2012 Chevrolet Traverse

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Chevrolet Traverse
Pictured: 2023 Chevrolet Traverse LT 3.6 V6 in Sterling Gray Metallic, front left. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD Ls/Lt/Ltz, 4dr SUV FWD Ls/Lt/Ltz
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 17 city / 24 hwy
Length
205.1 in
Curb weight
4,720–4,925 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 14 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse is a SUV - offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 205 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,925 lb (4dr SUV AWD Ls/Lt/Ltz).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 24 highway), 9% worse than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 322 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Traverse — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Traverse →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD Ls/Lt/Ltz205.1 in78.3 in69.7 in118.9 in66.9 / 66.9 in4,925 lb55/45
4dr SUV FWD Ls/Lt/Ltz205.1 in78.3 in69.7 in118.9 in66.9 / 66.9 in4,720 lb55/45

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Traverse FWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19-9%$3,550468
Traverse AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 190%$3,550468
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.9 MPG2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse.

Similar 2012 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Chevrolet Traverse (this car)19 MPGNot rated5
2012 Ford Explorer23 MPGNot rated5
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe21 MPGNot rated4
2012 Ford Expedition16 MPGNot rated3
2012 Dodge Durango19 MPGNot rated10
2012 Toyota Sequoia16 MPGNot rated3
2012 Nissan Armada15 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (5)

Air Bags › Critical Fasteners · Apr 8, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V246000 · 108 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Risk
Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate · Jun 30, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V415000 · 691,144 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
Risk
If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
Seat Belts · May 20, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V266000 · 1,339,355 vehicles

Problem
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Risk
If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
Fix
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Mar 17, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V118000 · 1,176,407 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk
Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages · Apr 9, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V151000 · 47,846 vehicles

Problem
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Risk
IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Chevrolet Traverse is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

322Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
8Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
11Injuries reported
90,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine110
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)79
Steering58
Electrical System43
Power Train43
Air Bags41
Unknown Or Other34
Vehicle Speed Control31
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/01: 122/03: 122/05: 222/06: 122/09: 222/10: 122/12: 123/05: 123/08: 123/09: 123/10: 124/01: 124/04: 124/05: 124/06: 124/07: 124/09: 124/11: 125/01: 125/02: 125/03: 125/08: 125/10: 125/11: 122/0122/0622/1223/0924/0424/0725/0125/08max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Chevrolet Traverse buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 110 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — 79 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  4. Steering — 58 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 90,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Traverse years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Traverse22–Not rated01
2026 Traverse22204.3 inNot rated126
2025 Traverse23204.3 in★★★★★0185
2024 Traverse23204.3 in★★★★★0143
2023 Traverse21205.9 in★★★★★295
2022 Traverse21205.9 in★★★★★1101
2021 Traverse21204.3 in★★★★★392
2020 Traverse21204.3 in★★★★★8235
2019 Traverse22204.3 in★★★★★3412
2018 Traverse22204.3 in★★★★★2465
2017 Traverse18203.5 in★★★★★3361
2016 Traverse18203.5 in★★★★★5292

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →