This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Traverse powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse have filed 24 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 90,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Traverse | 46 |
| 2010 Traverse | 52 |
| 2011 Traverse | 70 |
| 2012 Traverse | 43 |
| 2013 Traverse (this page) | 24 |
| 2014 Traverse | 35 |
| 2015 Traverse | 20 |
| 2016 Traverse | 33 |
| 2017 Traverse | 17 |
1crash
2fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 24 powertrain complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and information on Submission of Warranty Transaction in Global Warranty Management.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Twenty-four owners report a consistent, dangerous failure pattern: vehicles lose engine power without warning during highway driving, dropping from 55–75 mph to 5–25 mph while stability control, traction control, and check engine lights activate. The vehicle either enters limp mode or cuts off entirely, robbing drivers of power steering and brake assist. Several owners narrowly avoided rear-end collisions. The problem clears after turning the engine off and restarting, making it nearly impossible for dealerships to diagnose; many owners were told "nothing is wrong" despite repeated failures.
Owners cite transmission control module (TCM) and body control module (BCM) communication errors as suspected causes. One experienced mechanic stated the car "does the weirdest stuff"—all electrical. Owners report alternators failing, including one that smoked and had to be replaced twice in four months. Voltage gauges jump erratically, and under-hood fuse boxes are suspected of causing cascading faults.
Separate complaints describe transmission slipping during acceleration, wave plate failure with internal metal debris, hard jerking shifts, and rough idle that stalls. One owner found the transmission rolling backward while parked in park (a 2014 recall applies, though the 2013 was not recalled despite identical symptoms). Multiple owners spent significant time and money chasing phantom codes and dealer diagnostics that led nowhere.
Same Chevrolet Traverse powertrain reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden loss of power / limp mode activation
Vehicle loses engine power and enters limp mode during highway driving, with speed reduction from 55-75 mph to 5-25 mph. Stability control, traction control, and check engine lights illuminate. Some vehicles cut off completely, losing power steering and brake assist. Problem often clears after turning vehicle off and restarting.
When: Varies; some at 60k-126k miles; some early in ownership within 90 days
Symptoms owners cite: Engine power loss at highway speed; Sudden reduction from 55-75 mph to 5-25 mph; StabiliTrak and traction control warnings; Check engine light; Hard transmission shifting/jerking; Vehicle enters limp mode; Loss of power steering and brake assist in severe cases; Entire electrical system goes black in some cases
Codes mentioned: P0107, P0700, P182E, C0561, P0174, P0171, TCM codes (transmission control module), BCM communication codes
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacing alternator twice in 4 months in one case; dealerships often cannot recreate problem or find fault; one owner was quoted $3000 for transmission replacement but mechanic diagnosed electrical issue instead. Multiple owners report fuse box shorts and electrical grounding issues.
Transmission slipping and hard shifting
Transmission exhibits slipping, jerking, and abrupt shifts from lower to higher gears. Slipping occurs during acceleration and gear changes; problem improves after vehicle restart. Some cases involve wave plate failure with metal debris inside transmission.
When: Varies; some at 40k-170k miles; some early in ownership within weeks of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slipping during acceleration; Hard jerking shifts between 2nd-3rd and 5th-6th gears; Vehicle shaking/vibrating on acceleration; Difficulty accelerating past 10 mph; Surging transmission; Problem clears after vehicle restart; Transmission overheating on long drives
Codes mentioned: P0700, Transmission diagnostic codes (not always present)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced wave plate, pistons, seals, and gears (3, 5, and reverse) in one case; found metal debris inside transmission. Torque converter replacement documented in at least one case. One owner unable to get dealer to diagnose during warranty period due to inability to recreate.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB Numbers 13120 and 18-NA-358 cited by one owner
Rough idle and stalling
Vehicle idles roughly or stalls while stopped or during gear transitions. RPM gauge fluctuates; battery charging system warning light comes on intermittently. Problem persists across warm and cold weather.
When: Varies; early in ownership and throughout vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle; Vehicle stalls while idling; RPM and battery gauge fluctuate while driving; Engine sounds harsh; Vehicle reduces speed on its own; Stalling during gear changes
Codes mentioned: P0174, P0171, Check engine light (intermittent)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership cleaned air flow sensor; problem recurred. No permanent repair documented. Owners suspect fuse box or electrical grounding issues based on online research.
Alternator failure
Alternator fails, with one owner replacing it twice in 4 months. Voltage gauge jumps erratically between 12V and 16V. In one case, alternator began smoking.
When: Within 4 months in one documented case
Symptoms owners cite: Alternator smoking; Voltage gauge fluctuating 12V to 16V; Battery charging system light on; Alternator failure requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replaced twice in one case within 4 months; estimated cost not provided
Transmission park engagement failure
Vehicle rolls backward while parked in park position with engine off. Dealer found intermittent binding in park pawl linkage and adjusted shifter cable; later replaced park pawl and related components.
When: Not specified; same year vehicle was redesigned
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward while in park; Engine off, keys removed from ignition; Intermittent park pawl binding
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced park pawl, compartments, and link arm with spring
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall found on 2014 Chevrolet Traverse matching the same failure description; 2013 model year not recalled despite similar issue
Fuel system / sensor issues
High-pressure fuel pump and sensor faults reported; map sensor failure documented. Fault codes routed incorrectly to stability control system, causing false warnings and power reduction.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: High-pressure fuel pump malfunction; Check engine light; Service stability control warning; Engine power reduced warning; Purge valve failure; Map sensor failure
Codes mentioned: P0107, High pressure fuel pump codes, Fuel pressure high/low codes
Repairs/costs cited: Purge valve canister replaced by owner; provided temporary relief before problem recurred
Fuse box electrical faults
Under-hood fuse box shorts, causing cascading electrical and powertrain issues. Bad contacts in fuse box suspected as root cause of multiple fault codes and warning lights.
When: Multiple episodes throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple electrical system warnings; Check engine light; Stability control warnings; Traction control warnings; Power loss; Rough idle
Codes mentioned: Multiple codes (varies based on which circuits affected)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner identifies bad contact in fuse box as likely cause after researching forums; no authorized dealer repair documented
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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 dont get hit first.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a meaningful issue. 24 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 46,000 and 107,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,000; a quarter make it past 107,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.