RoadVitals

2013 Chevrolet Traverse Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
53
Latest Feb 26, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
33%
of 161 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 53 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 53, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Feb 26, 2025

Fuse box

NHTSA ID
11645029
Incident
Dec 10, 2024
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 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.

NHTSA ID
11601162
Incident
May 25, 2022
Driver assistanceElectrical
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.

NHTSA ID
11590960
Incident
Mar 28, 2024
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 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.

NHTSA ID
11573847
Incident
Apr 14, 2022
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Oct 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.

NHTSA ID
11550086
Incident
Oct 2, 2023
Mileage
134,426 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 11, 2023

Vehicle steering wheel vibrates when it's on and on park . The light to dashboard , radio , is dim then as I drive it might turn bright then back to dim .

NHTSA ID
11511373
Incident
Oct 12, 2022
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 1, 2022

I’ve told penland automotive llc car dealer Joey my vehicle cuts off while I’m driving me & my kids have been in 8 near death experience & I’ve been in 6 by myself I went to trade it in because that’s not safe & I’ve done plenty of work on it I’ve told him the service stabiltack keeps shutting it off & im scared he says it’s nothing he can do about it & I’ve only had this vehicle a year it started before the 1 year anniversary on the truck!! Him not doing nothing is not ok!! I thought it needed a tune up but I really didn’t so I paid out that for nothing! I’ve also went to green light Chevrolet in Laurens they said it was a corrosion fuse box but a fuse box no lights of nothing would be working & I paid out $135 just for them to look at it & tell me that I told them what it was saying & they said the fuse box negative I went on YouTube & asked other mechanics they said it’s a part that needs to be cleaned or it will catch fire they would do it but they can’t because im making payments & it’s stuff that Chevy would have to do! I’m trying to get help some where before this truck get me or me & my kids killed

NHTSA ID
11477024
Incident
Apr 7, 2022
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 20, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11470147
Incident
Jun 20, 2022
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 5, 2022

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. This could cost thousands of dollars replacing parts attached to this code only to find out that it's a bad contact in the fuse box under the hood. What will it take multiple people dying from this issue. It doesn't seem like anything has been taken care of on the GM side of things. Please let me know if the dealership will pay for this or if I have to pay for this out of my own pocket as this is a known issue. Thank you. The car has since been parked in the garage and I have been trying to connect the dots through traverse forums this car is no longer safe to drive and we cannot afford to take it to a dealership at this time.

NHTSA ID
11467620
Incident
May 19, 2022
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Dec 2, 2021

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. Once this happens I have to wait 10 minutes, then restart, then shut off, then reatart, then shut off then restart until to vehicle starts up how it should start up with no hesitation or shaking. Then I can make it home My fear is my wife will be driving and car shuts off while driving on the freeway with the kids. I know this issues was recalled with the traverse 2009 and 2010 and some other vehicle gm made.

NHTSA ID
11442437
Incident
Dec 2, 2021
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 1, 2021
Fire reported

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. At this point i want to get rid of it but I'm scared someone else may get my truck and have an even worse outcome. I have had this issue so many times that I fear this will happen in a even more dangerous spot and this truck will get me killed in a really bad accident. I am Highly recommending that GM or someone look into removing this truck from the roadways of America as this is hazardous to all drivers driving safely down the road. My truck is currently being looked at by the dealer and GM. I am not looking to drive this vehicle ever again. Some of the issues has been: Code P0107 map sensor Alternator began smoking Stability Trak dashboard lights come on and engine looses power Traction control light comes on and truck cuts off battery charging system light comes ruff idol and truck cuts off Under hood Fuse box will short out and cause multiple electrical issues Purge Valve broken Power steering hose went bad Coolant hose connector broke 2 times in the same spot Please look into this issue with this model, this is very unsafe and dangerous for the road.

NHTSA ID
11427385
Incident
Jul 7, 2021
Electrical
Filed May 7, 2021

CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HAVE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, TRACTION CONTROL OFF, SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING. THE CAR WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE BUT DRIVABLE ENOUGH TO GET SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED ALL THE SAME WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON BUT THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. THE CAR DRIFTED TO A STOP RIGHT OUT OF A CONSTRUCTION ZONE BUT WE WERE STILL UNABLE TO GET COMPLETELY OFF THE ROAD. WOULD NOT RESTART. COPS CAME BECAUSE WE WERE BLOCKING TRAFFIC UNTIL A TOW TRUCK COULD ARRIVE. THANKFULLY OTHER CARS WERE ALREADY SLOWED DOWN BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE. IF THIS HAPPENS IN THE WRONG LOCATION WERE YOU CAN'T GET OFF THE ROAD IT COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE FUSE BLOCK AND TERMINAL 51 HAD CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT WAS DEFINITELY THE PROBLEM AND I NO LONGER TRUST THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH.

NHTSA ID
11415540
Incident
Apr 30, 2021
Mileage
70,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Apr 3, 2021

THE REDUCE ENGINE WARNING KEEPS COMING UP. WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. BUT WHEN SCAN NO CODES SHOW UP ON THE SCAN. IT KEEPS GLITCHING.

NHTSA ID
11406249
Incident
Apr 3, 2021
Mileage
116,376 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 11, 2020

THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED AND MY VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11382996
Incident
Dec 8, 2020
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 21, 2020

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, 2013 CHEVY TRAVERSE LS ON 5/6/2030, A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, I BROUGHT IT BACK THREE TIMES TO SUN USED CARS, ALL WITHIN MY WARRANTY PERIOD AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, SO NOW THEY WILL NO LONGER FIX THE VEHICLE, AND I AM STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH IT SLIPPING. I THINK IT MAY BE ELECTRICAL BECAUSE WHEN IT WON'T SHIFT AND YOU TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN IT WILL SHIFT GEARS. THERE IS ALSO 4 AIR BAG SENSORS THAT ARE SHOWING UP AS AN ISSUE THAT STARTED AFTER THE RELAY SWITCH FOR THE LOCKS WERE FIXED.

NHTSA ID
11375710
Incident
May 14, 2020
Mileage
90,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Nov 19, 2020

I TURN MY TRUCK ON TO GO TO WORK COME OUT OF WORK TRUCK IS COMPLETELY DEAD THEN WHEN I TRY A FEW TIMES TO START SERVICE AIR BAG POPS UP AND SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM AS WELL I HAVE PICTURES AND NEED CHEVROLET TO FIX THESE ISSUES CAUSE I HAVE TO BUY BATTERIES EVERY 3 MONTHS IT'S COSTING TO MUCH MONEY

NHTSA ID
11375476
Incident
Jul 14, 2020
Mileage
139,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 29, 2020

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2013 CHEVY TRAVERSE THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT/STABILITRAX COMES ON, WHICH MAKES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON, WHICH THEN CAUSES MY ENGINE TO POWER DOWN, I WILL THEN HAVE TO WAIT 2-3 MINUTES AND IT WILL EITHER CRANK UP OR IT WON'T (HAS TO BE TOWED), IT ALSO CAUSES IT TO STALL OUT WHEN TAKING OFF OR COMING TO A STOP. STALLED OUT ON ME WHILE PULLING OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC THANKFULLY I WASN'T ALL THE WAY OUT IN THE ROAD OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN T-BONED. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A TWO DIFFERENT CHEVY DEALERS WHICH IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO BOTH WITHIN A MONTH THE FIRST ONE TOLD ME IT WAS JUST THE BATTERY $400 AND 4 DAYS LATER I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY 3 KIDS AGAIN. I HAD TO TOWED TO ANOTHER CHEVY DEALER WHICH THEY REPLACED THE ECM, REPAIRED WIRING THAT HAD BURNT, REPLACED WIRING HARNESS AND FPCM THAT HAD ALSO BURNT AND PERFORMED A MULTIPOINT INSPECTION. I WAS CHARGED $1540.06 ON AUGUST 5, 2020 AND HEAR I AM OCTOBER 26, 2020 AND I AM ONCE AGAIN STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY 3 KIDS DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUES AS BEFORE

NHTSA ID
11367028
Incident
Aug 8, 2019
Mileage
130,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 2, 2020

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. DROVE FINE. P1682 CODE IGNITION 1 SWITCH RELAY 2. RELAYS IN FUSE BOX LOOKED FINE. CODE WENT AWAY. FOLLOWING MORNING THE LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH OTHER WARNINGS INCLUDING TEST ICE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS ETC. AND VEHICLE DRAMATICALLY GOES INTO LIMP MODE REDUCED ENGINE POWER. LUCKILY MY WIFE HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO A CITY STREET AND COULD SAFELY PULL INTO A PARKING LOT WITH OUR KIDS.TOWED VEHICLE TO SHOP AND SHOP SAYS SHORT/BURNT WIRE LEADING TO FUSE BOX. NEED TO REPLACE ENTIRE FUSE BOX. $1273. BOUGHT VEHICLE BRAND NEW, ONLY 69XXX MILES. STILL WAITING FOR REPAIR TO COMPLETE. SEVERAL DAYS FOR PART TO DELIVER.

NHTSA ID
11362493
Incident
Sep 30, 2020
Mileage
69,300 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 8, 2020

DRIVING AND THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS ON LONG CAR RIDES EVEN THOUGH THE FLUIDS ARE ALL FINE THE TRACTION CONTROL CODE COMES ON AND I LOSE POWER TO THE VEHICLE AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES

NHTSA ID
11344039
Incident
Aug 8, 2020
Mileage
90,967 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 9, 2020

THE STARTER ON THIS TRUCK IS FAULTY AND SERVICE FOR AIR BAG KEEPS COMING UP AT BEGINNING OF START IT'S HARD TO START SOUNDS LIKE IT NEEDS JUMP AFTER WHILE IT WILL KILL MY BATTERY DEAD FEW MINUTES LATER IT WILL START

NHTSA ID
11338514
Incident
Jul 9, 2020
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 1, 2020

GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT, AND ALL OF SUDDEN MY LIGHTS AND RADIO WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND THEN BACK ON. THE ALTERNATOR DROP PAST THE 14 V. WE HAVE HAD THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR CHECK AND THEY ARE SHOWING WORKING IN GOOD CONDITION. SOMETIMES THE ALTERNATOR WILL DROP DOWN BELOW THE 14 V, AND SOMETIMES IS STAYS ABOVE THE 14 V.

NHTSA ID
11332004
Incident
Jun 17, 2020
Mileage
200 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 30, 2020

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO REDUCED POWER, TURN OFF TRACTION CONTROL, TURN OFF STABILITY CONTROL. IT HAS ALSO TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING. I LOOKED ONLINE AND SEE THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR VEHICLES FROM 2009-2015, WITH NO KNOWN FOR SURE FIXES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN IF YOUR VEHICLE STALLS ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. I DONT HAVE MONEY TO KEEP FIXING THINGS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11331678
Incident
Jun 6, 2020
Mileage
105,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 18, 2020

IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS MY 2013 CHEV TRAVERSE HAS HAD THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF OTHER OWNERS. IT HAS HAPPENED GOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND 30 MPH ON CITY STREETS. USUALLY I PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURN OFF THE ENGINE FOR A MINUTE THEN THE CAR WILL START AND OPERATE AS NORMAL FOR A FEW DAYS OR A FEW WEEKS. IN THE PAST MONTH I HAVE BEEN IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE. I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY ENGINE TOTALLY SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO AVOID A TRACTOR TRAILER IN THE RIGHT LANE AND COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER STEERING. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. AFTER THE CAR SAT IDLE FOR A DAY IT STARTED UP. CODES WERE CLEARED AND IT RAN NORMALLY AGAIN FOR WEEKS. LAST WEEK WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER STEERING, BUT STILL IMPACTING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. A LOCAL POLICE OFFICER HELPED ME PUSH THE CAR FURTHER OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE SIDEWALK. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. 24 HOURS LATER THE CAR STARTED OK. CODES WERE CLEARED AND IT ONCE AGAIN COULD OPERATE NORMALLY. MY MECHANIC CONSULTED TO A GM MECHANIC AND THEY AGREED THE PROBLEM IS THE IGNITION SWITCH. MY TRAVERSE HAS NOT HAD A RECALL FOR IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT. I AM AWARE THAT GM IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS HAVE KILLED OVER (100) GM VEHICLE OWNERS. MILLIONS OF GM CARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED BY REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH, IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION KEY. MANY MORE GM VEHICLES LIKE MY 2013 CHEV TRAVERSE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED OR MORE PEOPLE WILL DIE. IN FACT MY GUESS IS HUNDREDS OF ADDITIONAL DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS HAVE DIED AND THE PROBLEM IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT BLAMED FOR THESE ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

NHTSA ID
11318566
Incident
Mar 13, 2020
Mileage
106,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 7, 2020

WHILE DRIVING, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON, LOSS OF POWER CAME ON, AND STABILITY TRACTION TURNED OFF. MY SPEED REDUCED FROM 40 TO 25. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND NOW ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON.

NHTSA ID
11307702
Incident
Feb 7, 2020
Mileage
111,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 9, 2019

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF MY DASH GAUGES STARTED TO FLUCTUATE, MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, I STARTED TO LOOSE SPEED WHEN I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR, WHEN I FINALLY MADE IT HOME MY BACK UP CAMERA WOULD NOT COME ON AND I HEARD CLICKING COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX.

NHTSA ID
11254114
Incident
Sep 6, 2019
Mileage
111,680 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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