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U.S. public vehicle records

2013 Gmc SIERRA 3500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

14 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

49,218 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 14 complaints (35.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Fuel system concerns321.4%
Transmission and shifting214.3%
Braking behavior214.3%
Electrical and battery issues17.1%
Steering behavior17.1%

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.

Air Bags
5
Engine
2
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Power Train
2
Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1
Steering
1
Unknown Or Other
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags5
Engine2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Power Train2
Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Steering1
Unknown Or Other1

Air Bags: 5; Engine: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Steering: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
3
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9993
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 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.

2014
1
2016
1
2018
1
2019
2
2020
1
2021
4
2022
1
2023
2
2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20141
20161
20181
20192
20201
20214
20221
20232
20251

2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 11088735 · 2018-04-17 (April 17, 2018)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KUHIO CHEVROLET CADILLAC HYUNDAI NISSAN (3033 AUKELE ST, LIHUE, HI 96766, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND INJECTORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 34,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11088735 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11306641 · 2020-02-03 (February 3, 2020)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS LIMITED TO 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (RAINBOW NORTH SHORE GMC/CHEVROLET (2925 N. HWY 190, COVINGTON, LA) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE KNOCK SENSORS AND INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 145,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11306641 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11445054 · 2021-12-27 (December 27, 2021)

I was driving down the highway at 75 MPH when the Transmission Control Module overheat and put my truck into third gear causing the truck to speed unsafe.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11445054 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11525589 · 2023-06-06 (June 6, 2023)

GM TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE # 24256861.... There are over 9,000 GM trucks that are sitting idle because GM quit making this part, There are no after market replacements nationwide. When this part fails it shifts the transmission into 2-3 rd gear and goes into limp mode which if you are doing 70 on the interstate you are in for a sudden awakening. It also causes other issues like stablitrac issues there are at least 4 other issues which make the vehicle undrivable It is sad that GM has known of this failure for well over year. It should be…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11525589 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10916610 · 2016-10-17 (October 17, 2016)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION "TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10916610 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11690612 · 2025-09-30 (September 30, 2025)

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the ABS independently engaged. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11690612 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11175747 · 2019-02-08 (February 8, 2019)

AT LOW SPEED THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP AND IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE WHEN TURNING EITHER DIRECTION

Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11175747 at NHTSA ↗