RoadVitals

2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
115
Latest Dec 22, 2025
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.
3
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
3
Reports on file since Oct 16, 2015

What this page shows

Our database holds 115 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 115 · page 1 of 5

Suspension
Filed Dec 22, 2025

Failure of frame on left side of vehicle between frame rail and fuel tank. For a approx 10 year old vehicle that is garaged and does not drive in inclement weather this SHOULD NOT be happening.

NHTSA ID
11706633
Incident
Dec 22, 2025
Body & structure
Filed Oct 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while having the vehicle inspected, the vehicle failed inspection due to the rear subframe being detached from rust. The contact stated that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin: 19-NA-255. The contact used the undercarriage wash due to residing in a snow and salt State. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11696358
Incident
Oct 28, 2025
Mileage
75,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 14, 2025

On 9-12-25 I was pulling a utility trailer when I went to back it in the driveway my 2013 gmc 1500 5.3 stalled . I restarted it only to have a lifter claddering !!!! I checked the oil it was good ! Oil pressure was good not over heating . It is just the lifter!!!!!! After doing some investigating I found that this is a common problem with GM's 5.3 with the AFM system!!! Companies should be held accountable for fraudulent designs!!! This is Not the first time for GM screwing consumers!!! GM had a similar situation back in the 70s and 80s Cadillac!!!! I bought this truck from a GM Dealer with 67000 miles only drove it in 1 winter it now has 149900 miles!!!! 5 years !!! Change oil and filter every 3000-4000 miles ,use Mobile 5w- 30w !!!! I feel a recall should be made to hold GM Accountable for what they new was a problem but produced and Screwed consumers to make SALES !!!!!!!!!!!!! Ask any quality Repair facility that works on GM'S or Even Auto Parts personal. When it stalled it left me in the middle of the Road with traffic!!! Even if it did start right back up !! Clacking!! The cost is unbearable!!!!!!

NHTSA ID
11687166
Incident
Sep 12, 2025
Body & structure
Filed Jul 2, 2025

DURING AN OIL CHANGE IN MAY I WAS INFORMED THAT MY FRAME WAS EXTREMELY ROTTED AND WAS IN JEOPARDY OF CRACKING IN HALF . THE FURTHER I DIG INTO THIS, I'M FINDING THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID
11670958
Incident
May 8, 2025
Body & structure
Filed Nov 12, 2024

Roof rust at the windshield on a perfect condition vehicle. Paint is excellent on rest of vehicle. No damage or accidents and properly maintained. Premature rust is now visible at the roof of the of the vehicle. Soon could rot and allow water into cab of vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11624825
Incident
Nov 12, 2024
Filed 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!!

NHTSA ID
11615420
Incident
Sep 19, 2024
Filed 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.

NHTSA ID
11613418
Incident
Sep 1, 2024
Suspension
Filed 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.

NHTSA ID
11609433
Incident
Aug 16, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 11, 2024

Frame rust on left rail at fuel tank . The truck was a 47 thousand dollar truck bought new 1 owner 11 years old frame has holes when is gm going to be held accountable. Toyota had frame recalls for this same issue .25 year + gm owner can't see me buying another gm product

NHTSA ID
11593779
Incident
Jun 11, 2024
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Dec 22, 2023

Rear half of Frame Crossmembers rotted away between the Frame rails. Took vehicle in for routine safety inspection, and the mechanic determined that the cross members to which the rear shocks and the Gas tank were attached had both broken free from the frame rails due to rust. The entire back end of the vehicle is suspended from the frame with only the leaf spring mounts. This rust is excessive and far exceeds the rust on other points on the frame and undercarriage of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11561513
Incident
Dec 22, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Oct 9, 2023

I’ve only had the truck for 1 years and the frame is so deteriorated and rusted. My frame is now cracked/damaged. I’ve read up on the same manufacturer/trucks and it seems like an ongoing problem.

NHTSA ID
11548979
Incident
Oct 1, 2023
Engine
Filed Oct 5, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, while making a left turn, the accelerator pedal was depressed and there was a ticking sound coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11548370
Incident
Sep 27, 2023
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and had the recall repair performed February 25, 2021. The contact stated the air bag warning light had since illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11531285
Incident
Jul 9, 2023
Suspension
Filed Jun 14, 2023

I have been told by an independent Maine state inspection company that my left front frame rail has perforating corrosion and will not pass inspection. I have not had GMC inspect this yet but I do not think they will repair it. This truck is 10 years old and only has 59,000 miles on it. It looks like new (except for some rear bumper damage) It is unusable now and I'm afraid the left front suspension will collapse. This is completely unacceptable. Please help, Thank you.

NHTSA ID
11526999
Incident
Jun 14, 2023
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Apr 25, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was alerted by another motorist that the spare tire had lowered underneath the vehicle. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the rear cross members had corroded, causing the spare tire to become unsecured underneath the vehicle. Additionally, while driving over bumps in the roadway, the vehicle became unstable due to the corroded rear suspension. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the rear sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11518815
Incident
Apr 1, 2023
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 12, 2023

Defective springs for lifters, the fuel management lifter springs have broken. The engine is missing and will barely idling.

NHTSA ID
11511478
Incident
Mar 12, 2023
Engine
Filed Mar 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a rattling sound coming from the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated; however, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with faulty piston rings. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact then stated that the instrument panel light was deactivated. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.

NHTSA ID
11511214
Incident
Dec 10, 2013
Mileage
163,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jan 23, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 70 MPH, the driver’s and passenger’s side air bags inadvertently deployed, causing the seat belts lock into place. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an inspection however, the results were not made available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11503130
Incident
Nov 11, 2022
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 20, 2022

The fuse box fails to give power to the vehicle causing it to stall at any given moment which can cause an accident or even death if it’s struck in traffic by another vehicle or loss of control because of no power to steer your vehicle

NHTSA ID
11485572
Incident
Sep 20, 2022
Filed Aug 21, 2022

The dash has cracked in multiple places.

NHTSA ID
11480466
Incident
Aug 21, 2022
Airbags
Filed Jul 18, 2022

During a Takata Air bag recall repair GMC Warsaw, IN broke my dash and now refuses to fix the problem.

NHTSA ID
11474544
Incident
Mar 17, 2022
Airbags
Filed Jul 15, 2022

Unknown. There is a recall on this vehicle according to this website and the manufacturer has never contacted us about it.

NHTSA ID
11474195
Incident
Jul 15, 2022
Airbags
Filed Jul 14, 2022

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11473982
Incident
Feb 5, 2021
Filed Jun 20, 2022

Dash has at least 7 different cracks and failing in several spots

NHTSA ID
11470130
Incident
Jan 1, 2015
Suspension
Filed May 29, 2022

Passenger side leaf spring "failed"- the middle "stiffener" rear section broke off/ fell to the road (see picture below with leaf spring removed). Fortunately, I was turning into side street doing about 15mph negating any safety issues- things could have been much different if at highway speeds. The truck had some significant miles (125k) but they were 95% highway miles though I do considerable highway miles with "treated" roads over Washington state passes. Vehicle was repaired by Haselwood GMC/Chev Dealership in Bremerton, Wa. on 5/25/22. Maintenance/Repair supervisor chalked it up to routine wear and tear.

NHTSA ID
11466591
Incident
Mar 1, 2022

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.

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