Comprehensive guide to Chevrolet Traverse lemon law claims, common defects, NHTSA recalls, and your legal rights as an owner.
Model years covered: 2018-2024
The Chevrolet Traverse is a popular midsize SUV known for its spacious interior and family-friendly features. However, for many owners of the 2018-2024 models, the experience has been marred by persistent and severe mechanical issues. Despite its appeal, the Traverse has been the subject of numerous complaints, technical service bulletins, and even class-action lawsuits, leading many consumers to seek relief under state and federal lemon laws.
The most notorious issue plaguing the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Traverse is related to its transmission, specifically the dreaded "Shift to Park" defect, where the vehicle fails to recognize it is in park, preventing owners from turning off the engine. Alongside transmission failures, owners frequently report electrical system malfunctions, engine stalling, excessive oil consumption, and premature brake wear. These defects not only cause significant inconvenience and financial strain but also pose serious safety risks to drivers and their families.
If your Chevrolet Traverse has spent an unreasonable amount of time in the repair shop for recurring issues that the dealership cannot seem to fix, you may be driving a lemon. Understanding your rights under the lemon law is crucial. This guide provides comprehensive data on common defects, recalls, and litigation history to help you determine if your vehicle qualifies for a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement.
Your vehicle make and model are pre-selected in the case review form. Share your repair history to connect with a qualified lemon law attorney in your state.
Total recalls: 30
The 2018-2024 Chevrolet Traverse has been subject to several recalls addressing various safety concerns. Major recall campaigns have included issues with the transmission, such as a wrong transmission sun gear that could cause a loss of motive power, affecting thousands of units.
Other significant recalls have involved safety systems, including side curtain airbags that may not be properly attached or roof rail airbags that may not deploy correctly in the event of a crash. Additionally, recalls have addressed structural and fuel system issues, such as cracked frame rails and insufficient fuel supply, highlighting the range of potential safety defects in these model years.
View all Chevrolet recalls and NHTSA safety alerts
General Motors has issued numerous Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Traverse to address widespread issues not covered by official recalls. A prominent TSB (e.g., 19NA206) addresses the persistent 'Shift to Park' message, providing repair instructions for when the message displays intermittently while the vehicle is already in park.
Other notable TSBs cover transmission problems, such as hard shifting and slipping (e.g., 17-NA-317 and PIP5621B), brake noise issues (19NA115), and various electrical and infotainment system glitches. These bulletins indicate that GM is aware of these common defects and has provided dealerships with specific diagnostic and repair procedures to handle the high volume of customer complaints.
The Chevrolet Traverse has been involved in significant litigation, most notably regarding the widespread "Shift to Park" defect. A major class-action lawsuit, Jefferson & Riley v. General Motors, addressed allegations that defective shifters in certain GMC Acadia and Chevy vehicles, including the 2018-2019 Traverse, prevented the vehicles from detecting when they were shifted into park.
In June 2025, General Motors agreed to a settlement to resolve these claims. Qualifying class members were entitled to a $500 cash payment and up to $375 in reimbursement for out-of-pocket repair costs. Additionally, GM has faced other class-action lawsuits and individual lemon law claims related to transmission failures, engine oil consumption, and electrical defects, often resulting in confidential buybacks and settlements for affected consumers.
Yes, if your Chevy Traverse repeatedly displays the 'Shift to Park' message and the dealership has been unable to fix it after multiple attempts, it may qualify as a lemon. This is a well-documented defect that impairs the vehicle's use and safety.
While it varies by state, generally 3 to 4 repair attempts for the same substantial defect, or if the vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 days or more during the warranty period, are required to qualify under the lemon law.
If your Traverse is deemed a lemon, you may be entitled to a buyback (refund of purchase price minus a usage fee), a replacement vehicle of comparable value, or a 'cash and keep' settlement where you keep the car and receive cash compensation.
Yes, owners of newer models, including the 2021-2024 Chevy Traverse, continue to report transmission issues such as slipping, hard shifting, and the 'Shift to Park' defect, which can be grounds for a lemon law claim.
In most states, lemon laws include a fee-shifting provision, meaning that if you win your case, the manufacturer (General Motors) is required to pay your attorney's fees and legal costs, making it essentially free for the consumer.
These lemon law attorneys can review a claim involving your Chevrolet Traverse and explain the options available in your state.