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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,409 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Chevrolet Traverse engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Chevrolet Traverse Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #25

Jun 012019

Traverse

  • 64,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After driving using the A/C during rain (light to medium downfall) when vehicle was in park and the key would not move to turn the vehicle ginseng off. Turning the key was was repeated multiple times with no success. To turn off engine the positive cable had to be removed from the vehicle. Once this was done all fuses where checked to ensure none where damaged or shorting. This is when it was realized that the A/C vents where located just above the main fuse box and the condensation flooded the box with water causing the ignition safety circuits to short and not allow the vehicle to turn off.this was also made clear online when doing a search to try to shut the vehicle down with out damaging it. This occurred three times and the manufacturer does not have a solution but stated they are aware of the issue. This is a concern due to the turning off of the key but the engine is still on and the drive selector can still be moved into gear. This could also cause shorts to any of the components in the main fuse panel or electrical systems.

- Lovettsville, VA, USA

problem #24

Aug 082019

Traverse

  • 97,000 miles
Was told we had a front cover leak. Found out the sealant used to seal the front cover to the engine block breaks down prematurely and causes an oil leak. Without removing the engine and redoing the seal, the engine could fail. It seems to be a very common and known issue caused by a poor design. We are now paying $2,700 to have our engine cover "re-caulked" to avoid an engine failure.

- Lino Lakes, MN, USA

problem #23

Jul 092019

Traverse

  • 109,000 miles
Takata recall 2013 Chevy Traverse ltz, 109K miles, I'm on my 3rd power steering pump. Bought used in July 2018, replaced the pump back in May 2019, I provided the pump and took it to the dealership where I bought it, they replaced it and charged me $600 for labor and the next day it out out again (turns out it was actually a bad pump, brand new but bad ) so the dealership said they'd swap it out for the cost of labor, I didn't have another $600 to throw away so I replaced it with some help and it worked perfectly, we used the dext. Iv fluid as suggested and it's been running great, no more whine and steers like a dream. Well it's now July 2019 and the pump is out again. No visible leaks and the fluid level is good and fluid still red. If I get rid of this I'm going back to Ford for a vehicle, this is my first Chevrolet and also my last. If the pump went out on the highway that would be incredibly dangerous. I drive all highway and it's my daily driver. I can still drive the vehicle, but when the rpms are low it's like manual steering, forget going through a drive through or parking up front anywhere!

- Ripley, WV, USA

problem #22

Jun 032019

Traverse

  • 116,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Our Traverse has had this problem mainly on the highway but it has also happened on our gravel road going 30 mph. The Traverse will all of a sudden display "engine power is reduced, it will say service traction control, service stabilitrak, traction control off." During one of the times, it happened the steering column also locked up. The engine shakes enough that it makes the muffler shake when this happens. The dealership claimed they found a memo from GM on how to solve the problem. We just spent $690 to get a new fuse block and terminal installed. Supposedly there had been water damage/corrosion. Our Traverse has never been submerged in water. This problem is very dangerous and Chevrolet needs to be held responsible. Having our vehicle all of a sudden reduce power has lead to several almost accidents, especially when the steering also locked. This problem is very similar to a problem described in recall 14515 which did include 2009-2014 Traverses. According to Chevrolet my VIN is not part of that recall. I think this issue is similar to the recall but different.

- Silex, MO, USA

problem #21

Jun 142019

Traverse

  • 124,000 miles
Since buying this car in 2017 it's been nothing but issues. I have a 2013 Chevy Traverse. While driving often at highway speeds the car will lose engine power and the traction control shuts off and the car starts shaking. I then pull over and wait a few mins and it starts back up. Been taken to dealership several times to be told it might be the fuse box but it's not covered under warranty so its gonna cost $600. All over the car sites online people reporting this same problem with fuse boxes from 2009-2014 Traverse. Why has this not been recalled"???" I have 3 small kids and I am terrified to put them in the car and it's not worth it financially to trade it nor an option at this point. This happens at random. Today it wouldn't start back up and had to be towed. Was doing 70mph on my way to work in rush hour traffic!!!!

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #20

Aug 182014

Traverse

  • 2,000 miles
My vehicle has been doing this since it was purchased. The acceleration and deceleration are jerky sometimes. It feels occasionally like I have been rear-ended. I feel like it tries to accelerate while I am applying the breaks. When I am trying to apply the gas sometimes it has no power and I have to push the pedal down harder which leads it to jerk forward. Hard gear shifting lots of shaking and lurching. It is exactly like what the class action lawsuit against GM describes but my vehicle isn't one involved in that yet, but I believe it should be.

- San Tan Valley, AZ, USA

problem #19

Jan 102019

Traverse

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When vehicle is accellerated from a still position, and accelerated to get up to speed, vehicle engine has a constant jerking that vibrates the entire vehicle and once up to road or highway speed, and maintains a constant mph, the shaking stops. When accelerating again, vehicle does the same thing; jerking / shaking until letting off the accelerator and leveling out at a certain mph.. air conditioner is constantly 'going out' during the summer, blowing only hot air, then after vehicle is turned off, and some time goes by, something in the electrical/computer system must reset itself because the A/C will start working fine once vehicle is turned back in.

- Mebane, NC, USA

problem #18

Feb 232019

Traverse

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving approximately 45 mph, the engine suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to jim browne Chevrolet Buick GMC dade city (10741 us 301, dade city, fl), but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

problem #17

Feb 092019

Traverse

  • 107,000 miles
Driving down a very busy 4 lane road and car started singing that something was wrong with traction control. Car wouldn't go and could barely move wheel to get to turn lane. No prior warnings or issues with motor. Was told by dealership that timing chain went bad and would have to have whole motor replaced. A quick google search show many others with this issue, and including transmission at 100,000 miles.

- Rockford, MI, USA

problem #16

Jan 222019

Traverse

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving 70 mph, the stability control and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle stalled and was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to jack schmitt Chevrolet of O'fallon (127 regency park, O'fallon, il 62269, (618) 509-9727) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: [xxx]. the approximate failure mileage was 85,000. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Belleville, IL, USA

problem #15

Jan 182019

Traverse

  • 16,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle stalls while driving at highway speeds. Check engine light comes on and steering wheel locks and sometimes key gets stuck in the ignition. Dealership says there's nothing wrong with the car and replaced the battery. While driving home from dealership my vehicle stalled again.

- Waller, TX, USA

problem #14

Nov 122018

Traverse

  • 94,548 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that the vehicle went into a lower power mode and decelerated to a very slow speed. Sons Chevrolet (3615 manchester expy, columbus, ga 31909, (706) 322-8888) diagnosed that the chassis electronic module may be faulty and replaced the fuse block. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls and suggested the contact file a complaint with NHTSA. The vehicle experienced symptoms similar to those listed in NHTSA campaign number: 14V614000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 94,548.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #13

Dec 272018

Traverse

  • 65,000 miles
The engine without warning went into reduced power mode and would not let me go past 30 miles an hour. It then flashed reduced power, stable track, and traction control. Very unsafe on a busy highway when driving and on a busy street to just lose power.

- Benton, WI, USA

problem #12

Sep 202018

Traverse

  • 102,000 miles
Driving to work like any other day. All of a sudden service traction control stabilitrack and reduced engine power comes on. Luckily not heavy traffic. Boyfriend came to take it to the shop and it wouldn't even crank up. Seeing all these complaints I really hope this isn't a costly issue because a lawyer will be contacted to get to the bottom of these issues with this and all parties will be reimbursed for this! I had to leave work early to take care of just getting my car somewhere for it to be looked at and not a happy person!

- Heath Springs, SC, USA

problem #11

Jul 162018

Traverse

  • 91,000 miles
Vehicle randomly indicates service traction control, engine powering down, service stabilitrack. Vehicle then shuts down. It has happened several times without any warning. The check engine light will come on and then it will go back off.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #10

Apr 112018

Traverse

  • 44,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle decelerated to 20 mph, and the traction control, stabilitrak, and engine power reduced warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the vehicle would vibrate violently and failed to accelerate from a stop sign or traffic light. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and failure code: P1682 (ignition 1, switch circuit 2) was found. The engine control module was replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: [xxx]. the approximate failure mileage was 44,000. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #9

May 092018

Traverse

  • 74,500 miles
On all occasions, my car was in motion on major city streets and side roads and my driving speeds ranged from 25mph to 55mph. The following messages flash across the dashboard: Traction control off, engine power is reduced, service traction control, service stabilitrak. The check engine light comes on with the stabilitrak icon. My speed was thrown down to the range of 10mph to 40mph. The entire car began shaking and the exhaust pipe was giving loud "puffing" sounds. This happened several times, but the third time, I was not able to restart my car. I had it towed to the dealership I bought it from. After having it for a month, they were unable to find the issue, therefore nothing was fixed, and I was told "let us know if it happens again." Wow!...and it happened again months later - again three separate times! again, the dealership said they received no "error messages" for that issue, only for my car alarm being faulty. Good grief! had I been on a freeway during one of these occurrences, I would have been rear-ended and into a bad accident; but "we'll just see if it happens again!" I offered the dealership video and pictures as proof of the issue, but nothing has yet been done. I have a video that lasts 1min and 11 seconds, but its too large for me to upload (even when I shorten it down to a minimum 25seconds to get the gist of the issue).

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #8

Apr 062018

Traverse

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse. Upon starting the vehicle, a rattling noise was heard emerging from the engine compartment and the "battery charging system needs service" message appeared. The contact noticed a pulley lying on the ground under the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (jack wilson Chevrolet in saint augustine, Florida, 904-797-4567) where it was determined that the bolt that held the pulley found on the ground had fractured and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #7

Dec 022017

Traverse

  • 15 miles
I was driving my car it was making noises, I too it to autozone to get a free diagnostic check. It was reading that my timing was off. I went back home parked the car 2 days later called the dealership in which it was purchased to have them pick it up and run a diagnostic on it, I still have time under warranty. I was told timing chain is off, by the dealership they are failing to get it covered under warranty stating that I have no been maintaining the vehicle. Called a local mechanic to get new engine pricing, he told me that the engine by the manufacturer had to be updated because of problems with the timing chain. Which is the current issue I am having now.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #6

Jun 152016

Traverse

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 chevroet Traverse. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the traction, engine, and service stabilitrak warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to george morre Chevrolet (10979 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, fl 32225) where it was diagnosed that the motherboard needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired; however, months later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to george morre Chevrolet, but the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

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