2013 Gmc SIERRA 1500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
115 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 67 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 42 of 115 complaints (36.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 5.2% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 1.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 42 |
| Air Bags | 35 |
| Structure:Body | 21 |
| Suspension | 10 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 42; Air Bags: 35; Structure:Body: 21; Suspension: 10; Engine: 8; Electrical System: 6; Power Train: 3; Seat Belts: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 48 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 |
2015: 1; 2016: 22; 2017: 21; 2018: 7; 2019: 8; 2020: 9; 2021: 19; 2022: 10; 2023: 9; 2024: 5; 2025: 4
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10782609 · 2015-10-16 (October 16, 2015)
HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT AS BRIGHT AS MY OLD GM TRUCK. HIGH BEAM EXTENDS THE DISTANCE BUT DOES NOT INCREASE IN BRIGHTNESS. NOT VERY GOOD IN RAINY WEATHER. SEEMS THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT EVEN ON. VERY EASY TO "OVERDRIVE" THE HEADLIGHTS.
Owner-reported narrative. 325 miles reported. Look up ODI 10782609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10854241 · 2016-04-08 (April 8, 2016)
PASSENGER AND BACK SEAT IN THE CREW CAB ARE COMING OFF OF THE BRACKETS. I TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD FIND A PROBLEM. I GGOGLED PROBLEM AND THERE ARE MANY CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. THE SEATS ARE COMING AWAY FROMBTHE CLAMPS OR BRACKET TO HOLD THE SEATS SECURE. THIS IS UNSAFE. I HAVE A RATTLING ANDBCLICK CLACKING SOUND WHILE DRIVE IN MOTION OVER ROUGH ROADS OR BUMPS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10854241 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10862236 · 2016-04-29 (April 29, 2016)
CRACKED DASHBOARD TOP LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER AIRBAG .
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10862236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10863457 · 2016-05-05 (May 5, 2016)
THERE IS A CRACK ON THE DASH AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, MY CONCERN IS IN AN ACCIDENT IF THE DASH WILL BECOME SHRAPNEL IF THE AIRBAGS GO OFF.
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10863457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10870126 · 2016-05-21 (May 21, 2016)
THE DASHBOARD SUDDENLY CRACKED NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. IT APPEARS TO BE IN THE CORNER OF THE AIRBAG WHERE, IF DEPLOYED COULD POSSIBLY DAMAGE THE AIRBAG CAUSING A MALFUNCTION WHICH COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. AS OF NOW, I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALLS FOR THIS HOWEVER, I HAVE FOUND AN ARTICLE WHERE GM IS NOT CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR CRACKED DASHBOARDS.
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10870126 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10874445 · 2016-06-15 (June 15, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 GMC SIERRA 1500 EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS-2 TIRES, SIZE: P275/55R20. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY'S LOT. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO LEFT ARM AND SHOULDER DUE TO THE AIR BAG FAILURE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,458 miles reported. Look up ODI 10874445 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10882601 · 2016-07-05 (July 5, 2016)
THE DASH FORMED A CRACK STARTING FROM THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OVERNIGHT. IT CONTINUES TO GROW DAILY. I AM WORRIED IF THE AIRBAG WAS TO DEPLOY IT WOULD CAUSE THE DASH TO BREAK, SHOOTING PIECES THROUGHOUT THE TRUCK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10882601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10883819 · 2016-07-10 (July 10, 2016)
THE DASH FORMED A CRACK STARTING FROM THE PASSENGER AIRBAG I AM WORRIED IF THE AIRBAG WAS TO DEPLOY IT WOULD CAUSE THE DASH TO BREAK, SHOOTING PIECES THROUGHOUT THE TRUCK AND CAUSE MORE DAMAGE THAN IT WOULD NORMALLY CAUSE WITHOUT A CRACK.
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10883819 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗