Complaint ride, seating for up to eight passengers, adult-friendly split-folding third-row seat, massive cargo area, top safety scores.
Cons
Poor outward visibility, large size hampers maneuverability, some forgettable interior materials.
What’s new
As the entry-level model of its platform siblings, the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse doesn't give up much at all, providing a roomy, comfortable cabin and a pleasant-to-drive demeanor.
Edmunds says
Its USB ports all around for the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, as the handy connectors are fitted to audio, navigation and DVD entertainment systems. Beyond that and some minor equipment shuffling, the competent Traverse enters its sophomore year essentially unchanged.
*The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Click here to see all Chevrolet vehicles' destination freight charges. Dealer sets the final price.
Volatile gas prices and altered priorities have forced many consumers to reconsider the need (or lack thereof) for a large, gas-thirsty, truck-based SUV. Without the need for massive towing capacity or off-road capability, these folks could be well served by the oh-so-practical and user-friendly minivan. Of course, many of them can't get around the minivan's less-than-flattering image.
Filling the breach is the large crossover SUV, a vehicle that combines nearly the same amount of family-focused functionality and car-based dynamics of a minivan with the ruggedly sporty appearance and personality of an SUV. And in this segment, the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse is one of the better vehicles for providing plenty of space, comfort and performance for an attractive price.
One of four GM quadruplets (that also includes the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook) built on the same "Lambda" platform, the Traverse was introduced just last year. Though it may seem like overkill to have four versions of essentially the same vehicle, they have all done well in the marketplace, with the Traverse being the value leader. As with its siblings, the Traverse boasts greater amounts of passenger and cargo space than a typical full-size, truck-based SUV while also delivering a more pleasant, car-like driving experience and superior fuel economy.
Though it's the entry-level Lambda, the Traverse doesn't necessarily look it. It shares some handsome styling cues with the well-received Malibu -- such as the split mesh grille outside and the dual-cockpit dash theme inside -- and generally makes a convincing argument for itself. True, it does have some faults, including relatively poor outward visibility and a third-row seat that's not as comfortable as the Ford Flex's. Nor is it as comfortable to drive as the Mazda CX-9. But if you're looking for a well-performing people mover that hauls a lot of cargo and doesn't scream "mommy (or daddy) mobile", the Traverse deserves your serious attention.
Performance & mpg
There is only one engine/transmission combination available for the Chevrolet Traverse -- a 3.6-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic with manual shift control. In the LS and LT trims, which have a single exhaust system, the V6 produces 281 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. In the uplevel LTZ, output jumps up to 288 hp and 270 lb-ft thanks to a dual-outlet exhaust.
EPA fuel economy estimates for the front-wheel-drive Traverse are 17 mpg in the city/24 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive Traverse models are very close at 16/23/19 mpg. Properly equipped, the Traverse can tow up to 5,200 pounds.
Safety
Antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front seat side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags for all three rows are all standard on every 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, as is one year of GM's OnStar service, including turn-by-turn navigation and hands-free phone connectivity.
In both frontal- and side-impact crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Traverse received a perfect five-star rating for its protection of occupants in head-on and side-impact collisions. The Traverse also aced the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, where it got the highest rating of "Good" in both the frontal-offset and side-impact tests.
Driving
Like the other three large General Motors crossovers, the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse hits a happy medium between secure handling and a comfortable ride. However, you'll never forget that it's a big and heavy vehicle (4,925 pounds with all-wheel drive), and it feels a bit more cumbersome to drive than other large crossovers on the market. Opting for the larger 19- or 20-inch wheels can also degrade the vehicle's ride quality somewhat. We have no complaints about the 3.6-liter V6, as it provides peppy acceleration in almost all situations. Previously, the six-speed automatic transmission was often reluctant to downshift, but a reprogramming for 2010 has remedied the situation.
Interior
Inside the roomy cabin of the Traverse is an attractive layout in a two-tone color scheme with brushed aluminum and chrome trim. The instrument panel consists of dual gauges featuring bright white numbers on a black background that are simple and easy to read. Minor complaints include a few lower-grade interior plastics and audio and climate controls that consist of too many small and similar-looking buttons.
Depending on the configuration chosen, the Traverse seats either seven (with second-row captain's chairs) or eight (split-folding second-row bench seat) passengers in three rows. The first- and second-row seats are quite comfortable and supportive, and the split-folding third-row seat – which is often a kids-only zone in traditional SUVs -- can accommodate adults in reasonable comfort. Maximum cargo capacity is a generous 117 cubic feet with second- and third-row seats folded down, and even with all three rows of seating in use, there are still a useful 24 cubic feet of luggage space.
*The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Click here to see all Chevrolet vehicles' destination freight charges. Dealer sets the final price.
2010 Chevrolet Traverse models
The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse is a large crossover SUV available in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels. Standard equipment on the LS includes 17-inch steel wheels, eight-passenger seating, split-folding second- and third-row bench seats, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, air-conditioning, full power accessories, OnStar and a six-speaker CD/MP3 player with an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio.
The midrange LT trim level is actually comprised of a choice of two sub-trims: the well-equipped 1LT and the more upscale 2LT. The 1LT package offers 18-inch alloy wheels, heated side-view mirrors, an eight-way power driver seat, a trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and rear parking sensors. Select the 2LT package and get all that plus tri-zone automatic climate control, a 10-speaker Bose system (with USB port), rear audio system controls, seven-passenger seating featuring second-row captain's chairs, a power liftgate and a rearview camera integrated into the rearview mirror.
The Traverse LTZ ups the luxury ante with 20-inch wheels, leather seating, heated and ventilated power front seats (with driver memory settings), Bluetooth connectivity and remote engine start. Many of the standard features on upper trim levels can be added to the lower ones via optional packages. Other option highlights include a trailering package, a navigation system (with real-time traffic, a rearview camera, and a USB port), dual sunroofs and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system (with USB port).
The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse wins praise for its roomy interior and family-friendly design. Owners appreciate the generous cargo space, which comfortably accommodates both luggage and passengers, making it ideal for road trips with family or friends. The vehicle's handling in snow and adverse weather conditions is particularly noted, with drivers feeling confident and safe even in the worst winter climates. With its accommodating third-row seating, this Traverse becomes a well-suited option for larger families who need ample seating without sacrificing comfort. Owners also rave about the vehicle’s smooth ride quality, effortless drive on long journeys, and the convenience of its user-friendly features, like the backup camera and OnStar system. Many find the Traverse to be stylish, enjoying its exterior design which offers a more rugged SUV appearance compared to a minivan's image. Despite some mentioning the Traverse's fuel efficiency does not match up to expectations, the combination of space, handling, and driving comfort ensures that owners feel they are getting a solid investment for family transport.
Common Issues
The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse suffers from significant reliability issues, as reported by many owners. A common and costly concern is the failure of the timing chain, which often leads to expensive repairs or complete engine replacements. Transmission problems also plague the Traverse, with multiple instances of slipping gears and outright failures. Many owners face recurrent AC malfunctions, where the system stops working intermittently, further challenging the overall comfort of the ride. Electrical gremlins frequently appear, causing issues with the vehicle's sensors and instrumental gauges, sometimes leaving drivers with non-functioning sound systems and persistent warning lights. The engine’s problematic placement under the dash makes routine maintenance both cumbersome and expensive. Finally, frequent brake, suspension, and steering issues, including premature strut failures and power steering system faults, add to the list of headaches, leading many to regret their purchase despite the Traverse’s appealing design and comfortable ride.
Final Takeaways from Everyday Drivers
The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse leaves many drivers with mixed emotions about its day-to-day usability. While its spacious interior and family-friendly layout make it a compelling choice for those needing room for passengers and cargo, reliability issues often overshadow these positives. Owners praise its secure snow and rain handling, which provides a sense of confidence in challenging weather conditions. However, frequent trips to the mechanic for major repairs like timing chain replacements and transmission issues make ownership more demanding than expected. The Traverse's fuel efficiency fails to impress many drivers, falling short of advertised figures and adding to the cost of ownership. Despite the rich feature set including modern safety equipment and technology options that many appreciate, the vehicle's tendency to suffer from electrical and mechanical failures complicates the promise of a trouble-free experience. Consequently, the Traverse presents a juxtaposition of enjoying a robust drive while often being mindful of potential high-cost interruptions.
The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 5 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5, ranks it #22 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Reliability Rating by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#22 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
$574/yr
vs. $485/yr for Average Midsize SUV
Frequency
1.02x/yr
vs. 1.18x/yr for Average Midsize SUV
Severity
16.5%
vs. 13.5% for Average Midsize SUV
powered by RepairPal
Recalls
5 recalls found
Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
Recall Number:
21V246000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N202321200
Number of vehicles affected:
108
Defect Description:
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.
Defect Consequence:
Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin 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.
Recall Number:
15V415000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
15240
Manufactured from:
2008-07-06 to 2012-02-29
Number of vehicles affected:
686287
Defect Description:
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.
Defect Consequence:
If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
Corrective Action:
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.
Recall Number:
14V266000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
14187
Manufactured from:
2008-06-06 to 2014-05-14
Number of vehicles affected:
1339355
Defect Description:
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.
Defect Consequence:
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.
Corrective Action:
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.
Recall Number:
14V118000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
14030
Number of vehicles affected:
1176407
Defect Description:
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.
Defect Consequence:
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.
Corrective Action:
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.
Recall Number:
10V375000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N100243
Manufactured from:
2009-05-01 to 2010-05-30
Number of vehicles affected:
207210
Defect Description:
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RETURNED TO A SEATING POSITION AFTER BEING FOLDED FLAT. IF THE BUCKLE CONTACTS THE SEAT FRAME, ADDITIONAL EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO RETURN THE SEAT TO A SEATING POSITION. IF SUFFICIENT FORCE IS APPLIED, THE BUCKLE COVER COULD BE PUSHED DOWN THE STRAP, EXPOSING AND PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE RED RELEASE BUTTON.
Defect Consequence:
THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Corrective Action:
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELDS. IF A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
2010 Chevrolet Traverse LS 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Purchased the Traverse new in December 2010. In June 2011 at
24,000 kms, both front struts and shocks along with other misc. items
replaced under warranty. Now at 48,000 kms, the struts and mounts are completely warn out and need to be replaced. The warranty went off 5 months ago at age 3.The vehicle is only 3.4 years old and on
second rebuild of front end. My wife drives this vehicle in … the city and on the Hwy. It has seen no gravel and is basically a kid, dog, and grocery hauler. We are very disappointed with this vehicle. The Fuel economy is no where near what they promised. Going down hill with the wind at your rear you may get 21 mpg. No more Chevy Products for this family.
Road Trip King
4 out of 5 stars
Topps, 05/20/2016
2010 Chevrolet Traverse LS 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Bought @ 35,000, and have taken numerous trips of 1,000 plus miles. I am diligent on routine car maintenance and have a great dealer that serves us well.
I have replaced a controller on the air vent control system,...but so far so good.
I live in NM where the roads aren't exactly top notch and am very satisfied with with our Traverse handling and comfort level for a family of 5.
traction control and stabilitrak systems 2nd time
3 out of 5 stars
vbwolf1, 08/22/2015
2010 Chevrolet Traverse LTZ 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Has anyone experienced your 2011 Traverse having a sudden loss of power and loss of acceleration followed by error messages for both the traction control and stabilitrak systems?? This is the 4th trip to the dealer when for my car losing all power following by the above error messages. There is no warning only ding.ding..ding and loss of power!! The dealer has said it was a sensor … problem, then tried taking out the transmission and working on its sensors, and today they say it is a throttle body issue. Help! Has anyone else had this issue and what finally fixed your car?? Thank you for your help! My car has been having this issue for the past 8 months and has about 65,000 miles. Prior to this there were no big issues or problems with the car.The first time the dealer thought this was the computer board and at the cost of $1009.00 I am still having issues. Called Chevy main number spoke to Gwendolyn and she is going to ensure the dealership in Waldorf Maryland fixes this problem she personally is going to call the dealership. I told Chevy this car is not reliable I am afraid to drive my car. Its only 5 yrs old with 67,000 miles and is acting like 20 yr old car....This year 2010 and 2011 needs to be investigated for possible 50 state recall, to pay all repairs from here on out because of this issue...I was coming from the vet today and the car just powers down, all controls read nothing ( no water, no gas, no speed, everything is off the charts)...this is scary, you can make the car go because the gas isn't going through the car. Something is stopping everything.
Too many corners cut!
2 out of 5 stars
dswiss, 03/03/2016
2010 Chevrolet Traverse LS 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
I bought my 2010 Traverse brand new and it now has about 65,000 miles on it. That's averaging less than 12,000 miles per year. I have had quite a few nagging (and recurring) problems with this automobile, but it has served me relatively well as a commuting and family vehicle.
First, the pros:
- Good size with plenty of seating and storage options. I have 4 kids and we can all ride in … the vehicle comfortably without too much trouble getting in and out.
- General ride and handling are pretty good, but not great.
Now, the cons:
- The original dealer I bought the vehicle from was awful to deal with for service. They were a complete nightmare. They couldn't evaluate even simple problems. There were always new Service Reps when I went in (that type of turnover should be a clue). At one point they had my car for 4 days to evaluate a problem before they finally hooked it up to the "computer" to retrieve the error codes. I'm no auto mechanic, but with today's technology shouldn't that be step number 1?
- After one particularly terrible experience with the service department at this dealer, GM sent me a link to an online survey via email. I went out and took the survey and explained the horrible experience. The survey asked if I would like someone from GM/Chevrolet to contact me and I selected YES. I never heard back from anyone from GM/Chevrolet.
- Eventually I switched dealerships for service and the new dealer has been significantly better.
- I have had to replace a gear for one of the Heating/AC system actuator doors 4 times already. The same part failed over and over in a 3.5 year period. The last time they fixed it they must have used a higher quality part or done some other repair as this time that gear has lasted for almost 2.5 years... fingers crossed.
- I had to replace the "throttle body" at about 42,000 miles. I've never had to replace a throttle body on any car I have ever owned previously. Thankfully GM agreed that the throttle body shouldn't have gone bad that quickly and, since I was only a few thousand miles out of warranty, they agreed to cover the repair.
- Recently I was informed that I need to replace the timing chains at only 62,000 miles. The estimated cost was almost $3,000. Once again, GM agreed that the timing chains should not need to be replaced at only 62k miles, but they only offered to cover $1,000 of the cost for this.
- Other general design and aggravation issues exist with this vehicle as well. The rear windshield wiper can not be replaced DIY. In fact, last time I checked, car parts stores do not even stock the wiper blades and will tell you to go to the dealership to have it replaced. What a major pain in the neck. I also recently had a headlamp bulb that needed to be replaced. The manual states that you need to go to your dealership to have it replaced and after finding some instructional videos on YouTube I understand why. In order to simply change a headlamp build you have to jack up the car, remove the front tire on the side to be replaced and then remove a protective panel inside the wheel well just to get to the back of the headlamp assembly to change the bulb. Who in the heck designed this thing? Did someone win an 8th grade engineering design contest?
- Most recently, the front windshield wiper motor failed and needs to be replaced.
In summary, I have purchased new cars 6 times in my life and I have never had a vehicle that had this many issues where parts simply failed in such a short life span. It leads me to believe that lots of shortcuts were taken in the design and manufacturing of this car. I don't know if this is still an issue on newer model Traverses but my 2010 LS is simply not a very high quality automobile.