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
167 reports, newest first.
Wheels, Oct 7, 2018
TWO OF THE FOUR WHEELS WERE LOSING AIR AND TESTED LOCALLY. IT WAS DETERMINED AIR WAS LEAKING FROM EACH OF THE TWO RIMS IN A SIMILAR LOCATION. NOTE-AIR WAS NOT LEAKING FROM THE TIRE OR THE SEAL BETWEEN THE TIRE BEAD AND RIM. INSTEAD, THE RIM ITSELF APPEARS TO HAVE A LATENT DEFECT CAUSING A SLOW LEAK. I CONTACTED A LOCAL GMC DEALER TO SEE ABOUT WARRANTY COVERAGE OR MANUFACTURE INTEREST IN ASSISTING WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND GM WAS WILLING TO PARTICIPATE AT 10% OF NEW REPLACEMENT COST, SEE ATTACHED. TWO OF THE FOUR RIMS WERE TESTED FOR THE DEFECT. BOTH RIMS EXHIBIT THE SAME DEFECT. THAT 1/2 OF THE RIMS ON MY ONE TRUCK ARE LEAKING, IT SUGGESTS A LARGER DEFECT IN THE STANDARD RIMS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MOTORIST SAFETY RESULTING FROM DEFECTIVE RIMS.
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.
Other or unspecified, May 25, 2018
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED BY THE AIRBAG AND BY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS!! UGH!! GET A DENALI THEY SAID!! LUXURY THEY SAID!!
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.
Suspension, Apr 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED AT AN UNKNOWN DEALER IN APPOMATTOX, VA, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE IDLER ARM, TIE ROD END, AND THE PITMAN ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT LUBRICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
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.
Exterior lighting, Mar 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAD CONDENSATION AND WATER IN THE LENSES. ADDITIONALLY, THE BULBS BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ED SCHMIDT AUTO GROUP (26875 NORTH DIXIE HIGHWAY, PERRYSBURG, OH 43551) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN A CRASH BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-3967686775. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL OR WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TT *TR
Other or unspecified, Jan 29, 2018
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ON PASSENGER SIDE AT LEFT CORNER OF AIRBAG. I HAVE SEEN THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH GM MAKES AND MODELS. EVEN THOUGH THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 32,000 MILES ON IT PRESENTLY IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT 32,000 MILES FOR ANY REASON.
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?
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.
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.
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
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.
Seats, Oct 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE PUSHING BACK THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THE BACK OF THE SEAT FELL. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED A SHARP PIECE OF METAL IN THE BACK OF THE SEAT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE LUMBAR SUPPORT IN THE SEAT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHNSON MOTOR COMPANY OF GEORGIA CADILLAC (1122 WALTON WAY, AUGUSTA, GA 30901), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH JOHNSON MOTOR COMPANY OF SOUTH CAROLINA (490 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY, GRANITEVILLE, SC 29829) AND WAS ADVISED TO SPEAK TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Structure, Oct 11, 2017
MY ROOF HAS DEVELOPED "PEELING PAINT" TO EXPOSE THE PRIMER.
Other or unspecified, Sep 15, 2017
DASH DEVELOPED TERRIBLE CRACKS ! REAR DOOR HANDLE BROKE LOOSE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2017
I PARKED AT MY PLACE OF WORK, I PUT MY WINDSHIELD SHADE UP AS I DO EVERYDAY, AND WHEN I CAME OUTSIDE TO GO HOME I NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DASH ON THE UPPER LEFT DASH SECTION BY THE AIRBAG, I'M WORRIED IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY THE DASH COULD SPLINTER SENDING PIECES OF SHARP PLASTIC AT THE PASSENGERS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2017
THE DASH IS CRACKING SEVERELY, THERE ARE 2 CRITICAL CRACKS 1 AT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND 1 AT THE GAUGE CLUSTER. THE WHOLE DASH VIBRATES AND BOUNCES WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERNS FOR BOTH DRIVING BECAUSE IT DRAWS ATTENTION WHEN DRIVING AND ALSO THIS IS A STRUCTURE AREA THAT HOSTS THE SPEAKERS, AIRBAG, AND OTHER TRIM. THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED TRIM THIS IS A STRUCTURAL AREA THAT IS NEEDED TO HOLD THE DASH AREA TOGETHER SAFELY.
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2017
I HAVE A 2013 GMC SIERRA DENALI. THE DASHBOARD BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG PLATE BEGAN TO CRACK ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO AND THE CRACK IS GROWING QUICKLY. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES DOING THIS AND THEY WILL NOT RECALL IT. IT CAN COST AROUND $1,000 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I AM WORRIED THE CRACK WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND IF THE AIRBAG EVER DEPLOYS THE DASHBOARD WILL BUST INTO MANY PIECES AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES. THIS IS SOME BULL CRAP THAT THERE ARE SO MANY VEHICLES FROM 2007-2013 THAT ARE DOING THIS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. MAKE THEM FIX THIS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2017
LARGE CRACKS ARE FORMING ON THE DASHBOARD. ONE CRACK IS LOCATED NEAR THE SPEEDOMODER COLUMN AND THE OTHER DECENDS FROM THE PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2017
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG
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.
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.