2013 Chevrolet Silverado: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 64 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (17% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2022
“2013 chevrolet silverado. Consumer writes in regards to passenger side frontal airbag safety recall. The consumer stated the airbag light was illuminated.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2022
“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”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2016
“There is a crack in the dashboard on the left side of the passenger airbag. It runs from the corner of the airbag cover to the edge of the dashboard piece. The dashboard piece is elevated on the right side of the crack. There is also a second crack forming on the left side of the same dashboard piece near the driver instrument panel hood.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2015
“2013 ltz silverado 47,000 milage dash cracked in the upper left corner of airbag area. Feel could be a safety hazard if in an accident and airbag is deployed causing the dash to throw shards of plastic in cab. It cracked one day just as I started truck while stationary.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet silverado. While the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. In addition, the check engine light and the traction warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2015
“Driving at approx 35-40 mph approaching a hairpin turn tried to break and vehicle did not slow down slid through the corner into a rock, put the vehicle is reverse and pressed accelerator the vehicle rpm increased on own tried to break the rpm did not diminish(foot off accelerator) before I had time to shut the truck off I hit a tree behind me. It appears something stuck in accelerator (mechanical) or the computer system( electronics) failed. The vehicle has not yet been tested.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2015
“The dash has cracked in 2 places next to the passenger airbag. Should it deploy there will be a piece as long as a big knife that will become a projectile.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2015
“2013 chevrolet silverado. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle brake system issues. *smd the consumer stated when using the brake controller, there was little to no brakes. The consumer visited the dealer to see if the brake controller could be adjusted. So the trailer brakes would start sooner and get stronger. *jb updated 09/17/15*lj updated 11/30/2017*cn”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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 (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.
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 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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Silverado by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
NHTSA has 64 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. The most complained-about area is power train (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Silverado problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 12,758 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.