2010 Chevrolet Traverse: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2010 Chevrolet Traverse? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 668 complaints, with Steering Defects as the top reported area.
2010 Chevrolet Traverse Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2010 Chevrolet Traverse trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2010 Chevrolet Traverse Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not Rated15.5% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
15.5% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse has 668 owner complaints, 17 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Steering Defects. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Chevrolet
- Model
- Traverse
- Model year
- 2010
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 668
- Crash-related complaints
- 17
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Steering Defects
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 19
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 24
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2010 Chevrolet Traverse Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Steering Defects
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Steering Defects, Engine Problems, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2010 Chevrolet Traverse?
The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
Inspection Focus
- Inspect steering components for any signs of wear or malfunction.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering, engine, and transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect steering components for any signs of wear or malfunction.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering, engine, and transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse are heavily concentrated in steering defects, followed by engine problems and transmission issues. The data suggests that steering and powertrain components may be recurring problem areas for this model year.
- Steering defects account for the largest share of complaints.
- Engine problems are the second most reported component.
- Transmission and drivetrain issues are also notable.
- Steering Defects
- Engine Problems
- Transmission / Drivetrain
All 2010 Chevrolet Traverse Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 331 | 6 | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 186 | — | 3 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 66 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 59 | — | 2 | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 57 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 42 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 30 | 9 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 28 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 25 | 2 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 18 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 | — | 1 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 8 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Visibility | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Side airbags deployed when we slid off the road. No impact not even a scratch or dent on the vehicle. We did not hit anything but only slid sideways off the road. The insurance company inspected the vehicle nothing but the airbags were damaged. No other warnings.
Seat belts all lock up and back latch falls when opening
The contact owned a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that the driver's side door, the driver's side seat, and the ceiling had caught on fire and was burned; the windshield was also cracked. The vehicle was unoccupied…
No power steering at low speed . Makes it dangerous to turn sharp corners. Almost impossible to park in a parking spot if there’s other vehicles.so I park way out away from vehicles . I have had two power steering pumps and lines replaced . And still have the same issue. .
For several years now, when someone sits on the front passenger seat, the airbag light will intermittently come on. It also comes on if the person gets out of the seat. I took the vehicle to a dealership and they charged me over $100 to diagnose, and said the cable was loose and …
I have now been told that my rack and pinion is leaking by 3-4 different mechanics. In doing a google search, I see that through various years of the chevy traverse, the rack and pinion leaking and needing to be replaced at a high cost (and also being a big safety risk to not rep…
My Traverse doors will lock, unlock, engine will race high then down shift now it will also shut off after it has done this while driving down the road. The safety issue is if it happens to stop running while on the highway or any road with traffic. Right now I am not able to dri…
Power steering is going out. Will only turn when rmps are up. Just bought car a few months ago
This vehicle is dangerous. Looks great on the outside but horrible on the inside under the hood! Since my son bought one for me it’s had problems with engine revving and not shifting gears, and air conditioner continually going out even after repairs, and power steering leaks. I …
Two items: Item 1. Transmission switched to neutral by itself traveling at 65 mph. At about 5-6 seconds after the incident, transmission resumed with no further problem. This has happened 3 times. First time was mid 2022. Second and third times happened in late 2022. Appeared to…
The airbag light on the dash keeps coming off and on randomly. Stays on for a period of time or goes off after a couple seconds. Also for electrical, I was driving down Hwy and the vehicle died and turned back on within 5 seconds. Had to jiggle battery cables for it to come back …
I was driving at approximately 30mph on a road the traction control/stability track light came on and my car lost almost all power. it went from 30 to about 5mph. thankfully i was on a slower road and close to my house so I was able to get home. If I would have been on a highway …
It happened 2 yrs ago in May. My kids and I were waiting in the vehicle and it cut off all of a sudden. My boyfriend checked it out and wasn’t sure what the problem was. The vehicle got towed. Mechanic said it was a bad ECM. Whomever sold me the vehicle had an Arcadia ECM. The m…
Lost power while driving on highway
Vehicle started having a rattling noise when it was started, coming from the passenger side of the motor at just under 86k miles on the odometer. I have been advised by a Certified Mechanic that the timing chain has stretched, receiving a stored code of P0008 with no Check Engin…
I was driving and it it lost power when I started it it did a terrible noise like clicking. Mechanic looked at it and showed me the timing chain is 3 links loose. It was slipping and missing. My children were in the vehicle when this happened. Consumer stated car died it jumped b…
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the electrical plug was damaged by the previous dealer who performed maintenance work on the vehicle. The contact also stated no warning lights were operable on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed…
Battery Saver Active light comes on while driving, turns alot off like radio/AC etc to save battery. Voltage goes down. When turned off, it will not start again until I charge the battery. I have replaced the battery 3x, had the alternator tested and vehicle tested 2x by chevy de…
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle would stall. The contact mentioned that the vehicle required to be revved in order to prevent it from stalling. The contact stated that when the failure occurred a previous time, ther…
2-18-2022 Complaint Previous NHTSA report #11339183 Ongoing complaint with additional information. Tag #[XXX] Georgia. Onstar failed with direct manipulation from Emergency Management Agency Statesboro Georgia daily mapping and stopping my vehicle Chev Traverse ([XXX]) to hara…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse.
2010 Chevrolet Traverse Recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2010 Chevrolet Traverse Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 668 owner complaints, 17 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse?▾
#1: Steering Defects (331 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (186 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (66 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, NHTSA complaints include 17 crash-related reports and 6 fire reports out of 668 total complaints. 12 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?▾
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse?▾
The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Steering Defects during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Traverse reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.