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2012 Chevrolet Traverse LTZ FWD

The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse LTZ FWD is a 281-hp 3.6-liter V6 with a hydra-matic 6t75 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $39,035 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.

It makes 281 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 24 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$39,035 ($55,254 *)
MSRP with Destination$39,860 ($56,422 *)
Destination Charge$825
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 TypeFront-wheel drive
Transmission
TransmissionHydra-Matic 6T75 6-speed automatic
1st Gear4.48
2nd Gear2.87
Final Drive3.16
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway24 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 ★★★★★ (16.9 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Chevrolet Traverse SUV FWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2012 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD: 5 ★ overall

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 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

354 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE

Owner Complaints

354 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet TRAVERSE (10 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 10 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine115
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)84
Steering62
Air Bags48
Electrical System48
Power Train46
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Nov 11, 2025 · Steering, Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control
“It sways left to right really bad.. but when it rains or even even the car detected that it's going to rain.. as soon as the car senses it is going to rain u can't even drive it.. it like hydro plains…”
Oct 9, 2025 · Suspension, Fuel/Propulsion System
“The car feels like it’s bouncing everywhere on any kind of surface and now there is a loud very loud rattling noise coming from underneath the car and the car starts shaking excessively if you try to…”
Aug 25, 2025 · Steering, Electrical System, Engine Fire
“White smoke was coming out the car and my car eventually sat on fire. I had to call the fire department.. fire department stated that it was a electrical issue”
Mar 14, 2025 · Unknown Or Other
“Shift Interlock Malfunction. Put the shifter in park. Car did not register in park but locked gear shifter. Car would not restart or return to park. Emergency Brake had to be deployed.”
Feb 4, 2025 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc), Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle stopped abruptly. The check engine, traction control, stability control, and air conditioner warning…”

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 2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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