VehicleVerdict

2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 is among the quieter years of the Avalanche 1500 on NHTSA's books: 38 complaints (32% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations.

Other leads the complaint categories with 11 reports (29% of the total).

38

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Avalanche 1500 years?

Avalanche 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted213 complaints2002: 185 complaints2003: 213 complaints2004: 175 complaints2005: 153 complaints2006: 63 complaints2007: 142 complaints2008: 49 complaints2009: 27 complaints2010: 7 complaints2011: 43 complaints2012: 20 complaints2013: 38 complaints
Avalanche 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalanche 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other1129%
Body & Structure821%
Airbags616%
Electrical System38%
Lighting25%
Steering25%
Brakes13%
Suspension13%
Engine13%
Transmission13%
Fuel System13%
Speed Control13%

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V001000TransmissionJanuary 2, 2013 · 54,686 units

Defect

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.

Consequence

As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES NEAR THE AIRBAGS. I SEE ONLINE THIS IS VERY COMMON AND CHEVROLET DOESN'T SEEM TO BE VERY RECEPTIVE TO FIXING THIS SAFETY CONCERN. I BELIEVE THE CRACKS JUST HAPPENED OVERNIGHT SINCE I NOTICED THEM FIRST THING IN THE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 28, 2016

“THE DASHBOARD AT THE AIRBAG IS CRACKED. THIS WAS NOTICED UPON ENTERING THE CAR JULY 27, 2016. THIS WAS NOT THERE PRIOR AS THE DASH NOTICEABLY RATTLES AT THE SIGHT OF THE CRACK. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT CHEVROLET STATED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE SUN CAUSING THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD TO DISINTEGRATE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 27, 2016

“A VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND I T-BONED THE OTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH. MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 19, 2015 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE SUSPENSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LOST ELECTRICAL POWER, WHICH INCLUDED THE AIR COMPRESSORS, POWER LOCKS, POWER WINDOWS, AND POWER SEATS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 1, 2015

2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 — common questions

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 38 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Avalanche 1500 year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2013 Avalanche 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (11 complaints), body & structure (8 complaints), airbags (6 complaints).

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Avalanche 1500 years to avoid are 2003, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007. The cleanest record among Avalanche 1500 years belongs to 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.