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.
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2017
I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE TO FIND THE HEATER CORE WAS BAD. TO REPLACE, THE DASHBOARD WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED. I ALREADY HAD A SMALL CRACK IN THE DASH LOCATED RIGHT ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. AFTER SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE DASHBOARD NOW HAS TWO MORE CRACKS IN IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID I WILL HAVE TO PAY 40% AND THE CLOCK IN NOW TICKING. THE LONGER I WAIT, THE LESS GMC WILL PAY TO REPLACE. EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT GMC IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE DASH CRACKING, PEELING, ETC.
Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2017
A CRACK HAS DEVELOPED ON THE RIGHT CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE DASH THAT BORDERS THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AIRBAG. SEVERAL PEOPLE I WORK WITH HAVE DEVELOPED THE SAME PROBLEM IN THEIR GM TRUCKS AS WELL. IF THE BAG DEPLOYS MORE THAN LIKELY THE BAG WILL TEAR DUE TO THE SHARP CRACK EDGES AND BECAUSE OF THE FORCE SHARDS OF PLASTIC DASHBOARD WILL BE FLYING SHRAPNEL INSIDE THE CAB. I REFUSE TO HAVE MY CHILDREN SIT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE LET ALONE AN ADULT. WHEN DO YOU PLAN ON MAKING THIS ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL? WHEN PIECES OF DASHBOARD AND AIRBAG BLINDS SOMEBODY?
Air bags, Apr 3, 2017
CRACK IN DASHBOARD BY PASSENGER AIRBAG...AFRAID IT WILL DEPLOY
Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2017
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKS IN MULTIPLE PLACES...CONCERNED ABOUT FLYING PLASTIC PIECE IF AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED
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
Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2017
HAVE A CRACK IN DASHBOARD BY PASSENGER AIRBAG AND BEHIND CENTER OF GAUGE CLUSTER ON DRIVERS SIDE. PURCHASED VEHICLE USED AND DIDN'T NOTICE CRACKS TILL I HAD DRIVEN CAR HOME.
Seats, Jan 28, 2017
3 TIMES IN 5 DAYS MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAS JUST COLLAPSED BACK WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH EACH TIME.
Structure, Jan 26, 2017
CRACKED DASH.
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.
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
Seat belts, Oct 18, 2016
WE WENT TO FASTEN REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT AND THE BUCKLE MECHANISM FELL APART WHICH HAS LEFT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT UNUSABLE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT. PASSENGER HAD TO MOVE INTO THE MIDDLE SEAT TO REMAIN SECURE.
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!!!
Service brakes, Sep 22, 2016, fire
ODOMETER 35,590 MILES, TRUCK FLUID LEAKED AT THE REAR WHEEL AND THE BRAKES ON SIDE CAUGHT FIRE. FRONT BRAKES WERE AT 6MM AND REAR BRAKES WERE AT 1MM. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHANGED 8 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK (EVERY 7,000 - 12,000 MILES). METAL TO METAL WITH ROTORS BEING REPLACED.
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKED COULD AFFECT AIR BAG WHEN DEPLOYED
Air bags, Aug 18, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES NEAR FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAGS
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2016
CRACKED DASHBOARD THE DASHBOARD OF MY GMC SIERRA AS A VERTICAL CRACK RUNNING DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS HAPPENED SUDDENLY WHILE AT A STAND STILL. MY CONCERNS IS WHAT HAPPENS SHOULD MY TRUCK ENDURE A CRASH. I WORRY THAT THE BROKEN DASHBOARD COULD INTERFERE WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF MY AIRBAG.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2016
DOOR LOCKS AND HORN CYCLE ANYTIME WITH OR WITHOUT KEY. PARKED OR DRIVING.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2016
THE DASH FORMED A CRACK STARTING FROM THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OVERNIGHT. IT CONTINUES TO GROW DAILY. I AM WORRIED IF THE AIRBAG WAS TO DEPLOY IT WOULD CAUSE THE DASH TO BREAK, SHOOTING PIECES THROUGHOUT THE TRUCK.