This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Traverse electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse have filed 39 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 80,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Traverse | 25 |
| 2010 Traverse | 50 |
| 2011 Traverse | 48 |
| 2012 Traverse | 30 |
| 2013 Traverse (this page) | 39 |
| 2014 Traverse | 103 |
| 2015 Traverse | 25 |
| 2016 Traverse | 21 |
| 2017 Traverse | 19 |
When does it fail?
Of the 39 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 39 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Electrical accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2013 Chevrolet Traverses describe widespread electrical gremlins that range from dangerous to annoying. The most serious complaint: engine power loss or complete stalling at highway speeds (25–70 mph), accompanied by dashboard warnings for reduced engine power, service traction control, and stability-control failures. Many vehicles enter limp mode or die outright and won't restart; some require towing. Power steering cuts out during these events, creating obvious crash risk. Codes appear briefly then vanish, making dealer diagnosis nearly impossible—shops have scratched their heads repeatedly and charged owners $400–$1,540 for parts (battery, ECM, fuse blocks, wiring harnesses) that often fail to resolve the problem permanently.
Dealers point to corroded fuse blocks and water intrusion into the fuse box, often from AC-vent condensation pooling above it. Some owners report rainwater entering door connectors, causing audio-system failure. One owner's vehicle wouldn't shut off after AC use in rain, requiring battery-cable disconnection. A few narratives mention ignition-switch failure identical to GM recalls on millions of other vehicles—yet this model wasn't recalled.
Secondary complaints include airbag-light nuisance (passenger-seat clip disconnects repeatedly despite repair), battery drain requiring replacement every three months, alternator output falling below 14V, radio freezing or switching channels on its own, and door locks cycling without input. One owner noted rear climate-control buttons running dangerously hot during normal use. Dealers often offer no lasting fix, and GM has acknowledged some issues but issued no recalls.
Same Chevrolet Traverse electrical reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Reduced Engine Power / Complete Stalling with Warning Lights
Engine loses power or shuts off entirely while driving at highway or city speeds. Dashboard displays 'Engine Power Is Reduced,' 'Service Traction Control,' 'Service Stabilitrak,' and 'Traction Control Off' warnings. Vehicle enters limp mode (severe speed reduction) or becomes unresponsive. Restarting may require waiting minutes or hours, or the vehicle may not restart and requires towing. Steering power is lost during incidents. Problem is intermittent and unpredictable, with codes often disappearing before dealer diagnosis.
When: Occurs at speeds ranging 25–70 mph, both highway and city driving. Timing unpredictable; some owners report multiple instances over months, others report ongoing recurrence despite repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down or loses power without warning; Dashboard warnings: 'Engine Power Is Reduced,' 'Service Traction Control,' 'Service Stabilitrak,' 'Traction Control Off'; Vehicle shakes or vibrates; exhaust puffing sounds; Speed reduced to 10–40 mph in limp mode; Loss of power steering; Inability to restart immediately; sometimes must wait 10 minutes to hours; sometimes requires tow truck; Check engine light illuminates; Codes disappear when vehicle is brought to dealer, making diagnosis difficult
Codes mentioned: P1682 (Ignition 1 Switch Relay 2), Check engine light (codes unclear in most narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced: battery ($400), Engine Control Module (ECM), wiring harness, Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM), fuse block and terminal 51 (reported as $690–$1,540). Owner reports indicate replacements do not permanently resolve issue; recurrence reported days to months after repair. One owner cited mechanics consulted with GM mechanic who suspected ignition switch. Another owner noted replacement of ignition switch, ignition lock cylinder, and ignition key was solution on recalled GM vehicles, but this 2013 Traverse was not included in those recalls.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM memo cited for fuse block replacement solution. NHTSA Recall 14V614000 (Electrical System) mentioned for 2009–2014 Traverses, but many owners report their VINs were not included. GM stated awareness of water intrusion issue but provided no solution. Dealers unable to reproduce fault; some dealerships exhausted by repeat visits and offered no further action. Manufacturer suggested some owners file NHTSA complaints.
Electrical Short / Fuse Box Corrosion and Water Damage
Fuse box and electrical connections experience corrosion, burning, and water intrusion. AC vents positioned above fuse box allow condensation to flood the box, shorting safety circuits. Burnt wires found in wiring harnesses. Corrosion on fuse block terminal 51 impairs ignition and power distribution. In one case, vehicle was unable to turn off after using AC during rain, requiring battery cable removal to kill the engine.
When: Water intrusion occurs during rain or AC use, particularly when vehicle is in park. Corrosion develops over time. One owner reported issue at 76,000 miles; another reported fuse box/terminal corrosion at unspecified mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: AC vents flood fuse box with condensation; Key will not turn to shut off engine after AC use in rain; requires battery cable removal; Burnt or corroded wiring visible in fuse box; Multiple electrical system failures tied to fuse box condition; Clicking sounds from fuse box
Repairs/costs cited: Fuse block and terminal 51 replacement cited at $690–$1,273. One shop initially misdiagnosed as faulty fuse box (cost $135 diagnostic fee) despite owner knowing fuse box was not the issue. YouTube mechanics noted part needed cleaning or risk of fire, but could not perform work on financed vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM aware of water intrusion issue but stated no solution available. Recall 14V614000 partially addressed this for some 2009–2014 Traverses, but not all affected vehicles.
Service Airbag Light Intermittent / Passenger Seat Clip Disconnection
Service airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or continuously. Root cause identified as passenger-seat occupant-detection clip disconnecting when vacuum is used in car or seat is moved. After repair, clip disconnects again within weeks or months. One owner reports airbag light coming on and off like a bump is hit.
When: Occurs unpredictably after service or normal vehicle operation. One owner noted light came on after vacuuming interior. Another reported light toggling on and off for months after dealer repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light on dashboard illuminates; Light stays on continuously or cycles on and off; Light triggered by bumps or vibration while driving; Passenger-seat clip remains disconnected after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Simple clip reconnection at dealership, cost ~$70. Problem recurs within days to weeks. One owner had to return for repair three times within months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; dealership provided only temporary fix.
Battery Drain and Charging System Failure
Battery drains repeatedly when vehicle is parked. Battery requires replacement every 3 months. Alternator output drops below 14V, failing to properly charge battery. CD player and navigation system cycle constantly, draining power. In one case, complete electrical shutdown occurred on hot day, disabling AC and cell-phone charging.
When: Occurs when vehicle is off and parked. One incident reported during hot 100°F day.
Symptoms owners cite: Battery completely dead after sitting; Battery drains every 3 months; Alternator output drops below 14V; Service charging system warning comes on; CD player and navigation cycle continuously; Complete electrical shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator and battery replaced. Shop confirmed alternator was faulty.
Ignition Switch Failure
Ignition switch causes engine shutdown while driving and inability to restart vehicle. In one case, engine shut off at 70 mph and vehicle would not restart; after sitting idle 24 hours, vehicle started. Mechanics consulted with GM technician identified ignition switch as root cause. Vehicle does not have recall for this issue, though millions of other GM vehicles with same defect have been recalled.
When: Occurs while driving at highway speed (70 mph) or city speeds (35 mph). Recurrence every few days to weeks.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down without warning while driving; Vehicle will not restart immediately; After sitting idle 24+ hours, vehicle starts normally; Check engine codes appear then clear after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanics consulted with GM mechanic; consensus was ignition switch failure. No repair documented; similar issues on other GM vehicles resolved by replacing ignition switch, ignition lock cylinder, and ignition key.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2013 Traverse not included in ignition-switch recalls despite identical symptoms to recalled models.
Radio / Infotainment System Malfunction
Radio switches between CD and radio by itself. Infotainment system freezes or malfunctions. Radio was replaced by dealership but issues persist. Vehicle reprogrammed twice and radio replaced, yet problems continue. System randomly turns off and on without user input.
When: Intermittent and random; no pattern identified by owners.
Symptoms owners cite: Radio switches between CD and radio automatically; Infotainment system freezes; Radio turns off and on randomly
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced radio and reprogrammed vehicle twice. Owner provided video evidence to force dealer acknowledgment. Issues persist despite repairs.
Electrical Shorts: Door Connectors and Wiring
Rainwater enters door connectors causing corrosion on pins, particularly on passenger side. Audio systems fail, including radio, turn-signal audio, and backup-sensor audio. GM aware of issue but has not issued recall or fix.
When: Occurs after exposure to rain.
Symptoms owners cite: Water enters door connectors; Corroded pins on passenger-side connectors; Loss of all audio functions: radio, turn signals, backup sensor audio
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; described as safety hazard by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM aware issue is common but has taken no action.
Rear Seat Climate Control Overheating
Rear seat AC/heating module controls become extremely hot when headlights or rear unit is in use. Front dash controls do not get hot. Dealer checked wiring and found nothing wrong, then checked same unit in another Traverse and found it also runs hot, claiming this is normal design. Owner suspects improper gauge wiring or switches unable to handle electrical current, creating fire or burn-injury risk.
When: Occurs when headlights are on or rear unit is in use.
Symptoms owners cite: Rear seat climate control buttons get extremely hot; Front dash controls do not overheat; Heat occurs during normal headlight or rear-unit operation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer found no wiring issues; no repair performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed this is normal operating design after checking another Traverse with same behavior.
Door Lock / Unlock Malfunction
Doors lock and unlock automatically without user input.
When: Occurs unpredictably while driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Doors lock and unlock by themselves
Instrument Cluster Electrical Faults
Dash gauges fluctuate or dim unexpectedly. Electrical shorts affecting low-beam lights, interior lighting, and instrument-panel gauges. Check engine light and warning lights come on together.
When: Occurs while driving or at startup.
Symptoms owners cite: Dash gauges fluctuate; Dashboard lights dim and brighten; Electrical shorts in low-beam lights and interior lighting; All warning lights illuminate together
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to provide solution in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to provide remedy; owner waiting for manufacturer solution.
Starter Hard Start / Difficult Cranking
Vehicle is hard to start and sounds like it needs a jump start. Starter appears faulty. Problem gets worse over time, eventually killing battery.
When: Occurs at startup.
Symptoms owners cite: Hard to start; Sounds like battery is dead at startup; Problem worsens, eventually kills battery
Navigation Display Design Flaw
GPS navigation screen font is too small to read safely. White lettering on light-green background provides insufficient contrast. Screen location abnormally low on dashboard, forcing driver to look away from road for extended periods.
When: Present from vehicle start.
Symptoms owners cite: Font too small; Poor contrast (white on light green); Screen positioned low, blocking driver sightline
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated navigation system is operating as designed.
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 provide a solution. The manufacturer was notified. The contact was waiting for a remedy from the manufacturer to…
Air bag warning light was recalled and was supposed to be fixed. However, it began going on and off again and was fixed in june of 2017 at Chevy dealership. However, it is again turning off and on again. No accidents have occurred but I am afraid if there is one that the air bags will not deploy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 chevroet traverse. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the traction, engine, and service stabilitrak warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to george morre Chevrolet (10979 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, fl 32225) where it was…
The ignition switch has failed and my vehicle died while driving.
Had electrical trouble with your 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 39 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 31 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 60,000 and 111,680 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 111,680. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Chevrolet/Traverse.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.