Aaaand it must have heard me, it threw a check engine light last night for the intake air temperature sensor, which mysteriously healed itself after I cleared the code. Scan tool shows IAT data that looks real, so I don't know what caused it. I can only hope there's a faulty connection somewhere that's the root of all these intermittent problems.

 

Aaaand it must have heard me, it threw a check engine light last night for the intake air temperature sensor, which mysteriously healed itself after I cleared the code. Scan tool shows IAT data that looks real, so I don't know what caused it. I can only hope there's a faulty connection somewhere that's the root of all these intermittent problems.

Yeah that sounds like a grounding issue or something in the electrical system. Bad alternator? Maybe needs a battery replacement?

Per chance is it possible the car was in an accident before you brought it?

I know these cars have their known issues, but that many electrical problems is a bit of an oddball, or screams that it was the first car off the line Monday morning at 6am after the Lions lost on Sunday night football!

 

Aaaand it must have heard me, it threw a check engine light last night for the intake air temperature sensor, which mysteriously healed itself after I cleared the code. Scan tool shows IAT data that looks real, so I don't know what caused it. I can only hope there's a faulty connection somewhere that's the root of all these intermittent problems.

Hi there sparkydave,

We're so sorry to hear about these ongoing concerns you're experiencing with your Traverse. Have you taken it into your dealership for a diagnosis yet? If not, please feel free to private message us if you'd like assistance in setting up an appointment.

Sincerely,

Chelsea D.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

So funny coincidence ….that after reading that post I could have sworn you were talking about my 2017 traverse. Because I am having ALL THE SAME ISSUES with mine as well. Paid almost 30k for the car.

 

Turns out the traction control errors and check engine light probably were related; my check engine light came on again for the mass air flow sensor, and a Google search pointed me to a post here from rbarrios from years ago (thanks rbarrios!) where the harness for his IAT/MAF sensor was unplugged, which triggered the check engine light and traction control errors. Turns out my connector wasn't latched in place. I checked the pins for corrosion and reattached it properly, no check engine lights or traction control messages yet. Maybe that's all the latest problems were.

Only accident it had was a minor collision to the rear bumper which dented the plastic and cracked a license lamp, but the dealer fixed them when I bought it. Alternator and battery check out. The odometer display may just be bad luck; somebody else here has the same problem. The mirror switch was badly corroded, like maybe the door or window were left open and rain got into it, so that could be attributed to the previous owner.

 

I really don't know where to start ;D We bought a grand new 2011 Traverse LT, just about a week later we started having problems. The engine would shut off while driving, the intermittent stinky smell, the vibration when braking, etc. We made numerous visit to different dealership...non of the problems we have ever been fixed just because they never able to duplicate any of these problems. Today this piece of crap is again at the dealership with a $99 diagnosis charge to figure out what the heck is "Traction Control Off", "Brake", and "Brake System Service" that we keep getting lately mean? I personally will never buy another GM car and I will talk to anyone that I know to steer away from it.

Hello NeverAgainGM4US,

We're terribly sorry to learn you've been having such a hard time with your Traverse. Please know every effort has been made to assure excellent quality vehicles for our customers and we do genuinely appreciate your feedback. If you'd like, we'd be happy to provide as an additional layer of assistance while the vehicle is being serviced and review your situation in greater detail. We're available via private message and would need your VIN, mileage, contact information, and involved dealership to move forward.

Kind regards,

Jasmine
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

I have a 2014 Chevy traverse..I was getting mass air flow sensor code and map sensor code. We replaced those sensors along with the throttle body and sensor and alternator. My codes keep popping up and the sensors were changed. Those are the only 2 sensors popping up. They have been changed. The traction control off/reduced engine power/and service stabilitrack comes on after driving for less than 1 min. What could it be I’ve changed the sensors it says to change and no ABS lights are coming on dash on the two sensors for map and maf and they were changed.

 

Take any car with over 50K on the clock to a dealer and guess what - it need new brake shoes. Isn't that funny? Doesn't matter if all your driving is in the city or on the interstate - you need new brake shoes! :happy:

 

I put about 110,000 miles on my Traverse before putting new brake pads on. And I could have gone longer! :blob:

 

I really don't know where to start ;D We bought a grand new 2011 Traverse LT, just about a week later we started having problems. The engine would shut off while driving, the intermittent stinky smell, the vibration when braking, etc. We made numerous visit to different dealership...non of the problems we have ever been fixed just because they never able to duplicate any of these problems. Today this piece of crap is again at the dealership with a $99 diagnosis charge to figure out what the heck is "Traction Control Off", "Brake", and "Brake System Service" that we keep getting lately mean? I personally will never buy another GM car and I will talk to anyone that I know to steer away from it.

There have been other owners who have had a leak in the master brake cylinder or unit. The fluid never showed up on the ground because it stayed inside the closed portion of the body as it leaked down. The Traction Control Light, Brake, and Brake System Service light will come on it the master cylinder leaks and the fluid gets too low.

Search the entire site for master cylinder leak.

 

My Chevy might kill me, my children, other drivers

My Chevy is such a lemon and I could just burst into tears at this point. In addition to fixing things like the defroster, water pump, rear windshield wiper, back-seat door hatch, I have had the car dangerously break-down on me 3 times now in the last 6 months. I get the Stabilitrack/traction control/ engine power reduced messages. Then I lose speed. This has happened to me on a highway going 65 MPH, and suddenly I'm going 25 MPH and cars are swerving all over to avoid me. My 5 and 4 year olds were in the car. The other times, I was on 40MPG city roads, not exactly a lot safer.

I've taken it to 3 different mechanics and nobody can diagnose. Finally I have an appointment at the dealership--I had previously not made this appointment because of the 10 day wait and $100 fee. But now, it's just too dangerous. I am stunned that GM hasn't recalled on this issue...maybe they're waiting for a body count. But I'm a single mom and make $30k per year. Chevy needs to make this right and make this safe for me, and I just can't/won't pay for it. For crying out loud, they've already milked me with the overpriced piece of garbage and the other repairs. And you can't even register for this site without watching a commercial for the captia. They were bailed out with my tax dollars, and they are making money hand over fist, and by God they better make this right.

If anybody has suggestions, please advise.

Jackalope

 

My Chevy might kill me, my children, other drivers

My Chevy is such a lemon and I could just burst into tears at this point. In addition to fixing things like the defroster, water pump, rear windshield wiper, back-seat door hatch, I have had the car dangerously break-down on me 3 times now in the last 6 months. I get the Stabilitrack/traction control/ engine power reduced messages. Then I lose speed. This has happened to me on a highway going 65 MPH, and suddenly I'm going 25 MPH and cars are swerving all over to avoid me. My 5 and 4 year olds were in the car. The other times, I was on 40MPG city roads, not exactly a lot safer.

I've taken it to 3 different mechanics and nobody can diagnose. Finally I have an appointment at the dealership--I had previously not made this appointment because of the 10 day wait and $100 fee. But now, it's just too dangerous. I am stunned that GM hasn't recalled on this issue...maybe they're waiting for a body count. But I'm a single mom and make $30k per year. Chevy needs to make this right and make this safe for me, and I just can't/won't pay for it. For crying out loud, they've already milked me with the overpriced piece of garbage and the other repairs. And you can't even register for this site without watching a commercial for the captia. They were bailed out with my tax dollars, and they are making money hand over fist, and by God they better make this right.

If anybody has suggestions, please advise.

Jackalope

All the same issues. Junk

 

what did the 3 1st mechanics look into?

any codes?

 

The last one determined that the Grease Monkey that did my oil change didn't tighten things down enough. The others reset the codes and then it started acting normal again, until it didn't.

You didn't answer the question. Need know the codes.

 

The last one determined that the Grease Monkey that did my oil change didn't tighten things down enough. The others reset the codes and then it started acting normal again, until it didn't.

 

No. No codes, I gave you the answer.

 

You said "The others reset the codes" (post #12).

 

we need to know the codes that were present and reset-- so we can have a clue as to what the engine/computer was detecting wrong.

Or else-- were just guessing.

 

Service Stabilitrak /Service traction control

I am having the same problem with my 2010 Chevy Traverse.This car has had problems since day one. But recently the Service Stabilitrak /Service traction control comes on. Brought it to my mechanic after the light went off and no trouble found. it goes off and on everyday. My DIC display also goes on and off almost everyday. My turn signals burn out all the time and we realized that water is always in the lights. My power mirrors and power windows would not work, my husband took the controls on the door apart and cleaned all the contacts and they now work. There are other electrical problems but taking them one step at a time. I am going to try and look at the connections this weekend for the traction control. Thank you for posting this info

 

Ongoing Issues - While Chevy pretends there isn't one

I just had a nice exchange with some GM "Customer Service" people regarding my Traverse with the extremely common Brake/Stabilitrak issues. Although my wife complained at the dealership about the problem 50,000 miles ago, now they want me to pay for another diagnostic because it's "outside the warranty". That's the way they roll! I'm glad Chevy reminded me why I would never buy a new GM vehicle again (let alone one produced since the bailout).

Has anyone discussed a class action lawsuit yet? There's only thousands and thousands of complaints regarding the same vehicle systems.

 

I just had a nice exchange with some GM "Customer Service" people regarding my Traverse with the extremely common Brake/Stabilitrak issues. Although my wife complained at the dealership about the problem 50,000 miles ago, now they want me to pay for another diagnostic because it's "outside the warranty". That's the way they roll! I'm glad Chevy reminded me why I would never buy a new GM vehicle again (let alone one produced since the bailout).

Has anyone discussed a class action lawsuit yet? There's only thousands and thousands of complaints regarding the same vehicle systems.

Believe it or not--- the Stabilitrack message can come on for MANY MANY MANY... reasons.
Its not always because of an issue with the stabilitrack message.


It sounds like you got the message a while back-- and 50,000 miles later-- the message has popped up again.
I do agree--- that new diagnostics have to be run to check what caused the message to appear.
50,000 between messages is a long time mileage wise.

Like I said- we here on the boards have realized that it can be one of MANY things to trigger that message.
Not sure how you can get a class action on a safety related message... letting you know to look into something.

By the way-- winter is approaching--- and if you have not cleaned your Throttle body-- get ready for Reduced engine power messages to pop up on your DIC.

From what youve posted-- I think you got a little mad... a little too soon.

 

My guess is there is going to be a lot more electrical "spooks" showing up in resales in the next few years as the TX, LA and FL flood vehicles hit the used car market. .Some were total losses and will have a Salvage title, although disreputable people have been known to launder some. Probably some still ones victims of Katrina confusing dealers and pi$$ing off unfortunate owners.

Danger is in vehicles with water up to the floor boards with no water damage to the drive train only the carpet and seats. Insurance wouldn't have totaled the car and covered only the carpets and drying out, or maybe owner only had liability and not full coverage, or maybe damage didn't exceed the deductible and the owner cleaned and dried it out himself. Dried out cars might have been fine years ago with point to point wiring and printed circuit boards, but these modern vehicles use a digital communication bus going to the ECU/BCU and other computers. Many buttons, switches and sensors communicate through a series of resistance or capacitance signals to the computer/control chips which recognize the requesting switch and activate a corresponding relay or output circuit to activate the accessory component. The outside connectors exposed to the elements contain a non conductive grease to protect the connector contacts from air/moisture which will oxidize the contacts (making a bad connections) and causing the computer to misidentify or failing to act on the requesting button/switch/sensor.

Problem is the internal connectors are not designed to be wet or muddied and unless 100% cleaned and dried out will eventually oxidize and depending upon the initial damage, not all at the same rate. Even if the components like airbag connectors, seat controls console wiring etc. which are subject to direct contact in a floorboard level flood, many other circuits that did not get wet will also be directly affected because the wiring from doors, rear lights, heating controls, etc are connected to wiring bundles with connectors running through the tunnels under the sill plate.

My '12 Avalanche had more leaks than a submarine with a screen door. Windshield, front fender, sunroof drain, driver door surround and all leaked over the first year each time with a flood, wet carpet, flooded driver side tunnel, even wet seat control connectors and under seat airbag connectors.....and this was with "clean" water. After a few months I noticed a problem with the seat motors, pulled the driver's side connectors and noticed they were no longer bright but were whitish/dulled compared to the passenger side which had not been exposed to water. I wasn't waiting for the dealer to try to figure out why some of the steering wheel controls were sometimes acting erratically and sometimes the HVAC motor wouldn't come on even in manual mode......straight to the trade in manager to get an estimate out with a new Chevy.

 

I had this issue happen to me this morning on my way home with my teenage daughter in the car. I had just gotten off the highway and making my way home, when the 'traction turned off' lamp came on. Thinking I may have hit the button while turning on the radio, I pushed down on the traction control button to turn it back on. Needless-to-say, it didn't do a thing. The next message I got was 'engine power reduced', quickly followed by "stabilizer track needs service". Then it was engine power being reduced and my speed was slowly crashing ... steering flipped into manual making it almost impossible to control. I was rounding a bend going down hill and I thought I was going to crash the car. As I turned to go up hill, the car completely stopped. I turned off the key, pulled it out and then reinserted and started the car once again --- continued up hill with multiple messages flashing on my panel -- puttered up the hill and around the bend to my home where I parked it in the garage -- fully expecting it not to start again.

Called the service department and was told that as long as the "engine" light was not flashing, it should be ok to drive and I should consider bringing it into the dealership -- since I still have On-Star, if I were to breakdown, I could call for pick up. Seriously? Coldest day of the year so far and now I have to worry about driving my car 15 miles in the hope I do not breakdown. Once I got there, the person who told me to bring had left for his lunch break .... 3+ hours later, I was told they could replicate the problem -- traction code p2138 gave them a message to check for water intrusion at the kick panel (which there was none) and then removed connector and and added die electrical grease to connect and reinstalled--- checked and moved wiring harness around - seemed to fix issue with traction control. Hoping this is a permanent fix; however, after reading all the comments, I'm concerned.

 

I wonder if the cold could have something to do with it. We are near Chicago and are having a very cold stretch of weather. On the coldest day, our 2016 Traverse with 60,000 miles started displaying 'Traction Control Off', "Service Stabilitrak", 'Engine Power Reduced', 'Max Speed 25 MPH'. I shut it off and restarted and it all went away. Next day did it again and went away again.

 

My 2010 Traverse did the same thing as I was vacationing in Texas this past Christmas. On my way home (Kentucky) I had to stop and shut it off and restart multiple times. My mechanic is telling me that I need a new throttle body which has the sensor on it. Hoping this fixes it

 

Wow, I have the same issues with my 2011 Traverse. Only had it for 9months and ready to trade it in and never get a Traverse from the issues I’ve see that everyone has that I have.

NomoreTraverse

 

once the cold weather comes around...
its fun to watch the posts pile up
engine power reduced,
stabilitrack (service)
Traction control off


Many times - people report they pull over on the road or service station while they figure out what happened.
5-20 min later- they go and restart--- and the vehicle is perfectly fine.

the big tip off is that once the engine sits and soaks up any heat--- the vehicle is fine..
What soaks up heat? the throttle body.

turns out that in COLD weather--- theres condensation in the tube... many times mixed with oil------- and you end up with frothy oil (look up milkshake on here).
In the freezing temps--- this stuff freezes.. (or any stuff that got into the little stepper motor) and you get the messages.
When you turn off the vehicle-- that ice melts... and youre back to normal for a while.

Ive posted before-- as cold weather arrives--- to clean the throttle body and oil thats accumulated so you dont get these issues.
Or do the PCV mod- to help with oil pooling.

I clean my Throttle body at every oil change.

 

Ditto.
I was having all sorts of problems with the service stabilitrack, service traction control,reduced power when the polar vortex hit the northeast a few years ago. The PCV system was clogged and the moisture wasn't burning off so my air intake collected moisture and froze the throttle body giving the reduced engine power. Milkshakes galore, 90% water/10%oil.
I Performed the PCV mod to open the system and keep it clear, it did wonders. I also replaced the MAF sensor and the Throttle Body. Total cost for the two parts about $200, mod was free. Truck has been trouble free for 3 years now.
If you get the random misfires, do they come up after cruising along and then stopping at a trafffic light? My theory is that the engine is gulping up the water collected in the air intake. Performing the mod should eliminate this.

 

Another Stabili-Trak datapoint:

2017 LT, bought January 2017. 23,613 miles. Wife drove it in snow on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday it sat in the garage with 10-20F outside, while we drove the truck in the snow. Thursday she took it out. Drove 4 miles to church. Coming back, got the Stabili-Trak light.

Cleaned the throttle body last night, no issues on 50+ mile drive and 5 start/stops today. TB wasn't really very dirty. No oil in the intake. Just a little black coating behind the throttle plate. I had my 2011 LT from April 2012 through Jan 2017, 90XXX miles, and only had the Stabili-Trak come up once, in Dec 2016. The TB then was a LOT dirtier than yesterday's.

 

I just checked the oil before a trip. The level was a quart low, there was moisture on the inside of oil filler cap. I checked the after market catch can that I had put in and it had a bit of a milkshake in there, about 1 half inch or so, it holds about 1/2 a cup. I looked inside the air intake snorkel and it had a film of oil in there and throttle just had a film, no milkshake. I will check the PCV orifice in the coming days to see it it is still clear.
We have had some cold weather this winter, I don't drive this truck everyday but my daughter drove it around town during break, I did drive it on a couple of trips of 250 and 300 miles lately, mostly highway and mountainous. One trip it was 3 degrees at the destination last week.
I did have some other issues last night, see my new post on Instrument Bright and No Gauges.

 

Just a followup. I checked the catch can again today. I cleaned it before this trip and there was a milkshake forming in there today. It wasn't too cold on the trip, high 20s to 30s, humidity above 50% I believe.

 

Another followup. I checked PVC barb and it is clear, cold weather has been producing milkshakes in the after market catch can but not inside the air intake snorkel. I do need to clean the throttle.
I have been getting Traction Control Off and Service stabilitrack messages frequently now. I will check the brake fluid first.