2016 Chevrolet Traverse · symptom sheet
Airbag warning light or recall
- 163owner reports
- 89,000median miles
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Jul 23, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
163 of the 291 complaints on this car describe airbag, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Traverse.
Tick what matches of 163 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (11 reports), the inflator (8 reports) and the module (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the airbags cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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. 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 N212349040.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 12,000 and 130,000 miles, from the 9 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Recall of airbags was issued on May 10, 2023. We have been unable to use this vehicle in our fleet since the recall because of the safety issues. As of January 4, 2024, there is no fix or remedy available for this recall.”
Filed Jan 4, 2024
“There has been a recall for our vehicle, and the manufacturer has failed to remedy this serious safety recall for our 2016 Chevy Traverse in a timely manner. We no longer feel safe driving/riding in our traverse. I would like information on a refund and/or request the manufacturer to please purchase our traverse.”
Filed Nov 28, 2023
“The transmission blew while I was driving down the highway and my car dash was flashing transmission hot and My car would no longer move. It was smoking and leaked fluids everywhere. I was scared to death it was gonna catch fire but thankfully it didnât. I donât k it if the safety recall has anything to do with it but Larry Spacc has literally had my car at his shop waiting to be repaired since August!”
Filed Oct 8, 2023
“I received a recall notice from General Motors about the recall for my vehicle's airbags. I made an appointment to have the recall fixed at an authorized Chevrolet dealership. I was informed that there was no fix for the issue due to GM saying the recall had "No Remedy."”
Filed Aug 10, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 163 reports involved a crash and 5 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.