VehicleVerdict

2013 Chevrolet Express problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 31 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median Express year — the 2013 model ranks #8 of 32 Express years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (7), engine (7), and brakes (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

31

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Express years?

See all Express years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Express problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System723%
Engine723%
Brakes619%
Fuel System413%
Airbags26%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Seat Belts13%
Speed Control13%
Tires & Wheels13%
Transmission13%

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Express have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V267000OtherApril 26, 2018 · 6,154 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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.

13V544000OtherOctober 30, 2015 · 1,808 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

14V500000Fuel SystemAugust 13, 2014 · 3,345 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

14V117000AirbagsMarch 17, 2014 · 303,013 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2014 with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and less and equipped with front passenger air bags. In the affected vehicles, during a frontal impact below the air bag deployment threshold, if an unbelted front passenger's head hits the instrument panel above where the passenger air bag is located, the panel may not sufficiently absorb the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."

Consequence

In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the passenger instrument panel free of charge. Notices to the owners of the heavy duty vans were mailed on April 28, 2014. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14082.

13V225000Fuel SystemMay 15, 2013 · 1,791 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) and IMPCO Automotive Division of IMPCO Technologies, Inc. (IMPCO) are recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Cargo vans that have a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system installed as original equipment by IMPCO. The fuel systems, manufactured February 14, 2011, through February 20, 2013, have a fuel shut-off solenoid connector to the CNG tank that may corrode and form a short.

Consequence

A short at the connector may cause overheating, resulting in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners and GM dealers/fleets will perform the remedy which will include replacing the solenoid assemblies and fuel pump fuses and adjusting the wiring routing. The recall began on August 5, 2013. GM's number for this recall is 13139. Impco's number for this recall is FA13GM001. Owner's may contact GM Fleet Action Center at 1-800-353-3867.

13V147000SeatsApril 17, 2013 · 885 units

Defect

Explorer Van Company, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer and Explorer Limited SE vehicles built on GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express chassis, manufactured August 1, 2012, through April 9, 2013. The wiring harness that powers the seat adjuster and the seat heating circuit may not be properly secured. As a result, the harness may become lodged in the seat riser mechanism.

Consequence

If the wires become lodged in the seat riser mechanism, they may become severed and potentially short circuit. A short circuit may result in a fire.

Remedy

Explorer Van Company will notify owners, and dealers will secure the seat wiring harness. Any damaged seat wiring harnesses will be replaced. These services will be completed free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2013. Customers may contact Explorer Van Company at 1-800-926-7878. Explorer's number for this campaign is 2013-1.

13V010000Electrical SystemJanuary 14, 2013 · 980 units

Defect

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Express vehicles manufactured November 1, 2012, through December 21, 2012; and model year 2013 GMC Savana vehicles, manufactured November 14, 2012, through November 20, 2012. It may be possible to remove the key from the ignition when the vehicle is running or the transmission is not in the Park position. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection."

Consequence

If the ignition key is removed while the vehicle is still on and/or the vehicle is not in Park, the vehicle may rollaway and the unintended movement of the vehicle may result in a possible crash or injury to pedestrians.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition lock cylinder and the two associated keys. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on February 8, 2013. For more information, GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463 and Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT THAT RANDOMLY FLASHED, INDICATING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED MORE THAN ONCE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO A DEALER, BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS TO PROVIDE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 10, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT THAT RANDOMLY FLASHED, INDICATING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED MORE THAN ONCE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO A DEALER, BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS TO PROVIDE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 10, 2016

BRAKES DO NOT RELEASE AFTER SUDDEN STOP, THREE TIMES, ON HIGHWAY 95. STEERING WHEEL STARTED TREMBLING SLOWLY FOR 10 MILES AND THEN VIOLENTLY, THEN BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD. PASSENGER SIDE STARTED SMOKING, ON 8 SOUTH IN CT 4/9/2020. MANAGED TO STOP VAN ON SOFT SHOULDER. THIS BRAKE SYSTEM IS VERY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 9, 2020

V=INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER WHO "CORRECTS" THE PROBLEMS. LESS THAN A 1000 MILES LATER, PROBLEM REOCCURS. VEHICLE WILL BE TRAVELLING WHEN CHECK ENGINE & DEF INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON. MESSAGE ON ODOMETER READS "EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY POOR" ... XX MILES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING 43 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, THE SHOULDER OF THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT'S BODY TO BE JERKED AROUND IN THE SEAT. THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT FRACTURED. A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 11, 2016 · crash

2013 Chevrolet Express — common questions

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Express reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 31 complaints put the 2013 model at #8 of 32 Express years. It is one of the Express years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Express problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (7 complaints), engine (7 complaints), brakes (6 complaints).

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Express have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Chevrolet Express. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Express years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Express years to avoid are 2000, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2001, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2017, 2015. The cleanest record among Express years belongs to 2026.

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.