NHTSA has 162 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse[1]. The electrical system is the biggest group, with 53 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car, and these are the groups from biggest to smallest.
- Electrical System. 53 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe dash lights and warnings that come and go, radios and gauges that act up, a battery that stops charging, and the car shutting down while driving.
- Engine. 46 complaints[6]. Owners describe the car stalling, sometimes without warning, and a loss of power with a check engine light and a message about reduced power. Some say it would not restart right away.
- Electronic Stability Control. 43 complaints[7]. Owners describe the stability and traction warnings lighting up together with a sudden drop in power while driving.
- Power Train. 28 complaints[8]. Owners describe rough or jerky shifting, shaking under acceleration, and the car slowing suddenly on the road. One owner describes the car rolling away after being parked.
- Air Bags. 27 complaints[9].
- Speed Control. 19 complaints[10].
- Steering. 18 complaints[11].
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 18 complaints[12].
One complaint can name more than one part, and these are unverified reports from owners.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 Traverse is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (21V782), October 2021. About 555 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Critical Fasteners (21V246), April 2021. About 108 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Seat Belts (14V266), May 2014. About 1,339,355 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Air Bags › Side/Window (14V118), March 2014. About 1,176,407 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2013 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 448 | 8 |
| 2010 | 669 | 5 |
| 2011 | 608 | 5 |
| 2012 | 354 | 5 |
| 2013 | 162 | 4 |
| 2014 | 548 | 7 |
| 2015 | 313 | 5 |
| 2016 | 292 | 5 |
| 2017 | 361 | 3 |
| 2018 | 464 | 2 |
| 2019 | 412 | 3 |
| 2020 | 234 | 8 |
| 2021 | 92 | 3 |
| 2022 | 100 | 1 |
| 2023 | 93 | 2 |
| 2024 | 141 | 0 |
| 2025 | 185 | 0 |
| 2026 | 25 | 1 |
| 2027 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Traverse show 162 complaints and 4 recalls for 2013[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 6 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 12 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (1) and the most are for 2010 (669)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2013 Traverse?
The 2013 Traverse has a long complaint list, led by electrical and engine reports[1][2][6]. Several of the biggest groups describe similar moments, such as warning lights and a sudden loss of power while driving[6][7]. NHTSA lists 7 complaints that mention a crash and 2 that mention a fire[1]. These are owner reports that nobody has checked, and they are not adjusted for how many were sold. If you are shopping for one, ask for service records on the electrical system and engine, and see the recalls section for the recall list.
Frequently asked questions
- What problems do owners report with the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
- Electrical System leads the complaints, followed by the engine and electronic stability control[2][6][7]. The full breakdown is in the problems section of this page.
- Does the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year fact lists the recall count for this model year[3]. The Recalls section on this page shows each one.
- How many complaints has the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse received?
- NHTSA has 162 owner complaints on file for it[1]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
- See the fuel economy section of this page, which is built from EPA data.
- Is the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse reliable, and is it the best year?
- Complaint counts are one signal, and the Traverse has 162 on file for this year[1]. The year comparison section of this page shows how model years stack up.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Chevrolet Traverse
Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Traverse
Other Chevrolet models from 2013
Similar cars from 2013: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 162 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse (7 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 53 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,780). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Traverse model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Traverse FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 46 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 43 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 28 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 27 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- 19 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V782, filed October 7, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V246, filed April 8, 2021: Air Bags › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V266, filed May 20, 2014: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V118, filed March 17, 2014: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Traverse AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAVERSE LS/LT/LTZ AWD 4DR SUV: length 204 in, width 78 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,844 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRAVERSE LS/LT/LTZ FWD 4DR SUV: length 204 in, width 78 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,645 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov