2013 Chevrolet Traverse problems & reliability
161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, alongside 4 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
5 complaints report injuries (6 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2013 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles were involved in 25 fatal crashes with 12 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 53 | 33% |
| Engine | 45 | 28% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 43 | 27% |
| Power Train | 28 | 17% |
| Air Bags | 26 | 16% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 19 | 12% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 18 | 11% |
| Steering | 18 | 11% |
| Unknown OR Other | 18 | 11% |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 72,000 miles (middle 50% between 40,000 and 100,750 miles), based on 126 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Air Bags · filed May 18, 2026
“The "Service Airbag" light and notification comes up on the dash. This happened in the past as this vehicle was part of a recall NHTSA 14V118. The car was service for that recall already back on 3-18-2014 but the issue came back. This is dangerous because when that light is on, the airbags will not go off in the event…”
Air Bags · filed Aug 4, 2025
“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 the engine has to…”
Electrical System · filed Jul 11, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Engineering Analysis EA20002 · opened Aug 31, 2020 · closed Aug 30, 2024 · led to recall 21V245
- Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Recall Query RQ19003 · opened May 28, 2019 · closed Aug 31, 2020
Technical service bulletins
1,667 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. The 10 most recent:
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2026
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 9, 2026
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 9, 2026
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 8, 2026
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
PIT5214G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2025
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
13598 · Other · issued Sep 9, 2025
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902T · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 14, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 7, 2025
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902S · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 9, 2025
This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities.
25-NA-156 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 7, 2025
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 72,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.