2013 GMC Sierra 1500

▲ Better than typical
2013 GMC Sierra 1500
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:38:48.643Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Sierra 1500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2013 highlighted. 1994: 13 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 5 complaints 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 59 complaints 1999: 158 complaints 1999 2000: 181 complaints 2001: 140 complaints 2002: 166 complaints 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 212 complaints 2004 2005: 177 complaints 2006: 145 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 380 complaints 2009: 234 complaints 2009 2010: 167 complaints 2011: 284 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2013: 115 complaints 2013 2014: 737 complaints 2014 2015: 717 complaints 2016: 341 complaints 2017: 353 complaints 2018: 300 complaints 2019: 636 complaints 2019 2020: 460 complaints 2021: 554 complaints 2022: 569 complaints 2023: 455 complaints 2024: 353 complaints 2024 2025: 107 complaints 2026: 100 complaints 2026
2013: 115 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199413
19953
19965
199783
199859
1999158
2000181
2001140
2002166
2003180
2004212
2005177
2006145
2007262
2008380
2009234
2010167
2011284
2012107
2013115
2014737
2015717
2016341
2017353
2018300
2019636
2020460
2021554
2022569
2023455
2024353
2025107
2026100

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 30%

30% of complaints: air bags — 35 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE DRIVING 67 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160805

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO THE HIGHWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 67 MPH CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160728

TAKATA RECALL..RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON 07/2016/ FROM GMC ABOUT DEFECTIVE AIR BAG. LETTER SAYS "NO NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171031

STRUCTURE 22%

22% of complaints: structure — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and frame and members.

Show complaint excerpts

I’ve only had the truck for 1 years and the frame is so deteriorated and rusted. My frame is now cracked/damaged. I’ve read up on the same manufacturer/trucks and it seems like an ongoing problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231009

I HAVEN'T HAD THE TRUCK FOR THAT LONG AND I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. SO THE FACT THAT MY DOOR HANDLES AND SIDING ARE FALLING OFF OF THE TRUCK JUST SHOWS THAT YOU USED VERY CHEAP PRODUCTS FOR A NON-CHEAP VEHICLE. GMC SHOULD BE ASHAMED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171106

SUSPENSION 9%

9% of complaints: suspension — 10 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

Rear half of Frame Crossmembers rotted away between the Frame rails.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231222

ENGINE 7%

7% of complaints: engine — 8 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, while making a left turn, the accelerator pedal was depressed and there was a ticking sound coming from under the hood of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231005

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

THERES ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS GOING ON, HAVING INTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE BROKE FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS TOO A MONTH, DRIVERS SIDE CONTROLS DON'T WANT TO WORK ALL THE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20171119

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20180611 — equipment

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain...

Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018.

Campaign 18V267000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210511 — air bags

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...

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021.

Campaign 21V053000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210511 — air bags

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...

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021.

Campaign 21V054000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

I 20230127 — DP (closed 20230807)

Pedestrian alert sounds

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2013 GMC Sierra 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (35 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 18V267000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V053000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V054000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1998 ▲ 1997 ▲ 2026

WORST YEARS

■ 2014 ■ 2015 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2013 GMC Sierra 1500?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.