In Chevrolet’s own words, “the 2009 Traverse is an expressively styled, well-equipped crossover that gives customers people-hauling and cargo-carrying capability typically found in larger SUVs”. Well, the company wasn’t lying or exaggerating one bit when they made these claims in their press release.
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse was designed with a purpose and had this sense of honesty in its approach. The way it delivered most of its promises is also one of the reasons why it’s still around today. That being said, not all was perfect when it came to the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The vehicle had a few issues worth mentioning. Fret not, as this buyers’ guide covers everything you need to know about the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse.
Taking a Look At The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse was yet another mid-size crossover SUV that was based on the General Motors Lambda platform. Other vehicles that were based on this platform were the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and the Saturn Outlook. The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse was showcased at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show and began reaching dealers towards the end of the year.
When Chevrolet said the Traverse had people-hauling ability they weren’t kidding as it could seat seven or eight passengers. The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse was the replacement for two offerings from the company – the TrailBlazer and the Uplander. Yes, thanks to the impressive seating capacity the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse crossover was a viable replacement for a minivan.
Interior & Features
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse was made available in a total of four trim levels – the base LS, mid-level LT1, and LT2 trims, and the top-spec LTZ. Each one of the trim levels could be had in either the front or all-wheel-drive configuration. The Traverse also came with the 8-passenger seating layout as standard. Higher trim levels, meanwhile, could be optioned with a 7-seat layout where the second-row bench would be replaced by captain’s chairs.
General Motors also wasn’t shy when offering features on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. The crossover came with a bucket load of equipment. Like other crossovers based on the Lambda platform, it had independent suspension at all four ends. The car could also be equipped with 17, 18, or 20-inch wheels.
Other features include a stability control system, rear-seat entertainment, navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and more. The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse also comes with six airbags as standard. Leather upholstery, on the other hand, was optional on the LT and standard on the LTZ.
Engine & Gearbox
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse was only available with one engine – the GM High Feature 3.6 liter LLT V6. The 3,564cc LLT is a direct-injected version based on the earlier LY7 V6 engine. This engine comes with dual overhead camshafts and features GM’s VVT tech. This is the same engine seen on other vehicles based on the General Motors Lambda platform.
While there was only one engine option, they were available in two different states of tune. The LS and the LT trim levels came equipped with a single-exhaust and that meant it got the V6 tuned to make 281 HP and 266 lb-ft. The top-of-the-line LTZ variant, meanwhile, came with dual exhausts , and it was capable of 288 HP and 270 lb-ft. Regardless of the variant, the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse only came equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission also remains unchanged by either the front or all-wheel-drive configuration.
2009 Chevrolet Traverse – What Made It Special
Drivetrain configuration was one of the aspects that made the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse special. It certainly can’t be regarded as quick, but it did have ample power, especially for the time. Some reviewers even called the performance of the sizable crossover peppy. While acceleration isn’t something to write home about, the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse delivered in terms of its towing capacity. The optional towing package gave the crossover the ability to pull 5,200 pounds, which was rather impressive.
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse also had what can be considered to be unique styling. This was high praise given the fact that it was limited by its dimensions. It also stood out in its segment and that helped a lot in terms of sales. Overall, the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is known for its impressive ride quality, impressive interior, strong feature list, and ample storage space.
What Year Traverse Has Transmission Problems?
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is known to have a few transmission problems. It is equipped with the 6T75 GM Transmission which arguably wasn’t the best transmission this company has ever made. The issues were first noticed on the original GMC Acadia. Complaints ranged from transmission overheating to various forms of catastrophic failure.
The issues, or defects if you will, with the 6T75 gearbox were so widespread that GM ended up issuing a special coverage adjustment for the problem. You can read exactly what was wrong with the transmission in the list of problems further down in this guide. The good thing is that most of the affected cars were either fixed or
2009 Chevrolet Traverse Updates
The first-generation Chevrolet Traverse had quite a long run, it was around from 2009 to 2017. Here’s each time it was updated.
2010 Chevrolet Traverse
In 2010, the Chevrolet Traverse got a minor update in the form of changes to the badges and logos.
2013 Chevrolet Traverse
2013 was when the Chevrolet Traverse got its mid-cycle update. It includes a redesigned front end, rear lift gate, and taillights. The company also improved the performance of the transmission.
It also got new features like a color touchscreen and wood interior trim – both of which were standard. The crossover also got redesigned alloy wheels. Lastly, the sound system on the higher trim levels was now made by Bose.
2014 Chevrolet Traverse
Chevrolet introduced even more features to the Traverse in 2014. It has USB charging ports, a forward collision alert, and a lane departure warning system.
2015 Chevrolet Traverse
In 2015, the Chevrolet Traverse got multiple new exterior color options and a redesigned alloy wheels design.
2016 Chevrolet Traverse
Chevrolet added yet another two exterior color options in 2016. The Traverse also received 4G connectivity and an updated alloy wheel design for the 20-inch option.
2017 Chevrolet Traverse
For the last year of the first-generation Chevrolet Traverse, the LTZ trim level was now called the Premier. That aside, it was identical to the 2016 Traverse.
How Many Miles Will a 2009 Chevy Traverse Last?
A 2009 Chevrolet Traverse could last as little as 100,000 miles or even easily cross the 300,000-mile mark. What it purely comes down to is how well the vehicle has been maintained. The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse isn’t exactly known for its longevity, as it has several reported problems.
That said, there are multiple owners who, to this day, swear by the Traverse. As long as you find an example that has been well looked after and has had the following problem checked and fixed if needed, you are good to go.
What Problems Does a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse Have?
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse has been known to have multiple problems, here’s a list of the most serious ones.
Transmission Problem
As mentioned earlier, the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is equipped with the 6T75 GM Transmission suffers from a few rather serious problems. This transmission is known to develop issues that usually begin with the illumination of the check engine light with an error code related to the transmission.
These issues are followed by the loss of reverse gear, slipping, or harsh third or fifth gear shifts. This occurs because of a broken 35R clutch wave plate inside the transmission.
Front Strut Wear
As you may already know, the struts are one of the most important parts of the suspension. With the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, there’s a possibility of the front struts developing a problem with the cap. This causes a noticeable clunking sound.
There’s also the possibility of the front struts blowing prematurely. Lastly, the coil springs could also fail and break. These problems will affect the handling of the crossover and best be fixed with OEM quality replacement struts and springs.
Ignition Coil Failure
Ignition coil failure might not sound as serious as the one related to the transmission, but it can certainly affect driveability. Powering the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is GM’s 3.6 V6, and it is known to require a replacement ignition coil quite often.
The coils tend to wear out sooner than expected, and it’s best to replace the set of six if you are newly acquiring the crossover. Don’t forget to stick to high-quality replacements like the Bosch 0221604112 to ensure you don’t end up with warning lights. Also, it’s recommended to swat all coils at once. If one is gone, there’s a good chance the others aren’t too far behind.
Master Window Switch
The master window switch is located on the driver-side door of the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. This switch can control all four windows of the crossover. Rain and moisture are known to get inside the circuit board and cause this switch to fail.
Rear Hatch Arms
Another common problem with the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse concerns the rear hatch arms. These struts that help lift the heavy hatch are known to fail quite often. While this doesn’t sound as major as the other issues, it can be dangerous as they could give way when the hatch is open while you are under it. If you notice a leak from either of the arms it’s best to get them replaced as soon as possible.
Timing Chain Trouble
Despite being the second version of the High Feature V6, the LLT still suffers from timing chain problems, just like the LY7. Multiple owners of the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse have faced the timing chain stretching issue. While the stretch won’t cause any major problems towards the beginning of its occurrence, it gets quite serious over time. It can also end up causing irreversible engine damage.
Purge Valve Issue
When the purge on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse fails, it can get stuck open. If that happens it will constantly be drawing in fuel vapor into the engine. Normally, the purge valve is only supposed to open when told to do so by the ECU. When it’s stuck open though, it is likely to illuminate the check engine light along with an error code. The 2009 Chevrolet Transverse will also have starting and driveability problems.
Is the Chevy Traverse a Reliable Car?
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse can be considered to be fairly reliable if maintained well. This isn’t a vehicle that you can postpone maintenance procedures on. Considering that you are looking at this crossover in 2022, it should have most of the aforementioned problems already dealt with.
Make sure you get a service history that confirms the transmission problem has been fixed. If you want the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse to give you a reliable and trouble-free experience make certain that it doesn’t have the timing chain issue.
Try the Newparts.com Shop!
Are you wondering where you can get parts for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse? Wonder no more as we stock the OEM quality spares for a variety of vehicles. Simply check out our Shop section and input your car’s details into our vehicle selection tool. It will take you to our dedicated shop where you can find all kinds of parts for domestic, European and Asian vehicles.
