How the 2013 compares
One of the better Traverse years
Owners filed about 51% fewer complaints than a typical Traverse year. The area owners reported most is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 89,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Traverse years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 162 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (53, 33% of complaints), followed by the brakes and stability control and the engine and cooling. That ranks 9th of 13 Traverse years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 4 recalls.
Complaints162filed with NHTSA
Recalls4for this model year
Crashes76 injuries reported
Fires2reported in complaints
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse before you buy.
Electrical system
53 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 89,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Car would intermittently have reduced engine power, traction control off, service stabilitrak warning. The car would go into limp mode but drivable enough to get safely off the road. The last time it happened all the same warning lights came on but the engine completely died. The car drifted to a stop right out of a construction zone but…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 70,000 miles
Check engine light came on while driving. Drove fine. P1682 code ignition 1 switch relay 2. Relays in fuse box looked fine. Code went away. Following morning the light comes on along with other warnings including test ice traction control, ABS etc. And vehicle dramatically goes into limp mode reduced engine power. Luckily my wife had…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 69,300 miles
Brakes and stability control
48 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 73,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
June 2018 I took my traverse for regular oil change and was told I needed brakes. Si wasn't experiencing a problem with them but I agreed to have them replaced as they are important part of the driving experience. Approximately 4 weeks after the new brakes were replaced a grinding noise began when I applied the brakes coming to a stop. I…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 50,705 miles
I countinue to have issues with the vehicle with the check engine light coming on and service stabilitrak and then reduced engine power. This error come up multiples time a week it is very dangerous as the vehicle loses engine power as a result of this issue resulting in reduced speeds etc. The vehicle has been to the dealer and they…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 55,000 miles
Engine and cooling
46 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 89,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
Driving at high speed when "traction control light off" indicator came on, then vehicle started to reduce speed, "engine light indicator power off". Vehicle shut off and would not start.Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 chevrolet traverse. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated with engine power reduced message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle loss power steering assist and braking functionality. The vehicle also loss engine power. The vehicle was taken to an…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 101,000 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
28 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 90,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 25-35 MPH, the vehicle jolted and shuddered upon depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred while accelerating in 2nd and 3rd gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 170,000 miles
the transmission is not working properly and needs to be replaced. It is a known issue, but GM will not address it. It is a wave plate in the transmission which failed.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Air bags
27 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
Service Air Bag light is on and won’t go off. Car was never in an accident or anything done for this light to be on so I’m a bit confused. Car has been inspected and looked over only issue is the service air bag light on the dash which came on after my battery completely died in my car. I bought a new battery car still drives normal and…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while she has a passenger with her, she stated her passenger air bag light goes on and off but most of the times states the airbag is off although someone is on the seat, as well as waring on the instrumental panel, that states service air bag. The vehicle was seen by a…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 175,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
19 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 88,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
Randomly without warning my traverse will completely loose power. It does this while driving at any speed, and also while idling in park.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 120,000 miles
Vehicle dies while driving in traffic. Has done this since I bought it. Very unsafe. I have had my car since march 2022. While driving it says engine power reduced, traction control, stabli track, and loses power and I have to try to safely make sure I get it off the road. After it dies it won't start. I have to get tow truck to bring it…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Fuel system
18 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was traveling on the interstate going 70mph and it felt like my chevy traverse lost power with no other symptoms or sounds prior to this happening. All maintenance was up to date. The car was officially in "limp mode" with only being able to travel at 20-30 MPH on a busy interstate. Reduced power, service stabilitrak, service traction…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 86,400 miles
The fuel gauge started fluctuating at first after going from drive to park. The fuel gauge reading would be off anywhere from 1/8 to 1/4 of a tank. The first problems were the gauge undercompensating for the actual fuel in the tank, then overcompensating, now it goes back and forth. Now the problem is no longer limited to when the car is…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 33,000 miles
Steering
18 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 71,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Steering gave out my mechanic put on new pump took it out for a test drive and it still didn’t correct it . Put another pump on same thing . He doesn’t know what to do it is a programming problem the 2013 traverse is having from all the research I have done . From what I read very dangerous problemOwner complaint, filed 2021
I have a 2013 traverse with this same problem it has done this a few times now without any warning at all, the latest was today when I was pulling out of my local gas station in to on coming traffic the steering just quit had a hell of a time trying to keep my car into my lane. My suv is in perfect condition I take good care of it. Has…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 71,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
5 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
2013 chevrolet traverse. Consumer writes in regards to drivers side seat belt safety recall. The consumer requested that the airbags and safety belt be repaired under warranty.Owner complaint, filed 2021
Takata recall- on the passenger side of my suv the seat belt does not stay in sometimes after it clicks. Some times it does not work at all.Owner complaint, filed 2019
Driver assist systems
4 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Rain Water is getting into the door connectors and caused some pins on passenger side to corrode. All audio in vehicle has stopped including turn signals, pack up sensor audio, and radio ect. GM/Chevy knows about this and is quite common reading in a lot of forums but GM has done nothing about it. This is a safety hazard.Owner complaint, filed 2024
General Motors is not notifying GM vehicle owners of electrical defect malfunctions that has been on-going for a number of years; leaving vehicle owners with alarming operational occurrences and unexpected repair expenses. While driving our 2013 Chevrolet Traverse fall 2021, we experienced the passenger airbag light coming on and staying…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Lights, wipers and visibility
4 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
Front wipers don't work we have changed fuses that didn't work this was found out as we were going to drive and have tried everything to no goodOwner complaint, filed 2018, at 50,000 miles
I was driving on the highway when I heard what sounded like an explosion and it turns out my sunroof exploded. It shattered into hundreds of little pieces but luckily it did not fall through.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 82,000 miles
Suspension
2 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
There was a recall on the airbag on my vehicle a while back. I took my car to the dealer to have it serviced. They fixed it supposedly but periodically when I start the the car the airbag light would take a while to go out, like a delay. Reported to dealer now airbag light is on continuously and dealer says it's no longer under warranty…Owner complaint, filed 2023
In snow of almost any depth, the vehicle will shake violently on acceleration from 35 MPH up. The transmission will not accelerate and feels like its bogging down. It will stay like this for sometime hours then it will cease. Fender wells are clear of debris. The problem is it will do this sometimes at will on the roadway where I have…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 1,500 miles
Body, doors and structure
2 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
On oct 25 of last year we were involved in a accident where we hit a car broadsided doing about 30 MPH causing considerable damage to our car, both my wife and myself had terrible whiplashes. And I believe that some of our pain could have been prevented if the air bags would have deployed which they did not do. We were on 4 lane divided…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 35,000 miles
Recall was performed, but the part was replaced with a non color matching interior black hose over the cable. This hose, which is not protected, will get brittle and crack over time to expose the cables, which will cause the cable to rust. Also, children will be able to play with it causing damage. Pets will be able to chew, scratch or…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 2,447 miles
Wheels and tires
2 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 chevrolet traverse equipped with goodyear fortera hl tires, size: p255/r265/18 (na). While driving approximately 70 MPH, the front driver side tire exploded without warning. Once the vehicle was stopped, the contact noticed that the tread was detached from the tire. The tire was replaced with another tire. The…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 32,000 miles
I have a 2013 chevy traverse that has massive cracking around the whole tire both on the inside 1st rib and the outside rib, I found cracks running across the wear indicators, I notified the dealership who after finding a recall (the recall was for years nov 14 to jan 15) agreed the description given by goodyear for these tires…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 22,000 miles
Chevrolet Traverse complaints by year
Compare the 2013 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2013 midsize SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Chevrolet Traverse | One of the better years | 4 |
| 2013 Toyota Highlander | About average | 3 |
| 2013 Honda Pilot | One of the better years | 6 |
| 2013 Ford Explorer | Worse than most years | 12 |
2013 Chevrolet Traverse recalls
This is every recall issued for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.
Air bags
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags Critical fasteners
- Risk
- Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Seat belts
- 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.
- Fix
- General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags
- 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.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
2013 Chevrolet Traverse questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
The most reported problem areas on the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse are the electrical system (53 complaints), the brakes and stability control (48 complaints) and the engine and cooling (46 complaints).
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse a good year to buy?
One of the better Traverse years. Owners filed about 51% fewer complaints than a typical Traverse year. The area owners reported most is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 89,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Traverse years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. The most recent, from Oct 2021, covers the air bags. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Traverse problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 89,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 73,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Chevrolet Traverse years should I avoid?
The Traverse years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2014. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2013 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model