2013 Chevrolet Traverse Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 27 airbag complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, 17% of that year's 162 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 80,250 miles. One crash was linked to airbag issues, and three recalls cover wiring, side curtain attachment, and inflator defects.
- Airbags complaints
- 27
- 17% of 162
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 80,250 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Owners describe the 'Service Air Bag' warning light turning on and off intermittently, sometimes for days or months at a time, often starting when the vehicle is first started cold.
- Some owners report the wire harness under the driver or passenger side was replaced or welded by a dealer to address the warning light, only for the same issue to recur months later.
- One owner reported an accident in which the airbags did not deploy despite the airbag warning light having been serviced multiple times beforehand.
- Owners report the passenger airbag sensor activating or the airbag light illuminating when only a light object, such as a backpack or laptop, is placed on the passenger seat.
- Some owners note that after dealer service, the passenger seat occupant sensor bell rings continuously even when the seat is empty, alongside a persistent airbag warning light.
- Several owners state their VIN was not covered under the existing NHTSA recall campaigns despite experiencing the same airbag warning light symptoms.
When 2013 Chevrolet Traverse airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 13, 2014, latest Aug 20, 2026.
Airbags recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse
- 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 14V118000Mar 17, 2014Airbags1,176,407 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.
Airbags complaints by Traverse model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
- NHTSA lists 27 airbag-related complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, which is 17% of the 162 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall related to airbags on the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
- Yes. Three recalls apply: campaign 14V118000 for wiring harness resistance affecting airbag deployment, campaign 21V246000 for improperly attached side curtain airbags, and campaign 21V782000 for a driver airbag inflator that may explode during deployment.
- At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up on the 2013 Traverse?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 80,250 miles at the time airbag-related failures were reported.
- Did the 2013 Traverse's airbag issues cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA records one crash linked to airbag complaints for the 2013 Traverse and no fires or injuries.
- What is the most common airbag complaint on the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
- The most common pattern is an intermittent 'Service Air Bag' warning light, frequently tied to wiring harness problems that dealers have repaired and replaced, sometimes more than once.