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Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 29 owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. Most complaints involve structure (8) and air bags (6). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jan 2013
Owner complaints
29
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: anti-theft device

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Jan 2, 2013NHTSA 13V001000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

29 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2014 – Apr 2021
  1. Structure8
  2. Air bags6
  3. Exterior lighting2
  4. Steering2
  5. Electrical system2
  6. Engine1
  7. Vehicle speed control1
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  9. Service brakes1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Avalanche 1500 model year we’ve synced.

Only one model year synced so far.

Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

8 reports
“THE ADHESIVE SECURING THE 4 PIECES OF DOOR TRIM IS BREAKING DOWN AND THE TRIM PIECES WILL EVENTUALLY FALL OFF ON THEIR OWN, A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORISTS DEPENDING ON WHEN AND WHERE IT HAPPENS. THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A NO MAINTENANCE ITEM. REPORTED TO CHEVROLET, CASE # 8-4199057982, AND THEY DO NOT SEEM TO BE CONCERNED THAT THIS "LIFE OF THE VEHICLE" INSTALLATION IS DEFECTIVE AS THE 3 YEAR BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. AS A PRINCIPLE ENGINEER IN BOEING'S RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DIVISION (WE TEST STUFF TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE), MY INFORMED OPINION IS THE DEFECT IS CAUSED BY POOR SURFACE PREPARATION PRIOR TO BONDING, ADHESIVE MATERIAL USED PAST IT'S WORKING LIFE, ADHESIVE MATERIAL PAST ITS SHELF LIFE, OR USE OF AN ADHESIVE MATERIAL WHICH IS NOT DESIGNED FOR THE INTENDED ENVIRONMENT. AS THIS SAME TRIM IS INSTALLED ON NUMEROUS CHEVY, GMC AND CADILLAC TRUCKS AND SUV MODELS ANY CAUSE OTHER THAN THE FIRST TWO I LISTED WOULD INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH NUMEROUS VEHICLES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2018StructureODI 11101732

Air bags

6 reports1 crash
“AT +/-83000 MILES THE DASH DEVELOPED A CRACK LEADING INTO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HOUSING. IT ALSO IS BROKEN AND, WHEN DRIVING, LOOSELY VIBRATING BETWEEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HOUSING. GIVEN THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH AIR BAGS, THIS IS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2018Air bagsODI 11100738

Exterior lighting

2 reports
“THIRD BRAKE LIGHT NOT SEALED ALLOWING THE LIGHT TO GET IN MOISTURE AND RESULT IN FAILURE OF LIGHT TO FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY LAW. MANUFACTURING DEFECT ALLOWS THIS LIGHT TO FAIL AT ANY TIME WHICH COULD RESULT IN VEHICLE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 22, 2018Exterior lightingODI 11064162
All 2013 Avalanche 1500 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Avalanche 1500 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650520
Avalanche 1500 4WD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650520
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Avalanche 1500 questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 problems?

Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (8), air bags (6), exterior lighting (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026