The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse lasts only around 150,000 miles with serious engine and transmission issues. At $6,278 to $7,719, it’s cheap, but not worth buying since it’ll spend so much time in the shop.
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse a Good Used SUV?
- No, 2009 is a bad year for the Traverse. Owner reviews complain about engine problems, rapid depreciation, and expensive repair costs.
- Interior quality is below average, there are a lot of cheap plastic materials used throughout the cabin and the stereo system is very basic.
- Reliability ratings are terrible. Models from 2009-2012 all have a lot of engine problems, with some quality improvements on 2013–2017
- Performance is worse than average from the standard V6 engine, which is rare for a large SUV.
- The 2009 Traverse is a safe SUV, earning a 5-star rating in all government crash tests, but it gets a 4-star rating for rollover risk.
- Fuel economy is decent for an SUV its size getting up to 19 MPG, which gives owners about 410 miles of range out of the 22 gallon tank.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Chevrolet Traverse?
- Consumer Reports says the Traverse offers a quiet cabinet but not much refinement, and has low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Traverse a 4.1/5, praising the comfortable seats, but doesn’t like the loose steering.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Traverse 4.2/5 and enjoy the passenger room, but owners don’t like that it does not have a V8 engine.
What Common Problems Does the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse Have?
The common problems found on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse include excessive oil consumption, steering problems, and transmission failures. Overall, these problems are severe compared to other SUVs from 2009.
Excessive oil consumption is the most widespread issue reported by owners at around 110,000 miles. The gaskets in the engine fail as it gets older, and that leads to more oil being burnt. Replacing the gaskets is a time-consuming process costing about $1,800.
Steering system problems show up on a lot of Traverse models at around 100,000 miles. The steering rack components wear out over time, and have to be replaced. Changing out the steering rack and pinion is expensive, at about $2,000.
Transmission failures are another serious problem mentioned at around 85,000 miles. The gears in the transmission break as the SUV ages. Rebuilding the transmission costs about $2,000, and changing it out for a new unit is around $3,800.
There are 8 recalls, which is average for an SUV from 2009. The most serious recall is for the parking brake cable, which is fixed by installing a new cable. Many other recalls cover seatbelts which aren’t a big concern once they have been changed out.
How Long Will the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse Last?
A well-maintained 2009 Chevrolet Traverse lasts around 150,000 miles, half as long as top rated competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than average, according to data from Repair Pal at $724 per year.
Since most 2009 Traverse models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace items including the camshaft position sensor for $350, valve cover gasket costing $425, and the axle shaft seal which costs around $275.
The traverse has been a very reliable car for us. We have not had any issues with the car since we bought it.
Yes it is. I haven't had any major problems or repairs. Love the OnStar feature. I wish it was all wheel drive not just two wheel drive.
It is reliable it does not have any problems. I have not had any issues so far. We tune it up regularly.
Yes. It only had a few major problems but the dealership repaired them. They were issues that any car could have had.
It is decently reliable, it does have some issues with rust and with the shocks and struts, the motor is sound!
It has not given me any major problems or issues, it is an excellent SUV, I cannot complaint about it.
The only problem I have is that it uses a lot of gas but other than that I really have not had any problems with my traverse
It is reliable and regular maintenance is needed on all vehicles I may need to replace front brakes soon and will need tires soon but I don't drive any long distances so many not need tires for a few more months
How Much Is the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse Worth?
Blue book values range from $6,278 to $7,719, making the Traverse thousands of dollars cheaper than a Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition. When new, the price range was $29,215 to $41,975. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 15% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Chevrolet Traverse?
There are three models of the Traverse offered for the 2009 model year. The first generation of the Traverse was introduced in 2009, and was replaced with the second generation in 2018.
LS is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- OnStar
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX Jack
LT is a step up adding:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Heated Side Mirrors
- Power Driver’s Seat
- Leather Steering Wheel
- 10-Speaker Bose Stereo System
LTZ is the luxury model and adds:
- 20-Inch Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Heated & Ventilated Front Seats
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Remote Start
- Rearview Camera
What Engines Come In the Chevrolet Traverse?
The engine found in the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is a weak 3.6L V6 which makes 288 horsepower and gets up to 19 MPG. Performance is average, taking 7.9 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH, but the towing capacity is low for a full size SUV at up to 5,200 pounds.
What Colors Does the Chevrolet Traverse Come In?
How Big Is the Chevrolet Traverse?
The 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe is a full size SUV, but is smaller than many of the competitors including the GMC Yukon and Nissan Armada. Passenger room is good in the first and second row, but the third row has limited legroom and is best suited for smaller children.
Cargo space is worse than other full size competitors with enough space for 4-5 suitcases behind the third row, 7-8 behind the second, and over 15 with all the seats folded flat.
How Does the Chevrolet Traverse Compare to the Competition?
The Chevrolet Traverse is worse than other large SUVs from 2009. There are a lot of mechanical problems and buyers will spend tons of money on repairs as these SUVs age.
The GMC Acadia is a competitor which costs about $500 more. Both SUVs are built on the same platform and share engines, but interior materials are more luxurious in the GMC Acadia. We recommend avoiding both the GMC Acadia and Chevy Traverse for 2009 since they both suffer from the same mechanical issues.
The Honda Pilot is another rival, which costs about $1,500 more. Technology is better in the Honda Pilot, but the Chevy Traverse offers more passenger room and a longer wheelbase. We recommend skipping both the Chevy Traverse and Honda Pilot for 2009 since they both have expensive issues.
Do Owners Recommend the Chevrolet Traverse?
Yes, it drives very smooth and has lots of room for tall people. It also has a lot of storage room.
Yes it is. Lots of space for my family. Love the color. Not many issues. Love the color. Reliable and have had for years.
Yes it is. It fits my whole family and has captain seats. I like the way it drives it is a good vehicle.
Yes it is. I would purchase another one. It is not too bad on gas. Seats can lay down to haul stuff. Good size.
Yes it is a great vehicle, it fits 8 people! We have a large family so we needed 8 seats to accommodate us without spending 50k on a vehicle to equip us.
It is a good vehicle because it is comfortable, drives smoothly and it has not given me any problems since last year which is when I purchased it for a dealer.
Yes love my car big enough to haul grandkids drive to work very reliable good features little hard on gas sometimes but still love it
Yes safe reliable spacious interior comfortable to drive will probably purchase another one same make and model again.