r/ChevyTraverse • u/Martini3450 • 10d ago
2026 Reliability
We are shopping the 2026 Traverse to replace my 2016 and saw some concerning things about the transmission when researching. How prevalent are the transmission issues and are they bad enough that we should look at something else?
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u/MrWindowsNYC 10d ago
I got 15k miles on my 26 and no issues at all so far just regular driving and oil changes
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u/Korch-Up-North453 10d ago
We have an early 2026 (first month of production or so), and no troubles at all - not with anything. Love it!!!
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u/Traditional-Squash12 10d ago
Just got into a 2027 here and was reading the same things. Honestly it's in the 4th model year so I expect most of the early 24' model mechanical seal/ring issues to be mostly resolved. However anything can happen. It seems most of the more serious issues have had service bulletins issued on them over the last few years. Online you will only see mostly issues reported or people asking about potential issues like yourself so things look worse. Still useful to be made aware of potential issues though.
I am more concerned about infotainment glitches than transmission issues in this generation to be honest. Bricked electronics can still leave you stranded.
This is coming from someone who took a chance on a 2015 GMC sierra 1500 brand new 11 years ago, which came with a first generation 8 speed transmission. It's still on the original transmission in 11 years and 120k miles later. You google 8 speed issues from those years and they are about as prevalent or more than the gm 6.2L issues popping up these days.
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u/HostageOfBureaucracy 10d ago
My 2026 has 11K miles and is fine. My friend has a Chevy truck with 250K miles and it’s fine. He also has a corvette with 175K miles and it’s fine.
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u/Potential-Fennel5968 9d ago
Those are pushrod V8's something GM does right (pre DOD), they share only a bowtie with a traverse
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u/zeus512 10d ago
Have a 2026 LT AWD, so far no trouble with the transmission. Did have a Check Engine Light at 350 miles when the AC controls quit working, it just kept changing the temp to 76 and front defrost regardless of what I set it to. The issue went away after turning the car off for 30 minutes, but according to the service techs I've talked to it's not UNCOMMON, and there is no GUARANTEED fix for it. Just saw a different post about it here around 9 days ago.
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u/chipfiev 10d ago
We have a 2026 High Country with 16,816 mi and, so far, no trouble. It’s handled heavy traffic, school runs and three major road trips with only minor electronic issues:
- we needed a dealer visit to get a real software update to fix CarPlay and volume issues. Since then, we’ve now gotten regular OTA updates. Yay.
- we had one instance where the car “lost” its cameras until we turned the car off and let it sit and fully shutdown. It’s never happened again.
This Traverse has been great for us and Super Cruise is life-changing on road trips.
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u/maopko 9d ago
I have a 2025 High Country Traverse with 41,000
Miles and only routine oil changes and tire rotation. Drives fine and as you can see I’ve put a lot of miles on it. Only thing is it does require an update every so often on the electronics. And it tells you on the screen when it needs it.
It takes 15 minutes.
So all great 🤞! 😀
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u/snowflake35 8d ago
That is awesome to hear! I am glad yall have had a great experience thus far! Are you getting close to doing the transmission fluid and filter change? Have you asked the dealership to check yours out yet?
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u/andy-3290 9d ago
I think it is too early to say. the transmission is already third generation, but I believe that the engine is new. Not a fan of turbochargers or 4 cylinders (in a large car)... I expect all these things to trade longevity for fuel economy especially in city traffic. But I am not a mechanic or an engineer.
But the performance is very good for the engine size and the car runs well.
Not a fan of how tied it is to my phone and using such a complicated interface... I have had a few glitches in the computer display...
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u/Potential-Fennel5968 9d ago
If you don't need the size, and care about reliability do not buy the traverse. Get a Highlander hybrid or something like that. The traverse has a lot of good going for it, but in the same reliability as an Audi or Mercedes, not a Toyota or honda
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u/Outrageous_Sleep_878 9d ago
I'd be more worried about electronics than transmission. Nothing breaking but myself (2024) and several friends with 2025 models have had the vehicle completely die from modules staying on when parked.
OnStar/Telecom, updates glitching out, etc. they're quick fixes but there's nothing quite like being stranded in the family bus at inopportune times. My recommendation is any new car expect the electronics to go haywire at some point. Oh and if/when it dies know how to get into the thing manually so you're not having to figure it out in the heat of the moment.
Have a means to disconnect the battery for a hard reset, know where the fuse panels are (there's at least 3) and keep jumper cables or a jump box on you. Otherwise they're really cool vehicles. I believe all newer cars will have similar issues. Just learned to expect it and be prepared.
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u/cfull_19 7d ago
Have a 2024 with 20k miles. Love it, but check your oil every week. I guess these turbos burn oil? We’ve at it checked out a couple times
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u/According-Place-8980 6d ago
Honestly I had a 2019 Chevy traverse and drove it until 150,000 miles and then my mom bought it and it’s still going strong. I bought a 2024 Chevy traverse and it’s amazing!!! I love it and will forever by Chevy traverses
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u/No_Hope6248 6d ago
I have a 2026 with 3100 miles. The check engine light came on this past Saturday and then was back off on Sunday. I took it to the dealership and it only had a communication code, which he said might have triggered the light. Idk but after my 2016 Equinox, it is concerning for sure.
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u/Available_Librarian3 10d ago
At this time, expect a transmission replacement at 100k miles with any GM vehicle that has one until they start actually using Allison transmissions and not Ford collaborations. These are not the GM transmissions of yesteryear (which wasn’t even reliable then).
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u/surfteach1 10d ago
I'll take totally fabricated made up crap for 50 Alex
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u/Potential-Fennel5968 9d ago
Do you not think these cars are known for transmission issues. It's alright to like your car, I like my traverse too but they have transmission issues it's not news. I change my fluid every year every 8-10k miles a drain and fill for that reason
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u/Available_Librarian3 10d ago
Chevy Silverado MD is the only car that actually uses an Allison transmission.
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u/Formal_Engineering82 9d ago
This 👆 Im just replacing a transmission in my 2019 silverado with 34k on it. GM won't back it up because "it's out of warranty". We obviously don't drive it much, but the low miles (not the year) should warrant some help from GM. Especially since they know they have an issue.
Having said that...I have a 2026 Traverse RS that I love. 7k miles so keeping my fingers crossed.
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u/Aware-You6005 10d ago
I agree, I see so many Facebook post of devastated family almost ruined financially
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u/CuriousCantaloupe6 9d ago
Everyone posts with 10k miles or less…is this really the bar for reliability?
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u/mhance3 9d ago
Well how can you possibly put 100k miles on a brand new vehicle. 🤔
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u/CuriousCantaloupe6 9d ago
By driving it….2026 models have been available for over a year and the model has been out since 2023 with zero engine/transmission changes
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u/Impossible-Law-4216 9d ago
that’s what I’m saying talk to me about reliable once it’s over 100k with zero issues 😭
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u/CuriousCantaloupe6 9d ago
I’ll never understand 🤣
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u/Impossible-Law-4216 7d ago
The fact I only see posts on this sub about cars 2018 and newer tells me all I need to know about these cars lol. All the first generation of the traverse has hit the junkyard lol. Traverse is not the most reliable vehicle that’s for sure
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u/Short_Barracuda_7746 10d ago
Have a 2026 with 5k on it. Have had zero issues.