CHEVROLET TRAVERSE · model year

2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE

255 NHTSA complaints, 19 crash reports, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020CHEVROLETTRAVERSE carries 255 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 19 crashes, 2 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2020 TRAVERSE is engine with 55 filings, followed by unknown or other (39) and power train (32). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2020 TRAVERSE, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

255
Complaints
19
Crashes
2
Fires
12
Injuries
0
Deaths
2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

255 filings

Crashes Reported

19 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE55
UNKNOWN OR OTHER39
POWER TRAIN32
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM24
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM14
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM13
SERVICE BRAKES8
SEAT BELTS7
STEERING6
AIR BAGS6
SUSPENSION5
SEATS4
WHEELS3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
STRUCTURE:BODY3

Recalls (8)

22V21000031/03/2022

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.

20V44600030/07/2020

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly cr

20V66800029/10/2020

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. Th

21V11500025/02/2021

TIRES

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental

21V81700018/10/2021

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible vehicles with Power In-floor Ramp conversion. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission flu

20V63900015/10/2020

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to

19V64300006/09/2019

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The right-hand frame rail in the engine compartment may be cracked.

20V68400005/11/2020

TIRES

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.

Recent Complaints

20260212SEAT BELTS

My seat belts do not click when fastened or stay fastened. Sometimes I have to try several times to get the seabelt to click.

20260211SEAT BELTS

Vehicle: 2020 Chevrolet Traverse VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 50,100 miles Ownership: Original owner The driver’s seat belt intermittently fails to latch. This is a primary safety restraint system, federally required, and critical for occupant protection. The failure occurs randomly and cannot be reliably duplicated. The dealer inspected the seat belt buckle and confirmed no debris or obstruction. The dealer was unable to duplicate the issue during their inspection. Video documentation from the owner of the intermittent failure is available. This appears to be a premature mechanical failure of a safety-critical component. The vehicle is only 50,100 miles and properly maintained. Failure of the driver’s seat belt could prevent proper restraint in an accident, creating a serious safety risk. There are no open recalls related to this issue, and the vehicle is out of warranty. I contacted the manufacturer about goodwill assistance for repair. They confirmed that, since there are no open recall

20260127ENGINE

Cracked flex pipe. Common issue with all traverse models/years. Needs to be addressed and recalled!

20260127POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while the vehicle was shifted into the park(P), the message "Shift to Park" was display on the instrument panel. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shifter was shifted out of park and back into park several times before being able to turn off the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Mileage: 30,000

20260124ENGINE

The forward exhaust bracket weld broke causing a rattling noise and allowing exhaust fumes into the car which is incredibly dangerous.

20260118ENGINE

Vehicle is current at 101,102 Miles, however, the issue started to occur at 75,350 miles. It is the common issue crack in the exhaust pipe just before the flex exhaust tube due to poor welding of the bracket causing the exhaust system to rattle and leak exhaust into the cabin. The same issue has been addressed under Special Coverage N222385510 for 2021 vehicles, and another one was issued for 2019 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. GM Bulletin PIP5681C describes the issue in detail and acknowledges that the same process was used on their 2018-2022 vehicles, but they are only covering the repair of the 2019s and 2021 vehicles. Exhaust fumes do reach inside the cabin of the vehicle especially on calm mornings that have no breeze. This is a potential carbon monoxide hazard. The is no scrape marks or damage to the undercarriage that would have caused the issue, only the heating and cooling of the exhaust system.

20260112ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied in the vehicle, there was a rattling sound coming from the front of the vehicle while stationary or while driving. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was determined that the exhaust mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Special Coverage Adjustment: N222385510 (Front Exhaust Pipe); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.

Mileage: 118,000

20260109ENGINE

The vehicle just suddendenly shuts down when driven on the freeway, according to Tillery Chevrolet GMC the engine cracked and needed to replaced for total of $17,291.94

20260109UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The vehicle just suddendenly shuts down when driven on the freeway, according to Tillery Chevrolet GMC the engine cracked and needed to replaced for total of $17,291.94

20260108VISIBILITY/WIPER

The backup camera system on my 2020 Chevrolet Traverse fails repeatedly and intermittently. When shifting into reverse, the camera frequently displays a black screen, a crossed-out camera icon, or an error message indicating the camera is unavailable. I have brought the vehicle to a Chevrolet dealership multiple times for this issue. The dealer has replaced the rear/front camera twice and replaced a corroded cable, but the problem continues to occur. The repairs have not permanently resolved the issue. The failure happens unpredictably and makes it unsafe to reverse the vehicle, especially around pedestrians, children, or obstacles. This vehicle is equipped with a federally required backup camera, and its repeated failure presents a safety concern. The problem appears to be a recurring defect rather than normal wear, as many other Chevrolet Traverse owners have reported similar issues online. I am concerned this may indicate a broader defect affecting this model year.

20260108UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The backup camera system on my 2020 Chevrolet Traverse fails repeatedly and intermittently. When shifting into reverse, the camera frequently displays a black screen, a crossed-out camera icon, or an error message indicating the camera is unavailable. I have brought the vehicle to a Chevrolet dealership multiple times for this issue. The dealer has replaced the rear/front camera twice and replaced a corroded cable, but the problem continues to occur. The repairs have not permanently resolved the issue. The failure happens unpredictably and makes it unsafe to reverse the vehicle, especially around pedestrians, children, or obstacles. This vehicle is equipped with a federally required backup camera, and its repeated failure presents a safety concern. The problem appears to be a recurring defect rather than normal wear, as many other Chevrolet Traverse owners have reported similar issues online. I am concerned this may indicate a broader defect affecting this model year.

20260105ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Burning oil. There is something wrong. I took it to the dealership i still have warranty i really think this needs to be looked into.

20260105SERVICE BRAKES

Burning oil. There is something wrong. I took it to the dealership i still have warranty i really think this needs to be looked into.

20260105UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Burning oil. There is something wrong. I took it to the dealership i still have warranty i really think this needs to be looked into.

20260102ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact's son owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic who could not perform the repair. The contact was referred to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that a crack in the catalytic converter had caused a defect within the exhaust manifold. The contact was then informed that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin Number: PIP5681C and was referred to the dealer for assistance. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle no longer qualified for the TSB repair due to the mileage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and made the same assessment. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,100.

Mileage: 90,100

20251106ENGINE

Weld on exhaust was faulty the bracket malfunction. The exhaust system has leak and rattle with exhaust noises, causing the converter fail.

20251106UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Leaking exhaust noise at start up began around 9/22/25. Noise became louder over the following week. Check engine light came on morning of 9/24/25. Immediately took it to local GM dealership for inspection. Dealership first said it was a cracked front exhaust pipe at the bracket and then they called back and said rear pipe at the bracket was broken also the whole system needed to be replaced because the brackets were not separate but welded directly to the pipe. The estimate was over $1300. Dealership then said the error coded was probably because of the exhaust pipe and catalytic converter and that they require replacement. I discovered there are already recalls and special coverage for the same issue on the 2019, 2021 and 2022 year models of this vehicle. I contacted GM and they acknowledged the problem in other model years before and after but said there isn't enough complaints for this model year. This is a known problem and design flaw. This needs to be addressed by GM immedia

20251022UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Due to exhaust bracket failure where converter with muffler and side down pipe needs replaced. This was diagnosed at the Chevy dealer and appointment for repair is made. The exhaust suddenly became very loud so I took it to the dealership. There were no messages or warning lamps.

20251022ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there were abnormal sounds coming from the exhaust system. The contact stated that the vehicle sounded like a motorcycle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and DTC: P0171 was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that there were exhaust fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that there were cracks in the exhaust pipe and the catalytic converter pipe at Bank 2 and Bank 1 that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: PIP5681A. The contact had called the dealer to advise that there was a bulletin covering the cracks on the exhaust and the catalytic converter pipes, but was informed that the cracks on the pipes were on the wrong side and that

Mileage: 110,045

20251022ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there were abnormal sounds coming from the exhaust system. The contact stated that the vehicle sounded like a motorcycle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and DTC: P0171 was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that there were exhaust fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that there were cracks in the exhaust pipe and the catalytic converter pipe at Bank 2 and Bank 1 that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: PIP5681A. The contact had called the dealer to advise that there was a bulletin covering the cracks on the exhaust and the catalytic converter pipes, but was informed that the cracks on the pipes were on the wrong side and that

Mileage: 110,045

Compare 2020CHEVROLETTRAVERSE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE have?
The 2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE has 255 NHTSA complaints, 19 crashes, 2 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE?
The 2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE?
Yes, the 2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE?
The most-complained component for the 2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE is ENGINE with 55 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2020 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.