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2011 Chevrolet Traverse LT AWD

The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse LT AWD is a 281-hp 3.6-liter V6 with a hydra-matic 6t75 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It starts at $33,865 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.

It makes 281 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (19 mpg combined).

The Traverse measures 205.0 inches long on a 118.9-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$33,865 ($48,938 *)
MSRP with Destination$34,640 ($50,058 *)
Destination Charge$775
Engine
Engine Type3.6L DOHC V6 direct injection
Displacement3.6 L
Horsepower281 hp
Torque266 lb-ft
ValvetrainDOHC; 4 valves per cylinder; variable valve timing
Bore and Stroke94 x 85.6
Compression Ratio11.4:1
Injection TypeDirect, high-pressure fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeAll-wheel drive
Transmission
TransmissionHydra-Matic 6T75 6-speed automatic
1st Gear4.48
2nd Gear2.87
Final Drive3.16
Fuel Economy
City16 MPG
Highway23 MPG
Combined19 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Suspension
Front SuspensionCoil-over strut; direct acting stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionLinked H-arm independent suspension; coil springs
Dimensions & Weight
Length205 in
Width78.4 in
Height72.8 in
Wheelbase118.9 in
Front Track67.8 in
Rear Track67.4 in
Ground Clearance7.2 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (15.5 % risk)
Tested variant: 2011 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2011 Chevrolet Traverse SUV FWD: 5 ★ overall

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Apr 8, 2021 · AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

Consequence: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

NHTSA campaign 21V246000

Jun 30, 2015 · STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

Consequence: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

NHTSA campaign 15V415000

May 20, 2014 · SEAT BELTS

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Consequence: If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

NHTSA campaign 14V266000

Mar 17, 2014 · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

NHTSA campaign 14V118000

Apr 9, 2012 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.

NHTSA campaign 12V151000

608 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE

Owner Complaints

608 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet TRAVERSE (16 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 15 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine204
Steering165
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)103
Power Train79
Electrical System67
Vehicle Speed Control58
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 6, 2025 · Tires
“In summary, a business is selling unsafe "sidewall patched" used tire. On Sep 20, 2025 I purchased four used tires for my 2011 Chevy Traverse in this business. Mike's Tires Plano [XXX] ) [XXX] [XXX]…”
Oct 8, 2024 · Steering, Vehicle Speed Control, Engine
“Components related to timing chain failed, and vehicle is currently available with plans to sell to a salvage yard by 10/25/24. My 9 year old and I were at risk of collision when the vehicle failed. I…”
Sep 18, 2024 · Steering, Wheels, Service Brakes
“As i am driving down the road the service stable trak light and abs lights pop on and the brakes sieze up so bad you cant get the car to stop and brake pedal to unlock as well as when you try to turn…”
Jul 30, 2024 · Engine, Lane Departure
“My timing and my energy is going bad..I don’t know the problem.Im new on having my own car..And when I got it everything was great at first but Two trips going too Chicago it started going bad”
Apr 10, 2024 · Electrical System, Air Bags
“This vehicle is notorious for multiple electrical failures. The alternator fried the battery fried, both of which were replaced. This vehicle still wouldn't start. The wiring harness to the PCM is…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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