2016 Chevrolet Traverse: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse: 5 recalls, 292 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #15V609000 · 2015 · 29,295 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor May overheat when used.
Why it matters: A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Gm has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield…
Seats Vehicle recall #15V833000 · 2015 · 2,633 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that May have welds that are not in the correction location.
Why it matters: If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat May not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016.
Airbags Vehicle recall #21V246000 · 2021 · 108 vehicles
What's wrong: The side curtain air bags May not be properly attached.
Why it matters: Unsecured side curtain air bags May not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V782000 · 2021 · 555 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver's air bag inflator May explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022.
Airbags Vehicle recall #23V334000 · 2023 · 995,085 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver's air bag inflator May explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Gm began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 15 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (163): the most common themes are deploys unexpectedly / inflator (11), warning light on (6).
- Transmission & drivetrain (37): the most common themes are warning light on (10), hard / delayed shifting (9), stalls / loses power (8).
- Engine (31): the most common themes are warning light on (14), stalls / loses power (5).
- Electrical (26): the most common themes are electrical failure (11), warning light on (9), stalls / loses power (8).
The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse has 292 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 18 Traverse model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 305). Complaints peaked in 2024 (93 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 47,750 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (313 complaints, 5 recalls), 2017 (361 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Traverse problems?
Owners have filed 292 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (163), transmission & drivetrain (37), engine (31).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (3.6 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.