NHTSA Complaint #11629719 — 2024 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE

The left (driver) side third row seat in 2024 Chevy Traverse is unsafe for a passenger to use due to a defect in the head restraint. The vehicle’s third-row seatbacks can be folded down to increase the cargo area. The head restraints are supposed to automatically fold out of the way as each seat is folded down so as not to interfere with the second-row seats. Also, per the owner’s manual, “the head restraint can be folded down to allow for better visibility when the rear seat is unoccupied.” Upon returning the seatbacks to the upright position for passenger use, it is required to manually return the lowered head restraints to the upright position. Per the owner’s manual, “when an occupant is in the seat, always return the head restraint to the upright position. Pull the head restraint up and push it rearward until it locks into place. Push and pull in the head restraint to make sure that it is locked.” Upon lowering and raising the third-row seats of my All New 2024 Chevy Traverse, shortly after taking delivery on 15 August 2024, I discovered that upon raising the seatbacks to the upright position the head restraint of the left-hand seat will NOT reset and lock to the upright traveling position, thus making it unsafe for passenger use. Also, upon lowering the right-hand seat, the head restraint of the right-hand seat does not fold down, as required, to avoid interference with the right-hand second row seat or to allow for better visibility when the rear seat is unoccupied. Upon taking the vehicle to the selling dealer’s service department on 4 SEP 2024 to report the defect, they initially claimed surprise at the defects. Upon further online research, I learned that Chevy was aware of the head restraint issues with the “All New 2024 Traverse” as early as June 7, 2024, as evidenced by their Bulletin number PIT6184A, which the dealer acknowledged as having been received, even though they continue to sell the All New 2024 Traverse with these safety defects.