2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Suspension Problems

The vehicle's structural frame rails have suffered a catastrophic failure. The driver-side frame rail has a physical separation gap measuring between 1/2-inch and 1 inch wide. The passenger-side frame rail is actively delaminating and separating from the inside out. The vehicle and the failed component are completely intact and available for immediate inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK TO OTHERS:The structural integrity of the truck is entirely gone, creating an extreme safety hazard. If driven, the frame is at risk of snapping completely in half, which would cause an immediate, catastrophic loss of steering, suspension control, and braking on public roads, risking a fatal crash for the occupants and nearby drivers. CONFIRMATION BY A SERVICE CENTER:The problem has not been visually confirmed via a safety inspection. The catastrophic splitting aligns exactly with the premature corrosion patterns caused by the failing factory wax defect openly documented by General Motors in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 19-NA-255.4. INSPECTION BY MANUFACTURER/POLICE/INSURANCE:The vehicle has not yet been inspected by General Motors corporate, local police, or insurance representatives. It was immediately deemed unroadworthy and taken off public roads and parked. WARNING LAMPS AND PRIOR SYMPTOMS: There were no warning lamps, or dashboard messages. The only symptoms was when going over a bump it made a weird noises which was inspected and found the crumbling/failing frame. Because the multi-layered steel frame rots from the inside out due to moisture trapped behind the defective factory wax coating, the structural failure remained entirely invisible until the frame physically cracked open and separated.

NHTSA ID

11752287

Incident

Jul 22, 2026

Front end, yes it is available for inspection upon my request. My safety wasn’t very safe the truck felt like the front wheels and back wheels were going to come out from underneath me. Vehicle has been to many shops and I have fixed some parts myself because of prices to pay at shops. The vehicle had at least two lights on the dash about the ABS & STABILITY TRACK

NHTSA ID

11698081

Incident

Sep 23, 2025

I was sold a vehicle by a dealership with a completely unsafe frame. The frame is very rotted and has multiple holes and as well as a split open portion on the drivers side that extends down most of the frame. This issue was undisclosed by the dealer. There was also a discovery of rotted suspension components making the vehicle extremely dangerous to myself and others. Another undisclosed issue would be that this vehicles engine does not match the vin number.

NHTSA ID

11674232

Incident

Sep 26, 2024

Main frame rails have rusted completely through on both sides. Inside by fuel tank. Many other GM owners have reported this issue online. Truck only has 136k and will not pass inspection. Known defect for the factory undercoating was dealer fixed three times prior to the 6 year warranty being expired. It was noted and fixed on the date of purchase in 2013.

NHTSA ID

11614354

Incident

Sep 2, 2024

In June 2023 I was doing some minor work and inspection on my 2013 Silverado, while under the truck looking for possible issues before taking a trip to Colorado I noticed the frame had a hole in it, after further inspection of the complete frame and undercarriage I found holes all throughout the frame and also cracks in 2 locations. The truck had 85k, the body is solid, and in great condition, kept in a heated garage. In June I went to a Chevrolet dealer to have an air bag recall repair done, at that time the mechanic did a complete inspection of the undercarriage and never mentioned the safety issue with the rusting frame. I decided to go back to the dealer to question a possible frame recall, in my discussion with 3 service writers they assured me there was no recalls or safety bulletins regarding this. Being highly upset about the frame I started looking for possible issues on the frame. I found hundreds of complaints regarding rusting frames and safety incidents, and a service bulletin that came out in 2014 which has been revised to cover up to 2019 Silverados. This bulletin stated the wax protection to prevent the frame from rusting was pealing off and should be repaired, the dealers were cleaning and sealing the rust locations as the bulletin stated. My complaint is, I never received a notice of the bulletin from GM. If I did I could have tried to take precautions to help prevent the rust from spreading. The Chevy dealership said there was never any frame bulletin or recall. Now my truck is not reliable and definitely not safe! The body and mechanical parts are in great shape. It’s unbelievable that a $40,000 vehicle is unsafe to drive, 10 years old, 85k miles and now worth nothing due to the bad frame. Not sure, but if you have read some of these experiences with other owners, I think you would not want any of these on the road. GM should be held accountable for knowing the frames are failing do to a sealer that wouldn’t stay on the frames.

NHTSA ID

11568672

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

The frame has completely rotted through and the truck is not driveable as the mechanic has said the frame is likely to crack and that there is severe frame deterioration near the fuel tank putting it at risk of catching fire.

NHTSA ID

11562270

Incident

Dec 21, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon inspection of the vehicle, he discovered severe corrosion on the suspension. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where pictures were taken of the corrosion and were sent to the manufacturer. The manufacturer informed the contact that the corrosion warranty on the vehicle had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11555985

Incident

Oct 30, 2023

Mileage

130,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon changing the oil, he discovered severe corrosion on the undercarriage sub frame. The contact stated that the rust was located primarily around both rear wheels. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 99,200.

NHTSA ID

11548153

Incident

Sep 22, 2023

Mileage

99,200 mi

The frame under neath is rusted in two in several places and the springs are broke off I just bought a month ago and owe 19000 on this truck and it's not safe to use

NHTSA ID

11546910

Incident

Aug 10, 2023

Frame of truck is completely rusted out, truck has only 88,000 miles. The body of the truck is in perfect condition with no rust but the frame is shot! This will be over 4,500 dollars to repair, this seems to be a common issue in the Chevy and GMC trucks. I did see on a web site GM had issues on application of a wax sealer on the frames that was thought to be discoverd in 2020. I contacted Chevy at 1-800-222-1020 call center and was told at this time it is out of warranty and thank you for being a valued Chevy customer! I have never had a vehicle in my life of 63 years have a bad frame like this, my wife and I have had over 19 GM vehicles in our life but never a issue like this! These frames are worse than the Toyata Tacoma frames! 10 years old well maintained, frame is shot.

NHTSA ID

11524906

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

Frame beneath driver and passenger doors is rusting through at the welds. Frame is beginning to crack and I suspect it will break in half. I noticed the crack when I changed engine oil yesterday.

NHTSA ID

11523589

Incident

May 23, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the shock mount fractured with the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken the dealer where the mechanic discovered severe corrosion on the crossmember. Additionally, it was discovered that the trailer hitch had nearly disintegrated due to the corrosion. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the ABS wiring and shocks were replaced; however, the corrosion remained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA ID

11515938

Incident

Mar 15, 2023

Mileage

88,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and going over a speed bump, the contact heard an abnormal banging sound underneath the vehicle like the tailpipe had detached and was striking the undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the rear-end of the vehicle was considerably lower than normal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the undercarriage, suspension arms, braces, and frame had rusted through in many large areas, rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. The contact stated that she contacted her insurance provider who had the vehicle towed to a collision shop. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11503707

Incident

Dec 30, 2022

Mileage

130,000 mi

FRAME IS STARTING TO RUST AFTER 60,000 MILES OF BEING WASHED REGULARLY. AN INVESTIGATION NEED TO BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE IF MANY SIMILAR MODLES HAVE THIS ISSUE AND ISSUE A FREE FRAME REPLACEMENT IF ITS DETERMINED THAT THE ANTI CORROSION COATING FAILED.

NHTSA ID

11503304

Incident

Jan 23, 2023

My truck frame has rusted completely through. I have holes in my truck frame. I also have my rear shocks have broke free from my frame. I went back to the dealer the first week i had the truck to have my bed liner installed. At this time i pointed the rust and undercoating that was falling off. The told me they would take care of the problem. I assumed they would, my mistake. I had to go back 2 other times for warranty work on my drive train. Both times I complained about the rust. Each time I returned it was getting exponentially worse. Both times they told me Chevrolet would do nothing about it. That the rust was "normal" Now I have a truck that is not even 10 years old with my frame falling apart.

NHTSA ID

11497928

Incident

Dec 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the local dealer for servicing, he was informed that the subframe of the vehicle was severely corroded and all cross members of the vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the cross members were replaced and welded. However, the failure persisted. The contact stated that he could hear parts separating from the subframe and falling onto the ground while driving. The contact stated that upon inspecting the subframe, he noticed that unknown parts were corroded and had detached. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11483977

Incident

Sep 12, 2020

Mileage

70,000 mi

Frame already has holes from rust after only 8 years and was well kept and washed regularly. The vehicle also has about 85k miles

NHTSA ID

11445700

Incident

Dec 31, 2021

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who discovered significant corrosion on the rear subframe of the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that they had never heard of such a failure with that model vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11441460

Incident

Nov 9, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

bought this truck from Granger DCJR in Orange, tx on 7/20/21. upon further inspection of vehicle on 7/25/21 found that there are no bushings in the rear shocks and that when you steer the truck at low speeds from a stop sign the rack and pinion locks up and you can not steer the truck. the steering issue almost caused me to hit 3 cars and almost run in a ditch. dealer states that they have spent to much money on this truck and refuses to do the repairs. now im stuck with a truck that cant be driven. also this truck supposedly passed a 172 point inspection but i dont see how with these issues.

NHTSA ID

11426783

Incident

Jul 25, 2021

MY STABLE LINK AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT KEEP COMING ON AND OFF THEN TRUCK NOT RUNNING RIGHT AND MY STARTER/CRANKING DRAGGING REALLY HARD AND THIS IS MY 3RD STARTER IN 3YRS

NHTSA ID

11378524

Incident

Dec 7, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEAF SPRING FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ID

10908566

Incident

Oct 17, 2015

Mileage

35,000 mi