2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 has 14 complaints and 6 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners report widespread frame corrosion issues leading to unsafe vehicle operation. Airbag warning lights and 4x4 system malfunctions are commonly reported. Other complaints include engine failure and odometer discrepancies.
Common Issues
- Frame corrosion. Multiple owners report severe rust and metal loss on vehicle frames making them unsafe to operate and causing vehicles to fail inspections.
- Unsafe frames undisclosed. Some buyers claim dealers sold vehicles with extensively rotted frames and suspension components without disclosing these safety issues.
- Control arm detachment. One report describes a control arm detaching due to corrosion on the subframe, causing the owner to stop using the vehicle for safety reasons.
- Engine failure. Complaints include engine stall while driving, requiring costly rebuilds attributed to known issues with active fuel management systems affecting lifters and cam components.
- Airbag warning lights. Owners frequently report the airbag warning light activating with a service message appearing on the dashboard.
- 4x4 system faults. Intermittent illumination of the 4x4 indicator light occurs during normal driving conditions.
- Engine and VIN mismatch. Some owners discovered the engine installed in their vehicle did not match the VIN, raising concerns over prior repairs or replacements.
- Odometer discrepancies. At least one owner found a difference between purchase mileage and registration mileage, hinting at potential odometer fraud.
- Piston replacements and engine damage. A technical service bulletin required piston replacements at 40,000 miles but subsequent active engine management failures led to complete engine replacement in some cases.
The Silverado 1500 has six recalls impacting safety and key vehicle systems. Recalls primarily concern airbag inflator modules with risks of inflator explosions that could eject metal fragments and cause injury or death. Dealers will replace defective parts free of charge as part of the remedy.
Recalls
- Passenger air bag inflator N212328800. Affects 1,778,128 vehicles including 2013 Silverado 1500s. Non-desiccated inflators using phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate may degrade after exposure to humidity and heat, risking explosion and injury. GM will replace inflators free of charge. Interim owner notifications began February 2021, with follow-ups continuing through January 2022.
- Passenger air bag inflator N212328790. Covers 692,526 vehicles including 2013 Silverado 1500s. Similar defect with inflator propellant degradation risking rupture and fragment ejection. GM is notifying owners and replacing inflators at no cost. Notifications started in early 2021.
Owners who face repeated frame corrosion repairs, serious engine failures, or unresolved recall issues may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Those affected should consider consulting a qualified lemon law attorney to explore their options.
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 Summary
2013
Model Year
14
Total Complaints
2
Total Recalls
2470654
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
1778128 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
692526 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Complaints
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2123824ENGINE
pistons replaced at 40000 miles due to technical service bulletin , now Active engine management lifters failed causing complete engine replacement , due to wiped cam and lifters and metal contamination. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2114363UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The frame is completely rusted My mechanic said it is paper thin and is in danger of falling GM is not offering to fix this even though it is a TSB It is very dangerous to drive
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2110656STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed low speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, and the control arm detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact parked and stopped driving the vehicle due to safety concerns. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2110599ENGINE
I was sold a vehicle by a dealership with a completely unsafe frame. The frame is very rotted and has multiple holes and as well as a split open portion on the drivers side that extends down most of the frame. This issue was undisclosed by the dealer. There was also a discovery of rotted suspension components making the vehicle extremely dangerous to myself and others. Another undisclosed issue would be that this vehicles engine does not match the vin number.
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2110598STRUCTURE:BODY
I was sold a vehicle by a dealership with a completely unsafe frame. The frame is very rotted and has multiple holes and as well as a split open portion on the drivers side that extends down most of the frame. This issue was undisclosed by the dealer. There was also a discovery of rotted suspension components making the vehicle extremely dangerous to myself and others. Another undisclosed issue would be that this vehicles engine does not match the vin number.
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2110597SUSPENSION
I was sold a vehicle by a dealership with a completely unsafe frame. The frame is very rotted and has multiple holes and as well as a split open portion on the drivers side that extends down most of the frame. This issue was undisclosed by the dealer. There was also a discovery of rotted suspension components making the vehicle extremely dangerous to myself and others. Another undisclosed issue would be that this vehicles engine does not match the vin number.
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2089104ENGINE
Driving down the road and motor died, like when you run out of gas. Would not restart. Had it towed. Engine had to be rebuilt, cost over 5k. Was told by a mechanic who makes a living rebuilding 5.3 motors that motors with active fuel mgmt. and displacement on demand will fail unless your lucky. Valve springs bad, push rods bent, lifters, oil pump, exhaust and intake valves, VVT delete kit, DOD cam, etc….. I researched this problem and it is common and videos all over the internet. Chevy has known this for over 15 years yet still sells these and no recalls. I will NEVER BUY A CHEVY AS LONG AS I LIVE AND I TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THIS. Lucky I was on a country road or it would have been disaster if I was on the freeway. This caused me MAJOR HARDSHIP with my wife disabled and us both seniors, having to spend money we didn’t have.
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2086771ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 135,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 190,000. The VIN was not available. Local authorities had not been contacted.
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2085518POWER TRAIN
4x4 light comes on every once in a while Airbag light come on says service
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2085517ENGINE
4x4 light comes on every once in a while Airbag light come on says service
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2085516AIR BAGS
4x4 light comes on every once in a while Airbag light come on says service
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2083354AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2062361STRUCTURE:BODY
2013 Silverado has sustained extensive corrosion damage to frame making vehicle unusable. Obviously, extremely widespread problem that GM has acknowledged was caused by improperly treated frames in a technical service bulletin but no recall has been forced upon them like was done to Toyota years ago for the exact same malfeasance. The truck was always cared for. Severe safety hazard being caused by GM’s poor choices.
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
ID: 2060972UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The frame on my truck will not pass inspection do to the frame being unsafe to operate. Gm knows about their failing frames but won’t acknowledge. Like decorating my frame will repair the the missing metal on my frame