NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Chevrolet Traverse Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 162 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 Chevrolet Traverse owner complaints

Owners have filed 162 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, describing incidents dated February 6, 2013 to June 23, 2026.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 53 complaints
Engine 46 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 43 complaints
Power Train 28 complaints
Air Bags 27 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 19 complaints

Of the 162 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 162 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11758122 · Filed August 20, 2026
Service Air Bag light is on and won’t go off. Car was never in an accident or anything done for this light to be on so I’m a bit confused. Car has been inspected and looked over only issue is the service air bag light on the dash which came on after my battery completely died in my car. I bought a…
ODI #11738639 · Filed May 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while she has a passenger with her, she stated her passenger air bag light goes on and off but most of the times states the airbag is off although someone is on the seat, as well as waring on the instrumental panel, that states service…
ODI #11678188 · Filed August 4, 2025
The "Service Airbag" light and notification comes up on the dash. This happened in the past as this vehicle was part of a recall NHTSA 14V118. The car was service for that recall already back on 3-18-2014 but the issue came back. This is dangerous because when that light is on, the airbags will not…

Read all 162 complaints

Owner-reported

2013 Chevrolet Traverse mileage at failure

126 of the 162 complaints on file for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Median 75,000 miles	Middle half 60,000–105,000 miles	Based on 40 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA20-002: Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Closed August 30, 2024
- Recall 21V-245
Recall Query RQ19-003: Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Closed August 31, 2020

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #21V782000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported October 7, 2021 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 555 vehicles

Repair completion: 75.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N212349040 · Owners notified January 10, 2022 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Side Curtain Air Bags May be Unsecured

NHTSA #21V246000 · Air Bags — Critical Fasteners · NHTSA notice

Reported April 8, 2021 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 108 vehicles

Repair completion: 50% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N202321200 · Owners notified May 24, 2021

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Flexible Steel Cable for Seat Belt may Fail

NHTSA #14V266000 · Seat Belts · NHTSA notice

Reported May 20, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 1,339,355 vehicles

Repair completion: 87.36% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14187 · Owners notified July 11, 2014 · Vehicles built June 6, 2008 – May 14, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Safety consequence

If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Manufacturer 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. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Side Impact Air Bags Wiring Connections

NHTSA #14V118000 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice

Reported March 17, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 1,176,407 vehicles

Repair completion: 90.55% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14030 · Owners notified June 16, 2014

Defect description

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 seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Safety consequence

Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Manufacturer 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. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2013 Chevrolet Traverse SUV FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

17% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2 investigations

2013 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

16% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2 investigations

162 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse.

Air Bags

ODI #11758122

Incident: June 23, 2026 · Filed: August 20, 2026

Service Air Bag light is on and won’t go off. Car was never in an accident or anything done for this light to be on so I’m a bit confused. Car has been inspected and looked over only issue is the service air bag light on the dash which came on after my battery completely died in my car. I bought a new battery car still drives normal and all is good other then the light still being on which I figured would have went away by now.

Air Bags

ODI #11738639

Incident: April 1, 2026 · Filed: May 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while she has a passenger with her, she stated her passenger air bag light goes on and off but most of the times states the airbag is off although someone is on the seat, as well as waring on the instrumental panel, that states service air bag. The vehicle was seen by a independent mechanic but could not come to a diagnosis. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 175,000.

Air Bags

ODI #11678188

Incident: August 4, 2025 · Filed: August 4, 2025

The "Service Airbag" light and notification comes up on the dash. This happened in the past as this vehicle was part of a recall NHTSA 14V118. The car was service for that recall already back on 3-18-2014 but the issue came back. This is dangerous because when that light is on, the airbags will not go off in the event of an accident. I need this fixed at no charge. Thank you.

Electrical System

ODI #11645029

Incident: December 10, 2024 · Filed: February 26, 2025

Fuse box

Power Train; Electrical System; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11601162

Incident: May 25, 2022 · Filed: July 11, 2024

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.

Electrical System; Back Over Prevention

ODI #11590960

Incident: March 28, 2024 · Filed: May 28, 2024

Rain Water is getting into the door connectors and caused some pins on passenger side to corrode. All audio in vehicle has stopped including turn signals, pack up sensor audio, and radio ect. GM/Chevy knows about this and is quite common reading in a lot of forums but GM has done nothing about it. This is a safety hazard.

Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11573847

Incident: April 14, 2022 · Filed: February 25, 2024

Vehicle dies while driving in traffic. Has done this since I bought it. Very unsafe. I have had my car since march 2022. While driving it says engine power reduced, traction control, stabli track, and loses power and I have to try to safely make sure I get it off the road. After it dies it won't start. I have to get tow truck to bring it home. Then next day it starts fine sometimes. Very unsafe. I have children . I have barley been able to prevent myself from being in a wreck. When it dies the whole cars jerks. It does it all the time. This last time it was doing it so much I haven't been able to drive it. To afraid of accident.

Steering; Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11550086

Incident: October 2, 2023 · Filed: October 16, 2023

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.

Suspension; Air Bags

ODI #11549590

Incident: February 26, 2017 · Filed: October 12, 2023

There was a recall on the airbag on my vehicle a while back. I took my car to the dealer to have it serviced. They fixed it supposedly but periodically when I start the the car the airbag light would take a while to go out, like a delay. Reported to dealer now airbag light is on continuously and dealer says it's no longer under warranty or recall. Now I have a problem with the Stabilitrak system light comes on and the car sometimes slow down or shuts off. I've taken it to the dealer about the problem but they can't ever seem to find it during a diagnostic my car shut off on me while I was on the interstate driving 70 miles an hour in the left lane good thing I was an experienced driver me and my family could have gotten killed. I researched the internet and found that this has happened to many of these Traverse and there has been no recall are we waiting for someone to die before we look into this. I got no warning the light came on and the car shut off an it coast it didn't lock up which was a good thing. I turned the ignition switch off had to wait about 15 minutes turned it back on and it was fine. I took it to the dealer nothing, month later same thing.. First time it happened was in February 2017 or 2018

Power Train

ODI #11531998

Incident: February 13, 2023 · Filed: July 13, 2023

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.

Other Chevrolet Traverse model years

Check your 2013 Chevrolet Traverse VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Traverse at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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