2014 Chevrolet Traverse Review: Unreliable Large SUV With Electrical Problems

The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse lasts around 200,000 miles with some serious electrical and transmission issues. At $14,320 to $16,110, it’s cheap, but not really worth it when the same parts fail repeatedly.

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse a Good Used SUV?

• Overall Rating 6/10 – 2014 is a bad year for the Traverse since there are still engine issues, giving it a low overall score. Owner reviews complain about high ownership costs, stabilitrak problems, and small third row.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are better than they were in older Traverse models, the seats are soft yet supportive, cargo space is also generous.
• Reliability 5/10 – The 2014 Traverse has a lot of engine and transmission problems reported. Avoid models from 2009-2014 which have issues. We recommend going with a 2015–2020, which are more reliable.
• Performance 5/10 – The V6 engine is weaker than the V8s found on most other full size SUVs. The towing capacity is lower than average at only 5,200 pounds.
• Safety 9/10 – Safety is one category where the Traverse excels with perfect 5-star ratings in government crash tests. It also has OnStar crash notification, blind spot monitoring, a rearview camera, forward collision, and lane departure warning systems.
• Gas Mileage 5/10 – Fuel economy is bad at 19 MPG, giving it about 418 miles of range out of the 22 gallon gas tank. Gas costs are $12 higher than average at $248 per month.
• Value 6/10 – The Traverse is cheaper than other full size SUVs, however, you’ll spend a lot of money keeping it running over the years, making it a bad value proposition.

What Do Critics Say About the Chevy Traverse?

• Consumer Reports says the Traverse feels more like a cheap minivan than an SUV, with terrible owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds rates the Traverse at 3.8/5 and enjoys the smooth ride on the roads, although they don’t like the stereo system.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the Traverse a 4.2/5 praising the passenger space, but owners don’t like the low towing capacity.

What Common Problems Does the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse Have?

Common problems found on the 2014 Chevy Traverse include a loss of power while driving, airbag sensor issues, and the transmission jerking while shifting between gears. Overall, these problems are more severe than other large SUVs from 2014. Repair costs are higher than average as well.

A loss of power while driving is the most widespread complaint from owners at around 65,000 miles. A failing fuse box causes the entire SUV to lose all electrical power, eventually stalling while driving. The fuse box costs about $700 to replace, depending on local labor rates.

Air bag sensors are another issue that shows up on a lot of Traverse models at around 78,000 miles. The “service airbag” light will turn on when one of the sensors is failing. Some of the sensors are covered by a service policy which extends the warranty on the sensors. If the failing sensor isn’t covered it’s around $300 to replace.

The transmission jerking while shifting between gears is also reported by owners at around 50,000 miles. Owners report both hesitation and stuttering as it goes from one gear to the next. The transmission control module is the source of the problem, costing around $1,200 to replace.

There are 6 recalls, most are average compared to other large SUVs from 2014. The most serious recall is for the transmission shift cable, which can break and prevent you from going into park. Many of the other recalls are for air bags which are common on all models.

How Long Will the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse Last?

A well-maintained 2014 Chevy Traverse should last around 200,000 miles, which is about 150,000 miles less than the top-rated Toyota Sequoia. Regular annual maintenance costs are slightly more expensive than average, according to Repair Pal, at $549 per year.

Nearly all used 2014 Chevy Traverse models will have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should be prepared to replace the A/C compressor for $900, oil pressure sensor costing $350, and the control arms which cost around $550.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is good in the 2014 Chevy Traverse with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen display along with Bluetooth & USB connectivity. The safety technology is better than average as well, with a standard rearview camera. Optional safety features include blind spot monitoring, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning systems.

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse a Good Value?

No, the 2014 Chevy Traverse is not a good value since there are relatively expensive mechanical problems. Blue book prices range from $14,320 to $16,110, making it cheaper than a Chevy Tahoe or Ford Expedition. When new, the price range was $30,795 to $41,255. Depreciation is similar to average, losing about 11% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Chevy Traverse?

There are three main models of the Chevy Traverse offered for 2014, from the base LS all the way up to the more luxurious LTZ.

LS is the entry-level model with:

• 17-Inch Steel Wheels
• Cloth Seating
• Keyless Entry
• OnStar Communication
• 5-Inch Touchscreen
• Rearview Camera
• 6-Speaker Stereo System

LT is a step up, adding:

• 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Heated Mirrors
• Remote Ignition
• Power Driver’s Seat
• Tri-Zone Climate Control
• MyLink App Connectivity

LTZ is the luxury model which adds:

• 20-Inch Wheels
• Leather Seating
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Lane Departure Warning
• Optional 10-Speaker Bose Stereo

What Engines Come In the Chevy Traverse?

• The engine found in the Chevy Traverse is an average 3.6L V6 which makes 281 horsepower while getting up to 19 MPG. Performance is average, taking 8.1 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
• The LTZ model has an upgraded exhaust which increases power from the same engine to 288 horsepower.

What Colors Does the Chevy Traverse Come In?

How Comfortable Is the Chevy Traverse?

The 2014 Chevy Traverse is a very comfortable full size SUV with seating for up to 8 passengers. Seating in the Traverse is very supportive, and the optional second row captain’s chairs are plush.

Passenger room is good throughout the cabin with enough room for adults in the third row, however, some taller adults complain about having limited legroom.

How Much Storage Space Does the Chevy Traverse Have?

Cargo space is average for an SUV of its size, with enough room for 4-5 suitcases behind the third row, 10-12 behind the second row, and well over 20 with all the seats folded flat.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The first generation of the Chevy Traverse was launched in 2009, which was replaced by the second generation in 2018.

2012: No major changes.

2013: Minor exterior styling refreshes, higher-quality interior materials added.

2014: More USB ports, and LTZ gets forward collision & lane departure warning systems.

2015: Siri eyes-free voice control added to stereo system.

2016: 4G LTE with WiFi hot spot added, and new entry-level LS model.

2017: LTZ model had its name changed to Premier.

2018: Fully redesigned for the second generation with an all-new interior, exterior and engines.

How Does the Chevy Traverse Compare to the Competition?

The Chevrolet Traverse is a mediocre large SUV compared to other SUVs on the market, which offer more room, better reliability ratings, along with stronger V8 engines.

The Ford Explorer is a popular competitor from Ford, which costs about $500 more. Off-road performance is a bit better in the Ford Explorer, but the Chevy Traverse has more room in the third row. We recommend the Ford Explorer since they have lower ownership costs and fewer mechanical issues.

The Chevrolet Equinox is a smaller SUV made by Chevy, which costs about $2,000 less. Performance is better in the Chevy Equinox, however, the Chevy Traverse has significantly more passenger room. We recommend the Chevy Equinox since ownership costs are lower, although neither are great SUVs.

Do Owners Recommend the Chevy Traverse?