The 2019 Traverse on GM's C1XX platform is generally solid, but the 3.6L V6 has a costly piston-ring defect causing oil consumption and eventual catastrophic failure, while the 9-speed automatic shows premature transmission cooler and torque converter issues that can strand you.
3.6L V6 Piston Ring Failure & Excessive Oil Consumption
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart of oil every 1,000-2,000 miles, Blue smoke on cold start or acceleration, Check Engine Light for misfire codes (P0300-P0306), Carbon buildup on intake valves due to oil vapor, Eventual loss of compression and catastrophic engine failure
Fix: GM revised piston design mid-2019 production but early builds got bad rings. Proper fix is engine rebuild with updated pistons/rings or short block replacement. 18-24 labor hours for short block swap including fluids, gaskets, timing components.
Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle (cooler line failure), Harsh or delayed shifts, especially 2-3 and 3-4, Shuddering during light acceleration at 25-45 mph, Limp mode or inability to shift above 3rd gear, Burnt ATF smell or dark/metallic fluid
Fix: Cooler lines corrode at crimp points or cooler itself cracks. Early catch: replace cooler assembly and lines, flush system, 4-6 hours. If shudder present, torque converter replacement adds 8-10 hours total. GM issued Technical Service Bulletin for software update but hardware failure still occurs.
Estimated cost: $1,800-4,200
Transmission Mount Collapse
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle in gear, Visible drivetrain movement when accelerating hard, Whining or grinding noise during acceleration
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount deteriorates, especially on V6 models with torque. Replacement requires supporting transmission, 2.5-3.5 hours including alignment check. Often caught during oil-consumption diagnosis when engine movement is exaggerated.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Fuel Pump Control Module Failure
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Intermittent no-start condition (cranks but won't fire), Stalling at idle or low speed after warmup, Check Engine Light for fuel pressure codes (P0087, P0191), Hesitation or stumble under acceleration, Fuel gauge erratic or reading empty when tank is full
Fix: Control module mounted to fuel pump assembly inside tank fails due to heat cycling. Requires dropping fuel tank, replacing entire pump/sender assembly. 3-4 hours labor. GM released updated part number but early 2019s still fail. Not always covered under powertrain warranty as it's considered 'fuel system' not 'engine'.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Timing Chain Stretch (3.6L V6)
Rare · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise from front of engine on cold start (first 3-5 seconds), Check Engine Light for cam/crank correlation codes (P0017, P0018), Rough idle or hesitation, In severe cases: engine won't start or runs extremely rough
Fix: GM's 3.6L has dual overhead cams with 4 chains (primary, secondary x2, balance shaft). Stretch usually hits secondary chains first. Requires timing cover removal, all chains/guides/tensioners replacement. 12-16 hours labor. Often found during oil-consumption teardown. If it jumps timing, valve-to-piston contact means heads come off too.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch Bearing Failure
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Grinding or squealing noise from serpentine belt area, AC intermittently blows warm air, Compressor clutch doesn't engage (no magnetic click), Serpentine belt shreds or throws off
Fix: Clutch bearing seizes or pulley wobbles. Full compressor replacement required as clutch assembly not sold separately on this platform. Includes evacuation/recharge of R-1234yf refrigerant system. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500 miles on 3.6L V6 models — consumption over 1 qt/1,000 mi is grounds for engine warranty claim if under 60k miles
Change transmission fluid at 50k miles regardless of GM's 'lifetime fill' claim — use full-synthetic Dexron HP ATF and inspect cooler lines for corrosion
Avoid short trips under 10 minutes if possible — contributes to carbon buildup on direct-injection valves and accelerates piston ring glazing
Get pre-purchase inspection focusing on compression test and trans fluid condition — catastrophic engine failure often happens suddenly after 60k
Buy only if it's a late-2019 build with service records showing preventive trans fluid changes and no oil-consumption history; budget $3k-5k for eventual engine work on early-build V6 models.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: AGM battery required for start-stop system on 2.0L turbo engine
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Every control module on the 2018-2022 Chevrolet Traverse — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
📍 Integrated with rear camera assembly, center of liftgate above license plate
🔧 GDS2 or Autel
⚠️ Camera alignment/calibration may be required
Headlamp Control Module (HCM)0.5 hr R&Raftermarket tool +0.2 hrwith automatic headlamps or LED/HID lighting▸ programming details
📍 Engine compartment, behind driver side headlamp assembly
🔧 GDS2 or Autel
⚠️ Configuration for headlamp type required
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Consequence: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 20V668000
2020-10-29
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
AIR BAGS · 18V774000
2018-11-01
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18365.
Performance
Horsepower
255hp
Torque
295lb-ft
0–60 mph
7.2sec
Quarter mile
15.6sec
Top speed
130mph
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
20mpg
Highway
26mpg
Combined
22mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
Capability & size
Towing capacity
5,000lb
Payload
1,600lb
Curb weight
4,362lb
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Wiper blades
Second generation (2018+). Driver and passenger use standard J-hook attachment.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2019 Chevrolet Traverse 2.0L I4 Turbo and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.