The third-generation Traverse arrived in April 2024 with a 2.5-liter turbo four (328 hp) and an eight-speed automatic, in LS, LT, RS and Z71 trims at launch. It's a big three-row family hauler, so brake complaints here matter. When we checked NHTSA, 74 of 140 complaints on the 2024 Traverse and 126 of 183 on the 2025 mentioned brakes in some way.
Problem 1: pad life says low, pads look fine
This one is well documented. GM has issued several bulletins on it:
| Bulletin | Vehicles | What it says | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-NA-029 (Feb 2025) | 2024-2025 Traverse, Acadia; 2025 Enclave | Brake life percentage drops faster than expected. The module overpredicts wear | Update brake module software. GM says to replace pads and reset pad life only when pads are actually replaced |
| Service update N242471431 (Feb 2025) | 2024-2025 Traverse and others | Pad calibration inaccurately predicts wear | Reprogram brake module, no parts. Over-the-air allowed |
| PIT6333 | 2024 Traverse | Pad life monitor won't reset or won't reach 100% | Reprogram and set up the brake module, then retry the reset |
Owners describe exactly this. One says the screen showed 19% pad life, and a brake shop said the pads looked great. Another says even after new pads and sensors, the warning couldn't be cleared without the software update.
Problem 2: squealing brakes
About 26 complaints on the 2024 model mention squeal, squeak or grinding. Owners say it started within a few thousand miles, and several say dealers called it normal. We didn't find a GM bulletin for squeal on the 2024+ Traverse. (An older bulletin, 21-NA-142, covered a grind or groan on 2020 Traverses, fixed with new pads.) If yours squeals constantly, keep a record of each visit and ask the dealer to check for new bulletins.
Problem 3: "Service Brake Assist" and a soft pedal
This is the one to take seriously. Owners of 2024 and 2025 Traverses describe a pedal that goes to the floor along with Brake Assist, ABS and stability control warnings. Several say the dealer replaced the brake master cylinder (an electronic brake booster unit) under a GM bulletin, sometimes after waiting weeks for the part.
What it costs
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Brake pad replacement, 2024 Traverse | $477 to $534 (RepairPal) |
| Brake pad replacement, 2025 Traverse | $442 to $499 (RepairPal) |
| Brake pad replacement, 2026 Traverse | $416 to $473 (RepairPal) |
| Dealer pads, one axle, 2024 Traverse | $277 to $325 (KBB, parts $110 to $130, labor $167 to $195) |
| Pad life software update | $0 under warranty if your VIN is covered |
What to ask before you pay
- "What do my pads actually measure?"
- "Is bulletin 25-NA-029 or service update N242471431 open on my VIN?"
- "Will you reset pad life only after new pads go in?"
- "If there's a brake assist warning, is there a bulletin for the master cylinder on my car?"
Is it worth fixing?
Yes, and much of it is free on a 2024 or 2025 Traverse. The pad life fix is software, and brake assist repairs are warranty work. Just don't buy pads you don't need because a screen said so.
More Traverse help is on the Chevy Traverse repair page. Won't start? See our Traverse no-crank guide. Prices checked October 14, 2026.
