2013 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche has 104 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve unknown or other and air bags.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 104 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
43 41.3%
AIR BAGS
21 20.2%
STRUCTURE:BODY
14 13.5%
ENGINE
4 3.8%
STRUCTURE
3 2.9%
Quick Insights
The top category is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, accounting for 41.3% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 19 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche
The 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche has 104 owner complaints in this dataset. UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the most common complaint category, representing about 41% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (43), AIR BAGS (21), STRUCTURE:BODY (14).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 33 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 19 of 19 systems
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
43 Reports41% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE DASHBOARD CRACKED SOON AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THEM TO LOOK INTO. IT'S SUCH A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING WHEN THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPEN BEING I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR THE STAND UP VALUE AND REPUTATION OF CHEVY. I GOT INTO MY TRUCK AFTER BEING PARKED IN MY JOB PARKING LOT AFTER A LONG DAY AT WORK AND TO COME OUT TO SEE MY DASHBOARD CRACKED. THE QUALITY OF CHEVY HAS TO IMPROVE AND THIS MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND NOT TO MENTION THE CHEVY NAME TO BE TARNISHED CAUSE THE LACK OF CONCERN FOR THERE DEDICATED CUSTOMERS.
8/16/2017
TAKATA RECALL: 2013 CHEVY AVALANCHE LTZ CRACKING AND SEPARATING DASHBOARD ALONG WITH RATTLING AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HOUSING. SAFETY HAZARD !!
9/5/2017
AIR BAGS
21 Reports20% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
PASSENGER SIDE OF DASH HAS CRACKS ADJACENT TO AND CONNECTED TO PASSENGER DASH AIR BAG COMPARTMENT.
8/14/2017
TAKATA RECALL: 2013 CHEVY AVALANCHE LTZ CRACKING AND SEPARATING DASHBOARD ALONG WITH RATTLING AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HOUSING. SAFETY HAZARD !!
9/5/2017
STRUCTURE:BODY
14 Reports13% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TAKATA RECALL: 2013 CHEVY AVALANCHE LTZ CRACKING AND SEPARATING DASHBOARD ALONG WITH RATTLING AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HOUSING. SAFETY HAZARD !!
9/5/2017
DOOR HANDLE BOLT ANCHORS BREAKING AND FAILING. BOTH READ DOOR HANDLES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THEY FAIL THE DOOR HANDLE PULLS OUT FROM THE DOOR PANEL AND EVENTUALLY WILL BREAK APART.
11/28/2017
ENGINE
4 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
STABILITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. LOSES POWER AND STABILITY WHILE GOING UPHILL OR ACCELERATING. GM SERVICE OUT OF WARRANTY. LOOKED AT POSSIBLE RECALLS NONE AVAILABLE. NOTICED ALOT OF ISSUES REGARDING 5.3 V8 FROM 2010 TO 2013 GM MODELS. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ALSO. DO I JUST PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE OR IS ANYONE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS OVERSIGHT BY GM? THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS BUT NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
8/7/2018
MY CHEVY AVALANCHE HAS A GENERATION FOR VORTEX 5300 ENGINE WE ARE USING AT LEAST A QUARTER VOLT IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES ALSO THE OIL MONITORING SYSTEM IS ALLOWING ME TO DRIVE AND TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ADEQUATE OIL BECAUSE THE OIL GAUGE IS NOT READING WHEN THE OIL IS READY TO BE CHANGED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2013 WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS TYPICAL OF THIS ENGINE I'M NOW FINDING OUT THAT IT IS NOT AND THAT IT IS INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND I NEED TO BE DOCUMENTED IN THAT LAWSUIT.
12/30/2020
STRUCTURE
3 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
2013 GM AVALANCHE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DASH CRACKS/DAMAGE AROUND AIRBAG AREA. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASHBOARD HAD TWO CRACKS. THE CONSUMERS BELIEVES THIS COULD AFFECT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING. UPDATED 09/11/2017*JS
9/11/2017
CRACK IN DASH FROM AIRBAG CORNER DIAGONAL THROUGH DASH. *TR
6/2/2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
3 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
3RD BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK HAS WATER INSIDE. NO BULB TO CHANGE YOU HAVE TO CHANGE OUT THE WHOLE TAIL LIGHT.
5/25/2018
TRYING TO GET INSPECTION WAS TOLD SEALED THIRD BRAKE LIGHT HAS WATER IN LIGHT CAUSING FAILURE OF LIGHT TO FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY LAW. HOW DOES A SEALED LED LIGHT GET WATER IN IT. COST WILL EXCEED WELL OVER $700.00. FOR A PART THAT WILL FAIL AGAIN AFTER SEEING OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE! I HAVE VA STATE POLICE REJECTION STICKER ABOUT 3RD LIGHT FAILURE
5/26/2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT. SHOWING CODES P069E AND P0614. THIS IS THE SAME SYMPTOM FROM RECALL# 14515 (FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE) DUE TO INTERNAL CORROSION. MY VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CODE STARTED SHORTLY AFTER STARTING TO DRIVE THE CAR.
3/13/2019
MESSAGE CENTER SAYS SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM. CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SAYS PROBLEM NOT COVERED BY RECALL.
1/26/2021
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD
2 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The Dashboard has cracked and broken in several places and I believe this to be directly as a result of the steering wheel column and moving the steering wheel tilt positions. You could hear a cracking when moving the steering wheel position and then a sound like a bolt or something dropping inside. After this happened there was a crack immediately above, perpendicular with the steering wheel in the plastic bent portion of the dash and since that time I have noticed the steering wheel seems to shift some even when you arenât attempting to tilt it and the dashboard is cracking in several places now. This vehicle has never been left outside of the garage. It has been driven as a secondary, leisure vehicle and is in excellent condition so please donât say this is normal. This is a result of something that occurred after hearing the snapping sound after the steering wheel was being tilted.
8/6/2022
The dash has been slowly cracking the past couple of years. Which Iâm concerned it will affect the air bag if ever in an accident and also dangerously sharp pieces of the dash could cause harm.
4/13/2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE WIPERS STARTED GOING SLOW THEN STOPPED BLOCKING VIEW. CHECKING ONLINE EVERYONE SEEMS TO BELIEVE THE WIPER SYSTEMS TRANSMISSION POINTS ARE FAILING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT'S RAINING AND YOU LOSE YOUR WIPERS.
11/19/2017
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
STABILITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. LOSES POWER AND STABILITY WHILE GOING UPHILL OR ACCELERATING. GM SERVICE OUT OF WARRANTY. LOOKED AT POSSIBLE RECALLS NONE AVAILABLE. NOTICED ALOT OF ISSUES REGARDING 5.3 V8 FROM 2010 TO 2013 GM MODELS. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ALSO. DO I JUST PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE OR IS ANYONE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS OVERSIGHT BY GM? THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS BUT NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
8/7/2018
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
STABILITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. LOSES POWER AND STABILITY WHILE GOING UPHILL OR ACCELERATING. GM SERVICE OUT OF WARRANTY. LOOKED AT POSSIBLE RECALLS NONE AVAILABLE. NOTICED ALOT OF ISSUES REGARDING 5.3 V8 FROM 2010 TO 2013 GM MODELS. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ALSO. DO I JUST PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE OR IS ANYONE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS OVERSIGHT BY GM? THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS BUT NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
8/7/2018
SERVICE BRAKES
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
MESSAGE CENTER SAYS SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM. CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SAYS PROBLEM NOT COVERED BY RECALL.
1/26/2021
TIRES
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I hadn't put 3000 miles on these tires all four tires started to separate from the tire and they warped and a knot came on the side of the tires.tire # 305-40-22,its a manfacture defect in the tires.
6/10/2022
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I hadn't put 3000 miles on these tires all four tires started to separate from the tire and they warped and a knot came on the side of the tires.tire # 305-40-22,its a manfacture defect in the tires.
6/10/2022
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The Dashboard has cracked and broken in several places and I believe this to be directly as a result of the steering wheel column and moving the steering wheel tilt positions. You could hear a cracking when moving the steering wheel position and then a sound like a bolt or something dropping inside. After this happened there was a crack immediately above, perpendicular with the steering wheel in the plastic bent portion of the dash and since that time I have noticed the steering wheel seems to shift some even when you arenât attempting to tilt it and the dashboard is cracking in several places now. This vehicle has never been left outside of the garage. It has been driven as a secondary, leisure vehicle and is in excellent condition so please donât say this is normal. This is a result of something that occurred after hearing the snapping sound after the steering wheel was being tilted.
8/6/2022
POWER TRAIN
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Repeated instances of engine misfire/loss of power due to known issue with 5.3L Engines. Chevy/GM have repeatedly not fixed root cause/issues leading to "Stabilitrac/Traction control" error messages during engine misfire while driving in traffic. On 3 of these occasions loss power in roads/intersections with oncoming traffic. Two of these occasions,almost caused collisions. Currently truck at dealership since 4/11/22, with Warranty company (extended warranty) and Chevy dealership discussing mechanical issues with Rings, Pistons, Lifters versus "Carbon build up". Engine very low mileage per year. Total milage under 72k. Carbon is in all engines, failure root cause according to research and service department not related to carbon. In conversation with Service Manager, in past Chevy service departments followed guidelines of "Stick a plug and wire on it, and send it out". 3/19/16- 4/2/16: Issues started. Reported to Chevy performance issues. Did this on 2-3 occasions, air filter replaced one visit, told "without error messages, can not diagnose problem." 31k mile 6/18/16: "Stabilitrac/Traction control" error messages. Engine misfires start. Diagnosis fouled #7 spark plug. Spark plug replaced. Service department verbal comment, "Don't know cause, platinum plugs good to 100K, never seen this before"34k mile 2/21/18: "Stabilitrac/Traction control" error messages. Engine misfire in traffic. Diagnosis misfires with #7 spark plug. Service replaced valve cover with updated metal flap to stop oil from spraying on plug. Removed intake manifold/clean intake runners of oil deposits 7/31/21: #7 checked.No issues 53K 11/11/21: "Stabilitrac/Traction control" error messages. Engine misfire/ stall badly in traffic. Multiple misfires with #7 cylinder. Diagnosis:No issues found after error message reset.Truck perfect, passed inspection to purchase Extended warranty from dealership 4/11/22: "Stabilitrac/Traction control"error messages. Engine misfire/stall in traffic. Engine failure
9/8/2022
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the fuel started spilling from the fuel filler neck. The contact stated that the failure had recurred since purchasing the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to three independent mechanics where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel tube was narrower than normal and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
7/24/2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I am an owner of a 2013 Chevy Avalanche and must say that i enjoy driving this vehicle. The problem that i have is the vehicle has been going into Engine Power Reduced Mode. This mode makes the vehicle hard to accelerate to highway speeds. The vehicle will have a code of P2128 or P2138 which is an accelator pedel ciruit problem. I changed the acceleator pedal and did not solve the problem. I changed out the Throttle Body Sensor and still the problem remains. On the dashboard it will show Check Engine Light on, Service Stablinktrac light on, and Service Traction Control Light on. I have seen other vehicle owners experience the same problems with their vehicles and told that there was no recall and have to pay for the repairs out of pocket. These are very well made vehicles but when they going into Engine Power Reduced Mode, drive ability is diminished.
8/5/2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Odometer Fraud. The contact attempted to purchase a 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 142,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 214,000.
11/20/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche?
Are complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche?
Are complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Chevrolet Avalanche: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 104
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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