2013 Chevrolet Express: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 22 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine; the 2011 and 2012 and 2015 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The Brakes will Lock up while driving Due to an issue with the Power Brake Hydro Boost System. The Hydro Boost Control Valve will allow Pressure to apply the Brake Master Cyl. with Engine speed increasing while the vehicle is traveling in a normal Fashion. Overheating the Brake calipers to the point of Protective boots burning up. Rotors and pads are damaged also. This a known problem Posted on repair search boards. I am a Certified ASE Master Mechanic with over 40 Years This a Very Dangerous Event and Part Failure”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2021
“Brakes do not release after sudden stop, three times, on highway 95. Steering wheel started trembling slowly for 10 miles and then violently, then brake pedal gets hard. Passenger side started smoking, on 8 south in ct 4/9/2020. Managed to stop van on soft shoulder. This brake system is very dangerous for me.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2020
“Previous complaints 11102768 , 11111685 vehicle is a forest river sunseeker rv/ 2013 chevy express cutaway 4500 model g33803 159" 6.0 gvw 14,200. The fuse/relay block has been replaced. Part 22767373. The tech has made a comment on the invoice. The original fuse block had a lack of voltage to various components and may cause future electrical failures due to this.the vehicle has 9100 mi on it. This fuse block(underhood) has been a problem in many vehicles including ambulances. Not good, as it can cause the vehicle not to start or loose power. This is a serious problem and needs to be addressed.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle would turn over but not start. Code for crankshaft postion sensor. Replaced. Started. 3 days later vehicle would not start. Code for camshaft postion sensor. On order. Vehicle was stationary both times.please note this vehicle is in pristine condition and only has 9000 miles on it.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2018
“Driving along interstate 10 our motor home began to shake like tires being out of balance. I stopped at express tire in fredericksburg, tx. They found that the tread was separating on three of the six tires. Because we were traveling I only replaced the three problem tires. Continuing our trip we traveled another 1,000 miles and a fourth tire separated. At that time I was only 200 miles from returning home so had the spare put on and continued home with no further problems. I do intend on purchasing four more new tires before our next trip.”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2018
“2013 coachmen freelander -chevrolet express 4500 cutaway. Mileage -19,662; brake line rusted out and brake fluid leaked out. Brakes failed while on the road, warning message "service brakes'". Made it to a chevrolet dealership and brake line replaced. *dt updated 10/5/18*jb *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2018
“This 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.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet express. While driving 43 mph, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The air bags did not deploy. In addition, the shoulder of the seat belt did not lock, which caused the contact's body to be jerked around in the seat. The rear passenger seat belt fractured. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the head, thumb, lower torso, and knees. The contact also suffered whiplash. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2016
“Concern that vehicle has no tpms. If tire would deflate could cause vehicle loss of control. Received recall alert from support@dealerrater.com #15819. Stating that some vehicles had been recalled because vehicle did not pass fmvss number 138.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2016
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Express by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Express reliable?
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Chevrolet Express. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Express have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.