Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Chevrolet Traverse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 25-35 MPH, the vehicle jolted and shuddered upon depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred while accelerating in 2nd and 3rd gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Numbers: 13120 and 18-NA-358. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
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. …
We were on a trip to Kansas from Wisconsin and the check engine light went on StabiliTrak warning came on. The vehicle then cut speed from 70 to 30 mph we had to ride the shoulder for 5 mi to the nearest truck stop to investigate issue we had to purchase an OBD tester and code 1682 came up. After doing reviews at the truck stop I clean the throttle body put it back together I also had to replace the purge valve canister which then got us another 10 mi down the road before the same code popped up. Got the car back home after it going off several more times nearly killing us multiple times on the interstate having to pull to the side of the shoulder to avoid traffic. Did more research only to find out that thousands of other people have had the same issue. …
While driving 65 to 70 mph on the freeway, vehicle suddenly shudders and dash state "engine reduce speed" and "service stabilitrak" and "service traction control". It has happen about twice a month 6 months back. Took it to the dealership, no code so they couldn't find the issue even though I should them multiple videos. Today the vehicle shut off while driving 65 mph this morning in the fast lane. Luckily my wife put the Emergency lights on and we wasn't hit from behind but cats did brake fast and almost hit us. So far vehicle has left me on the side on the road 3 times today. Errors codes that are coming up is P1682 and c042-00. It also states replace ignition relay switch which I had done 3 times already. …
This had occurred more than 4 times. I was at the stop light, when the light turned turned I proceeded to press on the gas pedal and my vehicle started to shake/vibrate. Then the transmission light turned followed by the advanced traffic control light and low engine power. I was unable to go past 10mph..I drive my vehicle on the freeway/highway everyday for work and my children are always with. This makes it very unsafe for me and my family because I don't know when this issue will happen. I have taken it 2 times to the transmission specialist and mechanic but the codes do not always appear only when this issues occurs.
Service Traction Control, Traction Control Off/On/Off, Service All Wheel Drive display on dash. Check Engine Light on at times, When starting vehicle Service All Wheel Drive displays immediately. Codes come up as fuel pressure high, fuel pressure low, no communication with BCM. Driving from a stop the engine has to idle high to switch gears, hard shift when it does. Goes into limp mode sometimes while driving. Been to dealership, can not duplicate problems. But they see display info and no current code, do have stored code of BCM lost communication.
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.
Wife went to park car in driveway between garage & street and when exiting the car, the car began to roll backwards. She tried to get back into car as 2 grand kids were in the back seat. After several attempts to get in, the car door knocked her down & the car continued to roll into street up on neighbors front lawn across the street. She was knocked unconscious and suffered bruises up & down her right side when I retrieved the car, found it in "park" & engine was turned off. Keys were still in ignition but in off position. Driveway has a slight downgrade but not what I consider significant. Neighbor had outside camera with audio but did not have vehicle in picture. It did have audio of car going click, click, click, click, click, etc. As it rolled backwards till it came to a stop. …
The vehicle randomly turns off and on the traction control system. At times, the vehicle also goes into "reduced power mode" while traveling at highway speeds. When the reduced power mode occurs, loss of power steering and power brakes also occur making the vehicle difficult to control until it is stopped. After restarting the vehicle, the reduced power mode and traction control/stabilitrac conditions go away until it randomly triggers again. The reduced power mode and traction control/stabilitrac errors May occur either while moving or while stationary. The events trigger random engine codes, of which I have several on record, and those engine codes typically have nothing to do with the traction control system. Additionally, on occasion, the front passenger seat belt and airbag lights alert to buckle the belt althought there is no one or nothing in that seat. …
I want to report a very dangerous and safety hazard that we recently experienced with our 2013 ltz Traverse. On July 23,2017 my wife and I were driving on interstate 80. Driving in the middle lane going 70 MPH. All of the sudden bells were ringing and dashboard alerts lit up. (traction control off, service stabilitrak and engine power reduced) our speed went from 70 MPH to 10 MPH in seconds. The traffic behind us were serving all around us to avoid a serious accident. We were lucky no one was killed. We were finally able to get off the road into a truck weigh station. Our Traverse was towed to the nearest Chevy dealer in frankfort, il. Low and behold there wasn't anything wrong with the traction control or the stabilitrak. We were told that the codes were for the high pressure fuel pump and sensor. The ECM should not have these three problems routed together. …
Transmission complaints in other Traverse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, 17% of the model year's 162 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › torque converter (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Traverse transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Traverse transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.