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Chevrolet · Midsize / large SUV

2021 Chevrolet Traverse

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
D
Safety Signal
69 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA89
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA21 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize or large SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Traverse FWD, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 89 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Traverse FWDGasFWD3.6L 6-cyl182721$2,950
Traverse AWDGasAWD3.6L 6-cyl172520$3,100

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43203, 43206.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Air Bags

N212352140
89 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.RiskRoof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.FixDealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212352140.
NHTSA campaign 22V210000reported Mar 31, 2022General Motors, LLC
!critical

Power Train

639 vehicles
ProblemBraun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible vehicles with Power In-floor Ramp conversion. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.RiskA transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.FixDealers will replace the screw and clip, and inspect for signs of contact with the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
NHTSA campaign 21V817000reported Oct 18, 2021Braun Corporation
▲high

Air Bags

N212340220
6 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.RiskAir bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.FixDealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N212340220.
NHTSA campaign 21V472000reported Jun 24, 2021General Motors, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
89complaints filed

4 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 6 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2023: 11 · 2024: 18 · 2025: 29 · 2026: 19

Most-cited components

Electrical System22
Unspecified19
Power Train15
Engine11
Service Brakes9
Engine And Engine Cooling9

What owners describe

“On [XXX] my 2021 Traverse with 46K miles, purchased new from Atlantic Chevrolet, Bay Shore, NY, broke down on the road, dead battery, and alternator. I could not successfully jump the car to get it running. I had no use of steering, nor could I shift the vehicle into neutral to move to the roadside. Prior to towing the…”Feb 8, 2024 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“When this seat is first installed with the seat belt, it has a tight fit. However, the install seems to loosen for no apparent reason on its own. This occurs frequently. The seat is properly installed with pulling the slack out of the seat belt, securing the snuglock, and then locking the vehicle seat belt. I am concer…”Feb 6, 2024 · Carry Handle, Shell, Base · NHTSA owner report
“The alternator is placed right under the fill cap for engine oil. So if and when an auto repair shop or owner spills oil out of a funnel or anything else this oil will leak and the first spot it drips onto is the alternator. With all the other plastic under the hood there should be some kind of shield bracket or sloped…”Jan 11, 2024 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆17%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Traverse model years

A

2027 Chevrolet Traverse

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Chevrolet Traverse

1 recalls · 22 complaints

A

2025 Chevrolet Traverse

0 recalls · 174 complaints

A

2024 Chevrolet Traverse

0 recalls · 134 complaints

B

2023 Chevrolet Traverse

2 recalls · 87 complaints

A

2022 Chevrolet Traverse

1 recalls · 96 complaints

F

2020 Chevrolet Traverse

8 recalls · 224 complaints

D

2019 Chevrolet Traverse

3 recalls · 403 complaints

C

2018 Chevrolet Traverse

2 recalls · 459 complaints

C

2017 Chevrolet Traverse

3 recalls · 361 complaints

F

2016 Chevrolet Traverse

5 recalls · 291 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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