VehicleVerdict

2013 Chevrolet Silverado problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2013 Chevrolet Silverado sits mid-pack among Silverado years: 87 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 112, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (11), airbags (11), and body & structure (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

87

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Silverado years?

See all Silverado years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Silverado problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission1113%
Airbags1113%
Body & Structure910%
Engine89%
Steering89%
Other89%
Electrical System78%
Speed Control67%
Tires & Wheels56%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Fuel System33%
Seat Belts33%
Lighting22%
Brakes22%
Seats11%

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V544000OtherOctober 30, 2015 · 1,808 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

13V615000Fuel SystemDecember 11, 2013 · 9,733 units

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.

Consequence

If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

13V001000TransmissionJanuary 2, 2013 · 54,686 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. AFTER SHIFTING INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 1, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH A DRUNK DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN FOOT AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 8, 2014 · crash

HIT A DEER AT 47MPH ON LEFT FRONT OF VEHICLE. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WITH CODE B0052 DEPLOYMENT COMMANDED. NO AIR OR PRETENSIONER DEPLOYED. CONTACTED GM THEY SENT AN INSPECTOR OUT TO RETRIEVE CRASH DATA FROM RECORDER. THEY CONTACTED ME AFTER THEY RECEIVED THE INFO FROM THE INSPECTOR , AND SAID I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 21, 2013 · crash

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.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 5, 2015

TRAVELING AT ABOUT TEN MILES PER HOUR. VEHICLE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE TO ANY ATTEMPT TO STEER AND A LOUD DING NOISE PLAYED. VEHICLE STRUCK CONCRETE LIGHT POLE. HAD BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR AN HOUR AND HAD JUST CAME OFF OF THE INTERSTATE. PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND THAT IS WHEN STEERING QUIT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 4, 2013 · crash

2013 Chevrolet Silverado — common questions

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?

It is close to typical for the Silverado: 87 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2013 Silverado problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (11 complaints), airbags (11 complaints), body & structure (9 complaints).

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Silverado years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Silverado years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 1997, 2005, 1998, 1995, 2007, 1994, 1996, 2006, 2008, 2014. The cleanest record among Silverado years belongs to 1987.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.