2021 Chevrolet Traverse Transmission Recall (21V817)
General Motors, LLC · 639 vehicles · Reported October 18, 2021
General Motors, LLC is recalling 639 2021 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak. A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V817 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V817000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Not listed |
| Date reported to NHTSA | October 18, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021 Chevrolet Traverse |
| Units affected | 639 |
| Component | Power Train > Automatic Transmission |
| Safety risk | A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse in recall 21V817?
The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible vehicles with Power In-floor Ramp conversion. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Traverse with recall 21V817?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Traverse shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the automatic transmission, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V817?
Recall 21V817 covers 639 vehicles: 2021 Chevrolet Traverse.
NHTSA lists 639 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Chevrolet | Traverse |
What is the fix for the Traverse transmission recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the screw and clip, and inspect for signs of contact with the transmission, free of charge.
Dealers will replace the screw and clip, and inspect for signs of contact with the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
When was recall 21V817 announced?
General Motors, LLC reported recall 21V817 to NHTSA on October 18, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as November 29, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 18, 2021 | General Motors, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V817000. |
| November 29, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 60 months ago. If your Traverse was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Traverse is part of recall 21V817?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V817 is open on your Traverse, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V817000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should Traverse owners do about recall 21V817?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V817000 applies to your Traverse.
- Call a Chevrolet dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Write down when symptoms involving the automatic transmission happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Traverse owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 15 of them about the transmission.
Since recall 21V817 was reported on October 18, 2021, owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the transmission and were received on or after October 18, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related transmission issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 89 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 15 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Chevrolet Traverse: 89 complaints in total, 15 about the transmission
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The battery wasn't being charged which caused some problems. However, it was the alternator that was bad. Since the battery wasn't being charged and the alternator was failing, there were problems with steering and engine power which almost caused a collision at highway speeds.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse owner, NJ, NHTSA complaint 11637348, filed January 21, 2025
Car was late shifting into gear. Taken to dealership and replaced tourque cpnverters for 3800. Car gets fluids checked 4,000 miles later transmition is shot fue to leak from gasket on transmition…
2021 Chevrolet Traverse owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11656598, filed April 24, 2025
Shift to park warning comes on every time I put my car into park. I can give the gear shift a hard tap so it can go into park and my car will turn off. I feel like after a period of tapping the great shift it will turn into a bigger problem.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse owner, AL, NHTSA complaint 11688741, filed September 21, 2025
Can recall 21V817 make my Traverse a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 21V817000 does not automatically make your Traverse a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Transmission problems tend to come back. Harsh shifts, slipping, delayed engagement and sudden loss of drive power often return after a dealer reflashes software or replaces a part, and each return trip to the dealer is another repair attempt on the record.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Traverse went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Traverse been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Chevrolet Traverse recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V817
Did the recall 21V817 fix work?
Since recall 21V817 was reported on October 18, 2021, owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed November 29, 2021.
Is the 21V817000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Traverse is part of recall 21V817000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V817000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Chevrolet. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.