VehicleVerdict

2013 Chevrolet Traverse problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse sits mid-pack among Traverse years: 295 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 399, with 4 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 98 reports (33% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

295

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Traverse years?

See all Traverse years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Traverse problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System9833%
Engine4616%
Transmission289%
Airbags269%
Speed Control196%
Fuel System186%
Other186%
Steering186%
Brakes52%
Seat Belts41%
Driver Assistance41%
Body & Structure21%
Suspension21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Lighting21%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seats10%

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?

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

21V782000AirbagsOctober 7, 2021 · 555 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

21V246000AirbagsApril 8, 2021 · 108 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

14V266000Seat BeltsMay 20, 2014 · 1,339,355 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

14V118000AirbagsMarch 17, 2014 · 1,176,407 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE HEADLIGHT BULB BURNT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SERIOUS THEN IT WAS IF I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN WARNED BY A PASSING MOTORIST.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 16, 2018 · fire

I was parking in front of a restaurant- my foot was on the brake and as I came to a stop the engine revved up and the car surged forwarded about 5 feet - The car pushed a pole and blew out the front door and the door frame- all this time my foot was on the brake. If someone was walking in to the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 7, 2023 · crash

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE HEADLIGHT BULB BURNT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SERIOUS THEN IT WAS IF I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN WARNED BY A PASSING MOTORIST.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 16, 2018 · fire

HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN DEALER TO FIX AIR BAG LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES AND IT IS STILL ON. MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE AIRBAGS SHOULD OF DEPLOYED AND DIDN'T. LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT INJURED.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 18, 2017 · crash

TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURNED ON AND CAR SPEED DECREASED FROM 55 TO 20 ON WET FREEWAY, CAR SKID INTO SIDE RAIL. TURNED CAR OFF THEN BACK ON TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT OFF AND ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY. CHEVROLET REPAIR SHOP WAS NOT ABLE TO DETECT PROBLEM SINCE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS OFF (ACTUAL DATE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 20, 2016 · crash

2013 Chevrolet Traverse — common questions

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 295 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Traverse year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2013 Traverse problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (98 complaints), engine (46 complaints), transmission (28 complaints).

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Traverse years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Traverse years to avoid are 2011, 2010, 2014, 2018. The cleanest record among Traverse years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.