2013 GMC Sierra: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 39 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (14% 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 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2022
“2013 gmc sierra. Consumer writes in regards to takata airbag safety recall. The consumer referenced recall n212328790.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2021
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2016
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“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2015
“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”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2015
“The steering on the pickup truck sticks, locks up for a moment then frees itself. I have been having on and off issues since but the dealership is already trying to get out of any responsibility already stating this is out of warranty at this date. Salt lake valley gmc has been aware of the issue since day one. This has become a saftey issue, the vehicle in question is not safe to drive at this time and I am left holding the bag for a mystery they cannot solve (or gm is covering up yet another problem) note this truck is the duramax 2500.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2015
“Vehicle's volt gauge read's between 16 and 17 volt's. Constantly. Taken to dealer and was told after there testing of the system all reading were at 14.4 to 14.7 volts. They could not duplicate problem. When leaving dealership waited after starting to watch gauge as driving down the highway. Gauge still reading between 16 and 17 volts. Have now contacted gmc customer service for further help. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2015
“First incident -bfgoodrich mud terrain km2 tire tread separated from tire causing damage to running board on right front. Was on interstate going about 55 mph. Second incident- 1 of original set of 4 is now on back again on interstate going approximately 65 mph tire separated and caused damage to right fender. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, an abnormal noise of simulating air entered the vehicle from the driver side. The vehicle was taken to three different dealers where it was diagnosed that the rear and front driver side foam seals needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000. The VIN was unknown.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while driving at night, the headlights seized and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - 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 Sierra 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 GMC Sierra reliable?
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 GMC Sierra. The most complained-about area is steering (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 GMC Sierra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 12,700 miles or less.
Does the 2013 GMC Sierra 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.