NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 66 complaints against the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2023 Chevrolet Traverse complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse has generated 132 NHTSA complaints and has 2 active recalls. If your 2023 Chevrolet Traverse has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Chevrolet pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 26 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the engine Auto Start-Stop system engaged, and the ESC warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving the following day, the vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH and gradually decelerated. The vehicle later failed to exceed 6 MPH and failed to respond upon shifting to reverse(R). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where several diagnostic tests were performed, and the dealer determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V172000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to cover half the cost of the repair. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11709042)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2023 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 18 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “Flex pipe issue…”
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 2023 Chevrolet Traverse include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 14 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unintendedly shut off, the instrument panel went black, and the vehicle lost motive power, and the vehicle lost power steering and power brakes functionality. The vehicle was shifted to neutral(N) and restarted, and regained power, and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The failure also occurred while depressing the brake pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The failure had become more frequent and occurred approximately 3 – 4 times a day. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11720073)
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse has generated 8 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: “When I took my car out my garage one afternoon, I heard a loud noise that my car was making from the outside of the vehicle. The sound was super loud and made my vehicle sound like a race car reving up, every time I pressed on the gas and then when I pressed on the brakes, it made a screeching/ rattling noise. Come to find out when looking underneath the exhaust pipe underneath the car is hanging off, looks like the mounting bracket separated. Then there was a big visible hole as well. I decide to take it to a mechanic shop and fix this myself and yet the dealership also says there is no recall for that issue. Another additional issue was I was having on this same vehicle was a weird smell coming from my A/C vents when I first turned on the vehicle to which it then dissipates . Informed the dealership and they said again, they don’t know why the car is smelling like humidity. They said they would call me back so they can take the car in, and this was over a month ago, never heard back either.” (NHTSA Complaint #11682300)
Brake defects affecting safety may qualify for California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, which applies to defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse has generated 6 NHTSA complaints related to braking, including ABS failures, grinding, reduced stopping power, and warning lights. Owner reports include: “Car started making a load vibrational noise on the highway. When we got to the next stopping point, the right front brakes were extremely hot and smelly. When the brakes were taken apart to inspect/replace parts, it was identified that the seals that protect the pistons had shrunk and were no longer attached to the caliper/piston. Corrosion was evident because of this causing a sticky caliper. Contacted chevy dealer who said the calipers were back ordered. That’s an indication that this problem is real and has caused a shortage of replacement parts. Wait time for replacement caliper was said to be 7-10 days. The only parts that seemed to be available to get the car usable in a short period of time were aftermarket and that was even strained. Picture submitted shows. Seals were not pulled out, they were that loose to fall out.” (NHTSA Complaint #11725016)
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2023 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.
Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A missing retaining ring on the half-shaft can cause half-shaft inner joint separation, resulting in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left-side half-shaft assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is N222390180.
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sun gears, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2023. The remedy is expected to become available August 31, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer se
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 2023 Chevrolet Traverse:
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.
If your 2023 Chevrolet Traverse qualifies as a lemon under California law, Chevrolet may be legally required to:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If your 2023 Chevrolet Traverse has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
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