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: other or unspecified
54 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Sep 19, 2024
The frame on my 2013 GMC Sierra has a considerable amount of rust & corrosion on it, to the point of being a safety concern because it's actually rusted through to where there are holes rusted through the frame!!
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2024
I found out that the frame was rusted through beside the gas tank and was told there was a memo put out to the dealers that there was a problem with the frames not being coated properly and if the customer notice it they were to repair it. My truck was service regularly and undercoated regularly by the dealer the body is rust free but I am being told the frame is on safe and can't be repaired and GM will not make it right even though they knew there was a problem. I pull a travel trailer and if the frame was to break in half I am sure someone would be seriously hurt or killed.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2024
I hit a bump and both rear shock mounts blew off the rear cross member because the frame is rusted out despite having rust protection. It is available for inspection. The truck then began bouncing wildly. Meanwhile the underside of the bed isn't rusted at all, not one speck. It just seems weird to me, reminds me of the Toyota frame problems from a while back. It has not been inspected by a mechanic or insurance, my insurance company didn't seem to care in the slightest. I have had traction control and abs warnings on for a while but my mechanic said that was a faulty tire sensor.
Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2022
The dash has cracked in multiple places.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2022
During a Takata Air bag recall repair GMC Warsaw, IN broke my dash and now refuses to fix the problem.
Other or unspecified, Jun 20, 2022
Dash has at least 7 different cracks and failing in several spots
Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2022
The upper part of the dashboard has progressively cracked and creating hazardous plastic pieces that are potentially dangerous in a crash. This cracking started to occur shortly after purchasing the vehicle in 2016.
Other or unspecified, Dec 31, 2021
WHEN THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DUE TO A RECALL THE DASH CRACKED WHILE THEY WERE WORKING ON THE TRUCK
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.
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2021
I am a mechanic by trade and I noticed on 10/28/21 that gas was leaking from my truck's fuel pump. So I ordered a new fuel pump and prepared to install it last weekend. After removing the fuel tank it became obvious that I had a more serious problem with my truck. First, the fuel leak was from a rusted out fuel pump pressure line (on the actual fuel pump). This, in and of itself could have caused a fire as it was probably spraying gas directly onto the muffler! But then I find something much worse...the Fuel Tank Support Bar was completely rotted out! The Fuel Tank Support bar is part of the frame that hold the gas tank in place!! I guess I should be happy that it had a gas leak because if it hadn’t, the gas tank could have easily fallen out while I was driving it & could have killed both my wife & I! The truck is only 8 years old and I was shocked to see it in this condition. I have worked on cars that are over 30 years old and I have never seen this kind of rot on a frame! I purchased the truck in 2016 and I'm still making monthly payments on it! I would like to know what GMC is going to do to repair this! I have called the Dealership that I purchased it from but they were of no help. I anxiously await your reply! Thank you! [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2021
Vehicle frame is rotted through and cracked after 7 years, 71xxx. I tried calling gmc directly. They said it wasn't recalled and nothing can be done. I understand its not new and will need service due to age. But having a frame rust and crack after 7 years.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2021
MY GMC SIERRA 1500 HAS NUMEROUS CRACKS ACROSS THE UPPER DASH THAT HAVE APPEARED OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE DASHBOARD REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT WAS DENIED. I RECENTLY HAD THE PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD, AND WHEN THEY REPLACED THE ORIGINAL CRACKED DASHBOARD, MANY OF THE CRACKED PIECES DID NOT LINE UP, LEAVING THE DASH LOOKING FURTHER DAMAGED. PLEASE FORCE GMC TO OFFER A RECALL OF THE SUBSTANDARD DASHBOARD, OR REPLACE THE DASHBOARD DURING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2021
CRACKED DASHBOARD
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2021
A CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED AT THE CORNER OF MY DASHBOARD AND THE DASHBOARD AIR BAG COVER THAT OPENS WHEN DEPLOYED. I HAVE PARKED MY GMC IN THE GARAGE EVERY DAY SINCE I BROUGHT IT HOME FROM THE DEALER. I USE A WINDSHIELD REFLECTOR WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE AT THE MARKET ECT... I HAVE READ ON LINE THAT THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS HAPPENING TO OWNERS OF LIKE GMC'S AND YEAR MINE IS A 2013 SIERRA 1500. IT APPEARED SUDDENLY FOR NO REASON. I FEEL IT CAN AFFECT THE AIR BAGS ABILITY TO DEPLOY CORRECTLY AFFECTING MINE OR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY IF IN AN ACCIDENT. I WOULD THINK GM SHOULD REPAIR THIS ISSUE AT NO CHARGE TO ME, IT'S A MANUFACTURE DEFECT.
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.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2020
DASH IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. MAIN CONCERN IS AROUND AIRBAGS. I HAVE USED WINDSHIELD COVER TO PROTECT FROM AN DAMAGE SINCE IT WAS NEW.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 25, 2020
HEARD A LAUD POP AND GRINDING NOISE ON MY 2013 5.3 VORTEX V8 GMC FROM THE MOTOR WHERE I HAD TO STOP IT BECAUSE I THOUGHT MY MOTOR WAS GOING TO LUCK UP ON ME. I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON MISSOURI AND TRIVIZ. WHERE MY WIFE HAD TO PICK ME UP 1 HOUR AFTER THE THE FACT TO HAUL IT BACK HOME. GOT HOME WHERE I DID MY RESEARCH TO FIND PARTS AND LABOR COAST FOR MY TRUCK AND CAME ACROSS SOME ACTIVE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ON GMC FOR SAME TAPE OF ENGINE THE 5.3 VORTEX AND SAME AND 1 YEAR OLDER OR 1 YEAR NEWER HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHERE CASES BEEN OPEN SINCE 2016 AND STILL OPEN NOW FOR GMC TO PERFORM THAT KINDA OF ENGINE TO BE CALLED AS A RE-CALL. I THEN GOT A HOLD OF GMC MOTORS TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR ME NOT BEING THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP ME IN ANY KIND OF WAY AND THEY RESPOND WAS FOR ME TO TAKE IT TO A CERTIFIED DEALER IN LAS CRUCES, NM FOR GMC. I DID JUST THAT THEN WHERE I WAS REJECTED BY THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY HAD NO INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT I AND MY WIFE JUST HAD DISCOVER BACK HOME. THE REASON WHY GM MOTORS WANTED ME TO TAKE THE TRUCK WAS FOR THEM TO DO A FULL DYNASTIC ON THE TRUCK TO SEE IF IT WAS THE LIFTERS THAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. CAME TO BE IT WAS THE LIFTERS AND AS WELL FOR THE CAMSHAFT WHERE THEY GIVE ME ALL PAPERWORK ABOUT MY TRUCK AND HOW MUCH TO FIX IT WE ARE LOOKING AT 5,000.00 TO REPLACE THE LIFTERS AND CAMSHAFT OR 10,000.00 TO PUT A NEW MOTOR AND THE GM MOTORS DENIED TO HELP OR TO FIX OR REPLACE THE MOTOR AND CAMSHAFT OR EVEN TRY TO MEET ME HALF WAY ON EXPENSES FOR MY TRUCK TO GET IT UP AND RUNNING AGAIN. WE GOT BACK HOME AND TALKED TO A LAWYER THAT BEEN FIGHTING SOME CASES SINCE 2016 AND ADDED HE ADDED ME TO THE OTHERS CASES FOR THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR GMC NOT FALLOWING WITH THERE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THERE ACTION ABOUT THE 5.3 VORTEX FROM 2012-2015 MAKES AND MODELS WITH THIS KINDA OF MOTORS
Tires, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2020
A YEAR AGO I BOUGHT 4 NEW HUNCOOK TIRES, 4 MONTHS AGO ONE GOT TREAD SEPARATION SO I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW HUNCOOK. NOW TWO DAYS AGO ANOTHER HUNCOOK TIRE GOT TREAT SEDATION. SO I CAN'T TRUST HUNCOOK AS IT'S TIRES ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON. THE TIRE SIZE IS 265/70/17
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2020
CRACKS ON UPPER HARD PLASTIC DASH PANEL JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. WORRIED THAT IF THE BAG DEPLOYS IT WILL CAUSE HARD PLASTIC SHARDS TO FILL THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ANOTHER CRACK HAS DEVELOPED JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN APPROXIMATELY THE SAME PLACE. HAD THIS ALSO HAPPEN ON A 2009 GMC YUKON WHICH WE HAVE SINCE SOLD.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2020
DASH BOARD ON MY GMC TRUCK IS CRACKED IN THREE PLACES. ONE OF THE PLACES IS A CORNER ON THE DASH THAT ENCASES THE AIRBAG. I HAVE RELIGIOUSLY COVERED THE DASH SINCE DAY ONE, BECAUSE I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON MY 2007 SIERRA. DASH CRACKED IN ONE PLACE. DEALER REPLACED IT FOR FREE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2019
STALLS OUT AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. ALSO JERKS FORWARD MULTIPLE TIMES USUALLY AS THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING.
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
Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2019
THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING OVER MULTIPLE PLACES - INCLUDING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG - I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL POTENTIALLY CAUSE SPLINTERED PIECES OF PLASTIC TO BE SHOT INTO THE CABIN DURING A CRASH - THE PART OVER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS ALREADY STARTING TO SPLINTER. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH HAS FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE - SO IT MUST BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2019
DASH BOARD CRACKED LIKE EVERYONE ELSE IS REPORTING....JUST WANT TO LET OTHERS KNOW......GMC DEALER REPLACED MINE...NO CHARGE BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM
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.