2013 Chevrolet Express Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
79/100
#4 most-complained of 15 Express years
The 2013 Chevrolet Express ranks 4th worst among 15 model years, with a complaint index of 79 and 22 NHTSA complaints tied to 8 recalls. Brakes and engine issues each make up 32% of complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Express years.
- Complaints
- 22
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14
- 13 city / 17 hwy
Top 2013 Chevrolet Express problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes7 (32%)
- Engine7 (32%)
- Electrical System5 (23%)
- Fuel System4 (18%)
- Airbags2 (9%)
- Seat Belts1 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (5%)
What owners report
- Brakes randomly and autonomously engage while driving, sometimes triggering a stability control warning and reduced engine power.
- Vehicles reduce speed and display service traction control and stabilitrak warnings that recur even after dealer repairs.
- Engine warning lights flash with random loss of power and unexpected stalling at low mileage.
- Vehicle fails to start with the engine warning light illuminated, sometimes recurring more than once.
- Windshield wiper fluid freezes in cold weather, leaving the wipers inoperable.
- Airbags failed to deploy in a crash and a rear passenger seat belt fractured, with the shoulder belt failing to lock.
2013 Chevrolet Express recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V267000Apr 26, 2018Other6,154 vehicles
Equipment
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
- NHTSA 13V544000Oct 30, 2015Other1,808 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD, Chevrolet Express, and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, and model year 2013 GMC Savana compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 303 "Fuel System Integrity of Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles." In the affected vehicles, the text of the CNG fuel-only label is smaller than the required size, and as a result, may be less noticeable.
Risk: Text that does not conform to the required labeling size could inhibit fuel tank inspection practices and safe refueling, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and will send them a replacement label, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 13365.
- NHTSA 14V500000Aug 13, 2014Fuel System3,345 vehicles
Fuel system, other
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chevrolet Express compressed natural gas (CNG)vehicles manufactured September 10, 2010, to April 28, 2014, and GMC Savana CNG vehicles manufactured May 23, 2011, to April 21, 2014. The affected vehicles may leak natural gas from the CNG high pressure regulator.
Risk: A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure regulator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14321.
2013 Chevrolet Express fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 17 MPG
- Combined
- 14 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Express years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Chevrolet Express a bad year?
- NHTSA data ranks it 4th worst of 15 Express model years, with a complaint index of 79 and a verdict of Avoid relative to other years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Express?
- Brakes and engine issues each account for 32% of complaints, followed by electrical system problems at 23% and fuel system issues at 18%.
- Does the 2013 Chevrolet Express have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Express, covering areas including the fuel system, airbags, electrical system, transmission, and structure and body.
- At what mileage do 2013 Express problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 19,662, though brake issues show a median of 24,831 miles and engine issues 47,500 miles.
- Which Chevrolet Express years are better than 2013?
- NHTSA data shows 2015 as the Best year with a complaint index of 21, while 2011, 2014, and 2018 all rank as Good with lower complaint indexes than the 2013 model.