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Reliability report · 2023 Chevrolet Traverse · Updated July 2026 · ~$2,950/yr fuel · what it costs to keep →

The lowest total in the run at 84. Both recalls can drop the car out of gear or let it roll away in park.

Two recalls, both about the same outcome from two different causes. Recall 23V-042 covers 2023 Chevrolet Blazer and Traverse vehicles whose 'left-side half-shaft assemblies may be missing a retaining ring,' and GM states the consequence exactly: 'a missing retaining ring on the half-shaft can cause half-shaft inner joint separation, resulting in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park.' Recall 23V-172 covers 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer and Traverse, and 2022 to 2023 Cadillac XT5, where 'the transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission,' with the same consequence. Both are free: a new half-shaft assembly for the first, new sun gears for the second, with the remedy available from 31 August 2023. These are the two things to verify by VIN before anything else, because rollaway-in-park is exactly the failure mode you cannot detect on a test drive.

The rest of the file is the most scattered of any Traverse year, which is what a settled model looks like. The largest thread is electrical and infotainment: 'Infotainment system broke, black screen, no ability to use back up or other cameras, or see navigation etc.' 'Driving down the interstate the main screen went out completely, GPS, radio, controls to temperature for the back.' 'Radio screen went black and back up camera not working, no chimes, turn signal not making sound.' A reliability channel describes the same pattern across this generation: 'touchscreen freezing, Bluetooth connectivity drops, and app crashes. The MyLink system has seen multiple software updates, but issues persist.' Alongside those are single reports of reduced power steering assist, a battery saver warning, and one owner who could not source an alternator: 'my mechanic can't find one anywhere. He was told GM does not make them for this model yet.'

The nine-speed automatic still shows up, though in single filings rather than a cluster: 'Bad torque converter.' 'The vehicle jerks and shifts harshly while decelerating and again when accelerating after slowing down.' 'Transmission shifts to a low gear and will not upshift causing the vehicle to only go about 10 mph at 4,000 rpm. Dealer says it is a solenoid.' GM's bulletin for 'Shudders or Shakes at Low Speeds' covers 2019 through 2024 and its internal 9T65 Automatic Transmission Replacement Pilot Program bulletin reaches 2024 too, so the condition is documented on this year, with no recall behind it. GM also ran a Customer Support Program specifically for 2023 cars where 'the transmission case leaks fluid due to porosity around a mount bolt hole,' whose remedy is a new transmission case. And the front exhaust pipe Special Coverage names 2023 with the clearest terms of any version of that bulletin: fifteen years or 150,000 miles from the in-service date, regardless of ownership.

Evidence: 84 NHTSA complaints · 2 recall campaigns · 10 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 84 federal complaints, the lowest of any Traverse year in our data, and two recalls. This is the settled final year of the second generation, and it is the least troubled one. The reason it is not quieter still is the character of those two recalls: 23V-042 and 23V-172 both end with a half-shaft coming out of the transmission, which means a loss of drive power or a vehicle that rolls away after you put it in park. Both were remedied free with parts available since 2023. Beyond them the file is diffuse, led by infotainment blackouts rather than by anything mechanical. Both recall fixes are free and have been available for years.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

84

Federal complaints, the lowest of any Traverse year here

2

Recalls, both powertrain

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Two recalls that both end with a half-shaft leaving the transmission

major

Both of this year's safety campaigns produce the same two outcomes from different causes, and both outcomes are serious. Recall 23V-042 (GM number N222390180) covers certain 2023 Chevrolet Blazer and Traverse vehicles: 'the left-side half-shaft assemblies may be missing a retaining ring,' and 'a missing retaining ring on the half-shaft can cause half-shaft inner joint separation, resulting in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park.' Dealers replace the left-side half-shaft assembly free; owner letters went out 23 February 2023. Recall 23V-172 (GM number N222389310) covers certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer and Traverse plus 2022 to 2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles: 'the transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission,' with the same stated consequence. Dealers replace the sun gears free; letters went out 27 July 2023 and the remedy became available 31 August 2023. A half-shaft is the driveshaft that takes power from the transmission to a front wheel, and when the transmission side of it disengages the car has no drive and, crucially, no mechanical hold in park. This is the failure you cannot detect by driving the car, so verify both by VIN and ask for the repair orders.

Left-side half-shaft assembly replacement under 23V-042

$0

Sun gear replacement under 23V-172

$0

Sources: NHTSA recall campaign records, 2023 Chevrolet Traverse (recallsByVehicle)

Infotainment and electrical blackouts, the largest thread in the filemoderate

The most repeated complaint on this model year is not mechanical. Screens go black, and the cameras, radio, navigation and rear climate controls go with them. 'Infotainment system broke, black screen, no ability to use back up or other cameras, or see navigation etc.' 'Driving down the interstate the main screen went out completely, GPS, radio, controls to temperature for the back. Back up camera works and [not much else].' 'The infotainment center went black. No sound in vehicle, no back up camera, no radio.' 'Radio screen went black and back up camera not working, no chimes or turn signal not making sound.' Related electrical reports sit alongside: 'My dashboard gave an alert battery saver active, then another alert stating to service charging system, vehicle may stall.' 'The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unintendedly shut off.' 'Vehicle is not detecting key fob. Main battery was changed, now the vehicle is not detecting keys, both key fob batteries have been replaced.' A reliability channel describes the same pattern generation-wide: 'touchscreen freezing, Bluetooth connectivity drops, and app crashes. The MyLink system has seen multiple software updates, but issues persist due to wiring harness faults and outdated code.' No recall or GM programme in our data covers the head unit on this year. A losing rear camera is a legal problem as well as an inconvenience, so spend real time with the screen before you buy.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Chevrolet Traverse · Independent mechanic and owner channel transcripts, second-generation Chevrolet Traverse

shop rate out of warranty

Software update at a dealer, if that is the cause

no source-quoted figure; get a written quote

Head unit replacement

Nine-speed transmission, documented and still uncoveredmoderate

The 9T65 nine-speed produces fewer complaints here than on any earlier second-generation year, but the same ones. 'Bad torque converter.' 'The vehicle jerks and shifts harshly while decelerating and again when accelerating after slowing down.' 'The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle experienced severe engine shutteri[ng].' 'Transmission shifts to a low gear and will not upshift causing the vehicle to only go about 10 mph at 4,000 rpm. Dealer says it is a solenoid.' 'It started when I put my car in reverse and it would delay and jerk back before reversing.' GM's service bulletin providing 'a procedure to correct a customer concern of Shudders or Shakes at Low Speeds' covers 2019 through 2024, and its internal 9T65 Automatic Transmission Replacement Pilot Program bulletin was republished with scopes reaching 2024, so this transmission is still on GM's list at the end of the generation. Separately and specific to this year, GM ran a Customer Support Program where 'various vehicle makes and models listed may have a condition in which the transmission case leaks fluid due to porosity around a mount bolt hole,' with dealers replacing the transmission case. A Customer Support Program, or CSP, is the industry's quiet extended-warranty coverage for a known defect; ask a dealer to check the VIN rather than assuming. What none of this includes is a recall for the shudder. A mechanic who reviewed the paperwork on this model puts it plainly: 'once the powertrain warranty for your Traverse is over, all TSBs that are not listed as recalls are purely for information, and they won't cover your costs.' A TSB is a Technical Service Bulletin, the repair instruction a manufacturer sends its dealers.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Chevrolet Traverse · NHTSA manufacturer communications, Chevrolet Traverse (2023 front exhaust pipe Special Coverage with stated terms; 2023 transmission case porosity CSP; Shudders or Shakes at Low Speeds bulletin; 9T65 transmission replacement pilot programme; 2022-2023 semiconductor-shortage feature restoration CSPs) · Independent mechanic and owner channel transcripts, second-generation Chevrolet Traverse

$0 if eligible, verify by VIN

Transmission case replacement under the 2023 Customer Support Program

shop rate, first attempt only

Fluid drain and fill per GM's shudder bulletin

$3,800

Torque converter replacement (owner-reported on a sibling year)

Front exhaust pipe bracket, with the clearest coverage terms in the modelmoderate

The generation-long exhaust bracket problem reaches this year too, and 2023 is the version of the bulletin that actually spells out what you get. Owners: 'The contact stated that while driving up a ramp at an undisclosed speed, the exhaust system deta[ched].' 'The exhaust bracket is broken.' 'Flex pipe issue.' 'The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud soun[d].' GM's Special Coverage: 'certain vehicles listed above may have a condition that could cause the mounting bracket on the front exhaust pipe to separate from the pipe. If this condition occurs, a hole may develop in the exhaust pipe at the bracket location, and a rattling or increased exhaust noise may be heard.' Then the part that matters: 'This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 15 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership,' with reimbursement available to owners who already paid for the repair, on repair orders dated on or after 10 June 2025. That is the most generous coverage anywhere in this model and it transfers with the car. It is still not a safety recall, which matters if the car has a branded title: an owner-mechanic on video was refused the free repair for exactly that reason and told 'GM would not cover the recall since it was not a safety recall.' He paid $175 for the pipe and fitted it himself rather than $380 at the dealer.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Chevrolet Traverse · NHTSA manufacturer communications, Chevrolet Traverse (2023 front exhaust pipe Special Coverage with stated terms; 2023 transmission case porosity CSP; Shudders or Shakes at Low Speeds bulletin; 9T65 transmission replacement pilot programme; 2022-2023 semiconductor-shortage feature restoration CSPs) · Independent mechanic and owner channel transcripts, second-generation Chevrolet Traverse

$0, verify by VIN

Front exhaust pipe replacement under the Special Coverage, 15 years or 150,000 miles

$0 net, per GM's bulletin

Reimbursement if you already paid, repair orders on or after 10 June 2025

$380

Dealer repair out of pocket (owner-quoted, same generation)

Brakes, steering assist and the small remaining listmoderate

Single filings rather than clusters, but specific enough to check. Brakes: 'Car started making a load vibrational noise on the highway. When we got to the next stopping point, the right front brakes were extremely ho[t].' 'Front passenger caliper lock up.' 'While driving on the highway all of a sudden the vehicle started to vibrate and smell like metal burning.' One owner reports two separate brake events, in April and May 2025. Steering: 'We experienced power steering failure. Our steering wheel control was taken over while backing out of our driveway and while driving on a hi[ghway].' 'The steering assist becomes reduced while driving.' Also present: a driver's seat frame or track failure producing 'severe, high-fr[equency]' vibration, an exterior lighting complaint about the automatic headlamps not activating in low light, and one owner unable to buy a replacement alternator at all because 'GM does not make them for this model yet.' None of these has a recall or programme behind it in our data. A test drive that includes a firm stop from highway speed, a slow parking-lot lock-to-lock, and a walk around checking each wheel for heat covers most of them.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Chevrolet Traverse

shop rate, no source-quoted figure

Front brake caliper and pad replacement

under an hour at any shop

Pre-purchase brake and steering inspection

The chip-shortage feature programmes, and what a 2023 no longer carriesminor

Two things to close on. First, the semiconductor-shortage Customer Support Programs that ran across 2022 and 2023 builds: heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats on cars built from 15 November 2021, seat cushion ventilation blowers from 30 March 2022, the heated steering wheel from 17 November 2021, and park assist from 2 December 2021. These are not defects; GM delivered cars with features that did not work and promised to fit them later, and its own wording is that owners 'should have been made aware of the condition at sale, and notified that once parts are available' the feature would be installed. Some cars were never brought back, so test every feature the advert claims. Second, the honest positive. This is the lowest complaint total of any Traverse year in our data, 84 against 452 on the 2018. The dense transmission-replacement cluster that defines the early second-generation years is down to single filings here. The Shift to Park wave that owns the 2022 file is largely absent. Neither of this year's recalls is open-ended; both had parts available in 2023. And the exhaust bracket, the one problem that runs the whole generation, arrives on this year with fifteen years and 150,000 miles of free coverage attached. What is left is a large, plain, comfortable three-row with a short and specific list.

Sources: NHTSA manufacturer communications, Chevrolet Traverse (2023 front exhaust pipe Special Coverage with stated terms; 2023 transmission case porosity CSP; Shudders or Shakes at Low Speeds bulletin; 9T65 transmission replacement pilot programme; 2022-2023 semiconductor-shortage feature restoration CSPs) · NHTSA recall campaign records, 2023 Chevrolet Traverse (recallsByVehicle)

$0 if eligible, verify by VIN

Missing heated or ventilated seats, heated wheel or park assist under the chip-shortage programmes

$0

Both recall remedies

A missing retaining ring on the half-shaft can cause half-shaft inner joint separation, resulting in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park.
From the manufacturer’s own recall notice or service bulletin, in its words.

Open recalls

Free fixes at any Chevrolet dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 23V-172The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can let the driver-side half-shaft disengage from the transmission, causing loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when placed in park (2023 XT6, Acadia, Blazer, Traverse; 2022-2023 XT5). Free sun gear replacement. Letters mailed 27 July 2023, remedy available 31 August 2023. GM code N222389310.VERIFY BY VIN
  2. 23V-042Left-side half-shaft assemblies may be missing a retaining ring, which can cause inner joint separation, loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when placed in park (2023 Blazer and Traverse). Free left-side half-shaft assembly replacement. Letters mailed 23 February 2023. GM code N222390180.VERIFY BY VIN

What it costs to keep

The purchase price is what you negotiate. These are the numbers you live with afterward — each one sourced, none of them blended into a fake total.

The ownership picture — 2023 Traverse

Two sourced numbers. No fake total.

Fuel

21 MPG combined (18 city / 27 highway) for the FWD, 3.6L on the EPA federal fuel-economy test.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA) — EPA’s federal fuel-economy test, recomputed with current gas prices. EPA record 45384 (Traverse FWD).
Other builds EPA lists: AWD, 3.6L 20 MPG.

$2,950/yr

at $4.15/gal · 15,000 mi/yr · 55/45 city/hwy · pulled Jul 12, 2026

Repair risk

What this specific year is known to need. Pulled from the issues above — the repairs owners actually report, at the costs they report them. Averages from other sites blend every year together; these are this year’s own numbers.

Source: this report — 01 Known issues.

Left-side half-shaft assembly replacement under 23V-042$0
Sun gear replacement under 23V-172$0
Software update at a dealer, if that is the causeshop rate out of warranty
Head unit replacementno source-quoted figure; get a written quote
Transmission case replacement under the 2023 Customer Support Program$0 if eligible, verify by VIN
Fluid drain and fill per GM's shudder bulletinshop rate, first attempt only
Torque converter replacement (owner-reported on a sibling year)$3,800
Front exhaust pipe replacement under the Special Coverage, 15 years or 150,000 miles$0, verify by VIN
Reimbursement if you already paid, repair orders on or after 10 June 2025$0 net, per GM's bulletin
Dealer repair out of pocket (owner-quoted, same generation)$380
Front brake caliper and pad replacementshop rate, no source-quoted figure
Pre-purchase brake and steering inspectionunder an hour at any shop
Missing heated or ventilated seats, heated wheel or park assist under the chip-shortage programmes$0 if eligible, verify by VIN
Both recall remedies$0
Why there’s no single “cost to own” number: sites that promise one are guessing at your insurance quote, your annual miles, and your luck. These are the numbers we can actually source — and each one carries its receipt.

Shopping this year?

Get the printable pre-purchase checklist and an alert if this year’s recall sheet changes.

Have a specific one in your sights?

The VIN is on the listing. We’ll check this exact car — build, open recalls, and whether the “completed” repairs stayed fixed.

Before you buy

Print this
  1. 01Verify both recalls by VIN before anything else. 23V-042 and 23V-172 both end in loss of drive power or rollaway in park, and neither can be detected on a test drive.
  2. 02Ask for the repair orders for both, not just a clean recall lookup. The sun gear remedy was not available until 31 August 2023.
  3. 03Spend ten minutes with the infotainment: cycle the screen, the rear camera, the phone pairing and the rear climate controls. Blank screens are the largest thread on this year.
  4. 04Watch for a battery saver active or service charging system message. Both appear in this file, and one owner could not source a replacement alternator at all.
  5. 05Drive it cold and hold light throttle from 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, harsh downshifts and jerky reverse engagement are the nine-speed, and no recall covers them.
  6. 06If you see any transmission fluid under the car, ask a dealer about the 2023 Customer Support Program for a porous transmission case.
  7. 07Start it cold and listen underneath for an exhaust rattle. GM's Special Coverage on this year runs 15 years or 150,000 miles regardless of ownership, and reimburses repair orders dated on or after 10 June 2025.
  8. 08Do one firm stop from highway speed, then check each wheel by hand for heat. Caliper lock-up and overheating front brakes appear in this file.
  9. 09Turn the wheel lock to lock at parking speed and watch for a reduced steering assist message.
  10. 10Test every advertised feature: heated seats, ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, park assist. Chip-shortage cars were delivered without them.

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vincanary.com/chevrolet/traverse/2023