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: structure
30 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Oct 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while having the vehicle inspected, the vehicle failed inspection due to the rear subframe being detached from rust. The contact stated that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin: 19-NA-255. The contact used the undercarriage wash due to residing in a snow and salt State. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The VIN was not available.
Structure, Jul 2, 2025
DURING AN OIL CHANGE IN MAY I WAS INFORMED THAT MY FRAME WAS EXTREMELY ROTTED AND WAS IN JEOPARDY OF CRACKING IN HALF . THE FURTHER I DIG INTO THIS, I'M FINDING THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
Structure, Nov 12, 2024
Roof rust at the windshield on a perfect condition vehicle. Paint is excellent on rest of vehicle. No damage or accidents and properly maintained. Premature rust is now visible at the roof of the of the vehicle. Soon could rot and allow water into cab of vehicle.
Suspension, Structure, Dec 22, 2023
Rear half of Frame Crossmembers rotted away between the Frame rails. Took vehicle in for routine safety inspection, and the mechanic determined that the cross members to which the rear shocks and the Gas tank were attached had both broken free from the frame rails due to rust. The entire back end of the vehicle is suspended from the frame with only the leaf spring mounts. This rust is excessive and far exceeds the rust on other points on the frame and undercarriage of the vehicle.
Structure, Oct 9, 2023
I’ve only had the truck for 1 years and the frame is so deteriorated and rusted. My frame is now cracked/damaged. I’ve read up on the same manufacturer/trucks and it seems like an ongoing problem.
Suspension, Structure, Apr 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was alerted by another motorist that the spare tire had lowered underneath the vehicle. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the rear cross members had corroded, causing the spare tire to become unsecured underneath the vehicle. Additionally, while driving over bumps in the roadway, the vehicle became unstable due to the corroded rear suspension. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the rear sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2021
The interior and exterior door handles broke on both doors on my 2013 GMC SIERRA truck. There was no warnings and my safety was at risk because the only way to enter or exit the vehicle is to crawl out the window.
Structure, Sep 21, 2020
ON 8-25-20, I TOOK MY 2013 GMC SIERRA TO AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP IN GENESEE, WI, FOR A BRAKES AND SHOCKS INSPECTION/REPAIR. THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON IT BECAUSE THEY SAID THE FRAME WAS 'BROKEN AND CRACKED' DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST PERFORATING THE FRAME. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME MY SIERRA SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE WORST FRAME DAMAGE IS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE GAS TANK. I WAS SHOCKED BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS IN OTHERWISE EXCELLENT CONDITION! ON 8-26-20, I CALLED AND SENT PHOTOS (SEE ATTACHED) TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE GMC DEALERSHIP IN WAUPACA, WI, WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. HE STATED HE WOULD NOT DRIVE MY SIERRA AND NOR SHOULD I. HE REFERRED THE MATTER TO HIS GM REP TO SET UP AN OFFICIAL GM PET CASE. THE CASE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REFUSED DUE TO 'NO HISTORY' AT THE WAUPACA DEALERSHIP. THEY SUGGESTED I CALL A GMC DEALER IN WAUKESHA WHERE I DO HAVE AN ESTABLISHED HISTORY. THE SERVICE MANAGER THERE ALSO SAID MY SIERRA SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND THAT 'THE FRAME COULD BUCKLE IF PUT ON A HOIST.' HE ALSO REFUSED TO HELP ME. ON 9-2-20, I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER CARE AND RECEIVED AN ESCALATED CASE NUMBER. ON 9-9-20, A SENIOR ADVISOR FROM CUSTOMER CARE SAID SHE WOULD LOOK INTO THE MATTER BUT COULD NOT GUARANTEE ANYTHING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 'OUT OF WARRANTY' WITH ITS 115,000 MILES. ON 9-17-20, THE ADVISOR SAID THE ONLY THING GM WOULD DO IS OFFER ME A $2,500 ALLOWANCE IF I WOULD TRADE IN MY GMC FOR A NEW MODEL. I REJECTED THIS OFFER AS I FIRMLY BELIEVE THE RUSTED AND PERFORATED FRAME IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT ALL OWNERS OF 2013 SIERRAS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE MADE AWARE OF!
Structure, Jul 21, 2020
PAINT ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD IS SEPARATING FROM THE PRIMER IN LARGE SHEETS. ONE LARGE AREA APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF A VOLLEYBALL WITH MULTIPLE SMALL AREAS ALONG THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD ACROSS THE TOP. ALSO HAS AN AREA ON THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL THE SIZE OF A HALF DOLLAR WHERE THE PAINT SEPARATED FROM THE PRIMER AND FELL OFF. VEHICLE STAYS PARKED MOST OF THE TIME IN THE GARAGE. I FIRST NOTICED THE PAINT PEELING AFTER COMING OUT OF WORK WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE SUN.
Structure, Jul 18, 2020
THE EDGE WHERE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND THE ROOF MEET THE PAINT HAS FLAKED AWAY AND STARTED TO RUST THE UNDERCOAT.
Structure, May 14, 2020
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN THE AREA OF THE AIRBAGS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CRACKS OCCURRED WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT IN MY DRIVEWAY. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL GMC DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH GMC VEHICLES. I ASKED IF GM WOULD COVER THE REPAIR SINCE THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES. I WAS INFORMED IT WAS NOT COVERED BY GM AND I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS WHICH TOTAL APPROXIMATELY $1000.00. I BELIEVE THESE CRACKS CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD AND ARE A RESULT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS INSTALLED BY GM. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Jun 27, 2019
DASH HAS CRACKED NEAR AIRBAG CREATING A POTENTIAL DEPLOYMENT ISSUE.
Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2019
ON 3/4/2018 I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR A BROKEN LEAF SPRING. WHEN THE MECHANIC WAS REPLACING THE SPRINGS, HE NOTES HOLES RUSTING IN THE TRUCKS FRAME. I DID BUY THE TRUCK USED FROM A CHEVROLET DEALER ON 3/12 2016 WITH @49,000 MILES ON IT. WITH IN 6-8 MONTHS OF OWNING THE TRUCK, IT STARTED TO RUST ON THE FENDER WELLS, AND HAD SOME RUST ON THE FRAME. WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME BECAUSE THE 6 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY RAN OUT ON 10/1/2018. I CALLED GMC CUSTOMER CARE ABOUT THIS AND THEY DID OPEN A SERVICE REQUEST [XXX]. ON 4/8/2019 SERVICE MANAGER FOR THE DEALER TOLD ME THE GME WILL DO NOTHING FOR ME BECAUSE IT WILL COST $12,000.00 TO REPLACE FRAME BET MAY OFER ME A CERTIFICATE FOR $1000.00 TOWARDS A NEW TRUCKS. I FELL THIS IS UNEXCEPTIONABLE TO ME BECAUSE THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY FAMILY WHEN WE ARE IN THE TRUCK. WE BROUGHT THE TRUCK BECAUSE IN HAS A GOOD SAFETY RATING BE WITH HOLES RUSTING IN THE FRAME I FELL MY SAFETY IS COMPROMISED EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 8, 2019
I WENT UNDERNEATH MY SIERRA TODAY AND FOUND THE ENTIRE FRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTED. UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION I FOUND A 3 INCH BY 3/4 INCH HOLE RUSTED THROUGH. THIS TRUCK JUST TURNED 6 YEARS OLD AND HAS 100000 MILES . THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE BECAUSE WITH THE TRUCK BEING ABLE TO TOW HEAVY LOADS.
Structure, Apr 2, 2019
'TAJARA RECALL' I HAVE A CONSERN ABOUT MY DASH COVER IT'S CRACK FROM WHERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND THE CENTER OF THE OF THE DASH. WILE GOING IN GOOGLE HOW TO REPLACE THE DASH THERE WHER A NUMERES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE ON ALL GMC SIERRA AND CHEVY SILVERADO FROM YEARS 2007-2013. I THINK THIS COULD BE A SAFETY CONSERN IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT AND AIR BAGS IGNITE THE DASH COVER COULD BREAK IN PIECES AND AND SOMEONE COULD GET SERIOUSLY INJURED I'M SAYING FOR MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILY SAFETY AS WELL .
Structure, Jul 15, 2018
THE DASHBOARD CRACKED ON ITS OWN. RIGHT ACROSS THE CONTROL PANEL AND ON THE OUTER EDGES OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH AMTRUST (OFFICIAL GM WARRANTY PARTNER) - BUT THEY DECLINED TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT. THESE CRACKS ARE IDENTICAL TO HUNDREDS I SEE POSTED FROM GM TRUCK OWNERS ONLINE.
Structure, Mar 22, 2018
PAINT IS COMING OFF IN LARGE AREAS AND RUST SPOTS STARTING TO FORM WHERE PAINT HAS COME OFF. PAINT CAME OFF WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE IN RAIN.
Structure, Dec 22, 2017
CRACKED DASHBOARD NEAR AIR BAG. I HAVE 3 CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS VERY COMMON IVE BEEN READING. IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE AIR BAG?
Structure, Nov 6, 2017
I HAVEN'T HAD THE TRUCK FOR THAT LONG AND I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. SO THE FACT THAT MY DOOR HANDLES AND SIDING ARE FALLING OFF OF THE TRUCK JUST SHOWS THAT YOU USED VERY CHEAP PRODUCTS FOR A NON-CHEAP VEHICLE. GMC SHOULD BE ASHAMED. I'M THINKING ABOUT GOING WITH A FORD. DIDN'T SEE ANY BULLSHIT PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ON THEIR RECALL LIST
Structure, Oct 11, 2017
MY ROOF HAS DEVELOPED "PEELING PAINT" TO EXPOSE THE PRIMER.
Structure, May 30, 2017
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SMOOTH INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, HEARD A POP AND NOTICED THE DASH HAD CRACKED AT THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND STARTED MAKING A NOISE. A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED, BUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE ONE CRACK HAS BECOME A CUT/SCRAPE HAZARD WHILE CLEANING. I ASSUME THAT IT WILL BECOME LARGER. POSSIBLY EXPOSING THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY TO DAMAGING HEAT AND SUN EXPOSURE.
Structure, Feb 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED FRACTURES ABOVE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,473. ...UPDATED 05/19/17 *BF *CN
Structure, Jan 26, 2017
CRACKED DASH.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER BECAME TRAPPED IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND IMPACTED VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,300. UPDATED 01/05/2017*CT
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