repaired · 2023 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
2013 Chevrolet TraverseProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 162 owner complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-246 the manufacturer reports only 40% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 20, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse has problems
162 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
53Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
45Engine2 crash/fire/injury
43Electronic stability control (ESC)3 crash/fire/injury
28Power train4 crash/fire/injury
27Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
19Vehicle speed control1 crash/fire/injury
18Fuel/propulsion system2 crash/fire/injury
18Steering1 crash/fire/injury
5Service brakes
2214 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 53 | 3 |
| Engine | 45 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 43 | 3 |
| Power train | 28 | 4 |
| Air bags | 27 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 19 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 18 | 2 |
| Steering | 18 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 |
| 14 other systems | 22 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2013 Chevrolet Traverse recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Air bags: critical fasteners
Risk. Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2015 Q4
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.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Air bags: side/window
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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
89kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 40 electrical system complaints. 60% were reported before 100,000 miles.
6under 30k miles24under 100k miles16100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2013 vs. every other Traverse year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Traverse median. How we score
'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2013 Chevrolet Traverse safety ratings
2013 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (15.5% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, and the recalls they led to.
- Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable FailureLed to recall 21V-245
- Seat Belt Anchor Cable FailureNo recall
In owners' words
What Traverse owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Service Traction Control, Traction Control Off/On/Off, Service All Wheel Drive display on dash. Check Engine Light on at times, When starting vehicle Service All Wheel Drive displays immediately. Codes come up as fuel pressure high, fuel pressure low, no communication with BCM. Driving from a stop…
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.…
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…
Own a 2013 Traverse?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.