The Lemon IndexAll carsChevroletAvalanche2013
20122nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 16,986 in the U.S. in 2013 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 15 complaints in its first 3 years.
15 owner complaints, first 3 years 17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Ford F-150 672013 Chevrolet Silverado 202013 Ram 1500 89
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 14 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21V054000 (airbags), 21V053000 (airbags) and 13V001000 (steering) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 1659 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some customers may comment that the vehicle has reduced acceleration at low speed and/or…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 15 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 30K to 54K miles (48K to 87K km) on the car (14 of all 15 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
I went out one day and the dashboard of 2013 Avalanche has two cracks. One above the driver's side instrument panel and the other around the passenger side airbag.
2013 Chevrolet Avalanche owner · NHTSA complaint 10910281
More owner reports
A vehicle ran a stop sign and I t-boned the other vehicle at approximately 30mph. My air bag did not deploy which it is my understanding that it should have deployed.
NHTSA complaint 10759363
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1659 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some customers may comment that the vehicle has reduced acceleration at low speed and/or…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Steering · recall issued 2013
102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have be.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Avalanche recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Avalanche SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Chevrolet Avalanche SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Avalanche year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-avalanche/?y=2013" title="Chevrolet Avalanche reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-avalanche/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Chevrolet Avalanche reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche reliable?
We can't score it: only 16,986 were sold in the U.S. in 2013 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (33%), airbags (20%) and electrical (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche get?
17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 7% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Avalanche year is better than the 2013?
Nearby, the 2012 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works