DecodedCars2017 Chevrolet Traverse
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- Ls/Lt/Ltz AWD 4dr SUV, Ls/Lt/Ltz FWD 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 3.6L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 15 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 203.5 in
- Curb weight
- 4,645–4,844 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 14 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse is a standard SUV offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 204 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,844 lb (Ls/Lt/Ltz AWD 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (15 city / 22 highway), 6% worse than the 2017 standard SUV average of 19.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 361 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2017
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2016 Traverse — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Traverse →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ls/Lt/Ltz AWD 4dr SUV | 203.5 in | 78.3 in | 70.1 in | 118.9 in | 67.3 / 66.9 in | 4,844 lb | 55/45 |
| Ls/Lt/Ltz FWD 4dr SUV | 203.5 in | 78.3 in | 70.1 in | 118.9 in | 67.3 / 66.9 in | 4,645 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse FWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | -6% | $3,700 | 507 |
| Traverse AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | -8% | $3,950 | 518 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Traverse SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.9% |
| 2017 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.5% |
Similar 2017 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Traverse (this car) | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2017 Ford Explorer | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 14 |
| 2017 GMC Yukon | 19 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe | 19 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2017 Ford Expedition | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2017 Nissan Pathfinder | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
Recalls (3)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · May 10, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V334000 · 995,085 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Oct 7, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V782000 · 555 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.
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.
Not every 2017 Chevrolet Traverse is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2017 Chevrolet Traverse buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 262 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 25 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 20 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 38,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Traverse years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Traverse | 22 | – | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 Traverse | 22 | 204.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 26 |
| 2025 Traverse | 23 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 185 |
| 2024 Traverse | 23 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 143 |
| 2023 Traverse | 21 | 205.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 95 |
| 2022 Traverse | 21 | 205.9 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 101 |
| 2021 Traverse | 21 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 92 |
| 2020 Traverse | 21 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 235 |
| 2019 Traverse | 22 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 412 |
| 2018 Traverse | 22 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 465 |
| 2016 Traverse | 18 | 203.5 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 292 |
| 2015 Traverse | 19 | 203.5 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 313 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →