2013 Chevrolet Express Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Chevrolet Express carries a Complaint Index of 68, ranking 7th worst of 20 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has 22 complaints, 8 recall campaigns, and no do-not-drive recalls; brakes and engine issues dominate owner reports.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 68/100
- #7 of 20 Express years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 22
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 13
- 11 city / 16 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2013 Chevy Express problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes randomly engage on one side while driving at highway speed and trigger the electronic stability control light.
- Vehicles unexpectedly apply the brakes and cut engine power on their own, showing a stabilitrak warning even when the driver reports no skidding.
- Owners report the engine warning light coming on along with failure to start, recurring more than once at the same mileage.
- Drivers describe sudden loss of engine power warnings paired with random stalling, sometimes with the dealer unable to diagnose the cause.
- A crash left the airbags undeployed and the rear shoulder belt failed to lock, allowing the occupant's body to be jerked around and the rear passenger belt to fracture.
- Fuel system problems include repeated 'exhaust fluid quality poor' messages that force a speed reduction until serviced, and CNG fuel venting changes that stopped the vehicle from taking fuel.
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
- 11 MPG
- Highway
- 16 MPG
- Combined
- 13 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $5,000
- 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 reliable?
- NHTSA data give the 2013 Express a Complaint Index of 68 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among the 20 model years tracked. It logged 22 complaints and 8 recall campaigns, with brakes and engine cited most often.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Express?
- Brakes and engine issues each account for 7 of the 22 complaints (32% each), followed by electrical system problems (5 complaints, 23%) and fuel system problems (4 complaints, 18%).
- Does the 2013 Chevrolet Express have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2013 Express, covering areas including airbags, fuel system, electrical system, transmission/powertrain, and structure/body. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2013 Express problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: brakes at 24,831 miles, engine at 47,500 miles, electrical system at 9,100 miles, and fuel system at just 3,000 miles.
- How does the 2013 Express compare to other model years?
- The 2013 model's Complaint Index of 68 is worse than the Best-rated 2011 (21) and 2015 (16) model years, but better than the Avoid-rated 2010 (100) and 2012 (95) model years.