GMC SIERRA · model year

2013 GMC SIERRA

46 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013GMCSIERRA carries 46 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 SIERRA is air bags with 7 filings, followed by electrical system (5) and power train (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2013 SIERRA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

46
Complaints
6
Crashes
2
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

46 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
POWER TRAIN5
STEERING5
SERVICE BRAKES4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
ENGINE3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
INTERIOR LIGHTING1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
SEATS1
STRUCTURE1

Recalls (3)

13V54400030/10/2015

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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 C

13V61500011/12/2013

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

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 t

13V00100002/01/2013

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

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, throug

Recent Complaints

20231012ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20220307AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 115,000

20211012AIR BAGS

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

20160329STEERING

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

Mileage: 20,000

20160325AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 42,053

20160325UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 42,053

20160325UNKNOWN OR OTHER

"TAKATA RECALL". CRACKED DASH STATIONARY

Mileage: 45,000

20160107FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 111,000

20160105UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CRACKED DASHBOARD

20150522STEERING

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.

Mileage: 33,000

20150205TIRES

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

Mileage: 33,680

20150131ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 12,700

20150121VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

Mileage: 4,000

20150121EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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.

Mileage: 4,000

20141223CrashSERVICE BRAKES

I OWN A 2013 GMC SIERRA 4WD CREW CAB THAT IS HAVING BRAKING PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 05/29/2013 NEW FROM BILL SMITH BUICK-GMC INC. LOCATED IN CULLMAN, AL AS A NEW VEHICLE AND AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE IT HAD 7173 MILES ON IT AS STATED ON THE ODOMETER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 41585 MILES ON IT THAT INDICATED I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE 36412 MILES. I HAVE HAD TWO INCIDENTS WITH THE BRAKES WHERE THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WITH THE BRAKES FULLY APPLIED. THE FIRST TIME WAS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 15000 MILES ON IT. THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED THIS PAST THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014 WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AT 25 MPH AND THE CAR JUST CONTINUED TO ROLL UP HILL UNTIL I HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OLDER BUICK LASABER REAR END OR BUMPER BUT MY FRONT BUMPER WAS PUSHED IN ABOUT 2 INCHES. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE LEVEL OR WAS GOING ABOVE 25 MPH I SUSPECT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. WHAT?S HAPPENING IS

Mileage: 41,190

20141216STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 5,000

20141105STEERING

I OWN A 2013 GMC SIERRAHD 2500 AND I AM EXPERIENCING POWER STEERING FAILURES. GMC IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CANT FIND IT. GMC ALSO HAS NO PROBLEM PUTTING ME BACK ON THE ROAD IN A DANGEROUS UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT IS STILL UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. . THE FIRST EXPERIENCE WAS JUST PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT. AS I WAS TURNING, ALWAYS TO THE LEFT, INTO THE SPOT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. ALWAYS AFTER A LONG DRIVE THIS OCCURS, TO THE TUNE OF 5 PLUS HOURS. THE POWER LOSS REPEATED ITSELF TWO MORE TIMES THAT FIRST DAY. OCCURRING WHEN I WAS COMING TO A SLOW LEFT TURN UNDER 10 MPH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER A COUPLE DAYS LATER AND THEY COULDN'T REPEAT THE PROBLEM SO THEY REFUSED REPAIRS. THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED WAS A COUPLE DAYS AGO. THIS TIME IT BEGAN WITH SLOW LEFT TURNS IN A PARKING LOT OR ON DOWNRAMPS FROM HIGHWAYS. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM GAINED INTENSITY AS I THOUGHT I COULD FEEL IT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, ALTHOUGH I DIREGUARDED THAT SINCE IT IS HARD TO TELL WHI

Mileage: 33,000

20140916POWER TRAIN

INITIALLY I FELT THE PROBLEM AS A SLIGHT "MISSING" IN THE ENGINE UNDER VERY LIGHT ACCELERATION BETWEEN 40 MPH AND 55MPH AND MORE PRONOUNCED UNDER CONSTANT THROTTLE GOING UP GRADES ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF ~55 MPH (1400-1500 RPM). THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE "LUGGING", AND THEN THE RPM WOULD INCREASE BY ~20% IMMEDIATELY FOR A SHORT DISTANCE AND THEN DROP BACK (ALL AT CONSTANT THROTTLE) TO 1400-1500 RPM. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 60 MPH AND GOING UP A GRADE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHOW SIGNS OF "STRAINING" AND IMMEDIATELY INCREASE IN THE RPM BY ABOUT 20% WITH AN ATTENDANT ACCELERATION. THEN THE RPM WOULD INCREASE INSTANTLY BY ABOUT 1000 RPM AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES RAPIDLY UNTIL I ENGAGE THE BRAKES. MY DEALER OBSERVED THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM AND ON 07/25/2014 THEY INSTALLED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, WHICH PROVED TO HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE PROBLEM. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT GMC TECHNICAL SERVICES I

Mileage: 8,000

20140517FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

NOTICED BACK DOOR OPEN INDICATED ON PANEL, STEPPED OUT WITH VEHICLE IN DRIVE AT A STOP, THEN ONCE OUTSIDE SLIPPED AND VEHICLE KEPT MOVING, HAD TO JUMP BACK INTO VEHICLE AND APPLY BRAKE TO PUT IT INTO PARK, WHY DOESN'T VEHICLE SHUT DOWN ONCE OFF THE SEAT? RIDING LAWN MOWERS DO! *JS

Mileage: 500

20140514CrashFireAIR BAGS

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME IN TRAFFIC WHEN A WOMAN DRIVING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION DECIDED TO PASS A VEHICLE. HE SWERVED TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION WHICH MEANT HE HAD TO GO OFF OF THE ROAD. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD THE TRUCK SHOT ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DPS OFFICER TOLD MY HUSBAND HE HIT A CULVERT AND FLIPPED 5- 6 TIMES. WITNESSES HAD TO PULL HIM OUT OF THE TRUCK AND HAD MENTIONED THERE WAS A SLIGHT FIRE THAT THEY PUT OUT. DURING ALL OF THIS NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HE WENT TO THE DOCTOR THE FOLLOWING DAY TO GET CHECKED OUT. *TR

Mileage: 19,700

Compare 2013GMCSIERRA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 GMC SIERRA have?
The 2013 GMC SIERRA has 46 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 GMC SIERRA?
Yes, the 2013 GMC SIERRA has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 GMC SIERRA?
The most-complained component for the 2013 GMC SIERRA is AIR BAGS with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2013 GMC SIERRA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.