NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Chevrolet Traverse Safety Ratings
The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse scores 73 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 8 recalls, and 210 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse achieved a NHTSA Safety Index of 73/100, positioning it within the Average band. This rating reflects a combination of strong crash-test performance and a notable recall history. While its individual ratings are generally solid, a limited suite of avoidance technology keeps it from earning a higher safety distinction. Overall, the Traverse presents as a reasonable, though not exceptional, safety choice for its model year.
The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse received a 5-out-of-5-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 73 out of 100, derived entirely from NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 107 SUVs from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse ranks 101 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 73 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 15% |
| Recalls on file | 8 |
| Owner complaints | 210 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 101 of 107 SUVs tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?
The 2020 model year marks a five-point drop in the NHTSA Safety Index compared to the 2019 Traverse, falling from 78 to 73, while both years remain in the Average band. The decline is traceable primarily to the defect record component, which contributed only 6 out of a possible 20 points, reflecting the weight of eight recall campaigns initiated for this model year. Crash protection held up well at 61 out of 70, anchored by the 5-star overall and side ratings from NHTSA. The avoidance-tech score of 6 out of 10 is constrained by the fact that both forward collision warning and lane departure warning are listed as optional rather than standard equipment, meaning not every 2020 Traverse on the road carries those systems. Electronic stability control is standard, which provides a baseline active-safety floor. The tire recalls, covering two separate campaigns with overlapping GM platform scope, and the curtain air bag harness connector recall stand out as the most safety-critical issues tied directly to this production year. Taken together, this year's index tells a story of a vehicle that performs well in controlled crash conditions but carries a heavier-than-average administrative safety burden.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse achieved an overall 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA. While its side impact protection was perfect at 5 stars, both frontal crash and rollover protection received 4 out of 5 stars. The vehicle's rollover risk registered at 15 percent, with the dynamic tip test concluding with a "No Tip" outcome.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14179
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
Yes. Eight recall campaigns cover the 2020 Traverse. Documented components include curtain air bag harness connectors, automatic transmission systems (including a separate campaign specific to wheelchair-accessible Braun conversion vehicles), and two distinct tire-related campaigns affecting multiple GM platforms. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is cited in the available campaign data, but owners should verify remedy completion by VIN.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN22V210000
Risk: Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury 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.
Reported 2022-03-31
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION21V817000
Risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Reported 2021-10-18
TIRES21V115000
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
Reported 2021-02-25
TIRES20V684000
Risk: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-4
Reported 2020-11-05
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION20V668000
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
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, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this reca
Reported 2020-10-29
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP20V639000
Risk: Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202314760.
Reported 2020-10-15
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR20V446000
Risk: If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.
Reported 2020-07-30
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS19V643000
Risk: A crack in the frame rail may reduce crash performance, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N192268310.
Reported 2019-09-06
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?
Owners have filed 210 unverified complaints with NHTSA, alleging 11 crashes and 7 injuries. The most frequently alleged problem areas are the engine (65 reports), unknown or other issues (47), powertrain (35), and the electrical system (28). All figures represent unverified consumer allegations, not confirmed defects.
210 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?
With eight recall campaigns on record, any shopper considering a used 2020 Traverse should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase. Confirming which remedies have been completed at a dealership is a necessary step, especially regarding the air bag harness and tire campaigns.
- The 2020 Traverse Safety Index dropped five points from the 2019 model year, from 78 to 73, driven largely by a defect record score of only 6 out of 20 due to eight active recall campaigns.
- A curtain air bag harness connector recall affecting 2020-2022 Traverse vehicles is among the most safety-critical campaigns tied to this specific production year and should be confirmed as remedied by VIN.
- Two separate tire recall campaigns were initiated for the 2020 Traverse, both involving GM platform-wide actions, making tire-recall remedy verification a priority for used-market buyers.
- Forward collision warning and lane departure warning are optional, not standard, on the 2020 Traverse, meaning the avoidance-tech equipment level varies by individual vehicle and should be confirmed on any specific unit being evaluated.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse places
The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Chevrolet Traverse safety questions
Was the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 73 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 15%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 8 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 210 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Traverse years
Rivals in SUV (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Infiniti Qx50 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-3 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-30 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 3 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T5 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T6 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T8 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 14179), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Chevrolet Traverse 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 101 of 107 in the SUV class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.