A low-complaint late Traverse
The 2021 Traverse drew about a third of the model average. Owners mention charging system warnings and backup camera faults.
Updated November 2026 · based on 95 owner complaints and 3 recalls
82 69% below the Traverse average
3 free to fix at a dealer
Every Traverse year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Top problems and what they cost
Charging system warning
'Service battery charging system' messages, sometimes needing an alternator.
Fix: Alternator $600 to $900
Electrical
Backup camera failure
The rear camera works intermittently then fails.
Fix: Camera $300 to $600
Other
Recalls
A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse
- Confirm recalls 21V472, 21V817 and 22V210 show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2021 Traverse has 3 recalls on record, listed below.
- Check the backup camera works.Backup cameras are required safety equipment on newer cars. A camera that flickers or does not come on was the subject of several recalls.
- Watch for battery warnings.Warning lights should come on briefly at start and then go out. One that stays on means the car has stored a fault, and a parts store can read the code for free.22 of the 95 owner complaints about the 2021 Traverse involve the electrical system (23%).
Questions
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
A low-complaint late Traverse. The 2021 Traverse drew about a third of the model average. Owners mention charging system warnings and backup camera faults.
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse have?
3 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2021 Chevrolet Traverse problems?
Charging system warning; Backup camera failure.
Crash rating shown for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.