2013 Chevrolet Express problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Express, most often about brakes. There are 8 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
2
Recalls
8
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
200,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Brakes is the most-reported problem area, named in 2 of 2 complaints (100%).
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 200,000 mi.
  • The 2013 Chevrolet Express has 8 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 14th of 19 Chevrolet Express model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2013 Chevrolet Express problems by category

  • Brakes
    2 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Service brakes2

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k60k–100k100k–150k1150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2013 Chevrolet Express complaints that list mileage.

2013 Chevrolet Express recalls (8)

  • Recall 18V267000Apr 26, 20186,154 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT

    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

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 13V544000Oct 30, 20151,808 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 14V500000Aug 13, 20143,345 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 14V117000Mar 17, 2014303,013 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

    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."

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 13V225000May 15, 20131,791 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 13V147000Apr 17, 2013885 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER · 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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 13V010000Jan 14, 2013980 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

    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."

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 13V001000Jan 2, 201354,686 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 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.

    Risk: 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.

Recent 2013 Chevrolet Express complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 25, 2021MDBrakes
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11438129 · source
  2. Filed Apr 9, 2020200,000 miNYBrakes
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11320720 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology