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: structure
84 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Jun 1, 2023
Frame of truck is completely rusted out, truck has only 88,000 miles. The body of the truck is in perfect condition with no rust but the frame is shot! This will be over 4,500 dollars to repair, this seems to be a common issue in the Chevy and GMC trucks. I did see on a web site GM had issues on application of a wax sealer on the frames that was thought to be discoverd in 2020. I contacted Chevy at 1-800-222-1020 call center and was told at this time it is out of warranty and thank you for being a valued Chevy customer! I have never had a vehicle in my life of 63 years have a bad frame like this, my wife and I have had over 19 GM vehicles in our life but never a issue like this! These frames are worse than the Toyata Tacoma frames! 10 years old well maintained, frame is shot.
Structure, Apr 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45-55 MPH, there was an abnormal banging sound underneath the vehicle. The contact parked the vehicle and inspected underneath the vehicle and noticed that the rear cross-member was completely rusted. The contact had not spoken with the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Structure, Feb 22, 2023
FRAME RUSTED OUT , BROKE AND HOLES IN IT . GM IS AWARE AND WONT REPLACE. THE TRUCK IS WORTHLESS AND I STILL OWE 19K ON IT. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE .
Structure, Suspension, Jan 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and going over a speed bump, the contact heard an abnormal banging sound underneath the vehicle like the tailpipe had detached and was striking the undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the rear-end of the vehicle was considerably lower than normal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the undercarriage, suspension arms, braces, and frame had rusted through in many large areas, rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. The contact stated that she contacted her insurance provider who had the vehicle towed to a collision shop. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Suspension, Structure, Jan 23, 2023
FRAME IS STARTING TO RUST AFTER 60,000 MILES OF BEING WASHED REGULARLY. AN INVESTIGATION NEED TO BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE IF MANY SIMILAR MODLES HAVE THIS ISSUE AND ISSUE A FREE FRAME REPLACEMENT IF ITS DETERMINED THAT THE ANTI CORROSION COATING FAILED.
Structure, Jan 23, 2023
Chevrolet Silverado rusted out frame safety issue
Structure, Dec 6, 2022, crash
The vehicle is unsafe to operate around pedestrians and other roadside objects because of the poor visibility, especially at critical moments where visual confirmation is needed like crosswalks, intersections, and parking lots. The A pillars, side mirrors, and tall front profile, block the driver from visually confirming hazards and pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections. While driving, I made a right hand turn and attempted to park roadside. The vehicle was blocking my view of cement barriers placed in the parking space before mine, and the vehicle collided with the barriers. Also, many times I have had to stop just after entering an intersection to keep from hitting a pedestrian, because the vehicle blocked my view.
Suspension, Structure, Sep 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the local dealer for servicing, he was informed that the subframe of the vehicle was severely corroded and all cross members of the vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the cross members were replaced and welded. However, the failure persisted. The contact stated that he could hear parts separating from the subframe and falling onto the ground while driving. The contact stated that upon inspecting the subframe, he noticed that unknown parts were corroded and had detached. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Structure, Aug 28, 2022
Frame rusted and broke in 2 places!!!!!! 54,000 miles. No accident!!!!
Suspension, Structure, Dec 31, 2021
Frame already has holes from rust after only 8 years and was well kept and washed regularly. The vehicle also has about 85k miles
Suspension, Structure, Nov 23, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who discovered significant corrosion on the rear subframe of the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that they had never heard of such a failure with that model vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Structure, Nov 3, 2021
1/ PREMATURE RUST ALL OVER FRAME. FRAME RAIL IS ROTTED THRU AND WILL COLLAPSE IN AN ACCIDENT ALDO WILL NOT PASS A SAFTY INSPECTION . THIS TRUCK HAS APPROV. 70,000 MILES ON IT. THERE ARE AMNY THREADS ALL OVER TH INTERNET WITH OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM.G M KNOWS ABOUT IT 2/ I HAVE NOT BROUGHT IT TO A DEALER BECAUSE I ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS i HAVE HAD GM TRUCKS ALL OF MY LIFE ( IM 68) I HAVE NEVER HAD A FRAME ROT OUT. I DID SPEAK TO A FRIEND IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AT A DEALER AND HE KNEW ALL ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME HE HAS NO KNOWLEDGE THAT GM WILL RECALL THEM LIKE TOYATA DID YEARS AGO. I CAN'T EVEN TRADE IT IN BECAUSE THE DEALER ALREADY KNOWS THE FRAME WILL BE A PROBLEM AND GIVE ME NOTHING FOR A 28,000 TRUCK . I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO . THE DATE ON THE INCIDENT IS I BELIVE WHEN I PURCHASED IT . IT WAS RUSTING THEN . THE TRUCK IS TITLED TO MY BUSNESS PPD CORP 1489 MAIN STREET BROCKTON MA 02301. THANKS
Structure, Mar 20, 2021
PERSONAL MECHANIC NOTED ROTTING FRAME AREAS, TUBES BETWEEN MAIN FRAME SUPPORTING GAS TANK AND CONNECTING SHOCK ABSORBERS. METAL FABRICATING BUSINESS CONSULTED AND WHEN GAS TANK WAS REMOVED AND ENTIRE MAIN FRAME EXPOSED SEVERE RUSTING OF MAIN FRAME ON BOTH SIDES NOTED. APPEARS ENTIRE FRAME SHOULD BE REPLACED OR EXTENSIVE WELDING OF NEW METAL ONTO EXISTING FRAME. THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCH BROKE OFF AND FELL ONTO THE HIGHWAY PRIOR TO THIS. THE GAS TANK WAS NEAR FALLING OFF TOO. SEE ATTACHED PICTURES.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Jan 7, 2021
IMY 2013 CHEVY Z21 HAS STARTED LEAKING SROUND THE LIGHT ON TOP AND BACK LIGHT ON THE HOOD OF THE TRUCK. I NOTICED WET SPOT ON BACK PART OF HEADLINER AND SOME MOLD IN THE AREA. I HAVE FOUND WHERE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAID THE SAME PROBLEM ON THEIR 2013 SILVERADO, I CAN'T FOUND ANY RECALLS ON THIS. I FEEL THERE NEEDS TIO BE A RECALL FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND ABOUT THIS.. MY 3 YEAR OLD SON RIDES IN THE BACKSEAT RIGHT WHERE THE LEAK IS.AND I'M AFRAID IT COULD MAKE HIM SICK
Structure, Aug 30, 2020
THE DRIVER DOOR HANDLE (BOTH THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR HANDLES) WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR WHEN STOPPED. THE REPAIR SHOP SHOWED ME A SMALL POT METAL ARM THAT BROKE INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL AND CAUSED THE PROBLEM. WHILE NOT AN ISSUE BY ITSELF, IF THE AUTO WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED THE DRIVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, DEPENDING ON THE FINAL RESTING POSITION. FURTHER ADDING TO THIS IS THAT THE ISSUE APPEARED FOR A DAY, THEN THE DOOR WORKED FINE FOR 2 MORE DAYS BEFORE BECOMING PERMANENTLY NON-FUNCTIONING.
Structure, Aug 28, 2020
I NOTICED EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY TOOK THE TRUCK IN FOR PROPER FIX. RUST WAS SUPPOSEDLY GROUND OFF AND FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE WERE UNDERCOATED. APPARENTLY THE FACTORY WAX COATING WAS NOT PROPERLY CLEANED BEFORE PAINT. I RECENTLY NOTICED THE RUST IS BACK ON THE FRAME AND FRONT STEERING PARTS. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 16,000 MILES, IS GARAGE KEPT AND HAS RARELY BEEN DRIVEN IN WINTER MONTHS.
Structure, Aug 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETED RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER CMA'S COLONIAL CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 12420 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY, CHESTER, VA 23831, (804) 748-6461, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE UNDERCARRIAGE SUBFRAME TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,300.
Air bags, Structure, Service brakes, Aug 2, 2020, crash
TRUCK WAS HIT ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRAME WAS BENT AND THE LEFT SIDE WAS ALSO DAMAGED. AIRBAGS WERE RELEASED. FRONT TIRES WERE DAMAGED. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 9, 2020. INSURANCE AND REPAIR COMPANY ARE TRYING TO FIX IT WITH OTHER PARTS. I WAS IN MOTION ON A SIDE STREET AND A SPEEDING VEHICLE THAT I DID NOT SEE HIT ME.*DT*JB
Other or unspecified, Structure, Jul 13, 2020
CRACK DASH THE TRUCK IS GARAGE SENSE I BROUGHT IT NEW IT HAS ONLY 21000 MILES IT NEVER BEEN OUTSIDE AS FAR JUST SETTING THE CRACK SEEMS TO BE GETTING BIGGER . THE TRUCK AS NEVER BEEN ANY ACCIDENTS .
Structure, Jul 11, 2020
CRACKED DASH ABOVE THE DRIVER SIDE AND AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. DUE TO EITHER CHEAP MATERIAL OR DEFECT IN MATERIAL. VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND WAS STATIONARY WHEN CRACKS APPEARED ON BOTH SIDES. GARAGE TEMPERATURE WAS 76 DEGREES THE DAY CRACKS HAPPENED.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2020
CRACKED DASH. *TR
Air bags, Structure, May 13, 2020
THE DASH AREA AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER IS CRACKED AND WOULD BE A FLYING DEBRIS HAZARD IN AN ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION CRACKS EXIST DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT, WHEN THE SUN HITS IT, CREATES A GLARE THAT AFFECTS VISIBILITY. BOTH OF THESE ARE SAFETY CONCERNS AND GM SAID THAT ITS NORMAL. HOW IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BECOME FLYING SHRAPNEL OR BLINDING THE DRIVER NOT A CONCERN OR NORMAL. THIS NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. THESE CRACKS APPEARED OVER A YEAR AGO BUT THEY'VE NOW GOTTEN WORSE AND THE GLARE HAS BECOME MORE OF AN ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2020
PAINT HAS PEELED OFF ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD, PAINT LOOKS VERY THIN AND BRITTLE. DASHBOARD HAS TWO CRACKS NEAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I AM WORRIED THAT IF THE AIRBAG EVERY WENT OFF THE PIECE OF PLASTIC WILL BE SHOT OFF AND BE A PIECE OF SHRAPNEL IN AN ACCIDENT.
Structure, Mar 31, 2019
FINDING HIGH LEVEL OF SURFACE RUST ON SILVERADO FRAME
Air bags, Structure, Mar 14, 2019
I HAVE FOUND CRACKS IN THE DASH DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE SUPPORT BRACES FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, IN CASE OF DEPLOYMENT THE SHARDS OF BROKEN PLASTIC CAN IMPALE INTO AN INDIVIDUAL CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH