2013 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
56,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 26 complaints (26.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 7 | 26.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 19.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 11.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 7.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 7 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Steering: 7; Power Train: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Electrical System: 4; Engine: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2014: 6; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 5; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10521380 · 2013-06-24 (June 24, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING VIGOROUSLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10521380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10576953 · 2014-04-02 (April 2, 2014)
I DRIVE A 2013 CHEVY SILVERADO 3500HD, DIESEL. I HAVE HAD TWO INCIDENTS. THE FIRST ABOUT A MONTH OR TWO AGO, TURNING SHARPLY AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO QUIT FUNCTIONING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE SECOND TIME WAS LAST WEEK WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL AT A MARKET. THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER TODAY TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING. I TOW A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER ABOUT ONCE A MONTH AND AM CONCERNED THAT TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576953 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11507940 · 2023-02-18 (February 18, 2023)
According to GM 2009 to 2015 Chevy Silverado transmission control module and wiring harness failed. People have been without their cars for more than a year ours has been down for 6 months. NO dates for the parts to be back in stock.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11507940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11525682 · 2023-06-06 (June 6, 2023)
Tcm module faild on freeway when doing 60mph the vehicle suddenly down shifted causing car behind me to skid there brakes to avoid a rear end collision.Yes vehicle can be inspected for failure of transmission control module.The vehicle was diagnosed of a faulty transmission control module.. The truck has been down since December 2022.the dealer says the part had been discontinued With no release date.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11525682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10654116 · 2014-11-11 (November 11, 2014)
WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 80, IN IOWA, THE FUEL TRANSFER PUMP ON REAR FUEL TANK MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING A PRESSURIZATION OF THE FORWARD FUEL TANK WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL SPRAY TO FROM THE FORWARD FUEL TANK FILL-NECK. TO STOP THE CONTINUOUS LOSS OF FUEL , I HAD TO PULL FUSE #18 FROM FUSE BOX UNDER HOOD FOR THE REAR FUEL TANK FUEL TRANSFER PUMP TO SHUT IT OFF. REAR FUEL TANK CAPACITY IS 40 GALLONS AND FORWARD FUEL TANK IS 23.5. I ESTIMATE A LOSS OF 20 GALLONS ON HIGHWAY BEFORE I DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. THIS SYSTEM RUNS THE ENGINE FROM THE FORWA…
Owner-reported narrative. 62,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10654116 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11206223 · 2019-05-08 (May 8, 2019)
VEHICLE DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK IN THE RETURN FUEL LINE LOCATED AT THE TANK. THE FUEL LINE IS MADE OF PLASTIC, IT HAS NO PROTECTION AROUND THE FUEL LINE, AND IS LOCATED WHERE NATURAL DEBRIS MAY COLLECT. IN THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT AN ACORN BECAME LODGED NEXT TO FUEL LINE AND WORE A HOLE IN IT. THE RESULT WAS A FUEL LEAK ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING/DRIVEN, AND I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED. THE AREA WHERE THIS FUEL LEAK OCCURS IS ALSO DIRECTLY OPPOSITE OF THE DIESEL EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH REACHES 1200 DEGREES DURING THE R…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,580 miles reported. Look up ODI 11206223 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10607316 · 2014-07-01 (July 1, 2014)
I DRIVE A 2013 CHEVY SIVERODO 3500HD, DIESEL. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS. THE FIRST ABOUT A YEAR AGO, TURNING SHARPLY AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO QUIT FUNCTIONING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE SECOND TIME WAS SHORTLY AFTER WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL AT A MARKET. THE SAME THING HAPPENED.IT HAS HAPPENED COUNTLESS TIMES SINCE THEN. I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING. I TOW A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER MOST OF THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10607316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11353797 · 2020-09-08 (September 8, 2020)
CAME TO A STOP AT TOP OF EXIT RAMP TRUCK CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON, TRUCK BEEPED THREE TIMES COMING UP RAMP, HIT EXCELLERATOR AND TRUCK ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. HIT EMERGENCY BRAKE. PUT TRUCK IN PARK AND TURN OFF IGNITION. TRUCK REFUSED TO START. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STOP TO CUT OFF AS TRACTOR TRAILER WE'RE COMING OFF INTERSTATE BEHIND ME FULL SPEED TO TRUCK STOP (BEFORE THIS INCIDENT THE TRUCK HAD DRIVEN COMPLETELY FINE ON A 60 MILE DRIVE ALL INTERSTATE EXCEPT FOR MAYBE THREE MILES. ). TRUCK IS STILL AT THE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11353797 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11048858 · 2017-11-28 (November 28, 2017)
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K3500HD LTZ CREWCAB 6.6L DURAMAX : ENGINE REGULARLY FAILS TO START. SINCE ACQUIRING THIS PRE-OWNED TRUCK IN JUNE 2017 I HAVE EXPERIENCED THREE INSTANCES WHERE THE ENGINE TURNS OVER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START BUT FAILS TO DO SO. IN ALL CASES THE ATTEMPT TO START WAS MADE AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT. VEHICLE WAS ORIENTED WITH A SLIGHT UPHILL (5 DEGREES) NOSE UP ATTITUDE. BATTERY (THERE ARE 2) CONDITION TESTED WELL WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS FOR STATE OF CHARGE,VOLTAGE AND AMPERAGE. AFTER HAVING THE TRUCK TOWED TO VA…
Owner-reported narrative. 209,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11048858 at NHTSA ↗