IllustrationTHE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND I ONLY HAVE 77,000 MILES. IS THIS NORMAL? THE VAN IS ONLY A 2013 MODEL.
2013 Chevrolet Express
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Express years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 19 of 22 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Engine complaints
7 reportsTHIS VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED. THIS POSES A GREAT RISK TO ANY PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE AS IT CAN BE MOVED WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE REMAINS FULLY POWERED WITH THE KEY REMOVED.
VEHICLE GOES INTO ENGINE REDUCED SPEED AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILI TRACK WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM STARTING A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED MY VAN AND WAS "REPAIRED" ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS REOCCURRING. THE INCIDENTS HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN STATIONARY WHILE ENGINE WAS…
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VEHICLE GOES INTO ENGINE REDUCED SPEED AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILI TRACK WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM STARTING A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED MY VAN AND WAS "REPAIRED" ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS REOCCURRING. THE INCIDENTS HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN STATIONARY WHILE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PETAL ASSEMBLY A COUPLE OF TIMES AND ALSO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT IN THE DEALER PUT DIELECTRIC IN THE HARNESS AND SAID I MIGHT HAVE A MOISTURE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER. I DON'T SEE HOW MOISTURE COULD BE THE PROBLEM SINCE IT STARTED A WEEK AFTER PURCHASE AND CONTINUES 4 YEARS LATER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT THAT RANDOMLY FLASHED, INDICATING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED MORE THAN ONCE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO A DEALER, BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS TO PROVIDE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT THAT RANDOMLY FLASHED, INDICATING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLED MORE THAN ONCE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO A DEALER, BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS TO PROVIDE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY AND AUTONOMOUSLY APPLIES THE BRAKES AND CUTS ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE STATES "SERVICE STABILITRAK" AND THE ICON FLASHES THAT I AM SKIDDING, WHICH I AM NOT (I HAVE VIDEO PROOF OF THIS OCCURING). AFTER 4 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF T…
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THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY AND AUTONOMOUSLY APPLIES THE BRAKES AND CUTS ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE STATES "SERVICE STABILITRAK" AND THE ICON FLASHES THAT I AM SKIDDING, WHICH I AM NOT (I HAVE VIDEO PROOF OF THIS OCCURING). AFTER 4 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME FOR THIS TO OCCUR WHILE MERGING, OR MAKING A LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC AND CAUSE A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL COLLISION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
THE FIRST AND SECOND (OF THREE INCIDENTS) BOTH APPEARED MINOR, LASTING ONLY A FRACTION OF A SECOND. ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH A 150-MILE DRIVE, THE ENGINE WENT DEAD BUT AS QUICKLY FIRED UP AGAIN SO AS NOT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY ME. BUT A THIRD INCIDENT WAS WORRISOME. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ON A STRAIGHT, FLAT-AND-LEVEL…
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THE FIRST AND SECOND (OF THREE INCIDENTS) BOTH APPEARED MINOR, LASTING ONLY A FRACTION OF A SECOND. ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH A 150-MILE DRIVE, THE ENGINE WENT DEAD BUT AS QUICKLY FIRED UP AGAIN SO AS NOT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY ME. BUT A THIRD INCIDENT WAS WORRISOME. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ON A STRAIGHT, FLAT-AND-LEVEL STRETCH OF A MACADEM FARM ROAD, THE VAN SUDDENLY, VERY ABRUPTLY, SHIFTED INTO WHAT MUST HAVE BEEN ITS LOWEST GEAR, AND DURING ABOUT 15 OR 20 SECONDS THEREAFTER IT JERKED BACK AND FORTH AS IF IT WERE STRUGGLING TO CLIMB A VERY STEEP HILL. I HAD NOT BEEN SHIFTING OR TRYING TO SHIFT GEARS, AND HAD BEEN TRAVELING UNEVENTFULLY BEFORE I WAS THROWN AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. (NO BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD HAVE WARNED OTHER VEHICLES THAT THE VAN WAS ABRUPTLY SLOWING DOWN, HAD I BEEN IN BUSIER, FAST MOVING TRAFFIC.) I VISITED THE (FAIRFIELD, LEWSIBURG, PA) DEALER FROM WHOM I BOUGHT THE BRAND NEW VAN, AND HE APPEARED UNABLE TO DISCOVER ANYTHING WRONG BUT "BRUSHED" CLEAN THE CONTACT POINTS WITHIN ELECTRONIC DISPLAYS (AS I UNDERSTOOD HIS EXPLANATION) ON THE DASHBOARD . BUT THE INCIDENT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED JUST BY TEST DRIVING. HOWEVER, MY CONCERNS GREW AT THE PROSPECT OF AGAIN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES ON BUSY HIGHWAYS. I EMAILED CHEVROLET (AS DIRECTED IN THE VAN'S MANUAL).. LAST I RECALL, CHEVROLET ASKED THAT I RETURN A SURVEY SENT TO ME OVER THE INTERNET, BUT EACH OF NUMEROUS TIMES THAT I TRIED TO, USING THE PASSWORD THEY PROVIDED, I COULD NOT ACCESS THE SURVEY. THAT SURVEY SNAFU MAY BE WORTH MENTIONING BECAUSE WHEN I COMPLAINED ABOUT THEIR WEB SITE NOT FUNCTIONING, THEY REPLIED THAT THEY HAD NO PROBLEM ACCESSING THE SURVEY! ODD REACTION? SO I WAS NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY, WHICH IS PARTLY WHY I AM SENDING THIS MESSAGE INSTEAD TO YOU. (THE VAN TO DATE HAS FEWER THAN 2,000 MILES DRIVEN.) *TR
Official recalls
818V267000 · Equipment
Apr 26, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
13V544000 · Equipment:other:labels
Oct 30, 2015
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD, Chevrolet Express, and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, and model year 2013 GMC Savana compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 303 "Fuel System Integrity of Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles." In the affected vehicles, the text of the CNG fuel-only label is smaller than the required size, and as a result, may be less noticeable.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Text that does not conform to the required labeling size could inhibit fuel tank inspection practices and safe refueling, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and will send them a replacement label, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 13365.
14V500000 · Fuel System, Other
Aug 13, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chevrolet Express compressed natural gas (CNG)vehicles manufactured September 10, 2010, to April 28, 2014, and GMC Savana CNG vehicles manufactured May 23, 2011, to April 21, 2014. The affected vehicles may leak natural gas from the CNG high pressure regulator.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure regulator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14321.
14V117000 · Air Bags:frontal
Mar 17, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2014 with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and less and equipped with front passenger air bags. In the affected vehicles, during a frontal impact below the air bag deployment threshold, if an unbelted front passenger's head hits the instrument panel above where the passenger air bag is located, the panel may not sufficiently absorb the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the passenger instrument panel free of charge. Notices to the owners of the heavy duty vans were mailed on April 28, 2014. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14082.
13V225000 · Fuel System, Other
May 15, 2013
General Motors LLC (GM) and IMPCO Automotive Division of IMPCO Technologies, Inc. (IMPCO) are recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Cargo vans that have a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system installed as original equipment by IMPCO. The fuel systems, manufactured February 14, 2011, through February 20, 2013, have a fuel shut-off solenoid connector to the CNG tank that may corrode and form a short.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A short at the connector may cause overheating, resulting in an increased risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and GM dealers/fleets will perform the remedy which will include replacing the solenoid assemblies and fuel pump fuses and adjusting the wiring routing. The recall began on August 5, 2013. GM's number for this recall is 13139. Impco's number for this recall is FA13GM001. Owner's may contact GM Fleet Action Center at 1-800-353-3867.
13V147000 · Electrical System:wiring; Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust; Seats:front Assembly:recliner; Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Apr 17, 2013
Explorer Van Company, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer and Explorer Limited SE vehicles built on GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express chassis, manufactured August 1, 2012, through April 9, 2013. The wiring harness that powers the seat adjuster and the seat heating circuit may not be properly secured. As a result, the harness may become lodged in the seat riser mechanism.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the wires become lodged in the seat riser mechanism, they may become severed and potentially short circuit. A short circuit may result in a fire.
Remedy: Explorer Van Company will notify owners, and dealers will secure the seat wiring harness. Any damaged seat wiring harnesses will be replaced. These services will be completed free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2013. Customers may contact Explorer Van Company at 1-800-926-7878. Explorer's number for this campaign is 2013-1.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Explorer Van Company, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer and Explorer Limited SE vehicles built on GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express chassis, manufactured August 1, 2012, through April 9, 2013. The wiring harness that powers the seat adjuster and the seat heating circuit may not be properly secured. As a result, the harness may become lodged in the seat riser mechanism.
Consequence: If the wires become lodged in the seat riser mechanism, they may become severed and potentially short circuit. A short circuit may result in a fire.
Remedy: Explorer Van Company will notify owners, and dealers will secure the seat wiring harness. Any damaged seat wiring harnesses will be replaced. These services will be completed free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2013. Customers may contact Explorer Van Company at 1-800-926-7878. Explorer's number for this campaign is 2013-1.
Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust
Explorer Van Company, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer and Explorer Limited SE vehicles built on GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express chassis, manufactured August 1, 2012, through April 9, 2013. The wiring harness that powers the seat adjuster and the seat heating circuit may not be properly secured. As a result, the harness may become lodged in the seat riser mechanism.
Consequence: If the wires become lodged in the seat riser mechanism, they may become severed and potentially short circuit. A short circuit may result in a fire.
Remedy: Explorer Van Company will notify owners, and dealers will secure the seat wiring harness. Any damaged seat wiring harnesses will be replaced. These services will be completed free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2013. Customers may contact Explorer Van Company at 1-800-926-7878. Explorer's number for this campaign is 2013-1.
Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Explorer Van Company, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer and Explorer Limited SE vehicles built on GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express chassis, manufactured August 1, 2012, through April 9, 2013. The wiring harness that powers the seat adjuster and the seat heating circuit may not be properly secured. As a result, the harness may become lodged in the seat riser mechanism.
Consequence: If the wires become lodged in the seat riser mechanism, they may become severed and potentially short circuit. A short circuit may result in a fire.
Remedy: Explorer Van Company will notify owners, and dealers will secure the seat wiring harness. Any damaged seat wiring harnesses will be replaced. These services will be completed free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2013. Customers may contact Explorer Van Company at 1-800-926-7878. Explorer's number for this campaign is 2013-1.
Electrical System:wiring
Explorer Van Company, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer and Explorer Limited SE vehicles built on GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express chassis, manufactured August 1, 2012, through April 9, 2013. The wiring harness that powers the seat adjuster and the seat heating circuit may not be properly secured. As a result, the harness may become lodged in the seat riser mechanism.
Consequence: If the wires become lodged in the seat riser mechanism, they may become severed and potentially short circuit. A short circuit may result in a fire.
Remedy: Explorer Van Company will notify owners, and dealers will secure the seat wiring harness. Any damaged seat wiring harnesses will be replaced. These services will be completed free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2013. Customers may contact Explorer Van Company at 1-800-926-7878. Explorer's number for this campaign is 2013-1.
13V010000 · Electrical System:ignition
Jan 14, 2013
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Express vehicles manufactured November 1, 2012, through December 21, 2012; and model year 2013 GMC Savana vehicles, manufactured November 14, 2012, through November 20, 2012. It may be possible to remove the key from the ignition when the vehicle is running or the transmission is not in the Park position. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the ignition key is removed while the vehicle is still on and/or the vehicle is not in Park, the vehicle may rollaway and the unintended movement of the vehicle may result in a possible crash or injury to pedestrians.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition lock cylinder and the two associated keys. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on February 8, 2013. For more information, GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463 and Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438.
13V001000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
Jan 2, 2013
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
Consequence: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
Consequence: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.