Chevrolet

Avalanche (2013)

2013 · Full-Size Truck · 1 engine
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.4)
82 NHTSA Complaints
2 Recalls
0 Fire Reports
2 Crash Reports
View all 12 generations of the Chevrolet Avalanche → 📋 Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
3/5 (22.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

LC9 - Flex Fuel (GAS/ALC) Aluminium Cylinder, Deactivation FFV

5.3L 8-cyl
⚠️ Caution (2.4)
77 complaints 50.0 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
28
safety systems
22
body
18
electrical
5
engine
4

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (22 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (18 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (5 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Chevrolet Avalanche regardless of engine variant.

Safety Systems Issues (22 complaints)
safety_systems serious
Body/Trim Issues (18 complaints)
body moderate
Electrical System Issues (5 complaints)
electrical cosmetic

Recalls (2)

21V054000May 1, 2021critical
Air Bags

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

21V053000May 1, 2021critical
Air Bags

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."

Alternatives in Full-Size Truck

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2013-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche problems?

The 2013-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche has accumulated 82 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Safety Systems, Body/Trim, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Chevrolet Avalanche engine is most reliable?

The 2013-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche was offered with 1 engine option. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 5.3L 8-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2013-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche a good used car?

The 2013-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 82 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche have?

The 2013-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche has 82 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2013-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche?

There are 2 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2013-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Avalanche?

Before buying a used Chevrolet Avalanche, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Safety Systems, Body/Trim, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Avalanche?

The 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (21.2% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 82 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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