general problems of the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse

Shift interlock malfunction. Put the shifter in park. Car did not register in park but locked gear shifter. Car would not restart or return to park. Emergency brake had to be deployed.

1)the air conditioning unit line has caused a leak. It was determined this line needs to be replaced by an independent service center. This a/c line is located from under the front of the hood all the way to the rear of vehicle. This line constantly rubs and there is friction with other lines/hoses (power steering), and other components under the hood. No rubbing should occur. The rubbing and friction cause holes to form causing not only for it to leak out but also potentially leak on other components under the hood which could cause other issues such as breakdown of the vehicle or fire. It has affected us not only by not providing a/c under extreme heat, but also has caused hissing sounds and for white smoke vapors that has omitted from the vents inside the vehicle. It has also caused us to breathe in the vapors which are toxic. There was cold a/c felt through the vents and we were not aware of any issues until now (7/19/2024). This is a very costly repair, over $1500 and up for the average consumer to pay out. 2)park assist & sound that are unable to hear & works intermittently. The radio display & speakers work intermittently. The park assist is connected to the speakers. When the speakers and radio/radio display do not work properly; it causes the park assist to not function correctly when backing up. This is a safety issue due to blind spots and areas one cannot see and depending on the park assist to aide them; something can get hit or run over. There is an issue with engine fuse box wiring & terminals gm knows of. 3)driver seat belt lap anchor pretentioner. Only special coverage adjustment which states dealers are to inspect & replace. They failed to send out the notice to me. I was told I have to pay the dealership a diagnostic fee to inspect it then fix from there. I shouldn’t have to pay the fee to have it replaced like it states in the documents. Nor worry about safety of seatbelt & components going to fail to protect in the event of a crash.

The liftgate goes half up then back down multiple times I have gotten hit in the head because it does that.

The head front left head light has had to be replaced 3 times in 3 months same for the left turn signal. Another issue I have is each time I put gas in, the car gets stuck trying to turn over until I pump the gas.

We got sold a car without a catalytic converter. We’ve been talking to the dealership responsible, and they literally admitted over the phone that they sold us the car without it on “accident” which still makes it an illegal sale. They offered us half of what they owe due to this and we’ve had enough and want to take this further. As you can clearly see in the photo the flanges of the old catalytic converter were cut out and they welded in a straight pipe and it even has holes in it already. This is a huge problem. Also, I read that it’s a 25,000$ fine for a dealership selling a car in this condition and id like if that was enforced in this situation because they’ve done similar to others in the past. + our money back rightfully so….

Crus traction control problem raking pinion. Problems.

The hatch door slammed down without any warning when I was unloading grocery. After that happened the hatch door will not go up all the way, but ascends half way an goes back down. I have a video on my phone. Before this incident, we had problems with the hatch going up but coming right back down without warning.

It is an ongoing daily issue. It has been occurring for over 2 years. The radio display does not work properly. It will show the display and then it won't. This display and speakers are connected via wiring. The speakers all do not work at the same intervals. The park assist function is connected to the speakers. When the radio display works; most of the speakers work and then one can hear the "beep" sounds the park assist makes. And when the speakers and radio display do not work then the park assist does not work. This can put others at risk since the park assist function does not work. A person might hit someone or something due to this issue.

The check engine light popped up in the morning and two hours later the car was idling and started to shake while idling. The traction control light turned on and the check engine light started to flash and the message center said service the stabilitrak and then the vehicle stalled. As I am driving down the road you can feel the vehicle losing power.

Whining and winding sound on acceleration at all speeds. . Rumbling noise from engine. Strut leaking and front suspension issues. This turned out to be transmission and torque converter. Along with pto pinion seal, crankshaft seal, water pump, harmonic balancer, struts, sway bar links, and drive belt.

I purchased this Traverse back in October of 2019. I had it 2 months and it started winding and the power steering was making an awful noise I called the dealer I purchased it from cash for cars I'm graham, north carolina and they told me there's nothing they can do. Also the rear seat belts in the back seat fell apart within a week of having it. I paid 13,000 dollars for the SUV and I just want it safe for my children.

Takata recall driving down the road and traction control off, stabilitrak service, and abs light came on. Engine light also. Sick in tired of throwing money into this Traverse. I love the SUV but I can't afford all of this mechanical issues.

I will be driving down the road, either on highway or city street and all of a sudden a warning light comes on that says service stabilitrak/reduce engine power/traction control. The next day it will run fine.

My car has been very well taken care of and still is only at 70,000 miles. Prior to a 1000 mile road time with my husband and two children I went in for a regular maintenance and to prep for the trip. After getting back my struts went out, apparently a chevy defect. After paying upwards of $1,000. 00 to replace and check everything we headed on the road. No less that 60 miles from home, while going 65 on the freeway, my car lost all power. Power steering, ac, the whole thing just shut down! we barely made it to the side of the freeway to be safe from the traffic, again, my children are in this car in 90+ degree weather on the side of a freeway! I am now in the process and finding out that chevy, american made crap, has had this happen before to families, putting them at risk, leaving them stranded and has not done any recalls on this dangerous matter. The car didn't slow down, it lost power, it lost everything and we would have be slammed by multiple other cars if my husband didn't make a fast move off the freeway. How can a long time, again american, car manufacturer produce such a defective vehicle that can't even make it to 100k miles? so now I am paying on a vehicle that I don't even know what will cost because I have to tow it to someone while still making payments. Do not buy chevy!.

When I turn my air on and my speed limit hits 25 miles per hr my car shakes at a neighborhood street and it was really scary on the freeway cause I swerved to the right cause it was shaking so bad. Then when I let go of my gas for 5 seconds to stop the shaking it stalls and I have to push the gas pump at least 3 times to make it drive. It also smells like my gas is leaking and it is worse when I turn left or right. I'm afraid it might catch on fire. My headlights would go off for a couple of days sometimes for a week but would turn on all of a sudden and they are brand new headlights. My airbag light would go off and on every other week. Its just frustrating having this car cause there is always something different on the dash board saying something is wrong with the car.

Lift gate falls and will hit head if standing under the gate while open. Other 2012 are already under recall.

The first night when the temperature dropped below 40 degrees my car wouldn't start so I replaced my battery spending $188 for a brand new battery. The very next morning the car still wouldn't start so I got someone to jump me off. It cranked with no issue. When I put the car in drive it would not accelerate beyond 35mph. I then attempted to turn around and go home and my car would only reverse and would no longer move in the drive selection. In neutral the car locked up and wouldn't drive. I eventually drove in reverse illegally down the highway in morning rush hour traffic. I enventuallt made it home and let my car sit for an hour while calling for assistance. When I went back to restart the car is acting as if the battery is dead. This was not only dangerous with 4 children inside but unsafe to be stuck in traffic will no way to accelerate in drive. My car will no longer crank without a jump I took it to a mechanic who stated that he couldn't see the issue and recommended that I simply trade it in which isn't an option currently.

Ac does not work properly, freon leakingout in 2018. Serviced several times in 2018 ( a minimum of 3 times) for this problem (blowing hot air instead of cold) supposedly addressed but continues to be a problem in 2019. Seems to be a widespread problem across the board. Help.

Back hatch does not stay open, will suddenly fall and hit you in the head. Other 2012 have already been recalled for the same issue.

The ac evaporator has been leaking for years, and it has taken several refills of freon to locate the issue. Freon is being blown into the cabin which is a toxic substance. While driving the air vents blow out a fog from the leak. Eventually the freon runs out and the cabin heats up causing drowsiness while driving. I am fixing the issue by replacing the evaporator, but it will probably wear out again and cause health concerns to my family and I. . Read more...

"takata recall" when I was driving home I had my check engine light come on and the traction control disengaged and the same time. It also reduced engine power (it also said it was on the dash board) however with no warning started to slow too quickly while I was dribing down street which speed limit is 50 mph. As I had another vehicle behind me who had to switch quickly to next lane. Once I made it home I did some research on this issue and their hundreds of complaints of the same problem. . . I never seen so many of the same issue with the same manufacturer. . . I have 3 children and are mostly with me when I'm on the road. Luckily I left them home this time. And no one got hurt. However, this is a major safety concern. . . I strongly believe if this would have happen on my way to work during rush hour on the highway. I would have had a different outcome. Please look in to this a. S. A. P.

The power lift gate falls prematurely. I click the button to open it and it goes up. But as soon as it gets fully lifted, it immediately goes back down. I've seen where there is a recall campaign #15v415000 on Traverses produced July 6, 2008 - February 28, 2012. My VIN, however, isn't listed in that recall for some reason. It is doing exactly what the recall lists on all of these other Traverses. I'd just like to be able to take my car to our local Chevrolet dealership and have them fix it with the open recall.

When it is cold outside there is no sound in the Traverse. No music, back up waning, or turn signal noise. The care has to warm up to make sound.

The tailgate on my chevy Traverse 2012 dropped suddenly on my arm. I just received a recall on this very issue but after my incident.

The car's engine sounds too loud. I bought the car late December 2015 and I told the servce advisor that something is wrong with the wiring because the light bulb needed to change, sounds from speakers would bounce off from one speaker to another, the windows would not go back up, and engine was louder than usual. Two weeks ago, while I was on I-95 with my kids, the engine light came on, the car automatically slowed down on me, traction control automatically turned off, the car stated engine power slowed and stabitalk light came on. I was terrified. I'm already a victim of mile discrepancy and poor professionalism from the gm from autonation Chevrolet delray and I'm still having problems with my vehicle. I took my car there a time back in may because my engine was shaking, I was told they fixed my engine but the car was still shaking afterwards. Also the seatbelt for the middle seat of the second row, works when it wants to. I went to autonation to look at the vehicle, they claimed it doesn't have engine issues even though they did not give me a copy of the results of the whole diagonosis.

The lift gate fell and hit my wife while unloading groceries. Went to dealer to repair and they did not have an answer how chevy /gm is going to repair this is a recall.

Driving when car beeps 4 times and control lights come on saying traction control off, stability control off, engine power low. Slows the car down to 15-20 mph. Very dangerous as there is very little time to respond. Luckily, I wasn't going very fast to begin with, but on the highway it could be disastrous. It slows the engine and cannot go any faster.

Received the following warnings all of the sudden: traction control off, traction control needs service, stabilitrak off, stabilitrak needs service. Check engine light came on at the same time. Vehicle began trying to stall. Luckily, I was on a country road and could easily pull over quickly. All of the warnings went off after a minute and I resumed driving. Every time I had to slow down and come to a stop, the automatic transmission would downshift very hard. After searching the internet to see what the issue could be, I found countless forums with countless people having the exact same issue, but some were in a more dangerous situation going highway speeds in traffic. Of those people many of them have taken their vehicle to their gm dealerships and have spent hundreds and even thousands of dollars on failed attempts to fix it only to continue to have this problem. Some will no longer allow other family members/children to ride in the vehicles due to the danger of stalling suddenly with no warning. I was shocked to see how many chevy models and years including brand new 2014's are having this exact issue and gm is doing very well at avoiding responsibility. The new owners are protected by lemon laws financially, but the only option for owners with a vehicle over a year old is to sell or trade in. Either way, this is putting yet another unknowing consumer in danger and it is keeping these defective vehicles on the road where we and our loved ones drive everyday. The right and "safe" thing to do is for gm to take responsibility for a faulty product. The right thing for everyone else to do that isn't employed by or in gm's pocket is to report it and take action. It's about safety. That should be the priority, not money.

The doors unlock when the car is put in park. This is normal in some models but they do not unlock in other models of the same car. This is a safety factor as it lets any one get in to the car when the car is parked. This is discrimination and should be fixed. Thank you.

Stabilitrac and traction control and engine light was flashing. . . Kept misfiring, took the vehicle to the dealership and I am still as of September 17 having the same issue. . . There has been no resolution.