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: electrical system
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 20, 2022
The fuse box fails to give power to the vehicle causing it to stall at any given moment which can cause an accident or even death if it’s struck in traffic by another vehicle or loss of control because of no power to steer your vehicle
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2021
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES, AND I BELIEVE, IT IS GOING TO EFFECT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND DASHBOARD WIRING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING OR ENGINE STALLING AT SPEED BECAUSE OF PIECES OF DASH FALLING INTO THE WIRES.
Electrical system, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 13, 2021
I WENT AND GOT AN ALIGNMENT,A DAY AFTER THE STABILITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE CAME ON. I WENT BACK TO SEE IF IT COULD BE FIX IT AND WAS TOLD IT DIDN'T COME ON WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT. THE SAME DAY IT CAME ON AGAIN, SO I WENT TO A GMC DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD MY STEERING WHEEL POS SENSOR IS BAD. I WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET,GOING AND COMING FROM WORK(HAPPENS IN SAME EXACT SPOT ON THE STREET(S).THIS IS MY ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION AND WHAT I NEED TO DO.
Electrical system, May 19, 2018
I PURCHASED MY 2013 GMC SIERRA 1500 SLE EXT CAB BRAND NEW. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE MASTER WINDOW SWITCH DUE TO FAILURE,REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AGAIN AS IT HAS FAILED. I JUST SAW A NHTSA RECALL ID NUMBER :18V295 MANUFACTURER :GENERAL MOTORS LLC SUBJECT :LIQUID MAY LEAK INTO POWER WINDOW SWITCH MAKEMODELMODEL YEARS CHEVROLETEXPRESS2014-2017 GMCSAVANA2014-2017 . I BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE SWITCHES IN MY MODEL TRUCK AAND IT SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND NEVER HAVE I HAD TO REPLACE A MASTER WINDOW SWITCH 3 TIMES, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE SWITCHES.THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WORKED INTERMITTENTLY , THEN THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE ALSO WORKED INTERMITENLY, NOW ALL 4 WINDOWS WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Electrical system, Apr 26, 2018
AROUND 50K THE SIDE DETECTION WARNING SYSTEM AND PARK ASSIST QUIT WORKING. UPON TAKING IT IN FOR REPAIRS WE FIND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AT A SHORTAGE..DUE TO HIGH VOLUME OF REPAIRS. WE CALLED GM CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY STATE THERE IS NO RECALL AND OUR REPAIR WILL BE OVER $1000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WE FEEL THIS IS UNFAIR PRACTICE SINCE THEY ARE AWARE THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 19, 2017
THERES ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS GOING ON, HAVING INTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE BROKE FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS TOO A MONTH, DRIVERS SIDE CONTROLS DON'T WANT TO WORK ALL THE TIME TO TRY TO ROLL UP AND DOWN THE WINDOWS, MOVE BOTH ELECTRICAL MIRRORS, UNLOCK THE DOORS.
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.
Electrical system, Jan 31, 2015
VEHICLE'S VOLT GAUGE READ'S BETWEEN 16 AND 17 VOLT'S. CONSTANTLY. TAKEN TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD AFTER THERE TESTING OF THE SYSTEM ALL READING WERE AT 14.4 TO 14.7 VOLTS. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. WHEN LEAVING DEALERSHIP WAITED AFTER STARTING TO WATCH GAUGE AS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. GAUGE STILL READING BETWEEN 16 AND 17 VOLTS. HAVE NOW CONTACTED GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR FURTHER HELP. *TR
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
Electrical system, Structure, Mar 10, 2014
MICE, RABBITS ETC. CHEWED THROUGH WIRES BECAUSE GMC PUTS PEANUT OIL ON THEIR WIRES. GMC DEALER SAID THEY WOULD FIX WIRES BUT THE PROBLEM WILL PERSIST BECAUSE PEANUT OIL IS BAIT FOR THESE ANIMALS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WAS REPORTED ON A 2012 VEHICLE. THIS COULD CAUSE FIRES ETC AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THE VEHICLE WASN'T RUNNING RIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND CHEWED WIRES WERE DISCOVERED. WERE TOLD BY GMC DEALER THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX BECAUSE THEY USE PEANUT OIL BECAUSE ITS CHEAP! WE'VE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE SEPTEMBER 2013. GMC WILL PUT THE WIRES TOGETHER AGAIN BUT NOT FIX THE MAIN PROBLEM OF THE PEANUT OIL. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS COMPLETELY AVOIDABLE, YET A PROBLEM THAT IS BUILT INTO THE VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 29, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE PARK ASSIST LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 9/17/13*CN
Electrical system, Interior lighting, Nov 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SLOSHING NOISE OF FUEL COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE SOUND EMITTED A VIOLENT AND FORCEFUL MOVEMENT FROM THE EXTERIOR REAR OF THE VEHICLE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHICH INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND RADIO WOULD NOT DIM IN THE NIGHT MODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150. UPDATED 01/22/13*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED GM HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THE CONDITION THAT HAS EXISTED SINCE THE 2007 MODEL YEAR. THERE IS ALSO A NIGHT TIME LIGHTING ISSUE WITH THE INABILITY TO DIM FURTHER, THE DASH LIGHTS OR TO TURN THEM OFF COMPLETELY. UPDATED 01/24/13