2013 GMC Sierra 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 167 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 26 Sierra 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 6 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 10 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
EquipmentApr 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
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 18V267000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
47 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 14, 2018
THE DASHBOARD HAS SEVERE CRACKS IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ALSO AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THESE CRACKS ARE RESULTING FROM A POOR DESIGN AND NOT FROM ANY ACCIDENT OR MISUSE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VINTAGE OF TRUCK AND HAS AFFECTED MANY OWNERS. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IN THE EVENT OF A ACCIDENT THAT DEPLOYS THE AIRBAGS, THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD WOULD SHATTER AND YIELD PROJECTILES WITHIN THE CABIN AREA. THE DASH REQUIRES FULL REPLACEMENT AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED.
Air bags, Nov 22, 2017
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JULY 2016, I INQUIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT HAVING THE RECALL DONE. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS DURING MY FIRST INQUIRY. ON MY 2ND INQUIRY, I WAS TOLD THAT GM WAS AWAITING COURT PROCEEDINGS TO BE RESOLVED REGARDING GM'S RESPONSIBILITY AND/OR COST. SINCE THEN TO DATE, MY DASHBOARD AT THE AREA OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS CRACKED AND I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE MATTER.
Air bags, Oct 31, 2017
TAKATA RECALL..RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON 07/2016/ FROM GMC ABOUT DEFECTIVE AIR BAG. LETTER SAYS "NO NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO REMEDY YOUR VEHICLE." I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED BY GM..STILL WAITING, I NOW HAVE A COLLEGE STUDENT DRIVING THIS PICKUP AND WOULD LIKE SOME ATTENTION.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2017
MY COMPLAINT IS FOR THE CRACKED DASHBOARD JUST ABOVE THE FORWARD LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT. THE DASH CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON; THERE IS NO KNOWN CAUSE. MY CONCERN IS BOTH COSMETIC AND SAFETY. NOT ONLY SHOULD A VEHICLE LESS THAN 5YRS OLD NOT HAVE A CRACKED DASHBOARD, BUT SINCE THE DASH IS CRACKED DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT, AND IS APPARENTLY PRONE TO CRACKING, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR THE DASH TO SPLINTER AND PROJECT SMALL PIECES OF PLASTIC INTO THE BODY OF PASSENGERS IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO BE DEPLOYED.
Air bags, May 18, 2017
DASHBORD SEPARATING DOWN THE CENTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE DASHBOARD FLAPS. THIS IS A DEFAULT ISSUE WITH THE COMPANY. ALSO, CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WITH DISMANTLE CAUSING SERIOUS BODILY HARM.
Air bags, Apr 3, 2017
CRACK IN DASHBOARD BY PASSENGER AIRBAG...AFRAID IT WILL DEPLOY
Air bags, Nov 30, 2016
INSTALLING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF TRUCK. IF THE AIRBAG WENT OFF IT WOULD INJURE OR KILL THE CHILD. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED TO HOOK UP A CAR SEAT. THERE IS NO DEVICE TO TURN OFF THE AIRBAG WHEN A CHILD IS IN THEIR SEAT. NOBODY MENTIONED THIS WHEN PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE THAT YOU SHOULD NOT INSTALL A CAR SEAT. WENT TO MICHIGAN STATE POLICE CAR SEAT EXPERT AND THE SARGE TELLS ME SHE HAS TRIED TO GET THEM TO INSTALL A SWITCH. I HAVE THE FEDERAL FORM SAYING I ASSUME ALL LIABILITY . THERE EITHER NEEDS A SWITCH OR SAY YOU SHOULD NOT INSTALL A CAR SEAT. CALLING GM I WAS TOLD TO PUT THE CHILD SEAT IN THE BACK. I HAVE ONLY ONE SEAT NO BACK SEAT. I ASKED IF I SHOULD INSTALL IT IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THERE RESPONSE WAS PUT CAR SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT. I WOULD IF I HAD ONE!. I AM AFRAID TO CARRY MY GRANDDAUGHTER IN MY VEHICLE. THE SARGENT CONFIRMED NOT TO PLACE CAR SEAT IN THE MIDDLE BECAUSE IF THE DRIVERS AIRBAG WENT OFF IT WOULD KILL HER. THE MANUAL SAY DON'T PUT THE CAR SEAT IN THE MIDDLE. IF PLACED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT IT WOULD HURT HER AND POSSIBLY BREAK BOTH LEGS. GM REFUSES TO INSTALL A SWITCH EVEN AT MY EXPENSE. THEY SAY IT IS A LIABILITY. IT SEEMS TO ME THEY ARE LIABLE IF THEY DON'T. NEED SOME HELP SO MORE KIDS DON'T GET HURT.
Air bags, Structure, Oct 20, 2016
MY DASHBOARD HAS A CRACK THAT APPEARED TODAY THAT'S LOCATED ON THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I CALLED GM TODAY AND TOLD THEM OF THE SITUATION AND THEY STATED THAT THEY'RE AWARE OF THESE CRACKS HOWEVER THERE ISN'T A RECALL DUE TO IT NOT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. THE GM LADY ASKED ME HOW MANY MILES ARE ON MY TRUCK SO I TOLD HER IT ONLY HAS 29,204 MILES AND I'M THE ORIGINAL FIRST OWNER AND BOUGHT MY TRUCK BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER. SHE THEN STATED THAT THE TRUCK IS ALREADY OVER THE 36 MONTH / 36,000 MILE WARRANTY THEREFORE IT'S NOT COVERED FOR A FREE DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT. CAN SOMEONE AT THE NHTSA PLEASE HELP ME OUT OR POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION SO I CAN GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. THANKS IN ADVANCE. *TR
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2016
2013 GMC SIERA15004WD IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND HAND WASHED! THE DASH IS CRACKED OVER THE STERI G WHEEL AND THE PASSENGERS SIDE AIRBAG! THIS CAN'T BE SAFE! NOT TO MENTION IT JUST TURNED TO 40000 MILES! AND! THE PAINT WILL CHIP OFF IF SO MUCH AS A FLY HITS IT! AND THE PAINT ON THE ROOF HAS BUBBLES IT! AND THEY SAY IT'S HAIL DAMAGE! REALLLY ON JUST THAT PART OF THE TRUCK? I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER GMC ( ALTHOUGH ME AND MY HUSBAND PURCHASED 2 NEW ONES WITHIN 6 MONTHS) THEY ARE CHEAPLY MADE AND EXPENSIVE TO BUY! THEY SHOULD BE BANNED FROM SELLING SUCH JUNK! AND THEY MADE THE MO EY NOW THEY ARE DOUBLE DIPPING MAKI G ALL THESE PEOPLE FIX THESE WRETCHED DASHES ON NEW VECHICLES! SHAME ON YOU!! AND WHEN YOUR BANKRUPT FROM INJURIES DUE TO YOUR NEGLIGENCE IT WILL BE A BLESSING!!!
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 19, 2016
DASH BROKE AT THE AIR BAG, IF IT WAS TO DEPLOY WILL SEND SHARP PIECES OF PLASTIC AT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2016
I HAVE A COUPLE CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I ASKED THE DEALER TO REPLACE IT FOR FREE. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 300 DOLLARS.
Air bags, Aug 18, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES NEAR FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAGS
Air bags, Aug 5, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE DRIVING 67 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A WRECKING YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Air bags, Jul 28, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO THE HIGHWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 67 MPH CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND WAS STOPPED BY A CURB. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT BECAME UNCONSCIOUS AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH AND SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO THE HEAD, BRUISES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND HIPS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Jul 17, 2016
SAFETY ISSUE WITH CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD IN THE UPPER LEFT PORTION OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. IF THE AIRBAG GOES OFF, EITHER IN ACCIDENT OR IN ERROR, PARTS OF THE DASHBOARD WILL DISLODGE AND BE A DANGER TO THE OCCUPANTS.
Air bags, Jul 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.
Air bags, 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.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 25, 2016
I HAVE A 2013 SIERRA DENALI HD. I AM VERY OCD WITH THIS VEHICLE AS TO I ONLY DRIVE IT ON WEEK-ENDS, ETC. TRUCK IS STORED IN CLIMATE CONTROLLED GARAGE. JUST TURNED OVER 42K MILES. I HAVE A PROFESSIONAL DETAILING SERVICE DETAIL THIS TRUCK. I PICKED UP MY TRUCK TODAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY FOUND A CRACK IN THE DASH LOCATED BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ONLY 6K MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. HOW CONVENIENT FOR GM. I PLAN ON TALKING TO DEALER THAT SERVICES MY TRUCK TOMORROW AND GET THEIR INPUT.
Electrical system, Air bags, May 14, 2014, crash, fire
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME IN TRAFFIC WHEN A WOMAN DRIVING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION DECIDED TO PASS A VEHICLE. HE SWERVED TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION WHICH MEANT HE HAD TO GO OFF OF THE ROAD. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD THE TRUCK SHOT ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DPS OFFICER TOLD MY HUSBAND HE HIT A CULVERT AND FLIPPED 5- 6 TIMES. WITNESSES HAD TO PULL HIM OUT OF THE TRUCK AND HAD MENTIONED THERE WAS A SLIGHT FIRE THAT THEY PUT OUT. DURING ALL OF THIS NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HE WENT TO THE DOCTOR THE FOLLOWING DAY TO GET CHECKED OUT. *TR
Air bags, Service brakes, Apr 8, 2014, crash
ON APRIL 7, 2014, I WAS INVOLVED IN CAR ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THROUGH A SOLID GREEN LIGHT WHEN THE OTHER THE VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT TURN TRIED TO SPEED UP TO GET PASS. I SAW THE OTHER THE VEHICLE AND PRESS THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE TRUCK SLID AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE. I WAS GREAT IMPACT AND I WAS SHOCKED THAT OUR AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I'M VERY CONCERN THAT MY EQUIPMENT ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY....PLEASE ASSIST ME IN MATTER. *TR
Air bags, Mar 23, 2014, crash
WHILE DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS, I SWERVED TO MISS AN ANIMAL, TOOK THE DITCH, HIT TWO TREES, SOME BOULDERS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 47 MPH. THE ACCIDENT REPORT SHOWED DAMAGES TO EVERY PART OF THE TRUCK EXCEPT THE ROOF AND TAILGATE. WE HAD A GRILL GUARD INSTALLED AT A GMC DEALERSHIP UPON PURCHASE, AND HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THAT GUARD, THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN OUR LAPS. THE TRUCK SUSTAINED 20,000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGES, YET ALL GM HAD TO SAY WAS THAT THE AIRBAGS OPERATED AS DESIGNED. I SAY THAT THE DESIGN IS FATALLY FLAWED IF A CRASH OF THIS MAGNITUDE DOES NOT CAUSE THIS VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE TO OPERATE. THE FOLKS WHO TOWED THE VEHICLE HAD SOME VERY STRONG OPINIONS ABOUT THIS FAILURE, AND SAID THAT THE GRILL GUARD WAS THE ONLY THING WHICH SAVED US, AND THAT HAVING IT INSTALLED SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD ANY EFFECT ON THE FUNCTION OF THE AIRBAGS. *TR
Air bags, Jan 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND BECAME INVOLVED IN A SIX VEHICLE CRASH. THE CONTACT'S AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT END, RIGHT QUARTER PANEL AND THE REAR BUMPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,010.