The Lemon Index
201220141st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: engine
11 owner complaints, first 3 years 12–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Ford E-Series 142013 Ford Transit Connect 27
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V267000 (equipment), 13V544000 (equipment) and 14V500000 (fuel system, other) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Chevy sent dealers 1850 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Service engine soon light illuminated on dash”?
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 11 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 2K to 48K miles (3K to 77K km) on the car (10 of all 11 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.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 16.4M views · 1996–2024 Chevrolet Express
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors641K views
How to Replace Crankshaft Position Sensor 2003-2021 Chevy Express 3500TRQ · 185K views · 6 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door607K views
How to Replace Main Temperature Blend Door Actuator 2003-2021 Chevrolet Express 3500TRQ · 132K views · 10 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors420K views
How to replace the handle on a sliding door of a 2007 Chevy Express VanPriesty Boys · 175K views · 6 videos - Cooling system392K views
How to Replace Water Pump 2003-2021 Chevrolet ExpressTRQ · 122K views · 6 videos
Show 3 more
- Infotainment, battery & electrical374K views
How to Replace Starter 2003-2021 Chevy Express Van 3500TRQ · 103K views · 8 videos - Steering & suspension186K views
How to Replace Upper Ball Joint 2003-2021 Chevrolet ExpressTRQ · 65K views · 3 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank173K views
How to Replace Fuel Pressure Regulator 2003-2021 Chevrolet Express 3500TRQ · 83K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
2003 CHEVY EXPRESS TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMSJoe Dixon · 162K views
Top 5 Problems Chevrolet Express 2500 Van 2003-2025 2nd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 52K views
How Reliable is a 2004 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van POV Test DrivePOV Nelson · 20K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2013 is the same generation.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1850 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Service engine soon light illuminated on dash
- No cranking or starting, caused by possible excessive
- Gmc/chevrolet: engines, with egr system, has leakage from egr cooler engine coolant into the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 8
- Equipment · recall issued 2018
These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher.
- Equipment · recall issued 2015
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.
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2014
The affected vehicles may leak natural gas from the CNG high pressure regulator.
Show all 8 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety.
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2013
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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2013
The wiring harness that powers the seat adjuster and the seat heating circuit may not be properly secured.
- Electrical · recall issued 2013
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.
- 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 Express recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Express Passenger 1500 VAN AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Chevrolet Express Passenger 1500 VAN RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Chevrolet Express Passenger 2500 VAN RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$5,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Express year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (2003–2003, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Chevrolet Express years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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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-express/?y=2013" title="Chevrolet Express reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" 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-express/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Chevrolet Express reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Express reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 11; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Express year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Express problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (36%), brakes (27%) and fuel system (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Express have?
8 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Chevrolet Express get?
12 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Express have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 Chevrolet Express cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $5,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Chevrolet Express have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Express year is better than the 2013?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth 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