2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 365 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 19 Silverado 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 16 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Campaign 21V054000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 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."
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Campaign 21V053000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
24 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Power train, Back over prevention, Nov 7, 2025
Front end, yes it is available for inspection upon my request. My safety wasn’t very safe the truck felt like the front wheels and back wheels were going to come out from underneath me. Vehicle has been to many shops and I have fixed some parts myself because of prices to pay at shops. The vehicle had at least two lights on the dash about the ABS & STABILITY TRACK
Power train, Air bags, Engine, Apr 25, 2025
4x4 light comes on every once in a while Airbag light come on says service
Power train, Dec 5, 2024
Rear wheels lock up while driving. This happened several times and to get it to move again I had to unplug battery for 10 mins. This happened while driving at all speeds and it is so unsafe to drive that I do not feel comfortable driving the vehicle for my safety and the safety of others. I had it towed to the dealership, and they said transmission needed to be replaced and it was not under warranty. I called GM and they told me they could not help and to hire an attorney over some class action lawsuit. I just want my truck fixed!
Power train, Aug 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of a failure with the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and was shaking abnormally while attempting to downshift. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Power train, Engine, Jun 24, 2024
I’m not completely aware of the issue but at about 68,000 miles my GM LC9 engine has started ticking. I know GM has been sued in the past for the failure of LC9 engine and wondered if I need to join the lawsuit or if there will be a recall issued?
Suspension, Power train, Sep 27, 2023
The frame under neath is rusted in two in several places and the springs are broke off I just bought a month ago and owe 19000 on this truck and it's not safe to use
Power train, Jul 6, 2023
We put our truck into a dealership recall for passenger airbag. Next day while driving truck started to buck in middle of traffic had to pull over. No reverse or forward. Waited and then the problem left. Truck is not repaired brought it to a transmission shop has Converter damage.
Steering, Power train, Feb 19, 2023
On two occasions the vehicle has been parked in our drive way and has rolled away approximately 15 ft until being stopping at a snowbank. There have been no warning lights that would indicate an issue prior to this happening. Searching open recalls, I found that although my specific VIN is not affected by a safety recall, there is a recall for this issue on other 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. I believe my vehicle should be included in this recall. If this were to have happened in another location, it could have resulted in a crash and major damage to bystanders or other vehicles.
Power train, Mar 9, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION STRAINED WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS WITH AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PALM CHEVROLET (2300 SW COLLEGE RD, OCALA, FL 34471) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700.
Power train, Engine, Dec 6, 2020
LIFTER TICKING AND LIFTER COLLAPSE. STABILITY AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WORKING IMPROPERLY AND FLASHED ON AND OFF AND THE TRUCK STARTED TO HESITATE AND JERK. OIL CONSUMER IS EXCESSIVE. THIS ALL OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WITHOUT ANY PRIOR PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR OTHER 'IDIOT LIGHT' WARNINGS BEFORE THE LIFTER CLICKING STARTED OR THE STABILITY AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ACTED UP.
Power train, Nov 2, 2020
TRANSMISSION HAS BAD SOLENOID IN TRANSMISSION. WHILE YRUCK WAS IN MOTION NO SIGNS THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ISSUES AND DROPPED TO LIMP MODE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. CHECK ENGINE CAME ON SHOOTING TROUBLE CODE PO796. FOUND THIS TO BE COMMON WITH MANY OTHER SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODELS, EVEN TOLD SO BY TRANSMISSION SHOP. WANTED TO REPORT THIS INCASE IT NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO POSSIBLE FUTURE RECALL
Power train, Seats, Engine, Feb 27, 2018
ENGINE USES 3 QUARTS OIL BETWEEN REQUIRED OIL CHANGES. #2 PROBLEM 4WD SWITCH IF I USE AUTO 4WD . 4WD DOES NOT ENGAGE AND WONT SWITCH OUT OF AUTO .I WAS TOLD AT DEALER SHIP JUST DON'T USE AUTO 4WD IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM
Power train, Sep 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 (NA) CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND BACKWARD AFTER STARTING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IN COLD WEATHER. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT WITH AN EXTREMELY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12.
Power train, Feb 23, 2015
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS BENT. IT WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE VIBRATION WAS STILL PRESENT. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, NOTHING MORE COULD BE DONE. *JB
Power train, Nov 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. AFTER SHIFTING INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 20, 2014
ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP, THE RPM'S RACE WHILE SHIFTING. VEHICLE ACTS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING FROM 1-2. EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE I THOUGHT THIS WAS ONLY SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME SHIFTING AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE HOWEVER, AS THE TRUCK GETS MORE MILES ON IT, THE PROBLEM HAPPENS MORE OFTEN AND WHEN TAKING OFF FROM STOPS WHEN HOT. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER TO DIAGNOSE COMPLAINT AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A BULLETIN TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT SINCE THE TECH COULDN'T VERIFY IT, THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. DEALER SAID I HAVE A GOOD POWERTRAIN WARRANTY SO IF SOMETHING BREAKS LATER I SHOULD BE COVERED. NOT ONLY IS THIS UNPROFESSIONAL AND POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY LITERALLY DID NOTHING TO ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE OR CONFIRM THE PROBLEM. THERE SEEMS TO BE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE RELATED TO RPM RACING COMPLAINTS. *TR
Power train, Jun 30, 2014
WHEN THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN PARK, IT WOULD ROLL ON ITS OWN EVEN WITH THE PARKING BRAKE FIRMLY APPLIED (OUR DRIVEWAY IS RATHER STEEP), AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL. WE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS TO RE-ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION TO WORK PROPERLY, HOWEVER; NOTHING CHANGED. WE REPORTED IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, BUT, THEIR MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE UPON INSPECTION.
Power train, Jun 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURED THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 12,758 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,433.
Power train, Feb 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SHIFTED INTO PARK, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND SECURED THE VEHICLE IN PARK ONCE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN FIRST GEAR AND TAKING THE FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE RPM'S WOULD NOT DECREASE AND THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT RELEASE FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-4 SECONDS. THE FAILURE CAUSED ABNORMAL FORWARD MOVEMENT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN FIRST GEAR AND SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED BY APPROXIMATELY 200 RIPENS BEFORE DECREASING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER BUT THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER CAME TO THE HOME AND DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20. UPDATED 03/11/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED BY THE TIME HIS FOOT REACHED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE WAS HOLDING A CONSTANT 1400 RPM, RESULTING IN NOT ONLY TRYING TO SLOW THE MASS OF THE VEHICLE, BUT ALSO ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE AGAINST AN ENGINE LOCKED AT 1400 RPM. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR AS A TEST AND THEN POPPED THE STEERING COLUMN GEAR SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE GAINED ANOTHER 200 RPM FOR 3-4 SECONDS. UPDATED 03/13/14
Power train, Nov 4, 2013
SINCE I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN JUNE 2013, I'VE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE WHEN THE TRUCK SITS WITHOUT BEING USED FOR SEVERAL DAYS, WHEN I BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSIONS SLIPS. THE TRUCK WON'T MOVE FOR A SECOND, THE ENGINE RPM'S RACE AND THEN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CATCHES, IT WILL ACTUALLY SQUEAL THE TIRES. THEN AT TIMES IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS FOR THE FIRST SEVERAL TIMES I STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN ONCE THE TRUCK HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A DISTANCE, AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERYTIME THE TRUCK IS USED. I'VE TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP AND HE SAYS THEY'VE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES WITH OTHER TRUCKS. I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO PICK UP THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HAVE HIM WITH ME WHEN I START MY TRUCK TODAY AFTER IT HAS SET FOR FOUR DAYS. I HOPE IT DOES THIS WITH HIM IN THE VEHICLE SO HE CAN FEEL WHAT'S HAPPENING. I'VE BEEN A LOYAL CHEVY OWNER FOR OVER 30 YEARS BUT I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS TRUCK WHICH COSTS $45,000. *TR
Power train, Sep 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLICKING NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE AS VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT WAS A POLICE OFFICER AND HAD TO CHASE THE VEHICLE ACROSS THE HIGHWAY TO AVOID A SEVERE CRASH. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PARKING HAUL WAS COMPLETELY FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,100. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 13, 2013
TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS MULTIPLE GEARS WHEN I DECELERATE. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED AT 70 MPH CAUSING A VERY HARD DECELERATION AND NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. I HAVE HAD THREE OTHER LIKE INCIDENCES AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 AND 70 MPH. THESE HAPPENED ON DRY PAVEMENT AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOW SAFELY. HAD THIS OCCURRED ON WET OR SNOW COVERED ROADS, I HAVE NO DOUBT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. 2 . AT TIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE THERE IS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. WHEN THE ENGINE DOES RESPOND, THE TRUCK ACCELERATES AS IF I HAVE THE THROTTLE FLOORED. AGAIN THIS HAS HAPPENED ON DRY PAVEMENT. SLICK CONDITIONS WOULD HAVE CAUSED A SPIN OUT. 3. VEHICLE SURGES BETWEEN 20 AND 45 MPH. ENGINE RPM CONTINUALLY JUMPS 200-300 RPM CAUSING CONSTANT SURGING. BESIDES BEING VERY ANNOYING, IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS ON ICY ROADS.
Power train, Apr 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL, MADE A CLUCKING NOISE AND SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,500.