2020 Chevrolet Traverse

Engine

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 70 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “A MANUFACTURER RECALL NOTICE NEEDS TO BE ISSUED ASAP. Exhaust is leaking into passenger cab due to a defective exhaust mounting bracket. Was replaced 1 year ago at the dealer at considerable cost to vehicle owner. Now this defective part has failed a second time. A MANUFACTURER RECALL NOTICE NEEDS TO BE ISSUED ASAP. This presents a health hazard as well as financial loss due to defective manufacturing. Other years of this particular vehicle have been recalled and this defective part was repaired/replaced it is supected to replaced with the same defective OEM part due to its repeated failure. It is unclear why this model year has been discriminated against. A MANUFACTURER RECALL NOTICE NEEDS TO BE ISSUED ASAP.” (NHTSA Complaint #11723040)

Other Systems

The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse has generated 48 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK OF FRONT PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK DOOR. PLUNGER TRIES TO MOVE UP WHEN ENERGIZED BUT STAYS IN LOCKED POSITION. DOOR DESIGN DOES NOT INCLUDE MECHANICAL KEY UNLOCK OVERRIDE. A FIRST RESPONDER WOULD NEED NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS TO LIFT UP THE DOOR LOCK STEM. THIS FAILURE PUTS ANY PASSENGER AT RISK OF DELAYED EXIT. THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAD THIS FAILURE MAY 2024, NO PRIOR SYMPTOMS. THE DRIVER DOOR HAD THIS FAILURE A FEW MONTHS LATER. EACH REPAIR COSTS OVER 700, DEALER IS AWARE OF THESE FAILURES. NO WARNINGS OF THIS FAILURE VISIBLE. NO INSPECTIONS MADE OTHER THAN DEALER” (NHTSA Complaint #11722851)

Engine & Cooling

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 40 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while the vehicle was shifted into the park(P), the message “Shift to Park” was display on the instrument panel. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shifter was shifted out of park and back into park several times before being able to turn off the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11713651)

Powertrain

Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 36 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied in the vehicle, there was a rattling sound coming from the front of the vehicle while stationary or while driving. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was determined that the exhaust mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Special Coverage Adjustment: N222385510 (Front Exhaust Pipe); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11710441)

Electrical System

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 22 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “The alternator failed randomly while driving down the road. The vehicle only has 26500 miles. There was no lights on prior to the car stalling. When it failed my whole car started to flash every warning at the screen to me. My car then stopped working and I barely was able to coast into a parking lot. Luckily I was not on the highway and no one was behind me when the car stopped working. The problem was confirmed by the dealer it was the alternator. What sucks though is that the alternator killed the battery. The battery is not covered by warranty so it is $507 to replace a battery.” (NHTSA Complaint #11681260)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2020 Chevrolet Traverse

The following 8 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse by the NHTSA or Chevrolet. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2020 Chevrolet Traverse:

• 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
• 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Chevrolet to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Chevrolet must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2020 Chevrolet Traverse qualifies as a lemon under California law, Chevrolet may be legally required to:

• Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
• Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
• Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Chevrolet pays all legal fees if you prevail
• Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Chevrolet willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2020 Chevrolet Traverse Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Chevrolet a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Chevrolet dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Chevrolet pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Chevrolet a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2020 Chevrolet Traverse Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2020 Chevrolet Traverse as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Chevrolet pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Chevrolet is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.