2016 Chevrolet Traverse maintenance schedule

The 2016 Traverse is part of the Lambda generation (2014-2017), sold as an SUV. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2016 Traverse needs, and when

All 12 of these items come from Chevrolet's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Chevrolet's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter (LLT)

Highly accelerated schedule

5,000 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Engine air filter (LLT)45,000 mi / 4 yearsManufacturer
Cabin air filter (LLT)22,500 mi / 2 yearsManufacturer
Tire rotation (LLT)7,500 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Brake fluid (LLT)45,000 mi / 3 yearsManufacturer
Engine coolant (LLT)150,000 mi / 5 yearsManufacturer
Transmission fluid (LLT)

Severe

45,000 miManufacturer
Spark plugs (LLT)

Requires plenum removal

97,500 miManufacturer
Serpentine belt (LLT)97,500 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
Differential and transfer case fluid (LLT)

AWD models

45,000 miManufacturer
PCV valve (LLT)

Requires barb modification

97,500 miManufacturer
12V battery (LLT)

Located under passenger floor

Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
5W-30 dexos1, 5.5 qt
Coolant
Dex-Cool
Transmission fluid
Dexron VI

Powertrains in this generation

  • 3.6L 6-cyl (LLT), 6-speed auto, FWD/AWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2016 Traverse owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

Transmission fault

high severity

70,000-120,000 mi · $2,400-$5,400 to fix

Code P0776, loss of gears

Source: repairpal.com

Timing chain stretch

high severity

60,000-110,000 mi · $2,160-$3,840 to fix

P0008 code, rattling at startup

Source: repairpal.com

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Chevrolet dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

May 2023

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.

Remedy: 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.

October 2021

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.

Remedy: 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.

April 2021

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.

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.

December 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.

Visibility

NHTSA 15V609000

September 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.

Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$816
Five years of maintenance
$4,680
The major service near 100,000 mi
$2,160

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other Traverse model years

C1XX-2 (2024-2026)

C1XX (2018-2023)

Lambda (2014-2017)

Shopping new? The Chevrolet Traverse guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-18. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running a Traverse for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2016 Traverse earns before you buy it.

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