Most common 2013 Chevrolet Traverse problems
Share of the 162 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Traverse complaints by model year
Best Traverse years: 2013, 2021, 2020. Years to avoid: 2025, 2024, 2011, 2023, 2010. Compare all years →
2013 Chevrolet Traverse recalls (4)
Air bags › Frontal
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022.
Air bags › Critical fasteners
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021.
Seat belts
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles…
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available.
Air bags › Side/window
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. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and…
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse:
Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
On May 19, 2014, General Motors LLC (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct Safety Recall 14V266 to address fatigue and separation of the flexible steel cable that connects the front outboard seat belts to the seat-mounted belt pre-tensioner in 1.4 million model year (MY) 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook, 2009-2014 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse (Lambda Platform)…
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
On August 31, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) EA20002, as an upgrade of Recall Query (RQ) RQ19003. This investigation, related to recall 14V-266, was opened to investigate instances of detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor cable attached to the outboard side of the front seats in vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM).
What 2013 Chevrolet Traverse owners say
Electrical system all 53 →
It happened several times already and couple of times was so dangerous, I had 4 kids in my car. When I drive from Salem, OR to Portland, OR, in the middle of a highway, my car suddenly doesn't drive. On the dashboard signs are traction controll and stability track or something. Please help me. When it happens, car doesn't drive and stops on freeway. It's so dangerous.
My 2013 Chevy Traverse LT began Very ruff Idling, Battery Charging system, Traction control, Stabilitytrak, and Check engine lights would come on. Smoke coming from engine area. Had Vehicle towed to dealer. The same day I got it back had the same problem. The truck cuts off while driving down the street almost creating multiple accidents. The first time this happened, I was on the expressway driving about 60 MPH when the traction control light came on, the truck reduced power and completely cut off while driving. An 18 wheeler truck that had slam on breaks to keep from rear ending me. This most recent time this issue came about, While driving on a city street, suddenly the truck did the ruff idol and cut off while driving. I was almost hit by an 18 wheeler again. Thank god these 18 wheeler truck drivers had the skills to make it around me. I am so scared to drive the truck. …
Engine & cooling all 46 →
I was parking in front of a restaurant- my foot was on the brake and as I came to a stop the engine revved up and the car surged forwarded about 5 feet - The car pushed a pole and blew out the front door and the door frame- all this time my foot was on the brake. If someone was walking in to the restaurant they surly would have been killed. NO warning lamps or lights-I have not taken it to the dealer yet the body shop still has it. There was no police report the accident was on private property. If the dealer gives me the runaround I'll get rid of this car.
It happened several times already and couple of times was so dangerous, I had 4 kids in my car. When I drive from Salem, OR to Portland, OR, in the middle of a highway, my car suddenly doesn't drive. On the dashboard signs are traction controll and stability track or something. Please help me. When it happens, car doesn't drive and stops on freeway. It's so dangerous.
Stability & traction control all 44 →
While driving on freeway traction control off light came on the engine speed reduced came on and car immediately went from 60 MPH to 15-20 causing me to spin out and lose control on freeway and eventually slammed into side of road, (managed to drive home going about 15 MPH at 1:00 in the morning)bending my axle and the next day on the news it was reported cars with OnStar were hacked. Next morning no light was on in the car and able to drive with bent axle. Repairs completed and my insurance rates were increased. One year later light came on again traction control off then engine speed reduced and car went from 40 to 15 (luckily I just got off freeway going to work) on surface street and managed to make it to work. Called Chevrolet dealer and was told many different things. …
While driving this 2013 Traverse, it lost all power with the stabilink and traction control warning lights being activated in the message center. Then the 2013 Traverse lost power with the check engine light illuminating, when this occurred the Traverse immediately slowed from 55 MPH to 15 MPH causing a rear end collision. All my online research in different forums displays numerous others incidents of this same stabilink/traction control issue. It does not appear to be a safe design and a recall should be announced before someone is seriously injured.
2013 Chevrolet Traverse engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse a good car?
Based on 162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Traverse rates better than average: 58% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Traverse at the same age. It is one of the best Traverse years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
The electrical system — 53 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (46) and stability & traction control (44).
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, the most recent from October 7, 2021 (frontal). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Traverse?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2021 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025, 2024, 2011, 2023 and 2010. See the full Chevrolet Traverse years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Traverse problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 71,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.