RoadVitals

2013 Chevrolet Silverado

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
64
Latest Sep 26, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Oct 30, 2015
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
10
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 64 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), airbags and body & structure categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 257 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
13V544000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Oct 30, 2015
1,808 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD, Chevrolet Express, and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, and model year 2013 GMC Savana compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 303 "Fuel System Integrity of Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles." In the affected vehicles, the text of the CNG fuel-only label is smaller than the required size, and as a result, may be less noticeable.
The risk: Text that does not conform to the required labeling size could inhibit fuel tank inspection practices and safe refueling, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: GM will notify owners and will send them a replacement label, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 13365.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 13365View on NHTSA.gov
13V615000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Dec 11, 2013
9,733 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, equipped with 6.6L diesel engines and dual fuel tanks. In the affected vehicles, the transfer pump which moves fuel from the rear tank to the front tank could malfunction and cause the fuel gauge to indicate an inaccurate reading.
The risk: If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: General Motors will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel transfer pump, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 13420.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 13420/13421View on NHTSA.gov
13V001000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

Jan 2, 2013
54,686 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
The risk: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
The remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 12331View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 64
Airbags
Filed Sep 26, 2024

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID
11616558
Incident
Aug 23, 2024
Airbags
Filed Jun 8, 2022

2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THE AIRBAG WAS NOT RECEIVING ANY POWER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ENGINE WIRING JUNCTION BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURED TWO DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR THOSE TWO DAYS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE DEALER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
11468309
Incident
Jun 8, 2022
Airbags
Filed Mar 11, 2022

2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ID
11456288
Incident
Mar 11, 2022
Airbags
Filed Apr 17, 2016

CRACKED DASH. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 30K MILES AND ALREADY HAS A CRACK

NHTSA ID
10859941
Incident
Feb 5, 2016
Mileage
29,325 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 8, 2016

DASH HAS CRACKED ABOVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS HAS CAUSED SAFETY CONCERNS SUCH AS THE POSSIBILITY OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING OR PIECES OF THE DASH COMING OUT AND INJURING SOMEONE IF IT WAS TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT ABOUT 5 MONTHS.

NHTSA ID
10854300
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
Mileage
50,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 31, 2016

I HAVE NOW HAD MY CHEVY 2013 SILVERADO IN FOR OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS AND IT HAS FAILED THEM. WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT IT IN I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PISTON RINGS. WHEN IT FINALLY FAILED THEY ARE NOW SAYING THE ARE ONLY REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET AND THE ROCKER ARMS. NEITHER ONE OF THESE HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY TRUCK BURNING OIL. THIS IS THE SECOND VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED THAT HAS HAS ISSUES BURNING OIL THE FIRST ONE THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR IT TO BURN OIL. THEY NEED TO DO WHAT THEY ORIGINALLY TOLD ME AND REPLACE THE PISTON RINGS. WHAT HAPPENS IF THIS ENGINE GOES WHILE I AM GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA ID
10852817
Incident
Mar 25, 2016
Mileage
86,000 mi
Filed Mar 24, 2016

WAX COATING IS COMING OFF OF FRAME RUST SHOWING.

NHTSA ID
10851421
Incident
Mar 22, 2016
Mileage
26,500 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 12, 2016

I BOUGHT THIS USED 2013 TRUCK IN LATE NOV 2015. WHEN MAKING (USUALLY) A RIGHT TURN AT LOW SPEED, ESPECIALLY FROM A STOP LIKE ENTERING TRAFFIC FROM AN INCLINED ACCESS DRIVEWAY, OCCASIONALLY (MAYBE 3 TIMES PER MONTH) THERE IS A SUDDEN AND TOTAL FAILURE OF POWER ASSIST IN STEERING, MAKING THE TURN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND UNABLE TO KEEP FROM DRIFTING OUT OF THE INTENDED LANE OF TRAVEL. COLLISIONS WERE AVOIDED SEVERAL TIMES BY (THANKFULLY) ONCOMING TRAFFIC VEERING OUT OF THE WAY. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL PARTICULARLY AT THIS UNEXPECTED TIME WHILE ACCELERATING TO NEGOTIATE A TRAFFIC ENTRY IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS ONE-TON TRUCK IS NOT LIKE A SUBCOMPACT THAT IS EASY TO TURN 90 DEGREES WITHOUT POWER STEERING, BELIEVE ME. IF MY WIFE WERE DRIVING, THE TRUCK WOULD SURELY GO COMPLETELY ACROSS ALL LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN, THE POWER STEERING RETURNS TO NORMAL, HOWEVER THE POWER ASSIST STEERING ON THIS 2013 TRUCK HAS ALWAYS BEEN FAR LESS EFFECTIVE THAN MY PREVIOUS IDENTICAL MODEL, BUT 8 YEARS OLDER CHEVY DIESEL ONE-TON TRUCK.

NHTSA ID
10846250
Incident
Jan 8, 2016
Mileage
78,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

03-03-10-007J

TIRES

This informational bulletin provides information on the temporary tire flat spotting condition.

10-00-89-005F

ENGINE; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides warranty policy information on revised wiring repair labor operations and required additional information.

10-00-89-005F

ENGINE; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides warranty policy information on revised wiring repair labor operations and required additional information.

10-00-89-005F

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

This informational bulletin provides warranty policy information on revised wiring repair labor operations and required additional information.

06-03-09-004H

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY

This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.

PIT5161E

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a bump feel or clunk noise at a stop or on launch. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. The bump clunk issue may be due to fuel movement in the fuel tank when not completely full. The condition is eliminated after completely filling the fuel tank.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Silverado by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
20171250040.0
2016520—
2015767052.7
201412414053.5
2013Viewing643050.8
2012682052.0
2011752048.6
2010621038.1
2009760037.9
20081622050.7
20071834258.7
200618210052.8
200531614050.7
200462215159.9
200369513862.5
2002710151266.5
2001877151366.8
20001,305201366.6
19991,660171463.5
19982790243.0
19972720038.1
19961860039.2
19952630035.9
19942100037.1
1993690037.5
1992400036.9
1991170028.0
1990250040.0
1989220042.3
1988150038.7
1987200—
1985300—
1984500—
1982200—
1980200—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.