOMATICALLY AND VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A CEMENT POLE. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE. HAD TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE, RESTART AND TRIED TO RELEASE PARKING BRAKE 5 MORE TIMES BEFORE IT RELEASED. THIS VEHICLE OFTEN ROLLS BACKWARDS AFTER BEING IN AUTO STOP MODE AND THE GAS NEEDS TO BE PUSHED HARD IN ORDER FOR IT TO GO FORWARD. THIS VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT SLOWS DOWN WHEN PRESSING THE GAS AT TIMES AND YOU NEED TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL HARDER. THE BRAKES SQUEAK OFTEN WHEN WET AND COLD AND SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKE WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO PUSH IT DOWN, YOU HAVE TO PUSH IT SEVERAL TIMES, LET UP AND PUSH IT AGAIN BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START.

NHTSA ODI 11276883

Working with the data? Download all 451 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2018 Chevrolet Traverse verdict →