RoadVitals

2013 GMC Sierra

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.
39
Latest Oct 12, 2023
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.
5
7 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 39 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 GMC Sierra, most frequently naming the airbags, steering and powertrain (other) categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 248 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

  • Airbags716.3%
  • Steering511.6%
  • Powertrain (other)511.6%
  • Electrical511.6%
  • Brakes49.3%
  • Fuel system37.0%
  • Body & structure37.0%
  • Driver assistance37.0%

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 39
Engine
Filed Oct 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle veered to the side of the road and was restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer multiple times where the failure was not able to be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11549542
Incident
Dec 15, 2013
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 7, 2022
1 injury reported

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags).The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 mph, the drivers seat and both side air bags deployed without warning or impact. The contact sustained injuries to his face, experienced blurred vision and medical attention was provided. The contact called the local dealer but vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. GM was contacted , sent an engineer who pretty much indicated parts failure. Since then consumer has not been contacted.

NHTSA ID
11455493
Incident
Mar 6, 2022
Mileage
115,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 12, 2021

2013 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL N212328790.

NHTSA ID
11436375
Incident
Oct 12, 2021
Steering
Filed Mar 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE. WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V339000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 05/03/16*LJ THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, FOUND TWO SPLINE SHAFTS IN THE STEERING COLUMN WORN. THE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT NO CHARGE. UPDATED 05/05/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10852250
Incident
Sep 19, 2015
Mileage
20,000 mi
Filed Mar 25, 2016

"TAKATA RECALL". CRACKED DASH STATIONARY

NHTSA ID
10851656
Incident
Dec 22, 2015
Mileage
45,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 25, 2016

I HAVE A 2013 SIERRA DENALI HD. I AM VERY OCD WITH THIS VEHICLE AS TO I ONLY DRIVE IT ON WEEK-ENDS, ETC. TRUCK IS STORED IN CLIMATE CONTROLLED GARAGE. JUST TURNED OVER 42K MILES. I HAVE A PROFESSIONAL DETAILING SERVICE DETAIL THIS TRUCK. I PICKED UP MY TRUCK TODAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY FOUND A CRACK IN THE DASH LOCATED BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ONLY 6K MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. HOW CONVENIENT FOR GM. I PLAN ON TALKING TO DEALER THAT SERVICES MY TRUCK TOMORROW AND GET THEIR INPUT.

NHTSA ID
10851520
Incident
Mar 23, 2016
Mileage
42,053 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DIESEL RELUCTANT TANK ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ID
10818758
Incident
Dec 7, 2015
Mileage
111,000 mi
Filed Jan 5, 2016

CRACKED DASHBOARD

NHTSA ID
10818125
Incident
Nov 7, 2015

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.

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.

PIT3665E

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.

PIP3119N

ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR; POWER TRAIN

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on at low mileage. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0420 and or P0430 stored. Technician should be advised that the catalytic converter efficiency Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0420 and P0430 are disabled for the first hour of engine run time to allow break-in of the catalytic converter. Technician will need to use a Tech2 to check the verify engine run time on the Engine Hour Meter in the Instrument Panel Cluster  Data Display/Data 1 List in the scan tool match. If the engine run time is less than one hour, the battery may have been disconnected, or another vehicle power loss event may have occurred, during vehicle manufacturing. Technician will need to clear the Diagnostic Trouble Codes and perform a drive cycle. If the catalytic converter was replaced and the Diagnostic Trouble Codes set it may be a result of the engine run time restrictions no longer being in place since the vehicle is no longer new. Technician will need to clear the Diagnostic Trouble Codes and perform a drive cycle.

16-NA-222

ENGINE

THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES THE TECHNICIAN WITH WHAT MAY HAPPEN TO AN ENGINE DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE.

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

GMC Sierra by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017610037.8
2016620—
2015536050.3
201410112053.9
2013Viewing393051.4
2012292051.1
2011432042.2
2010341045.6
2009371041.7
2008682250.8
2007592050.2
2006536052.7
200511711048.1
200418810051.8
20032069558.4
20022497865.4
20012647966.2
200044312965.4
199960091065.3
19981900246.8
19972380034.6
19962462358.9
19952616360.6
19941903048.9
1993723051.6
1992304052.6
1991122039.9
1990182051.4
1989162154.7
1988621—
1987100—
1983200—
1982100—
1979001—
1977200—
1976200—

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.