NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Moisture in the rear driver side taillight ( factory issue involving faulty seal). The moisture shorts out the indicator light, and the entire unit must be replaced.
The transmission keeps stalling when the auto engine turn off comes on and I try to hit the gas. The transmission end cap had to be replaced. Then the shift to break kept going off when I was in park.
1)Both rear TOW LINKS were found to fail state inspection and were replaced. The vehicle only has 22,000 miles on it Dealer said this a common issue with this model vehicle (2019 Chevy Traverse). 2) Shift to Park. Vehicle displays this error message and does not allow the vehicle to completely shut down, aux mode, which the radio stays on and doors will not lock. Have to start and shut off vehicle until the “Shift to Park” error message goes away. Dealer said wiring harness is on back order snd could not be repaired until parts are available. Dealer charged $178.00 for diagnostics and agreed there is an open and intermittent circuit causing this issue.
When shifting into park I get a message on my dash to shift into park and the car will not shutoff. I have to jiggle the shifter knob a few times for it to shutoff again and again. It's a real problem and should have a recall on it.
Shift to park message will not go away.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while stopped at red lights and stop signs on several occasions, the vehicle began jerking. Additionally, when the vehicle was in park (P), a "shift to park message" appeared. The contact stated the gear shift had to be forcibly moved to the park (P) position for the gear to register. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,100.
To the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am submitting this letter as a **formal safety complaint** regarding repeated transmission failure in my **2019 Chevrolet Traverse**, which poses a potential risk to vehicle safety. In **December 2024**, while the vehicle was still covered under General Motors’ factory powertrain warranty, an authorized GM dealership diagnosed a serious transmission defect. Due to parts being on national backorder, the repair was delayed. When the repair was eventually performed, only partial components (torque converter and valve body) were replaced rather than the full transmission. Despite this repair, the transmission **failed again less than one year later**. In **November 2025**, a second authorized GM dealership confirmed that the transmission now requires **full replacement** and that the prior repair did not correct the underlying defect. The transmission failure has resulted in **slipping, hesitation, and loss of proper power delivery**, which creates a **potential safety hazard**, particularly during acceleration, merging, and highway driving. A loss of propulsion or delayed response in traffic significantly increases the risk of an accident. This issue was identified while the vehicle was under warranty and was not properly resolved. The repeat failure suggests a **systemic defect** rather than normal wear. General Motors has declined further assistance. I am requesting that NHTSA review this complaint as part of its monitoring of potential **powertrain defects** affecting vehicle safety. Vehicle Information: * Make/Model: 2019 Chevrolet Traverse * Manufacturer: General Motors * Component: Transmission / Powertrain Thank you for your attention
Own a 2019 Chevy Traverse that was bought brand new and properly maintained with regular, synthetic only, oil changes. Engine failed due to “failed rod bearing” at only 55k miles, 3 months outside of Chevy’s regular warranty. While replacing the engine, it was found that the catalytic converter also needed replacing.
When driving I feel shudder at lower speeds, medium speeds and sometimes faster speeds. Makes feel car motor or transmission can leave me in middle of highway or street compromising my safety. Vehicle can be inspected at any time. The dealer indicated fix was transmission oil change with additives, which I did, which cost 700.00 and the problems is still there. The vehicle has not been inspected by insurance but the dealer has as stated above. I bought vehicle with 46k miles and after about 1.5k it stated happening. Vehicle now has 50k miles. No codes have displayed.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while shifted to park(P), the vehicle failed to turn off with an error message displayed "Shift to Park" on the instrument panel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic for a second opinion where it was determined that the transmission control module and shifter harness needed to be replaced. Additionally, an inline shifter wiring harness jumper needed to be added. The contact was advised by the independent mechanic that the failure could be related to TSB: 19-NA-206; however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
While on a vacation across the nation out Torque converter went out around 100k miles. Hard shifting allowed speeds or accelerating and changing gears 1-3. When serviced terrible experience 3 weeks, and it had 102k and warranty ended.
When shifting to Park error, the car will not turn off and on. This should be a recall! It affects many models and is well documented. They start with the sensor and eventually replace the whole transmission to try to fix the issue. This should not be on the customer! This is a Defect!
When putting car in park, it continues to show a shift to park error message and will not power down all the way. I have to restart the car and shift in and out of park several times before the car will shut off. Often times when stopping at lights/stop signs the car will shift super hard and jerk into gear when trying to start moving again. This occasionally happens when it should be shifting going up hills as well.
Shift to park message
When putting my car in park, I constantly get the alarm started and I have an error message that says “shift car to park”. I then need to restart and shift several times before the error message ends.
When trying to shut off vehicle, the car says “ Shift to park” Even though the car is already in park and battery won’t shut down.
Check engine light keeps coming on for a small evap leak. When putting car in Park and turning car off, warning message comes up saying Shift to Park so I have to wiggle the shifter until the message goes away. Tailgate some times does not close when pushing the tailgate button. Remote start does not always work.
Vehicle automated message stating to shift to park. While the vehicle is in park the message does not go away, Trouble exiting the vehicle due to the shift to park problem.
I go to shift my vehicle into park and it stays on. I have to hit it for it to turn off. After two weeks of this it gets a little tiring. Help
After putting the vehicle in park a error message appears indicating vehicle is not in park and the gear shift must be wiggled back and forth to remove the message.
RTV gasket on engine get worn out at 60,000miles and causes small oil leak and gets worst over time.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that after arriving at her destination and shifting the vehicle into park, the message "Please Shift to Park" was displayed. The park warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the park shifter switch. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 19-NA-206. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 42,000.
When my 2019 Traverse High Country is put in park it displays a "Shift To Park" message and a ringing in the vehicle. Have tried to restart the car, shift into gear and back into park to get issue to stop but takes minutes to get car to finally go into park and able to get out and lock.
Shift to park message when turning car off.
The 2018- 2023(at least) Chevrolet Traverses have a recurring issue with the shift system: [XXX] The vehicle will operate as normal with this warning message leading to users ignoring the warning and potentially not actually shifting the vehicle to park before exiting the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, the gear shifter was not recognized to be in park(P). The contact stated that the "Shift to Park" message was displayed and the gear shifter was shifted from reverse to park several times before the vehicle recognized park(P) was selected. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the harness assembly and shifter switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
I have repeatedly had to deal with the shift to park sensor not allowing me to shut my vehicle off. I am clearly in park but the alert of “shift to park” begins when I try to power my traverse off. It is coming particularly worse and at times will not allow my to power off.
Shift to park alert comes on every time I put my car in park. Vehicle has no issues.
First time occurrence , while driving on highway when all of a sudden the vehicle begin to forcefully jerk then immediately after we heard loud thump. The “D” gear that’s seen in dash begin to flash and the car lost acceleration. Took truck to Chevy dealer, obviously not repaired. Second occurrence, driving on highway and all of a sudden again, the vehicle jerks, the “D” gear seen in dash begin to blink and truck lost acceleration. Warning lights appear at random times include park brake, then says park brake release, power steering reduced message, check engine light illuminates. We had to park the truck and pay for a rental car, as we didn’t feel safe to drive for 6 hours to our planned family vacation in Orlando. For this to happen and then happen again after extensive work at the Chevy dealer definitely put my family and I at severe risk each times because the car would not move while on a busy highway, dangerous to say the least. We have multiple service records and mentioned the initial occurrence that we thought was fixed but apparently there is a major issue . Disappointing that I don’t feel safe putting myself or my children in my own truck, for the fear of it happening again. Please help!
Open service Bulletin No.: 19-NA-206 for Gm cars where gear shift connector/harness doesnt engage and car believes its not parked. Car has tried to roll away due to this. GM sent out alert but wont pay to replace unless under warranty. Bulletin states this is for multiple models from 2016-2019.
Shift to park issue. Vehicle again has shift to park issue after it was already been repaired. Causing vehicle to be stranded or not being able to be shut off.
My car stalled on a four lane highway due to the alternator dying. I was able to pull over but was almost rear ended. I only had 40,000 miles on car at the time. I replaced the alternator with a factory direct from Chevy on 3/16/2022. On May 5, 2024, my car again stalled out due to alternator. At that time I was on another busy highway but had enough time to pull over. I had to have someone pick up my children and follow me home. I was terrified it would stall again and I would cause an accident.
When you put the car in park and turn off the car, it will often give you a warning to “put the car in park,” beeping incessantly. Not every time, but often enough that it is annoying. The beeping can range from a few seconds to 10 minutes. If you get out of the car, if will keep beeping until you return. This is clearly a defect, and one that is common with GM cars around that time, according to Google and to mechanics. I asked my dealer about it, and the only way to fix it is to replace the gear shaft. Cost is at least $800. Seems excessive for something that is a known defect. I did not pay to fix.
When car is shifted into park and then push to start/stop is pressed to turn off car “ shift to park” appears and shift must be wiggled for message to go away. Problem has just started in the last month (May 2024).
The transmission shutters and malfunctions at various times during driving. This puts not only the driver and passengers at risk but other vehicles and drivers on the road because it’s an abrupt malfunction. At one point it failed In the middle of traffic and we couldn’t move. I have had the issue diagnosed by a transmission shop. They diagnosed it as a failing transmission, which is common. They told us with these nine speed transmissions, and Chevy traverse. They also advised that it the cost is $10-$15,000 to repair. And they say they have a lot of experience with these failing. Which is why we believe it should qualify for a recall. My vehicle is available for inspection at any time. I was told over the phone by a Chevy dealership that that was the likely caused by just hearing the symptoms over the phone because they’ve had experience with so many failures like this. During the failure in traffic my check engine light showed up and there was an error shown but it disappeared when I restarted the vehicle and failed to take Note of what it was.
Recall N212356540 does not include the second flex pipe and gasket. I have spoken with several owners & dealerships who state this pipe is bad as well. My personal vehicle has a hole in the 2nd flex pipe that's not covered by the recall. The fumes inside the vehicle are suffocating.
Vehicle when placed in reverse and then shift to Park states vehicle is NOT in Park when it actually is. I looked up this problem and there are numerous people reporting the same issue with 2018-2023 Chevy traverse.
My car has 61,000 miles. I've been noticing that the rear suspension seems off. During a dealership oil change, they told me my rear adjustment links were loose. I took it to a Tuffy auto service place for a 2nd opinion (looking for cheaper cost) and they said it was actually my rear toe links. They said it was very surprising that they would be bad already. I agree. It's a 2019 and shouldn't be having these issues. I've noticed other Chevy's have been recalled for the same thing and I'm wondering if it's wider spread.
Traverse Check Engine light came on and vehicle sounded louder than usual w/ additional rattle. Upon inspection passenger side bracket holding two exhaust pipes together was broken at the weld. Took to Superior Chevrolet (dealer) 4/5/24 who stated right side pipe and bracket were not covered under Special Coverage Adjustment Front Exhaust Pipe N212356540 and only left side is covered despite the bracket being attached to both pipes. Awaiting part to complete repair at dealership. Advised by dealership vehicle is okay to drive until parts arrive and repair can be completed. 4/14/24 driving on I40 heard large bang from underneath vehicle, looked in rearview mirror to see the remaining portion of the bracket fly out from under vehicle and almost hit the car's windshield behind me, they had to swerve in heavy traffic to avoid having it go through their windshield. Vehicle immediately sounds like a motorcycle with no baffles, loud in the cabin and smelling of exhaust. Once stopped, climbed under vehicle to see that the complete bracket was missing from both pipes and a gaping hole in the drivers side front exhaust pipe. Bracket could have killed someone or caused a major accident while airborne on the Highway and cabin smells of exhaust.
Shuttering 9 speed transmission at low speeds and stop and go traffic. Whining noise when accelerating
When in park, "Shift to Park" continues to alert causing trouble turning off the engine. I've read this is common among the 2019 Traverse and many have been recalled, but my specific VIN has not. Can you help so I can get this fixed?
I am getting a shift to park message while 2019 Cheverolet Traverse is in park. I am receiving a message when the vehicle has been shifted to park. I disengage the park brake, back up and come forward again, and the message continue to appear. I have to repeatedly wiggle or bang against the shifter for an extended period of time until the alert message turns off. This is forcing me to remain in a hot vehicle with my young children in the car in 100 degree temperatures, until I am able to successfully power down my vehicle. This is a safety risk for all.
Transmission oil leak
Intermittent warning “shift to park”. Vehicle doesn’t shut off. It’s in park. Luckily it has a feature that shuts the car off after some time. I have to use the key fob to lock the doors. Began march of 2024 and is still occurring. Known GM issue. It sure why no recall
WHEN I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK I GET A BEEPING SOUND AND A MESSAGE THAT SAYS SHIFT TO PARK, WHICH I HAVE TO TRY SEVERAL TIMES. THIS MORNING 21 MARCH 2024 MY VEHICLE KEPT GIVING ME THAT MESSAGE. IT WAS LIKE MY CAR WAS STILL ON. I HAD TO KEEP DRIVING MY CAR AND PUT IT IN PARK FOR IT TO STOP. i HAVE COMPLAINED ON HERE BEFORE. THERE ARE OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
Transmission shudder
Dashboard alerts “Shift to Park” after the car is turned off. Car is in park. Contacted dealer and it $480.00 to repair and apparently not covered by the GM Bumper to Bumper extended warranty protection plan. A recall was issued for the same issue on the 2018 traverse but not issued for the 2019. This is ridiculous and GM needs to issue a recall for this issue for the 2019 model.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to park the vehicle, the contact selected park(P) however, the gear selector failed to recognize the selection. The contact stated that park(P) was continuously and forcibly selected, and the vehicle was placed in park(P). Additionally, the contact stated that the message “Shift to Park” was frequently displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
There is a recall on other 2019 traverse, but not mine, for the message shift to park. This is what my car is doing now. It will not shut the car off and it has a potential to roll while in park because the car reads that it is not in park. I'm not sure why my car is not included. It is doing the exact same thing as what has been recalled on other 2019 Chevy traverse. I was told by dealership not to drive it because it could roll while in park. It has something to do with the brake switch. The contact is hoping to get her vehicle covered under the recall.
When the vehicle was turned off, a message appeared: Shift To Park. The red light on Park also remained on. I had to shut down the vehicle multiple times before the message disappeared. One time I just "jiggled" the shifter and the messaged disappeared. The message did not appear whenever I turned off the vehicle, only sometimes. However, it appeared more often than not. It did appear when the service representative at the dealer moved the vehicle and turned it off. The remedy was to replace an SL-N-Switch (04054-CT) and a N-Harness (02480-CT). The cost to remove the shifter and installed these parts was $360.26. The service representative advised me that this problem could run down the battery. It is a safety issue since the battery could run down if the car was exited and the message stayed on. I found a technical bulletin from GM ([XXX], September 2019, entitled "Intermittent Shift To Park Message Displayed While Vehicle in Park for a 2018 Traverse and another technical bulletin with the same reference for May, 2021. I believe that the 2019 and 2018 Traverse share the same drive train. I also found a forum online: [XXX] that describes what other customers have found with their vehicles. More sites: [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026