2009 Chevrolet Traverse

On certain vehicles equipped with a power liftgate system, the gas-filled struts (which help to raise and support the liftgate) may prematurely wear. These vehicles have a Prop Rod Recovery system intended to accomplish a controlled, slow return of the liftgate to the closed position if the liftgate’s gas struts are no longer capable of supporting the weight of the liftgate. The vehicle would provide audible warnings and flash the tail lamps to indicate there is a problem.  However, the liftgate’s Prop Rod Recovery system software may be unable to detect/stop a liftgate with prematurely worn gas struts from falling too quickly after the liftgate is opened.  This could allow the liftgate to drop suddenly, placing anyone beneath or near the gate at risk of injury.  Correction:  Dealers will reprogram the power liftgate actuator motor ECU with a new software and will verify power liftgate operation following the reprogram.

On certain vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the vehicle structure at the front outboard seating positions can fatigue over time and could separate, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the lap pretensioner, as necessary.

On certain vehicles, side airbag wiring connections could develop high resistance, illuminating the airbag warning light. If the vehicle continues to be operated in this condition, resistance may continue to increase over time and eventually cause the seat side airbags and seat belt pretensioners to not deploy in the event of a crash, which could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will affect repairs.

On certain vehicles, the second row seat side trim shield may restrict the upward rotation of the safety belt buckle when the seat back is returned to a seating position after being folded flat.  If the buckle contacts the seat frame, additional effort is required to return the seat to a seating position.  If sufficient force is applied, the buckle cover could be pushed down the strap, exposing and partially depressing the red release button.  As a result, the release button will not travel as much as designed when depressed and will appear to be jammed.  The buckle cover may have visible damage which may only be cosmetic, but in some cases, the buckle may not latch/unlatch, or may appear to latch when the latch mechanism is not fully engaged.  If the latch mechanism is not fully engaged, the safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended in a crash, which could result in personal injury or death.  Correction: Dealers will modify the second row seat side trim shields, inspect the belt buckle and will replace it if damaged.

On certain vehicles equipped with a Heated Washer Fluid System (HWFS), a short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire.  A repair was implemented in a recall in 2008, however, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on heated washer fluid system modules after this improvement was installed.  This situation may cause some minor distortion, but also could lead to melting of the plastic around the heated washer fluid system, or cause a fire.  Correction: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module.  An updated page will be provided and inserted in the Owner Manual to document the removal of the feature.