Used 2012 Chevrolet Traverse Consumer Reviews
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Do not buy a 2012 Traverse
Kari, 07/19/2018
2012 Chevrolet Traverse LS 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
25 of 29 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2012 Chevy Traverse in 2015 with 35,000 miles on it. It was a great car for the first 25,000 miles I had it. The alternator went out at 60,000 miles, which cost 1600.00 to replace. Luckily, my extended warranty covered that repair. However, at 84,000 miles, the timing chain jumped time and ruined my engine. I no longer had my warranty coverage at that time. It cost 7200.00 to get the engine replaced. I had to get a loan to replacement engine. I now owe $20,000 on a car that is only worth around $8,000 trade in. Chevy is aware of the problem in the 2012 Traverses and I have heard of so many with the same problem, but Chevy will not do anything to right their wrong. I think a class action law suit needs to be filed against Chevy for the timing chain issue.
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Be careful unless you enjoy tow truck rides.
Eloise Mullen, 01/02/2016
updated 07/07/2016
2012 Chevrolet Traverse LS 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
16 of 18 people found this review helpful
I am the original owner of this vehicle. Since approx. 40, 000 , it has been in the shop for days at a time, at least 5 times. Convenient that the warranty was for 36, 000 miles. I have been stranded at least 3x, believed to be fuel pump issues. Audio system replaced twice ( I listen to news radio) ,sun roof leaked and a cadre of other issues. Cant wait till it is paid off, so I can trade in. My first car was a Chevy (74) and my last Chevy will be this one. Be forewarned
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Done with Chevy/GM
Mike, 12/21/2017
2012 Chevrolet Traverse LS 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
I bought this vehicle certified pre-owned with 12,000 miles on it. The vehicle met expectations and had been reliable for the amount of driving I do. I put on 15-20,000 miles a year of mostly highway miles. The vehicle was well maintained and I kept up with the regular maintenance on it. Last week I was driving and suddenly seemed to lose power. The vehicle would not shift into third gear and when I made it home I also realized there was no reverse gear. I did a lot of research on the internet and quickly realized that this had been an issue on the 2007-2009 models with the wave plate. GM had actually extended the warranty on the models for those years to 120,000 miles. I took mine to the dealership and they agreed that it sounded like the same issue with the older models. I contacted GM and they said they would inquire with the dealer. When I heard back they offered to cover a mere 30% of the $5,000 repair. I didn't expect the repair to be done for free (maybe I should have because that's what they did with the older models with more mileage than mine), but there resolution was a slap in the face. This is obviously a manufacture defect that they don't want to take accountability for. At this point I'm looking to trade this lemon in and switch to a brand that will be a little more reliable.
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Great space and ride, poor reliability
Kenneth, 06/19/2017
2012 Chevrolet Traverse LT 4dr SUV w/1LT (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I've had this car since new, and now have about 75k miles on it. Here is a list of issues I've had with the vehicle: 1) Computer issue forced the car into limp mode repeatedly - this occurred periodically between 20-30k miles. Took three service repairs before they replaced the computer and the problem went away. It once happened while I was on the highway, forcing me onto the shoulder - car would flash all sorts of warnings and then go into limp mode, and on a few occasions I would smell gas. Shutting down and restarting would reset it. 2) A/C line leak - the first time this happened the car was under warranty - probably around 30k miles. There was a hissing noise from the vent followed by the A/C stopping working. Warranty replacement of the lines (the whole line) fixed the problem. Now at 73k miles the problem has occurred again - same exact issue; 3) Radio stopped working - AM stations come in, but FM does not indicating that it's likely a problem with the tuner. It's hard to beat this car for cargo space, and it's a great hauler of people and things, but the maintenance issues have been horrendous.
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Bad motor 2012 Traverse Chevelot 44500 miles
Dolores, 10/09/2019
2012 Chevrolet Traverse LS 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I purchase my 2012 Traverse Chevrolet new, it has 44500 miles and now I need a motor. The car beginned to shimmy & the traction signal came on, so I pulled aside to parked to turn the car off; then I r to restart the car and it wouldn't startup. I was told by AAA and several other that it was the starter, but it that was not the case. I was told by Thomas Chevrolet that it will cost approximately $8000 for the motor. I don't have money like this. I don't know what to do; my extended warranty expired last year. Dolores
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1st anf last Chevy
Never Chev, 12/09/2018
2012 Chevrolet Traverse LTZ 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
First, all the negatives: Bought from a used car dealer, with 115k miles on it, and 3 months later spent $4500 replacing the transmission. Gas mileage has never been above 20 mpg on mostly hwy driving even though EPA estimates 24 mpg. Around town its closer to 14-16 mpg. We have 3 kids (2 in carseats) and the captains chairs are a pain! The bench option would have been better. Storage room is non-existent with the 3rd row up. The engine always feels like its trying too hard when you have to put your foot in it. The only thing we really like about it is how quiet it is on the road. But we will never buy another Chevy. Should have spent more and bought a Ford Explorer.
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Falling Apart
Z. Milán, 04/14/2019
2012 Chevrolet Traverse LS 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
My 2012 Traverse was my first time owning a Chevy. I have been very dissapointed with manner it has been falling apart. First it was the plastic molding around the front seats. I paid to have them replaced and 2 months later, it was falling off again. One of the air vents came out and the buttons on the radio (used to change the stations) turned from black to green. The AC keeps going out and I have to keep having to get it fixed. Luckily, I still have an extended warranty. Needless to say, I will never buy a Chevy again.
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Chevy Traverse's are unsafe at any speed.
Motso, 09/18/2016
updated 03/19/2020
2012 Chevrolet Traverse LTZ 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
16 of 21 people found this review helpful
This is a dangerous car, here's why. The transmission won't down shift after a stop. Here is a typical scenario, you pull up to a stop sign on a 55 mph road. You see a vehicle coming, it's 1/4 to 3/8 mile away, in most cars it's safe to pull out and accelerate smartly (don't doddle). Not in a Chevy Traverse car should you do this because the transmission never down shifted while you sat at the stop sign. Here's what will happen, the higher gear will put you out in front of traffic but you won't have torque (power) to go fast/er. You sit and wait to get splatted. What you can do with your children in the back seat or the other couple you're going out to dinner with is FLOOR IT and over-ride the computer. Now you're peeling rubber and driving like a maniac 16 YO who snuck some of Dad's beer while he tries to impress the girls on the corner. This lack of transmission down shifting scenario is a known problem that GM refuses to fix. Better to buy another brand vehicle and live. Another problem, the AC can only be run when the computer says it can. I had all my windows fog up on Rt. 95 at 65 mph with another couple in the car! I could not see to drive! The other guy quickly undid his seat belt and hand wiped the windshield in front of me so I could see out (like we used to do with 1950's & 1960's vehicles). After the excitement everyone commented on what an unsafe POS the Traverse is. Most Traverse problems including the 2 mentioned can be easily fixed "IF" GM would change the computer programming. Then again, they sell more cars if the ones already sold get destroyed in car crashes don't they? There will never be another GM car in our driveway. I don't know how many or what other GM models have similar problems. I'm going back to buying foreign cars because they are safe at every speed. Update: I have since successfully sued GM under the lemon law. I took the money and purchased a GM extended warranty. I did this because the trade in value was so horrendously low that I refused to allow GM to screw me twice. GM will now have the pleasure of paying for repairs my POS Traverse incurs :-).
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You better RUN, because your traverse won’t!
Doug D., 07/31/2022
2012 Chevrolet Traverse LT 4dr SUV w/1LT (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought this certified preowned at 37k in spring of 2016. Have experienced a litany of problems throughout ownership including airbag failure, multiple electrical system failures, transmission replacement, burns about a quart of oil every 500 miles, washer fluid reservoir broken, coolant leaks, on and on. Gets about 14 mpg city 16 mpg highway. My young children and I joke every time we see a Traverse on the side of the road, which is often enough that the joke resonates and is always fresh in their mind. Decided to cut bait and buy a Minivan from another manufacturer. Never again!!!!!!
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Traverse is the way to go!!
Ashley Stevenson, 03/02/2019
2012 Chevrolet Traverse LT 4dr SUV AWD w/1LT (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I’m in love with my 2012 Chevy traverse suv! It’s amazing! Everything from looks, comfort and how it drives is everything I wanted for my large family.
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