2013 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10559546 · 2014-01-13 (January 13, 2014)
THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOLLOWING GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. I STOPPED AFTER PULLING ACROSS THE STREET AND NOTICED FALSE FAULT INDICATIONS ON THE DISPLAY, FOLLOWED BY SMOKE BLOWING FROM THE HEATER VENTS. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, RAISED THE HOOD, AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS YOU FACE THE VEHICLE. I BORROWED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM A STORE AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. I HAVE RECEIVED LITTLE INFORMATION FROM GM IN 2 1/2 MONTHS AND NOTHING INDICATES TO ME THEY HAVE TAKEN THIS ENGIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10559546 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 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 10639895 · 2014-09-29 (September 29, 2014)
WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED AND USUALLY AT LOW RPM, AND TURNING RIGHT THE STEERING LOCKS UP, IF I PULL TO THE LEFT IT USUALLY CLEARS THE LOCK UP. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS NEARLY EVERY TIME I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, AND ITS NOT GETTING BETTER. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO ABOUT IT. I SAY THERE IS NOTHING NORMAL ABOUT NEARLY HITTING OTHER VEHICLES BECAUSE OF POWER STEERING PROBLEM UNLESS OF COURSE ITS A GM PRODUCT AND HAVING A DEFECT LIKE THIS IS NORMAL FOR THEM. *…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10639895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10648326 · 2014-10-17 (October 17, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES SUSTAINED BY THE OTHER DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10648326 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 10759057 · 2015-08-25 (August 25, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10759057 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V664000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank
Reported: 2017-10-19 (October 19, 2017)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks. The low fuel level sensor for the front tank may stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
Consequence: If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, as well as inspect the front tank, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service for Chevrolet 1-800-222-1020 or for GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17399.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V267000 · Equipment
Reported: 2018-04-26 (April 26, 2018)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V053000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)
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."
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V054000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)
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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
NHTSA campaign record ↗