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2021 Chevrolet Traverse maintenance schedule

The 2021 Traverse is part of the C1XX generation (2018-2023), 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 2021 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

OLM dictated

7,500 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Engine air filter45,000 mi / 4 yearsManufacturer
Cabin air filter22,500 mi / 2 yearsManufacturer
Tire rotation7,500 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Brake fluid45,000 mi / 3 yearsManufacturer
Engine coolant150,000 mi / 5 yearsManufacturer
Transmission fluid

Severe

45,000 miManufacturer
Spark plugs

60k for Turbo

97,500 miManufacturer
Serpentine belt97,500 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
Differential and transfer case fluid

AWD

45,000 miManufacturer
PCV valve97,500 miManufacturer
12V batteryInspect, 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, 6 qt
Coolant
Dex-Cool
Transmission fluid
Dexron VI

Powertrains in this generation

  • 3.6L 6-cyl (LFY), 310 hp, 9-speed auto, FWD/AWD
  • 2.0L 4-cyl (LTG), 257 hp, 9-speed auto, FWD

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

Known problems

What 2021 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.

Shift to Park

medium severity

30,000-70,000 mi · $240-$480 to fix

Vehicle cannot fully turn off

Source: repairpal.com

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA recalls for the 2021 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.

Air bags

NHTSA 22V210000

March 2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 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 N212352140.

Power train

NHTSA 21V817000

October 2021

Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible vehicles with Power In-floor Ramp conversion. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission fluid leak.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the screw and clip, and inspect for signs of contact with the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.

Air bags

NHTSA 21V472000

June 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N212340220.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$744
Five years of maintenance
$4,200
The major service near 100,000 mi
$1,740

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

Other Traverse model years

C1XX-2 (2024-2026)

202420252026

C1XX (2018-2023)

201820192020202120222023

Lambda (2014-2017)

2014201520162017

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 2021 Traverse earns before you buy it.

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