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
365 reports, newest first.
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.
Engine, Sep 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MOTOR OF THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A FUEL INTEGRATION SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO SWITCH FROM V8 TO V4 FOR BETTER FUEL MILEAGE AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,100. .... UPDATED 10-17-13 *BF UPDATED 10/24/2013*JS
Steering, Sep 5, 2013, crash
TRAVELING AT ABOUT TEN MILES PER HOUR. VEHICLE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE TO ANY ATTEMPT TO STEER AND A LOUD DING NOISE PLAYED. VEHICLE STRUCK CONCRETE LIGHT POLE. HAD BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR AN HOUR AND HAD JUST CAME OFF OF THE INTERSTATE. PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND THAT IS WHEN STEERING QUIT WORKING. *JB
Structure, Aug 29, 2013
I PURCHASED A 2013 SILVERADO, WHILE TAKING POSSESSION OF THE TRUCK I NOTICED THE UNDERCOATING HAD FALLEN OFF OF THE FRAME RAIL ABOVE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND HAD BEGUN TO RUST. I IMMEDIATELY COMPLAINED, BUT WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CONTACT GM. I IMMEDIATELY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM. THE REPAIR WAS TO SPRAY AFTER MARKET UNDER COATING FROM A SPRAY CAN ON THE ALREADY RUSTY PARTS. I COMPLAINED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS ALL THEY WERE GOING TO DO TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE IF LEFT ON THE ROAD FOR THE NEXT 10 YRS WILL END IN SOMEONE'S DEATH AS THE FRAME WILL BE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. *TT
Service brakes, Aug 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DOWNHILL, THE GRADE BRAKE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FEATURE WAS BUILT TO FUNCTION IN THE MANNER IN WHICH IT DID. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO DISABLE THE FEATURE MANUALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
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.
Steering, Aug 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,289 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,500.
Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Visibility/wiper, Aug 5, 2013
APRIL, 2013 - TRUCK WAS PARKED OUT SIDE, AND I LEFT FOR A 70 MILE TRIP EARLY IN THE MORNING, AFTER THE DEW HAD FALLEN. JUNE, 2013 - A TROPICAL STORM SWEPT THROUGH THE AREA, DUMPING TONS OF RAIN; CAUSING THE HUMIDITY TO RISE A FEW HOURS LATER AS WELL AS CAUSING EVERYTHING TO BE MOIST/WET. BOTH EVENTS WERE EITHER IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OR IN THE EVENING AFTER THE SUN WENT DOWN, AND INVOLVE WETNESS/MOISTURE, HUMIDITY, AND THE INABILITY TO "DRY" THE WINDSHIELD. PROBLEM: THERE IS A "CONDENSATION FILM" THAT FORMS ON THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE OUTSIDE ELEMENTS BEING MORE MOIST AND HUMID THAN THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. USUALLY, WHEN TURNING ON THE DEFROSTER, THIS WILL "DRY" THE WINDSHIELD AND MAKE THE CONDENSATION FILM GO AWAY. HOWEVER, THE DEFROSTER ON THIS MODEL DOES NOT "DRY" THE WINDSHIELD ON THE RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER) OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR COMING OUT OF THE DEFROSTER ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS NOT AS STRONG AS THE LEFT. THERE IS A CONSTANT CONDENSATION FILM THAT FORMS AND REMAINS. THE WIPERS WILL CLEAR THE WETNESS/MOISTURE AWAY, TEMPORARILY, BUT THE FILM REMAINS AND THE MOISTURE/WETNESS RETURNS. THIS MAKES THE VISIBILITY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRUCK NON-EXISTENT, AND WHEN TURNING A RIGHT HAND CORNER, OR ENTERING AN INTERSECTION, YOU CAN NOT SEE OUT OF THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS A LIABILITY AND ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN....... CONFIRMATION/MANUFACTURER KNOWLEDGE: I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER - TWICE - AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS "NORMAL" FOR THIS MODEL. I CONTACTED THE GM HOTLINE, WHO ESCALATED THE CLAIM TO THE ENGINEERING CLAIMS DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM, THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF IT, AND TOLD THE DEALER NOT TO DO ANY REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. I ALSO TALKED TO THE DEALERS HEAD MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST. IS GM WAITING FOR A DEATH BEFORE FIXING? PICTURES AVAILABLE... *TR
Tires, Wheels, Jun 9, 2013
RECENTLY PURCHASED SILVERADO 3500HD TRUCK, I HAD NO IDEA IT DID NOT HAVE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM UNTIL I GOT HOME AND WAS GOING THROUGH THE VEHICLE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. I THOUGHT ALL CONSUMER VEHICLES HAS THIS SAFETY FEATURE. AS IT TURNS OUT EVERYONE AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALSO SURPRISED. CHEVROLET HAS THIS LISTED AS AN OPTION FOR A 3500HD, HOWEVER THEY SAY IT IS NOT A SUPPORTED CONFIGURATION. I THINK THE NHTSA NEEDS TO REVISE THEIR TPMS TO ALL VEHICLES SOLD NOT JUST THOSE BELOW 10,000LBS. TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE FOR ALL VEHICLES, AND CAN HELP AVOID MANY MISTAKES. I APPRECIATED IT IN MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE, I WAS ALERTED TO A NAIL IN LEAK AND FOUND A NAIL, I COULD HAVE EASILY DRIVEN ON THE TIRE AND HAD IT FAIL WHILE DRIVING. NEAREST I CAN TELL, THE COMPONENTS EXCEPT FOR THE SENSORS ARE IN THE TRUCK AS IT IS THE SAME AS THE 2500HD, GM JUST REFUSES TO MAKE THE REQUIRED SOFTWARE CHANGES TO SUPPORT ADDING TPMS TO MY NEW TRUCK. I'VE GOTTEN EVERY EXCUSE UNDER THE SUN UNTIL I GOT THE ITS NOT A SUPPORTED CONFIGURATION, NOTE I WAS NOT TOLD IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. (THOUGH SOMEONE DID, STATING THE TIRES WERE THE ISSUE, BUT THE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE THE SAME AS ON THE 2500HD). *TR
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2013
HAD VEHICLE APPROX. 2 WEEKS ON 4-10-13 WOULD NOT START FOR SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. IT STARTED I PULLED OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND IT DIED I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IMMEDIATELY. DEALER HAD IT ONE DAY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE ISSUE SO DID NOTHING. SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ABOUT 3 WEEKS AFTER THAT THIS TIME I WAS GOING ABOUT 45MPH AND WITH NO WARNING IT JUST DIED IN THE ROAD ALMOST GOT HIT BY 2 PEOPLE BEHIND ME. TOOK OVER 8 MINUTES TO GET RESTARTED DURING WHICH TIME SEVERAL MORE PEOPLE HAD TO SWERVE TO MISS ME. I DROVE ABOUT 1/2 MILE TO WORK PARKED, TRIED TO RESTART IT WOULDN'T START WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AFTER COUPLE DAYS DEALERSHIP SAID COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. I PRESSED THE ISSUE AND MADE IT CLEAR THIS WAS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND SOMEONE WAS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED. AFTER ABOUT ONE WEEK THEY SAID THE PROBLEM DUPLICATED AND THE PART I NEED IS ON BACK ORDER (A MODULE). THIS IS WHERE THE TRUCK IS NOW. AFTER 'GOOGLING' THIS ISSUE THE FIRST TIME I FOUND NOT STARTING IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND THE FIX IS ONE OF TWO THINGS ONE OF WHICH IS THE MODULE BEING REPLACED NOW. I RELAYED THIS INFORMATION TO THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCIDENT BUT NOTHING WAS DONE. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING IT HAPPENS AT SPEED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL FIX IT BUT GM MUST BE AWARE OF THIS CONSIDERING ALL THE ONLINE FORUMS PERTAINING TO THIS PRECISE ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MORE EAGER TO FIX SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED EVEN IF IT CAN'T BE DUPLICATED WHILE IN THE SHOP. (ADDITIONAL VEHICLE DESCRIPTION--2500 HD DIESEL CREW CAB LTZ) *TR
Electrical system, May 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING WITH A HITCH WAS INSTALLED, THE BACKUP SENSOR FAILED . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,600. UPDATED 6/17/13 *CN
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.
Steering, Apr 22, 2013
TRAVELING 70 MPH ON FREEWAY, NATURALLY VEERING LEFT TO RIGHT WENT TO CORRECT TO THE RIGHT AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I COULD TURN TO THE LEFT MORE BUT COULD NOT CORRECT BACK TO THE RIGHT. HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 35 MPH NEARLY CAUSING SOMEONE TO REAR-END ME, THEN IT FINALLY BROKE LOOSE. THE ENTIRE ORDEAL LASTED APROX. 12 SECONDS BEFORE IT WAS CORRECTED. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Apr 16, 2013, crash
HIT A DEER AT 47MPH ON LEFT FRONT OF VEHICLE. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WITH CODE B0052 DEPLOYMENT COMMANDED. NO AIR OR PRETENSIONER DEPLOYED. CONTACTED GM THEY SENT AN INSPECTOR OUT TO RETRIEVE CRASH DATA FROM RECORDER. THEY CONTACTED ME AFTER THEY RECEIVED THE INFO FROM THE INSPECTOR , AND SAID I NEEDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO DIAGNOSE CONCERN. THERE WERE NO CODES. THEY HAVE NOT TOLD ME IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SDM THAT WAS REPLACED. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER A WARNING CHIME ACTIVATED, IT WAS EXTREMELY LOW AND ALMOST INAUDIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SOUND WAS TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE RADIO. THE RADIO WAS REPLACED BUT THE SOUND CONTINUED TO EMIT EXTREMELY LOW. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO FURTHER REPAIR AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85. *TR