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ProblemsByVinFile / 2013-CHEVROLET-TRAVERSENHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Chevrolet
2013 Chevrolet Traverse problems
The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse has 161 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse has 161 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 39 complaints, typically surfacing around 81,721 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 39 owner reports
· tends to show around 81,721 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 24 owner reports
· tends to show around 79,661 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
airbags — 19 owner reports
· tends to show around 74,155 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
steering — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 75,988 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 79,661 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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.
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 should I check before buying a used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 39 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,721 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 161 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 81,721 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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 4 days 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.
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