Diagsheet

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 Sep 19, 2026

25 of the 45 reports of transmission shudder on the 2018 Traverse describe jerking or hard shifts.

Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (45 reports)

Tick what matches of 25 reports

3
24
4
6
1

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.

20V-668Oct 29, 2020
Power Train:Automatic Transmission

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
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
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.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 8,000 and 24,000 miles, from the 15 reports that gave a mileage.

118
1119
320
122
424
325
226

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.

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