2013 Chevrolet Traverse

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

Chevrolet Traverse
Pictured: 2023 Chevrolet Traverse LT 3.6 V6 in Sterling Gray Metallic, front left. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
Ls/Lt/Ltz AWD 4dr SUV, Ls/Lt/Ltz FWD 4dr SUV
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 17 city / 24 hwy
Length
203.5 in
Curb weight
4,645–4,844 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse is a standard SUV offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 204 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,844 lb (Ls/Lt/Ltz AWD 4dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 24 highway), 8% better than the 2013 standard SUV average of 17.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2013

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2012 Traverse — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 Traverse →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Ls/Lt/Ltz AWD 4dr SUV203.5 in78.3 in70.1 in118.9 in67.3 / 66.9 in4,844 lb55/45
Ls/Lt/Ltz FWD 4dr SUV203.5 in78.3 in70.1 in118.9 in67.3 / 66.9 in4,645 lb55/45

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Traverse FWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19+8%$3,550465
Traverse AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19+11%$3,550476
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
17.6 MPG2013 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse.

Similar 2013 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 Chevrolet Traverse (this car)19 MPGNot rated4
2013 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated2
2013 Ford Explorer23 MPGNot rated11
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe21 MPGNot rated5
2013 Ford Expedition16 MPGNot rated0
2013 Nissan Pathfinder22 MPGNot rated11
2013 Dodge Durango19 MPGNot rated11

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Oct 7, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V782000 · 555 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Critical Fasteners · Apr 8, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V246000 · 108 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Seat Belts · May 20, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V266000 · 1,339,355 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Mar 17, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V118000 · 1,176,407 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 Chevrolet Traverse is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

145Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
5Injuries reported
77,008 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System48
Engine44
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)42
Air Bags26
Power Train24
Unknown Or Other18
Vehicle Speed Control17
Fuel/Propulsion System15
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/03: 121/04: 321/05: 221/07: 121/08: 221/10: 121/11: 121/12: 122/05: 122/06: 322/08: 122/11: 123/03: 123/04: 123/05: 123/07: 123/10: 224/02: 124/05: 124/07: 125/02: 125/08: 126/05: 126/08: 121/0321/0721/1122/0623/0323/0724/0525/08max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 48 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Engine — 44 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — 42 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 77,008 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Traverse years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Traverse22–Not rated01
2026 Traverse22204.3 inNot rated126
2025 Traverse23204.3 in★★★★★0185
2024 Traverse23204.3 in★★★★★0143
2023 Traverse21205.9 in★★★★★294
2022 Traverse21205.9 in★★★★★1101
2021 Traverse21204.3 in★★★★★392
2020 Traverse21204.3 in★★★★★8234
2019 Traverse22204.3 in★★★★★3412
2018 Traverse22204.3 in★★★★★2464
2017 Traverse18203.5 inNot rated3361
2016 Traverse18203.5 inNot rated5292

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →