2013 GMC Sierra 3500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 GMC Sierra 3500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags535.7%
- Brakes214.3%
- Engine214.3%
- Fuel system214.3%
- Powertrain (other)214.3%
- Steering17.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The passenger side airbag recall involves the removal of the dashboard and the dealer advised the dashboard may break during this process and I am responsible for the cost to install a new one. Their estimate was $1500.00.
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the ABS independently engaged. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION "TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS LIMITED TO 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (RAINBOW NORTH SHORE GMC/CHEVROLET (2925 N. HWY 190, COVINGTON, LA) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE KNOCK SENSORS AND INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION "TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving carrying a full load in the back of the truck, the engine began to lose power, started running rough and then died without any warning within a matter of seconds. No indicator light or warnings were displayed. We were traveling in the number one lane during heavy traffic and had difficulty trying to stop with no power nearly causing an accident. We were left stranded in the fast lane of a large intersection during heavy traffic causing a large traffic jam. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who found metal shavings throughout the fuel system indicating the high pressure fuel pump had disintegrated internally causing the metal shavings. I have asked the parts be saved for further inspection if necessary. The mechanic stated this type incident has occurred and is a well documented and known deficiency for this make and model of truck.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KUHIO CHEVROLET CADILLAC HYUNDAI NISSAN (3033 AUKELE ST, LIHUE, HI 96766, (808) 245-6731) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND INJECTORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
GM TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE # 24256861.... There are over 9,000 GM trucks that are sitting idle because GM quit making this part, There are no after market replacements nationwide. When this part fails it shifts the transmission into 2-3 rd gear and goes into limp mode which if you are doing 70 on the interstate you are in for a sudden awakening. It also causes other issues like stablitrac issues there are at least 4 other issues which make the vehicle undrivable It is sad that GM has known of this failure for well over year. It should be a warranty item but is not. I just need my truck to be drivable again.....
I was driving down the highway at 75 MPH when the Transmission Control Module overheat and put my truck into third gear causing the truck to speed unsafe.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT LOW SPEED THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP AND IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE WHEN TURNING EITHER DIRECTION
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .