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2021 Chevrolet Traverse

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Traverse.

Transmission Automatic 9-spd

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is defined mechanically by its 9-speed automatic transmission and an engine lubrication system calling for 6.0 quarts of either 5W-30 or 0W-30 oil, returning EPA fuel economy figures of 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. Within the nameplate's tracked complaint history spanning 2009 through 2026, this model year has logged 86 owner reports — with the electrical system as the most cited problem area and three recalls on file — placing it well clear of the 668-complaint peak recorded for 2010 and toward the quieter end of the model's overall curve. For a researcher, the takeaway is that the 2021 sits in a notably more settled stretch of the Traverse's reliability record, even as electrical issues remain the standout watch-item across the ownership experience.

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 capacity6.0 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 Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R · 730 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 Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size255/55R20 107HOEM · verified

Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731742
Engine air filter	23321606
Spark plug	12681660
Battery	88866098 alt 88864542
Front wiper blades	84580859 alt 84580856
Serpentine belt	12647764
Thermostat	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.

6.3–7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2018 LT Leather

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2020	Premiere 3.6L V6	6.40 sec	14.80 sec	310 hp	FWD
2019	RS 3.6L V6	6.70 sec	15.10 sec	310 hp	AWD
2023	RS 3.6L V6	6.80 sec	15.10 sec	310 hp	AWD
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.3 - 6.3 QTS
Brake Fluid	Dot 3
Brake Fluid Capacity	2.11 pt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · Synthetic · 0W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Transfer Case Fluid	75W-90 · Synthetic
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity	.90 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	16.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)	18.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Torque Converter Bolts	44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	29.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug	8.83 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.037-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.43 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	7.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	730 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 23.0-; Rear: 30.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque	6.4
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.078 in
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

Prep Use a new retaining nut. Driveshaft Nut: Step 1: 244.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 45°

199.0

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Use a new retaining nut. Driveshaft Nut: Step 1: 244.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 45°

199.0

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°

18 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

M8 Bolts

11 ft. lbs

Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°

22 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18.0

18 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Windshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 mi	Hood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
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 2021 Traverse marks a low point in the model’s complaint trajectory, dropping to just 86 complaints—far below the 2009‑2014 peak of 547 and the 2018‑2020 range of 398‑452. Recall activity also tapers, with only three recalls in 2021 versus eight in 2020 and a high of eight in 2009, while investigations have been absent since 2016. The top complaint categories in 2021 (Electrical System, Unknown/Other, Power Train, Engine & Engine Cooling) are consistent with earlier years, but the overall volume is the smallest of the entire data set. This downward trend in both complaints and recalls suggests that the 2021 model year benefitted from earlier fixes and exhibits fewer reported issues. **Takeaway:** 2021 is a comparatively strong year to buy, with the lowest documented problem rates in the generation.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

662

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

4 involved a crash · 0 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 86 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System17

Unknown Or Other14

Power Train10

Engine & Engine Cooling7

Service Brakes6

Engine5

Steering3

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V817000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 18/10/2021

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… 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…

21V472000Air Bags:Sensor:Frontal ImpactReported 24/06/2021

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 662 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT5966F	2026-06-23	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIC6423A	2026-05-11	Unknown Or Other	Pi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection…
PIC6551B	2026-05-11	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless…
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…

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 O battery Vehicles taking 6.0 qt Engine oil filter 12731742 Engine air filter 23321606 Spark plug 12681660 Battery 88866098

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 2021 Traverse take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30. ACDelco Dexos 1 Synthetic recommened. Temperatures below -20°F 0W-30 can be used., per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Traverse have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 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.