2018 Chevrolet Traverse · symptom sheet
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear
- 25owner reports
- 18,991median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 6, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
25 of the 46 reports of transmission shudder on the 2018 Traverse describe jerking or hard shifts.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (46 reports)
Tick what matches of 25 reports
Jerking or hard shifts on other Traverse years
No other Traverse model year has enough reports of jerking or hard shifts for a sheet of its own. See every Traverse year.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside transmission shudder for shifts that jerk, lurch or bang. Where the wider sheet also takes in slipping and vibration, these reports are about a shift that arrives too hard: the car lunges forward, or a clunk comes through the floor as it drops into gear.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
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.
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
All 2 recalls on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 8,000 and 24,000 miles, from the 15 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
This informational bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operations.
This informational bulletin provides information on Some vehicles may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
1 more on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse page.
What owners wrote
“The transmission will not go into reverse. While in drive, the transmission will completely stop, thus jerking the car to a stop. Prior to this, there was difficulty putting into park.”
Filed Jun 1, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 25 reports involved a crash. 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 94 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 70 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