ProblemsByVin File / 2013-CHEVROLET-TRAVERSE NHTSA data synced 7 hours ago

2013 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Traverse problems

161 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

Reliability score

7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

Critical

Severe

Moderate

Should you avoid this 2013 Traverse?

Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
1 recall campaign on file

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical

39 reports · fails ~81,721 mi · avg $850

moderate

powertrain

24 reports · fails ~79,661 mi · avg $2,500

severe

airbags

19 reports · fails ~74,155 mi · avg $1,100

severe

steering

18 reports · fails ~75,988 mi · avg $700

severe

engine

15 reports · fails ~79,039 mi · avg $3,100

severe

cruise control

8 reports · fails ~87,000 mi · avg $600

Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.

Generated from this 2013 Traverse's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.

See the checklist ->

Honest Calculator

Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2013 Traverse?

We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.

See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 Traverse · powertrain

It has a 2nd and 3rd shift slip everyone and the but sometimes it does it so bad pulling in to traffic can be dangerous you think its going and getting up to speed but then it try's to shift and nope have to let all the way out of the gas to go in to gear then your good if you…

12/31/2019 · at 80,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11292363.0 · see powertrain pattern →

2013 Traverse · engine

I was driving my car it was making noises, I too it to autozone to get a free diagnostic check. It was reading that my timing was off. I went back home parked the car 2 days later called the dealership in which it was purchased to have them pick it up and run a diagnostic on it,…

12/29/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11057459.0 · see engine pattern →

2013 Traverse · electrical

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that there were various electrical shorts pertaining to the low beam lights, the interior lighting, and the gauges on the instrument panel. The dealer was notified of the failures several times, but was unable to…

12/29/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10938522.0 · see electrical pattern →

2013 Traverse · steering

While driving about 65 MPH on us-59 in my 2013 Chevrolet traverse ltz , the instrument panel lit up like a christmas tree, followed by a rapid, un-controlled deceleration, loss of power, and loss of steering. This was while driving on a straight road, and no surface impediments…

12/28/2015 · at 59,134 mi · NHTSA ODI #10816407.0 · see steering pattern →

View all 161 owner complaints →

Had a problem with your 2013 Chevrolet Traverse? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi

At 80,000 miles

Likely repair cost in next 24 months

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 14V118000 March 17, 2014

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

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?

The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 39 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,721 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 81,721 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Traverse has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 161 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Chevrolet/Traverse. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.

Chevrolet Traverse problems

Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

Estimate your repair exposure

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

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

Common questions

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