2017 Chevrolet Traverse

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.

Chevrolet Traverse
Pictured: 2023 Chevrolet Traverse LT 3.6 V6 in Sterling Gray Metallic, front left. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
Ls/Lt/Ltz AWD 4dr SUV, Ls/Lt/Ltz FWD 4dr SUV
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 15 city / 22 hwy
Length
203.5 in
Curb weight
4,645–4,844 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 14 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse is a standard SUV offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 204 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,844 lb (Ls/Lt/Ltz AWD 4dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (15 city / 22 highway), 6% worse than the 2017 standard SUV average of 19.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 361 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2017

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2016 Traverse — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Traverse →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Ls/Lt/Ltz AWD 4dr SUV203.5 in78.3 in70.1 in118.9 in67.3 / 66.9 in4,844 lb55/45
Ls/Lt/Ltz FWD 4dr SUV203.5 in78.3 in70.1 in118.9 in67.3 / 66.9 in4,645 lb55/45

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Traverse FWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18-6%$3,700507
Traverse AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 17-8%$3,950518
3/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
3/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.1 MPG2017 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse.

Similar 2017 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2017 Chevrolet Traverse (this car)18 MPGNot rated3
2017 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated1
2017 Ford Explorer22 MPG★★★★★14
2017 GMC Yukon19 MPG★★★★★3
2017 Chevrolet Tahoe19 MPG★★★★★4
2017 Ford Expedition18 MPG★★★★★4
2017 Nissan Pathfinder23 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (3)

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · May 10, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V334000 · 995,085 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Oct 7, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V782000 · 555 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.
Air Bags › Critical Fasteners · Apr 8, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V246000 · 108 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2017 Chevrolet Traverse is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

361Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
13Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
11Injuries reported
38,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags262
Engine25
Electrical System20
Power Train18
Unknown Or Other18
Service Brakes12
Steering11
Vehicle Speed Control10
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/03: 2124/04: 1524/05: 1524/06: 1624/07: 2124/08: 1824/09: 524/10: 424/11: 324/12: 225/02: 325/03: 425/04: 425/05: 225/06: 325/09: 126/01: 226/02: 126/03: 326/04: 326/05: 226/06: 326/07: 226/08: 124/0324/0624/0924/1225/0425/0926/0326/06max 21

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2017 Chevrolet Traverse buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 262 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 25 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 20 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 38,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Traverse years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Traverse22–Not rated01
2026 Traverse22204.3 inNot rated126
2025 Traverse23204.3 in★★★★★0185
2024 Traverse23204.3 in★★★★★0143
2023 Traverse21205.9 in★★★★★294
2022 Traverse21205.9 in★★★★★1101
2021 Traverse21204.3 in★★★★★392
2020 Traverse21204.3 in★★★★★8234
2019 Traverse22204.3 in★★★★★3412
2018 Traverse22204.3 in★★★★★2464
2016 Traverse18203.5 inNot rated5292
2015 Traverse19203.5 inNot rated5313

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →