Chevy Traverse Among Cars Most Likely To Have A/C Problems
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In case you haven’t heard, there are record heat waves hitting the western U.S. right now, with temperatures soaring up to and beyond the triple-digit mark. Not only are these high-temperature events dangerous, they also exacerbate the need for working air conditioning for travelers. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to make sure your A/C system won’t break down when you need it most, especially if you happen to be a Chevy Traverse owner.
According to a recent post from Consumer Reports, the 2012 through 2015 Chevy Traverse is among the top 10 vehicles most likely to have air conditioning problems.
“Air conditioning problems range from easy to repair to requiring significant trouble-shooting and skill to fix,” said Consumer Reports chief mechanic, John Ibbotson. “Drivers naturally dread A/C problems because they invariably happen when you most want the cool air, and the costs to repair can easily top $1,000. But some problems, if caught early enough, don’t cost nearly that much.”
According to Consumer Reports, A/C problems in the 2012 through 2015 Chevy Traverse typically occur between 25,000 and 55,000 miles. The report states that it is reasonable to expect a modern vehicle to have dependable A/C for 100,000 miles or more.
The list of possible A/C components that could fail include the compressor, the automatic climate control system, the blower motor, the condenser, the evaporator, and the refrigerant lines.
The Chevy Traverse was first introduced for the 2009 model year, with the latest second-generation model arriving for the 2018 model year. The 2012 through 2015 Chevy Traverse models which Consumer Reports points to for A/C reliability issues are part of the first generation. Motivation is sourced from the 3.6L V6 LLT engine, with underpinnings provided by the GM Lambda platform. Both FWD and AWD were offered.
Have you had A/C problems in your Chevy Traverse? Tell us by posting in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Traverse news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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As an owner of one I can tell you this is an accurate article…
You can add Acadia and Enclave to this article
My a/c blow out hot and cold air when on. I replaced the compressor and recharged the unit. I also replaced one of the actuators.
LL
I am the owner of a 2013 Chevy Traverse with 39000 miles. The car stopped blowing hot and cold air at the back two years ago ; the front by works fine.
My my 2011 Chevrolet traverse AC stopped working this year. I have 70,000 mi on it. I had it recharged but it still is not working.
Bought a 2010 Enclave (same car as Traverse) that I wanted to keep “forever” and rear ceiling mounted condenser failed within warranty; traded it in on a 2014 Enclave which I then leased after that experience. In year 2 of lease rear ceiling mounted condenser failed under warranty. It was repaired only to have the A/C fail again before the 3 year lease was up. Again fixed under warranty but I now drive an Acura RDX. I was a lifelong GM guy prior to these 3 failures.
I guess I am lucky. My wife has 2014 Acadia with 55,000 miles and no issues with AC. In fact it is best AC we have had in any vehicle we owned. I have had a 2014 Sierra that needed the condenser replaced under warranty and currently own a 2018 Sierra that needed to have the AC recharged. Dealer was unable to find a leak with the dye test, so they just refilled it. So far so good for the past 3 months…so fingers crossed.
I have a 2012 Traverse with 79,000 miles. Only issue i have had is having to replace 1 actuator that diverts air from defrost to vents, Otherwise no issues.
No AC issues with our 2013 Traverse with 130k miles, except when the traction control/stabilitrak issue rears it’s ugly head causing the AC to shut off, and randomly goes into low power mode for no reason. I’LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVROLET AGAIN!
I have a 2014 Traverse and my A/C go out 2 times since I purchased it. They were both expensive repairs.
My 2013 Traverse never cooled right from the day I bought it. The front evaporator was replaced under warranty at 5,700 miles, but the vehicle still didn’t cool properly. Had the dealer check it again on my final warranty visit and got the infamous ” no trouble found”. The rear evaporator and pump failer was finally diagnosed around 30,000 miles and replaced. Luckily, my friend/mechanic previously worked as an AC service technician in a GM dealership, so he repaired it for half the price the dealer charges. Has worked great ever since. I believe the rear system failed long before I had it replaced, but I just didn’t know it because it wasn’t used very often. Except for the A/C issue it has been a great vehicle.
Yes costed 1400$ to repair and what many said it should have been a recall due to chevy
My 2012 Chevy traverse has 140,000. The AC will blow then suddenly stop blowing in the front of the vehicle but the rear AC continues to blow. I went as far as giving it a charge and shaking the AC hose under the hood then it would pop back on . When it stops blowing I try to cut the compressor on but to no avail the problem still exhists.
2009 Chevy traverse….air stopped cooling when car was idling at 160,000 miles and then quite working completely. Cars are too expensive and should last longer without big repair bills
I think it’s related to the fact that they’re one of the first vehicles with R1234yf replacing R134a.
2017 Traverde and the air blows cold on drivers side but not passenger side.
My 2016 is doing the same thing!
2017 Traverse, bought new. In 2020 with just over 36k miles, no cooling, it was a weekend so I put in a large can of freon my self. It immediately blew very cold air. Took it to dealer the following week. They kept it all day no leaks or problems found. They did add some freon and lubricate. Charged over 300 dollars and would not cover under warranty.
It never ceases to amaze me that systems such as AC can fail in new cars. Auto ac is not rocket science after all. What does it take to do it right in the first place? The Traverse is not an inexpensive vehicle even if purchase pre -owned certified. Leasing a new Traverse isn’t ll that inexpensive either. I wonder id the Equinox has this problem?
I had my 2012 traverse since February ac worked fine then no ac at all paid over 100 to get it charged blew for a week went back they told me I need all 4 lines and now since I had that done my blowers for the back won’t work at all
If any AC system gets low on refrigerant, it has a leak. If it is a vehicle maybe 10 years old, it could be slightly down. Too many get it refilled and like you it all gone in days, So the mechanic makes money on you twice. Go to another shop.
2011 Traverse LE has had nothing but AC problems from the start. There’s a rear condensor that is notorious for leaks. $1900 to replace it. No thanks. I just charge it every 3 months.
After needing a full timing chain replacement due to “chain stretch” which cost $3k (have to pull the motor) at 92k miles, last Chevy I ever buy. My BMWs cost less to keep on the road and they never have AC issues.