How Long Do Chevy Traverses Last?

The Chevy Traverse made its debut in 2008 and has released yearly models since.

Having a long lineup of cars and models, the Chevy Traverse has built a prominent reputation in these 14 years, but people can still ask a lot about its reliability.

The main question people have regarding these is how long do Chevy Traverse last, which is a very good question to ask, considering the car can only manage to give you an average of 220,000 miles which is on the lower side of its vehicle class.

Some owners have stated that the car can go as low as 200k miles which is even worse, which is why I will be taking an in-depth look at the Chevy Traverse and see how long the car can last when compared to other vehicles and get a proper look at how long you can expect it to last.

What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of Chevy Traverse?

200k miles is very low and will only give you a measly 13 years of service before breaking down.

The max amount of mileage you can hope to get from this one would be 250k, which is a bit more competitive as this boosts the car’s life up to 16 years. This makes it a much more viable option to consider.

However, the gap between 200k and 250k is still a lot, and most of the time, the car tends to lean on the lower side, which is why I will be providing tips on how you can take good care of the Chevy Traverse so that you can get a better lifespan.

But for now, I should talk about show the car compares to other vehicles.

Does Chevy Traverse Last Longer Than Other Similar Vehicles?

The Chevy Traverse is a midsized Sports Utility Vehicle and currently ranks as one of the lowest when it comes to reliability among its class.

Is the car truly that bad for longevity, or are other cars simply better than it?

I will take a deep dive into the Chevy Traverse and compare it to a few of the top midsized SUVs currently available to see how long it can last.

I will be comparing the lifespan of these cars and the factors that affect them to get the best possible results so that results do not skew in favor or against one of these cars.

Here, I have selected three prominent cars to go against the Chevy Traverse, so let’s get right into it without any delay.

1. Chevy Traverse Vs. Mitsubishi Endeavor

The first car I will compare to the Chevy Traverse is the Mitsubishi Endeavor which started in 2004 and only lasted until about 2011.

• The Chevy Traverse ranked among the lowest of the midsized SUVs, while the Mitsubishi Endeavor was one of the highest, having much higher reliability.
• Since the Chevy Traverse could only last to 250,000, it loses to the Mitsubishi Endeavor, which can go as high as 350,000 miles.
• Having many problems, the Chevy Traverse is beaten by the Mitsubishi Endeavor, which had a lot fewer issues in almost all of its models.
• The Chevy Traverse is also defeated by the Mitsubishi Endeavor, which was $150 cheaper on the repair side of things.

Overall, things seem pretty one-sided in favor of the Mitsubishi Endeavor.

Things do not look good for the Chevy Traverse right out of the gate, but this can easily change with the other two comparisons.

2. Chevy Traverse Vs. Mazda CX-5

The next car to go against the Chevy Traverse will be the Mazda CX-5, a well-known midsized SUV going strong since 2013.

• Compared to the Chevy Traverse, the Mazda CX-5 is miles ahead when it comes to reliability, being of the top cars in many different sources.
• Surprisingly, both the Chevy Traverse and the Mazda CX-5 share the same level of total mileage, both lasting from 200,000 to 250,000 miles.
• Apart from a few models, the Chevy Traverse, however, loses to the Mazda CX-5 when it comes to issues and complaints.
• Things are much more expensive on the Chevy Traverse’s side, with the Mazda CX-5 being almost $200 cheaper than the Chevy Traverse.

Once again, the Chevy Traverse has gotten the short end of the stick but do not fear as there is still one car left to compare it against, which could turn the tables.

Related: How Many Miles Can A Mazda CX-5 Last?

3. Chevy Traverse Vs. Hyundai Veracruz

The last car I will compare to the Chevy Traverse will be the Hyundai Veracruz, a Korean Vehicle that only lasted eight years and ended production with its 2015 model.

• Also one of the highest-rated vehicles on many lists, the Chevy Traverse is left behind compared to the Hyundai Veracruz, which has a lot more reliability ratings than the Chevy Traverse.
• The Chevy Traverse is also at a disadvantage when it comes to longevity as the Hyundai Veracruz will last 50,000 miles more than it, making it capable of reaching 300,000 miles.
• Issues and complaints seem to be present more in the Chevy Traverse than in the Hyundai Veracruz, which has significantly fewer issues.
• These issues are much cheaper to fix than the Chevy Traverse, which costs $200 more to repair than the Hyundai Veracruz.

Overall, many people were right to question the reliability and longevity, as the Chevy Traverse cannot last against the best of the best and, most of the time, does not even come close to making a dent in its reputation.

Life Expectancy Of Chevy Traverse Car Parts

Many factors go into how long the car can last, but the biggest factor is how well the user can take care of the individual components of the car.

This one, like every vehicle out there, relies on its user to maintain every component so that the car runs smoothly.

If even one part of the car starts to malfunction, then the whole system of the car can slowly get damaged, eventually to the point where the car will not function, which is why here, I will talk about a few parts of the Chevy Traverse and show you how long you can expect these individual parts to last and what you can do to make them last even longer.

Average Lifespan Of Chevy Traverse Brake Pads

Talking about the brake pads of the Chevy Traverse, you can expect to see them last around 30,000 miles at the minimum, while at the most; you can see those lasting 70,000 miles.

This gives them a standard lifespan of 50,000 miles.

To make sure that the brake pads of your Chevy Traverse last as long as possible, you should make sure that you do not overburden the brake pads by adding a lot of load to your SUV.

Along with this, make sure that you avoid heavy and sudden braking and give yourself a good amount of stopping distance.

Average Lifespan Of Chevy Traverse Battery

As is the case with all the batteries available in the market for automobiles, the Chevy Traverse’s battery will last an average of 4 years, give or take a year, depending on how well the battery is maintained.

To properly maintain the battery, you should take care of its charging. This can be done by taking the car out for a ride every other day to properly charge it.

You should also make sure to clean the battery regularly and conduct frequent voltage tests to make sure it is in good condition.

Average Lifespan Of Chevy Traverse Tires

Similar to the battery, you can expect the tires of the Chevy Traverse to last 3 to 5 years, with four being the most likely.

This, however, will vary mostly depending on the roads that you drive on and the style you drive it with.

Rough driving with a lot of braking should be avoided as it will wear out the tires faster. Instead, a slower and methodical driving style should be adopted.

That being said, you should take care to avoid city roads and their high traffic.

Take the tires to the mechanic every year or so to fill them with air and have them realigned and rotated as well.

Average Lifespan Of Chevy Traverse Transmission

Car transmissions are said to last as long as the vehicle can, but this is definitely not the case for the transmission of the Chevy Traverse, which will give out around a year before the rest of the car does.

For this reason, you should take special care of the transmission by making sure that you shift the gears at their proper RPMs, and if you are using an automatic, switch gears when the car is stationary.

You should also maintain the transmission fluid as well.

Average Lifespan Of Chevy Traverse Spark Plugs

Following the trend the car has set, the spark plugs of the Chevy Traverse are not the best and will only last an average of 35,000 miles before giving out.

The best way to make sure that this does not happen is to regularly clean the spark plugs, making sure that there is no deposit on the plugs.

You can then replace the plugs with better durability ones that will last you well over 100,000 miles.

Average Lifespan Of Chevy Traverse Key Fob

Key fobs typically have the same lifespan all around, with the battery being the main thing you should take care of.

You can expect the key fob to last 3 to 4 years if you make sure to use it sparingly. This will involve saving the battery by using the key fob only when you need to.

Regular replacements of the battery will also help avoid confusion and prevent you from spamming the key fob, reducing its battery.

What Is Good Mileage For A Used Chevy Traverse?

Considering the fact that the Chevy Traverse is always on the lower side when it comes to longevity and lifespan, I would recommend you buy the vehicle in a new condition or look for another car entirely.

However, if you are dead set on getting a used Chevy Traverse, you should make sure that you are getting the lowest mileage possible.

The best range to get a used Chevy Traverse would be anything below 50,000 miles.

The most you could stretch the vehicle out to could be 75,000 miles which even then is cutting it close as the Chevy Traverse is prone to engine failure at around 80,000 miles, according to some owners, which is why you should only get the car in the 50,000 to 75,000 range.

Even then, you should also make sure that the car is in good condition.

How To Increase How Long Your Chevy Traverse Last

If you make sure to follow the tips written in the article, you should have no issues with the Chevy Traverse.

Along with these tips, here are a few more tricks and habits you should pick up if you want your Chevy Traverse to last long.

• Regular oil changes.
• Power steering fluid changed.
• Regular servicing.
• Frequent trips to the mechanic for maintenance.

These tips should further limit the problems of the Chevy Traverse and give it a boost in its lifespan.

Problems That Limit The Life Of Your Chevy Traverse

The Chevy Traverse is no stranger to problems and issues, considering its terrible launch and the two models which were released after it.

These three years were the worst the lineup would see and cemented the Chevy Traverse’s position as a very bad and problematic vehicle.

While it would reduce these issues in later models, they would not entirely disappear, making it a difficult choice to buy a Chevy Traverse.

Here are a few of these issues:

• Engine failure.
• Oil leaks.
• Engine losing power while driving.
• The power steering is not working.
• Air conditioning compressor leaks.
• Fuse box corrosion.
• Electrical problems.

All of these issues are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Chevy Traverse, which is why you should expect a lot of issues and repairs when owning the vehicle and take special care to ensure they do not happen.

Related: Chevy Traverse Starting Problems

What To Look For When Buying A Chevy Traverse

While the Chevy Traverse may have its issues, and while I still would not recommend the vehicle.

Tthere are various features that you should be looking for when in the market for the Chevy Traverse, which is why I will be mentioning a few of them so that you can get the features which many consider must-haves.

• Rearview camera.
• All wheel drive.
• 8 seats in 3 rows.
• Airbags between front seats.
• Forward collision alerts.

Apart from these features, there is not a lot to consider when getting these.

Related: Best And Worst Years For Chevy Traverse

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is The Chevy Traverse A Reliable Car?

By now, you should have a good idea that this one is probably among the least reliable car in its category, if not the least at all.

The car has received variating scores when it comes to its reliability which should itself tell you how reliable the car can be.

It has had a lot of issues over the years, especially in its earlier models. While it has been doing well with its recent releases, the ratings and scores have been quite mixed.

Overall, I would say that the Chevy Traverse is below average when it comes to reliability and that there are much better options available.

Q2. Does Chevy Traverse Have A Lot Of Problems?

The Chevy Traverse had a difficult launch which really gave it a bad reputation among the community.

While the 2009 model did not gather too much negativity as it was the first model in the lineup, the next two years would be worse for the Chevy Traverse as they would be the worst models the lineup would see.

Engine failure, steering issues, power steering concerns, and massive problems related to the electrical and interior of the Chevy Traverse were rampant in these models.

Subsequent vehicles would reduce these issues, but the damage had already been done.

Q3. Is It A Good Idea To Buy A Used Chevy Traverse?

Since I have established that the Chevy Traverse has a fairly low lifespan, I would not recommend that you buy one, considering that you will get it with decent mileage and still have it last a very low time.

Many people consider the Chevy Traverse to be one of the worst vehicles to buy in a used condition.

This is also due to the variety of problems it can get when reaching the middle of its lifespan, as I have discussed above.

Overall, the Chevy Traverse is a vehicle that you should avoid getting used unless you get one in really good condition.

Q4. Does Chevy Traverse Rust Easily?

While not a lot, there have been reports of recent models of the Chevy Traverse developing excess rust and corrosion, especially on the exhaust pipes, which are the most vulnerable.

Apart from this, however, the Chevy Traverse does not have a bad reputation for rust and, similar to its competitor, can provide a rust-free experience that will keep you going until the car reaches its maximum lifespan.

It does, however, not take special steps against the development of rust and corrosion, which is why if you do not give proper care to the vehicle, there is a good chance it can develop rust.

Q5. Is Chevy Traverse Expensive To Maintain?

While the Chevy Traverse is slightly above average when it comes to repair and maintenance expenses, I should make note that in its specific class, which is the midsize SUV category, the Chevy Traverse is definitely on the expensive side when it comes to fixing.

The Chevy Traverse costs almost $100 more than the average midsized SUV, which makes it very expensive to repair, especially when compared to its competitors, which can easily be $100 or $200 cheaper than it.

Overall, you should be ready to spend a lot of money in a year, almost $660, which is a lot.

Conclusion

If you were among the people to ask how long do Chevy Traverse last, then you have been asking the right questions as, along with a wide range of problems and issues surrounding it.

The Chevy Traverse is among the lowest midsized Sports Utility Vehicles, having only 250,000 total mileage if you make sure to give it the best care possible and sometimes still coming short, averaging much less than 225,000 miles.

For the most part, I recommend that you stay away from the Chevy Traverse, especially the older models, and only give the recent ones a chance if they are in peak condition.

Tahir Azam

I am Tahir Azam, and I have been writing amazing articles for TaxiHack for as long as I can remember. I know everything that is to know when it comes to automobiles and is always on top of industry news and developments. While I am not an expert by any means, I pride myself on knowing the ins and outs of many different problems and, of course, their solutions. The articles on our website are some of the best and well-researched content that you will find, and I spend countless hours making sure this remains to be true. This is why I ask you to take your time out and read some of my articles, especially if you find a topic that resonates with you or is something you are looking into. This way, you will find the perfect mix of information and tips on your desired topic. Learn more about Tahir.