2012 Chevrolet Traverse Review: Low Priced But Unreliable SUV With Engine Failures

Alex Showalter
Mar 25, 2022

The 2012 Traverse lasts only 150,000 miles with a lot of engine and drivetrain problems. At $8,886 – 11,417 it’s cheap, but high ownership costs make it one to avoid.

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likeFilled The Good
The suspension is smooth, there’s plenty of room for adults in all three rows and the cabin is quiet.
dislikeFilled The Bad
Interior materials are very cheap, the engine is weaker than its rivals and cargo space is small.

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse a Good Used SUV?

  • No, 2012 is a bad year. Owners complain about the air conditioning, poor brakes, and cheaply made interior.
  • Reliability ratings are poor. Avoid models from 2009-2012, and go with a 2013 or newer which have fewer mechanical issues.
  • Performance is weak from the single V6 engine.
  • The Traverse is a safe SUV getting a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests and a Top Safety Pick Award with an optional rear view camera.
  • Fuel economy is okay at up to 19 MPG combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Judith R
How easy it is to get in and drive.
I like the size of it to fit 8 people. It drives great. Dislike the gas due to cost. It has a lot of room for storage. The seats fold down with ease.
accountCircle JUAN D
THAT HAS LEATHER SEATS, CAPTAIN SEATS IN THE SECOND ROW AND DVD SYSTEM
I LIKE THAT IS BIG. HAS A 3 ROW O SEATS, ENOUGH FOR A LOT OF KIDS. THE DRIVING IS SMOOTH
accountCircle Jessica D
Great SUV with easily accessible third row.
I love my traverse. My favorite feature is the captain's seats in the second row so that our vehicle easily accommodates our family of five. It has held up well, needing mostly routine maintenance. It has plenty of space for our family and is a good substitute for a minivan.
accountCircle Lydia E
Best vehicle ever bought hands down.
The Chevrolet traverse is honestly the best family vehicle I have ever bought in my life. It is very spacious for our family and very reliable when it comes to long road trips. When it comes time to update we will definitely be looking at another one.
accountCircle Shirley D
The gas mileage is great! I've never spent more than $30 filling up.
Very comfortable has extra room DVD player and heated seats for winter. I have no complaints if I changed vehicles I would just get a newer model of the same vehicle.
accountCircle Nicole H
Safety is the most important thing others should know about my car.
I really like how much space it has. I also like that it has a built in DVD player for the kids. I also like all the storage it has.
accountCircle Jason B
I really love my Chevy traverse.
This car is roomy. It has third row seating. I've used this vehicle for multiple trips with the family. Space in the car is never an issue. Haven't had anything major be wrong with it mechanically. I like that the second and third row seats can fold down to create more storage room.
accountCircle Destiny T
Great reliable dependable smooth ride.
This has been an amazing vehicle for the whole family! Road trip grocery store sporting events. Etc. Our fur babies enjoy the smooth ride as well! We can barely get out of the house without them. We've had only a few common car problems and always knew we didn't have to worry about making it to and from our destination!

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Noel S
Not to by this make and model!
Worst car I have ever owned, first the ac went out. Then the air flow sensor, the muffler got a hole so it is extremely loud, the check engine is always on. More censors and issues non stop. I do not know exacts as my husband does, and now no heat! Oh and tons of electronic issues with the locks and windows not working properly.
accountCircle Bailey M
It low key looks like a Jelly Bean.
I just think that my traverse looks like a Jelly Bean and the breaks are weird. The breaks are loud. The vehicle is 8 years old so I guess that comes with age I am not sure. I would recommend for a big family but I am not a mom and I do not want a mom car.
accountCircle monica S
The Chevy traverse is a money pit.
This car has giving me nothing but issues. I use to replace the light bulbs, but I have to pay 300 dollars now to just replace my headlights because they have to remove my front end..They made this car impossible to fix things on your own. This car has cost a lot of money for my family.
accountCircle Alyssa D
Inside space, no captain chairs, heated seats, controls in front and back.
Love the size inside easy to move around and for the kids and the dog.I did not want captain chairs.Has many transmission problems. Gas hog I like that it is good in the snow with the large tires and the nature of being able to put all the seats down so that you can move stuff easily.
accountCircle John T
2012 Chevy Traverse Issues
My Traverse has 120,000 miles on it and recently started to turn itself off randomly when idling. I have had it for about 4 years and did not have any other issues prior to this, and performed regularly scheduled maintenance. About two weeks ago, it turned off and did not restart. We tried putting a new starter in it, which got it to turn over, but now the engine sounds terrible. Both of the mechanics I brought it to said that it is not salvageable, and should just be junked. I have had these mechanics work on my cars my entire life, and they have never given me bad information. So now this 2012 Traverse is essentially dead and would need thousands of dollars worth of repairs to try to fix it, with no guarantees it will be fixed.
accountCircle Jennifer G
Not worth your time or money.
I have had a lot of problems with this vehicle from day 1. Just recently had the transmission replaced. This vehicle at has been at the dealership more than I have driven it, still responsible to pay car note even though is no use to me. I can play the aux in the vehicle, when I got it back from the dealership this time it was no longer working. I had to play the aux in a different port of the vehicle because the actual aux port had a shortage in it and now the other port no longer works so I have to listen to radio or nothing. I hate the fact that it has the double moon roof but only one opens makes it kind of of pointless to have to 2. I love that the vehicle is very spacious for my big family so that is a plus. Does need more trunk space but I guess if they did that it would make for less space inside the vehicle. I believe maybe if I would’ve gotten the vehicle from a dealership that actually cares my experience would probably be different. A dealership that actually cares about their consumers and the vehicles they put them in. This has caused me nothing but heartache I have never liked leasing vehicles but had no choice this time around and this vehicle is the exact representation of why I never leased in the past. I have only had this vehicle since February and it is been to the dealership 3 times totaling 2 and half months that they had it had in their possession for repairs. The vehicle did drive smooth seems like a little rougher every since they replaced the transmission.
accountCircle Connie H
An interesting detail on this car is it looks great.
We have had to replace the passenger seat twice due to it breaking. The water pump has went out twice and had to be replaced. The radiator had a leaking here recently and had to be replaced. Too many blind spots always scar will hit someone. We do take care of our vehicles and keep a maintenance schedule.
accountCircle Felicia F
It looks great on the outside, engine and transmission not so great.
The interior of the vehicle is cheaply made, parts of the inside seem to tear or loosen easily. We experienced engine trouble not too long after we got it and no one can seem to figure out what's wrong. We read several forums about out year/make/model and several customers documented the same thing. It seems like there should've been a recall on the vehicle, especially with the engine trouble.

What Do Critics Say About the Traverse?

  • Consumer Reports finds the Traverse to ride well with a quiet cabin, but has low owner satisfaction scores.
  • Edmunds rates the Traverse 3.3/5, liking the space for 8 people, but says rear visibility is poor.
  • Kelley Blue Book users give the Traverse a 4.2/5 and enjoy the passenger room, but don’t like the low towing capacity.

What Common Problems Does the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse Have?

Problems with the Traverse are fairly serious including engine issues, air conditioning failures, and traction control system faults.

A loss of engine power while driving is the most common complaint showing up at 100,000 miles. There are several causes including worn-out gaskets, sensors, spark plugs, and timing chains. Fixing the problem costs $600 to $2,500, depending on the cause.

Air conditioning compressor failures show up regularly at around 105,000 miles. The only solution is replacing the entire compressor assembly for $1,200.

Traction control systems and stabilitrak warnings are another common issue around 80,000 miles. There are problems with sensors and the computer. Repairing the issue costs about $600 to $2,000.

There are 5 recalls and the most serious is for seat belts failing, which increases the risk of an injury during an accident. Other recalls are for air bags, wiper arms, and liftgate struts which are not a big concern once they have been replaced.

How Long Will the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse Last?

A well-maintained 2012 Traverse should last around 150,000 miles, which is 150,000 miles shorter than top competitors like the Sequoia. Regular annual maintenance costs are expensive at $719 per year, according to Repair Pal.

As a Traverse reaches over 100,000 miles owners should prepare to replace the alternator for $650, intake manifold gasket costing $575, and radiator fans which cost nearly $1,000.

accountCircle Sharon M

It is reliable at this time. It has 85,000 miles and I recently was told that around 90 000 miles they are horrible with timing chains.

accountCircle Melanie W

The only repairs I have had have been a problem with air delivery from the compressor to car cabin (summer, 2018), then compressor went out and had to be replaced (summer, 2019). The car had almost 140,000 miles when the compressor died. Otherwise, the car has had no issues.

accountCircle Carolyn Z

It is very reliable, starts every time, has good headlights for night driving. Brakes are good. Front seats are very comfortable!

accountCircle Jennifer R

This is a reliable vehicle for us. Regular maintenance oil changes. I like this car for the family car.

accountCircle Holly L

Yes I feel it’s reliable, our has traveled from Indiana to Michigan and back numerous times, to Texas, Colorado, Kansas, and has had no issues thankfully.

accountCircle Ebony P

I find the Chevy Traverse to extremely reliable. I keep up on all the regular maintenance as necessary.

accountCircle Sharon C

Yes it has been very reliable for the past year. The transmission might be starting to slip, but I am hoping that is not the case.

accountCircle Beverly B

So far very liable. We have not encountered any problems since we bought it in June. The car handles well. Everything works as it should.

How Much Is the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse Worth?

Blue book values range from $8,886 – 11,417 making the Traverse around $1,500 cheaper than an Explorer or Tahoe. When new, the price range was $29,660 to $41,035. Depreciation is worse than average, dropping around 12% in value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Traverse?

There are three versions of the Traverse available. Technology is outdated since it was last updated in 2009, with new navigation technology coming in 2013.

LS is the entry-level model with:

  • 17-Inch Steel Wheels
  • Cloth Seating
  • Power Windows And Locks
  • OnStar
  • 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System With AUX Jack

LT offers some good upgrades including:

  • 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
  • Power Adjustable Driver’s Seat
  • Remote Ignition
  • Power Liftgate
  • 10-Speaker Bose Stereo With Bluetooth And USB Connectivity

LTZ is the flagship luxury model adding:

  • 20-Inch Alloy Wheels
  • Leather Seating
  • Heated And Ventilated Front Seats
  • Navigation System
  • Panoramic Sunroof

What Engines Come In the Traverse?

There’s a weak 3.6L V6 engine making 281 horsepower in the Traverse. Performance is poor taking 8.6 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour. The towing capacity is up to 5,400 pounds.

What Colors Does the Traverse Come In?

How Big Is the Traverse?

The 2012 Chevy Traverse is similar in size to the Explorer, but smaller than larger rivals like the Tahoe. Passenger room is excellent throughout the cabin, and comfort is good with the optional captain’s chairs in the second row.

Cargo space is smaller than other SUVs with 24.4 cubic feet of room behind the third row, 58.8 behind the second row, and a maximum of 116.4.

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How Does the Traverse Compare to the Competition?

The Ford Explorer is one of its closest competitors costing only $700 more. Technology and interior materials are better in the Explorer, but the Traverse is roomier. We recommend the Explorer since it lasts longer.

The Nissan Armada costs about $1,500 more, and is another good rival. Power and towing capacity are both better in the Armada, but the Traverse is much safer. Overall, we recommend the Armada since there are fewer mechanical problems.

Ranks #8 Full Size SUV by Owners

1
car
4.55
2
car
4.54
8
car
4.29

Do Owners Recommend the Chevy Traverse?

accountCircle Sharon M

Yes. It is enjoyable to drive. It is roomy and can hold 8 people. It is economical on fuel. It drives well in all kinds of weather.

accountCircle Melanie W

Yes. It has been a dependable and comfortable vehicle for both adult and children. It is big enough to carry my family and our gear, and comfortable on long trips. Display is well-designed, and it is fun to drive. More like an SUV than a minivan, but functionality of a minivan.

accountCircle Carolyn Z

We have had no mechanical issues, we have had some trim issues with things falling off of the seats.

accountCircle BreAnna S

Yes good family car for the size. I can fit a lot and has latch clips for car seats in 4 seats. Need another in rear though.

accountCircle Lura P

Yes it’s great mid size SUV, we are a family of 5 and everyone fits comfortably as well as room for groceries, travel luggage etc. Also gets great gas mileage!

accountCircle Taylor G

Yes, it is a quality car which runs well and has little to none issues. Excellent drivability and very roomy with the captains chairs.

accountCircle Benjamin P

Yes, I love the space for our family and our travels. The gas mileage is better than expected for a SUV. I have the room for 8 people and it comes in very handy.

accountCircle Aisha A

Yes. We love it. It's just the right size for kids and dog. We go to the beach and drive-ins. The seats go down to carry large items. The car is heavy and safe

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Shawn on September 30, 2023
300,000 and still running
Our 2012 traverse just hit 300,000 miles. Has been a good vehicle and we have used it hard. Likes: Rides smooth even when pulling trailers (most the time heavier than it should pull) all but the middle center seat are comfortable. Roomy interior has fit my family of 7 well; four of those are boys all over 6 foot Dislikes:3.6L motor is only optiom high reving all the time We have the base LS and the interior is cheap; held up well until around 200,000 then all the plasticon the seats started to fall apart Hard to do simple DIY maintance on engine But with basic maintance has held up well.
accountCircle Is the worst vehicle I ever owned. There should be more recalls especially on the air-conditioning system. That seems to be the chief on June 3, 2022
Air Conditioning issues Electrical Issues loss of power
Air conditioning malfunctions after 70,000 miles Many Electrical issues Windows and Locks. Loss of power all the time and now at 121,000 miles camshaft faults timing etc. Headlights cannot adjust correctly . I would not recommend buying this vehicle especially this year 2012 Chevy traversr Is the worst vehicle I ever owned. There should be more recalls especially on the air-conditioning system. That seems to be the chief complaint and they don’t do anything about it.
accountCircle Eric Lo on November 1, 2022
Avoid this vehicle
Had only 76K milesand now check engine light is on, code is P0017. Brought it to dealer and local mechanics, both came out with the am recommendation: replaced the timing chain or replace the whole, range from 5K to 10K, more than what’s the trade in value. Owned many vehicles and this is the worst, never Chevy again.
accountCircle Gabrielle S on February 14, 2024
2012 traverse only had it 3 mo engine issues just after bring it home from dealer
ANYONE WANT TO BUY IT IT SITS IN GARAGE ENGINE IUT TINKERING TO FIND THE ISSUES. IM IN SSI 220. GOES TO A PEARL COLLECTING DUST AND MONEY LIL BY LIL. JUST WANT IT PAID OFF SO I CAN GET A RELIABLE WIRKING VEHICLE
accountCircle Gabrielle on February 14, 2024
Crapped out 3 months after buying a 2012 traverse
No ac ,some kind if keak then squeals oil pressure sensor binging headers bad block bad my ssi money diwn the drain every month while it sits in my garage
accountCircle Cheryl B on March 1, 2022
The Amount of room sold me!!
I've owned my Chevy Traverse a few years now. Fell in love with the captain seats 1st & 2nd row, bench on 3rd row. So much space, heated/cool seats, red exterior, leather beige interior. Dislikes seems 2012-2020 have know electrical issues. Causes computer to throw faulty codes! This problem is causing issues with battery, alternator, transmission and seems to stem from a faulty fuse box. If Chevrolet would recall these models and correct issues, I would gladly give 5 stars and continue to buy Chevrolet!!
accountCircle Ashaley R on June 25, 2021
My SUV is definitely a great car to have especially if you have a big family.
It is a great car, good on gas mileage. This SUV has a lot of room to travel with a lot of people. It sits 8 people and all seats in the back can go down for moving purposes. There is a small storage area underneath the floor of the hatchback where you can store tools maybe a jumping cable. I love this car.
accountCircle Nancy J on June 23, 2021
Love the telescoping steering wheel.
Love to drive it. Plenty of visibility. Like the backup camera. Leather is easy to clean. Make sure to drive it at least once a month or the computer will drain the battery. Be prepared for the struts and transmission to go out about 150000 miles.
accountCircle Stefanie E on June 19, 2021
This vehicle has a lot of room and is comfortable to be in.
The vehicle is comfortable. I would prefer to have captains chairs in the middle row, but we make do without them. It has three rows of seating and can seat up to eight people. It rides smooth, even when going fast down the freeway. The gas mileage is pretty decent, especially for being a v6 engine. I have a front wheel drive, which is not as cool as a 4 wheel drive but it still gets through the snow pretty nicely.
accountCircle Stacy N on June 5, 2021
The 2012 Chevrolet traverse.
The traverse is very comfortable. My traverse I purchased as used and it was previously used as a rental car, the features listed on the MSRP sheet did not fully tell what was in the vehicle. The timing belt needs changed around 100,00 miles or you will possibly have major issues.
accountCircle Lydia E on May 29, 2021
Best vehicle ever bought hands down.
The Chevrolet traverse is honestly the best family vehicle I have ever bought in my life. It is very spacious for our family and very reliable when it comes to long road trips. When it comes time to update we will definitely be looking at another one.
accountCircle Jen G on May 22, 2021
Love the car and the third row, but not the bench middle seat.
I love the car, it handles well, I do not like the third row situation because both back seats are bench seats so it hard to access the third row. It works okay for my smaller kids, but it would be quite difficult for an older child or an adult to sit comfortably. I love the option to fold down both back seats. It makes so much room for hauling things. When we moved, it was nice to not have to make so many trips because the back held a lot of boxes, etc.
accountCircle Jami G on May 20, 2021
It is pearly white with 20 different special edition add ons.
I really like the Chevrolet traverse because it has a lot of room. It also has 2 DVD players connected to the back seats for the kids to enjoy movies while you travel. It has a sunroof and tinted windows as well as heated seats. It is a pearly white color which is very beautiful to me. One thing that is very frustrating is when it gets cold out the engine powers down and it only lets me drive 15 to 20 miles and hour which is slow I have tried to get it fixed at an auto shop they couldn't get it fixed I have tried on my own to order parts and do research but it is one of those things that you just have to move on to the next part until it gets fixed not fun that is for sure.
accountCircle Ryane K on May 2, 2021
Traverse: big space, little problems.
I have my traverse for four years now and never experienced major problems with the SUV. It has great space for a larger family, seating 7 comfortably. The only thing I can complain about is gas mileage. The heated seats are a nice addition. I personally love this SUV.
accountCircle Cory D on April 24, 2021
Chevy traverse and why it's great.
This vehicle has been a great buy for someone with a large family to consider when buying vehicles. It fits our family of 5 with some room to spare. It drives great, has performed amazing. Have not had any issues with it at all. The back of the vehicle has plenty of room for the kids things or groceries, with the third row up or down.
accountCircle Miranda W on April 19, 2021
Great family vehicle with bucket seats!
Have issues with oil leaks but even with very low maintenance, it has lasted several years and 4 kids. Bucket seats are perfect for getting kids 4+ years in and out. There’s plenty of room and seats lay down in back. The battery is located under floorboard in backseat, which is weird. It still has connections under the hood if needing a jump. Otherwise, great family vehicle.
accountCircle Justine B on April 13, 2021
Great, safe, family vehicle.
I love my 2012 Chevrolet traverse. I love how it has 8 seats, 3rd row optional for seating or more storage space. It's very versatile for a young family to use and be comfortable in on long road trips. The traverse rides/drives great and is very roomy. I love all the extra features such as heated seats, satellite radio, sunroof and moon roof. This vehicle is great in the winter on bad roads and makes me feel safe when my family and I are driving/riding in it.
accountCircle Jennifer L on April 9, 2021
It is a great family vehicles.
It has a lot of space and has been great for travel. The third row has allowed me to take half of the team to a tournament and also allows plenty of room for the dogs when we go on vacation. The gas mileage is fantastic, typically get around 18 miles to the gallon.
accountCircle Shaun T on April 5, 2021
Great family SUV for traveling and adventuring.
It is great for a large family. Lots of versatility and space. Reliable and low maintenance. Decent gas mileage for a large vehicle. Have driven it cross country twice. Holds everything we need with easy access for additional roof storage. Would like higher towing capacity.
accountCircle Andrea I on April 4, 2021
More room inside than similar models. There is more cargo space even with the third row up.
I like hoe roomy it is. The third row seating is large enough for adults.
accountCircle Wanda G on April 3, 2021
Chevy traverse, the families SUV. Great for taking the family road trips,
I loves the SUV when I first got it. Over time I noticed it used so much gas. I was spending$100-$200 a week. It also has a rattle under the vehicle. I enjoy the space, the seats in the back wall fold down making it great for hauling things or camping. It runs well. I have never been stuck or stranded. But the overall deterrent is the gas.
accountCircle Jason B on April 3, 2021
I really love my Chevy traverse.
This car is roomy. It has third row seating. I've used this vehicle for multiple trips with the family. Space in the car is never an issue. Haven't had anything major be wrong with it mechanically. I like that the second and third row seats can fold down to create more storage room.
accountCircle Meagan K on April 3, 2021
Traverse! Good for family! Bad for single.
Battery in odd location. Radio is prone to go out. But seats are more comfortable than most, lots of space. Backup camera is very easy to use and aids in parking. Small trunk space. Pricey tires and alternator goes out after about 5 years and it is very expensive and difficult to replace.
accountCircle Ashley L on April 1, 2021
I love the captains and heated seats!
I have not encountered any issues thus far. I enjoy the 3rd row with captains seats as well as the heated seats and automatic hatch. I wish the radio in the front was more updated and has better gas mileage but overall it is a great car for larger families.
accountCircle Francisco G on March 31, 2021
Good overall buy but needs ac.
Main issue with the Traverse for this model year is the air conditioning system which has required repairs at least twice so far. My other Chevy a 2005 has only required maintenance to its ac system. Other than that I like the roominess handling and power of the Traverse.
accountCircle Jaqulyn J on March 30, 2021
It is comfortable and big enough to seat a large family.
I like that my car seats 8 people and it's big enough to hold my entire family.
accountCircle Emily H on March 30, 2021
It's so roomy! This is, by far, the best car I've ever owned.
I love the sunroof, built-in DVD players, and leather seats. The size is perfect for our family and all of the roadtrips we have to take.
accountCircle Kristine l on March 29, 2021
Traverse-A great family vehicle
I really enjoy the Chevrolet Traverse. It has the highest safety awards for vehicles in its class and features on star which gives me as a Mommy if 3 little ones great peace of mind. It has been very reliable with no major problems since we purchased it. It is easy to drive and navigate. I highly recommend it for families.
accountCircle Tanya L on March 26, 2021
Red Chevy traverse with black interior. . . Super comfortable.
It is a comfortable, reliable vehicles, however my boys are extremely tall and no longer fit in the 3rd row seating. We have cloth seat and CD player with Bluetooth capabilities. 2Nd row bucket seat and plenty of space when 3rd row is not in use. Red in color with black interior.
accountCircle Kim B on March 26, 2021
I've driven it for 5 years and never had to have any major repairs on it until this last year. It's been a great family car.
I like that it has a lot Of space, the bucket seats, drives smooth. I don't like that it has a small trunk. Not much room for groceries.
accountCircle Lisa T on March 24, 2021
Love all the space and flexibility.
I enjoy my vehicle. It is a manageable size for me to get around in, but is very roomy inside. This allows me to drive a lot of kids around or put the seats down and haul items. It's got good gas mileage and rides smooth. I only wish it was easier to push the 2nd row seats up to let those in the 3rd row to get out easier.
accountCircle Bailey N on March 24, 2021
Chevy traverse- mom approved!
Love this car! Plenty of room in the back for storage when you put the seats down! Both kids fit nicely in their car seat and booster seat, giving me (5’9”) plenty of leg space up front! Our dog can even roam with the back being jam packed and kiddos in which is great! Haven't had any technical issues whatsoever either. I have kept up on all the basic maintenance and for the past 2.5 years, she’s been great!
accountCircle Dont K on March 22, 2021
3 star rating for older unit.
Not as powerful as my last. Nice and easy to park when shopping. Has plenty of room when the seats are down. Dog loves riding in it. Bose stereo system is awesome. Live the sunroof. Wish had more storage like a bigger cubby in the center council.
accountCircle Ashley S on March 21, 2021
Bluetooth is great. I love the heated and cooled seat options.
Lots of engine problems. Small trunk space. Good gas mileage. Seats 7. Love the captains chairs in the second row. Has heated and cooled seats. Does not work great for multiple car seats. Third row seats do not have much leg room. It does have Bluetooth and backup camera which are both great.
accountCircle Lacey V on March 20, 2021
All of it. 3rd row seating, XM radio,
Quiet, comfortable, love everything about it. Has a lot of space, heated seats heated mirrors 3rd row seating! Barely had issues with it. Easy to fix when parts break. Keeps the kids separated. Wish I had leather seats but that is really about it.
accountCircle Ed S on March 19, 2021
2012 Chevy traverse review,.
My 2012 traverse is very reliable and roomy can handle six adults very comfortably, and has the rear heat and air conditioning, does excellent on the highway and plenty of power. Have used it to pull a little utility tractor out of a ditch, love the remote start. Only issue I have had with it was it kept burning out the headlight bulbs, after several sets I figured out it is best to use the factory ones and not the bright ones..Happy owner of the traverse for three years..
accountCircle Stacy T on March 16, 2021
It's a great vehicle for a family due to the size, seating and storage capacity
I love the size and storage capacity. The smooth ride. I dislike that things started breaking as soon as the warranty expired
accountCircle Lisa S on March 14, 2021
The inside is very roomy. It isn't very good in the snow.
I like how much room it has. Don't like the hesitation when you take off. Lose the radio signal very easily.
accountCircle Milton B on March 10, 2021
Other than transmission problem, overall vehicle has been serviceable.
Vehicle has had a persistent skipping or jumping of the transmission since we purchased it. At first it was intermittent, but after vehicle warranty expired (maybe 2 years), it became progressively worse. I believe that the shop said it was an electrical issue with the transmission. Was quoted price of several thousand dollars. Needless to say, I was not happy.
accountCircle Joella W on March 10, 2021
I love my car. I can not believe they changed the style. The 2018 is ugly.
Drives like a car. Roomy with a lot of power on the highway. I do not like where they put the garment hangers!!
accountCircle Erica C on March 4, 2021
If you take care of it and do all the check ups on it then it will treat you well. Also to know that it's good for smaller kids but maybe not bigger teenagers.
I like that it is big enough for our whole family of 6 and has leather, DVD player and sunroof. I don't like that it uses a lot of gas to get around.
accountCircle Kyla P on March 3, 2021
Silver Chevrolet traverse.
I enjoy my vehicle, we haven't had any major problems and we had the vehicle for around 4 years so far! The only thing we have had to have replaced is struts, other than that there is nothing that I can think of besides normal wear and tear maintenance.
accountCircle Kristie W on February 27, 2021
Great for travel. Fit your family and suitcases in the car and still be comfortable.
Love the third row seating. Wish it had more safety features.
accountCircle Julie H on February 27, 2021
Traverse offers versatility
I love the size of my car, it's great to have space for extra people and then be able to put seats down and load it with a larger load when needed. Overall it has been reliable, but we just recently had a big expense with a hose that wore through and caused the air conditioning to go out and it was noted that this has been an issue with other Traverses as well.
accountCircle Carolyn H on February 24, 2021
We drive it everywhere we go. WE take pride in our vehicle and take good care of it.
The drive is wonderful and I feel safe in this larger vehicle. Room for 6 or 7 people.
accountCircle Destiny T on February 23, 2021
Great reliable dependable smooth ride.
This has been an amazing vehicle for the whole family! Road trip grocery store sporting events. Etc. Our fur babies enjoy the smooth ride as well! We can barely get out of the house without them. We've had only a few common car problems and always knew we didn't have to worry about making it to and from our destination!
accountCircle Michelle L on February 23, 2021
Chevy Traverse 2012 is ok.
It is a very spacious car and the AWD really helps during snowy weather. I bought the car used with over 100, 000 miles and I have had to replace the windshield wiper motor and there is now an oil leak that will cost over 3, 000 dollars. It drives well.
accountCircle Stephanie M on February 23, 2021
Great overall family vehicle and very reliable on the road.
The traverse has been a great overall family vehicle with plenty of space for kids and hauling things as well (e.g. Groceries, sports equipment). We enjoy our leather seats and cooling and heating seats during the different seasons. It rides smoothly. Has been a reliable vehicle thus far.
accountCircle Lakeisha J on February 15, 2021
Battery is under rear floor.
For the most I haven't had any issues with my vehicle. It's just costly when it comes to maintaining it. Trying to find a mechanic who can help is hard as well..Because it seem like no one has ever really worked on these vehicles so it can be frustrating.
accountCircle Larry S on February 12, 2021
It has a great sound system and it gets over 20 miles to the gallon.
I really like the car, it has everything I wanted in a vehicle, backup camera, heated seats, rear defrost and room for seven. My wife does not like the fact that it is high to get into, even though it has side steps full length.
accountCircle Nathaniel H on February 11, 2021
Decent car, but not for me.
It is a decent car. Takes you from point a to point b. The only issue depends on the driver. As someone who likes to drive a little faster, it is obviously not built for those kind of drivers. But it is a good car never the less. Especially when you have a family. It is a good family car.
accountCircle Ashley A on February 9, 2021
Love my Chevy traverse. It is the best truck I could have.
The speaker were horrible. Had to buy better speakers. The DVD player only works to the front speakers. When driving in the rain or snow it does keep traction. Very reliable to get to where you need safety. My kids have room to sit comfortably and away from each other.
accountCircle Yvonne C on February 2, 2021
Cannot see backup screen when there it is sunny out.
I love the luxury of it, the moon roof and the sunroof and the all wheel drive. But it shimmies when you drive it, you can't see the backup screen when there is sun, and it is a serious gas guzzler. It is a good size and overall a very nice vehicle.
accountCircle Joy G on January 28, 2021
It's dependable transportation and has a good stereo and On Star system.
It's smooth riding. Very safe car. Very dependable.
accountCircle Celeste B on January 24, 2021
My 6ft tall son is able to sit on the second row of seats! There is a lot of legroom!
My vehicle is easy to drive like a car, but gives me the interior room I need for Home Depot purchases or long trips with my family.
avatar Alex Showalter
Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they’re built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it’s a better value in the used market.