2018 Chevrolet Traverse · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 70owner reports
- 24,450median miles
- $1,200median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 6, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
335 of the 459 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 70 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Traverse.
Tick what matches of 70 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (13 reports) and the alternator (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2018 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 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
What owners paid
8 of the 70 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $450 to $1,700.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 15,000 and 48,000 miles, from the 35 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Lost power to transmission at 36k miles. Transmission replaced by GM. Currently, the vehicle lost transmission power while driving and had to be towed to dealership. Notified that the transmission needs replaced again”
Filed Jun 3, 2026 · 36,000 miles
“The vehicle was struggling to pick up the gears and stalled in the road. After having it checked at the Chevy dealer stated it was the Transmission that needed to be replaced. The vehicle is unable to reverse due the the transmission issue. Unable to drive. There is no active recall for this issue which is concerning, considering I've read multiple drivers have the same issue with the 2018 Chevy traverse.”
Filed Sep 30, 2025
“The vehicle will not shut off and vehicle information screen states Shift to park. When this happens we have 2 options. 1st to sit and wait for the vehicle to turn off(takes over an hour on average), 2nd Disconnect the negative battery connection. The vehicle shuts down nearly instantly. Then reconnect the battery before being able to use the vehicle again”
Filed Dec 10, 2024
“Transmission issues :hard shifts, shift delays , hesitation upon acceleration, trouble on reverse gear. Engine issues: grinding noises , ticking noises ,check engine light turning on, loss of power engine Vibrating in steering wheel when braking.”
Filed Oct 19, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 70 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.
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 45 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 37 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 36 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 32 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 26 reports