2013 Chevrolet Traverse Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse ranks 17th out of 17 model years, meaning it has the lowest complaint index (0) and earns a Best verdict relative to other Traverse years. It has 162 complaints, 4 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #17 of 17 Traverse years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 162
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16.5 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2013 Chevy Traverse problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine57 (35%)
- Electrical System53 (33%)
- Brakes48 (30%)
- Transmission & Powertrain28 (17%)
- Airbags27 (17%)
- Other19 (12%)
- Fuel System18 (11%)
- Steering18 (11%)
- Seat Belts4 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden stalling with radio failure and flickering gauges, in one case while swerving to avoid an animal.
- Some describe the vehicle unexpectedly losing power with stabilitrak and traction control warnings before rapidly decelerating from highway speed, leading to a rear-end collision.
- Traction control activating on its own caused abrupt speed loss from 60 mph to 15-20 mph, resulting in loss of control and a crash into a roadside barrier.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a broadside collision despite visible vehicle damage and whiplash injuries.
- Owners mention the airbag warning light staying on despite repeated dealer visits, followed by non-deployment during an actual crash.
- One driver reported the engine suddenly revving and the car surging forward while braking, pushing into a building with no warning lights active.
2013 Chevrolet Traverse recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V782000Oct 7, 2021Airbags555 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.
- NHTSA 21V246000Apr 8, 2021Airbags108 vehicles
Air bags:critical fasteners
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Risk: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
- NHTSA 14V266000May 20, 2014Seat Belts1,339,355 vehicles
Seat belts
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Risk: If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.
2013 Chevrolet Traverse fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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 Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?
- Among Traverse model years, 2013 has the lowest complaint index (0) and ranks 17th out of 17, earning a Best verdict relative to other years of the same model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Engine issues as the top problem area (57 complaints, 35% share), followed by Electrical System (53 complaints, 33%) and Brakes (48 complaints, 30%).
- Does the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2013 Traverse, covering airbag inflators, side curtain airbag attachment, seat belt pretensioners, and a wiring harness issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2013 Traverse compare to other years like 2010 or 2021?
- The 2010 Traverse has a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, while the 2021 Traverse has a complaint index of 6 with a Best verdict; the 2013 model, at an index of 0, ranks even lower in complaints than both.