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FWD platform

2018 Chevrolet Traverse

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Traverse.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 9-spd

The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse is an SUV built on a front‑wheel‑drive platform. Its powertrain is paired with an automatic 9‑speed transmission and a 5.0‑quart oil capacity that calls for either 5W‑30 or 0W‑30 viscosity. EPA estimates put its fuel economy at 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined miles per gallon. In terms of reliability, the 2018 model records 452 total owner complaints, a figure that sits well below the 668 complaints peak of 2010 yet remains higher than the 18 complaints logged in the latest 2026 year, reflecting a moderate standing in the model’s complaint history.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy17/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 660 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 660 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP255/65R18OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731742 alt 25206377
Engine air filter	23321606
Spark plug	12681660 alt 12681659
Battery	88864542 alt 88866098
Front wiper blades	84580856 alt 84580859
Serpentine belt	12664598 alt 12647764
Thermostat	12630780 alt 12681133
Cabin air filter	13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 9-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	204.3 in
Overall width	78.7 in
Overall height	70.9 in
Wheelbase	120.9 in
Curb weight	4700 lb
Track (front / rear)	67.3 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 25 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Traverse of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3–7.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2018 LT Leather

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2018	LT Leather 3.6L V6	6.30 sec	14.90 sec	310 hp	FWD
2018	High Country 3.6L V6	6.50 sec	15.10 sec	310 hp	AWD
2018	Premier 3.6L V6	6.70 sec	15.10 sec	310 hp	AWD
2018	Premier 3.6L V6	6.70 sec	15.20 sec	310 hp	AWD
2018	RS 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.80 sec	15.30 sec	257 hp	FWD
2018	LT Leather 3.6L V6	6.90 sec	15.30 sec	310 hp	FWD
2018	RS 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.10 sec	15.50 sec	257 hp	FWD
2019	RS 3.6L V6	6.70 sec	15.10 sec	310 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil, Use Dexron LS Gear oil Part number 88862624 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Use DEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.3-7.3
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	Use Dexron LS Gear oil Part number 88862624
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	0.8-1.7
Engine Coolant Capacity	11.6
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 0W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	43.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	16.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-5-4-3-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number	48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	660 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	730 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50.0-94.0
RPM	43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50.0-100.0
RPM	43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Engine Compression	100

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 53; Rear: 30
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 111 ft-lbs; Rear: 74 ft-lbs
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 1.063; Rear: .827
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish	Front: 1.102; Rear: .866
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	Front: .001; Rear: .002
Maximum Rotor Runout	.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 45.0 degrees, Step 3: 199.0

111 ft. lbs

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 45.0 degrees, Step 3: 199.0

111 ft. lbs

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 100

22 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	Back off 360 degrees	360 degrees
3	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
4	110.0

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	110.0

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

26.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60

26 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 150 degrees. Install new bolt.

74 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts.

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	190 degrees	190 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	8.8 ft. lbs.	8.8 ft. lbs
2	8.8

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inner bolts

1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	80 degrees; Outer bolts	80 degrees
1	11.0 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
2	110.0 degrees; Side bolts	110 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	60.0 degrees	60 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Lower crankcase crankshaft bolts

1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	140 degrees; Lower crankcase perimeter bolts	140 degrees
1	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 model year registers 452 complaints, marking a significant increase from 358 in 2017 and exceeding 398 in 2019, yet it carries only 2 recalls—fewer than the 3 recorded for both adjacent years and representing a generational low in safety campaigns. Across the Traverse’s production run, federal data reveals a trajectory of declining regulatory activity from the high-volume early years (2009-2011 saw 448-668 annual complaints and 5-8 recalls), with 2018 falling within a late-generation uptick in owner-reported issues despite minimal formal recalls. Technical Service Bulletins also rose slightly to 1,106 from 1,000 in 2017, though remaining well below the generation’s peak of 1,669 in 2013. Power Train concerns dominate the 2018 docket with 114 filings, though the data does not specify root causes, alongside modest crash (9) and fire (2) incident reports. Given the elevated complaint volume relative to surrounding years but historically low recall exposure, 2018 represents a moderate-risk purchase that warrants thorough pre-buy inspection of powertrain and electrical systems.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1106

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

452

Owner complaints

9 involved a crash · 2 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17’18’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 452 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train114

Unknown Or Other56

Electrical System22

Power Train,Electrical System21

Engine20

Power Train,Engine15

Service Brakes14

Engine & Engine Cooling13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V668000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 29/10/2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15…

21V246000Air Bags:Critical FastenersReported 08/04/2021

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1106 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G	2025-11-20	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Traverse. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 48 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt FWD-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 12731742 Engine air filter 23321606 Spark plug 12681660 Battery 88864542

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Traverse take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 Use GM Dexos 1 Oil or equivalent. Where temperature falls below -20 degreesF Use 0W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Traverse have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Traverse get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.