2013 GMC Sierra 1500

▲ Better than typical
2013 GMC Sierra 1500
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:44:44.641Z

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.

Complaints
115
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2013

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

1994: 13 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 5 complaints 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 59 complaints 1998 1999: 158 complaints 2000: 181 complaints 2001: 140 complaints 2002: 166 complaints 2002 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 212 complaints 2005: 177 complaints 2006: 145 complaints 2006 2007: 263 complaints 2008: 380 complaints 2009: 234 complaints 2010: 167 complaints 2011: 284 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2013: 115 complaints 2013 115 2014: 740 complaints 2015: 720 complaints 2016: 342 complaints 2017: 354 complaints 2018: 302 complaints 2018 2019: 648 complaints 2020: 479 complaints 2021: 585 complaints 2022: 585 complaints 2022 2023: 486 complaints 2024: 376 complaints 2025: 117 complaints 2026: 133 complaints 2026
1994: 13 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 5 complaints 1996 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 59 complaints 1998 1999: 158 complaints 2000: 181 complaints 2000 2001: 140 complaints 2002: 166 complaints 2002 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 212 complaints 2004 2005: 177 complaints 2006: 145 complaints 2006 2007: 263 complaints 2008: 380 complaints 2008 2009: 234 complaints 2010: 167 complaints 2010 2011: 284 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2013: 115 complaints 2013 115 2014: 740 complaints 2015: 720 complaints 2016: 342 complaints 2016 2017: 354 complaints 2018: 302 complaints 2018 2019: 648 complaints 2020: 479 complaints 2020 2021: 585 complaints 2022: 585 complaints 2022 2023: 486 complaints 2024: 376 complaints 2024 2025: 117 complaints 2026: 133 complaints 2026
1994: 13 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 5 complaints 1996 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 59 complaints 1998 1999: 158 complaints 2000: 181 complaints 2000 2001: 140 complaints 2002: 166 complaints 2002 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 212 complaints 2004 2005: 177 complaints 2006: 145 complaints 2006 2007: 263 complaints 2008: 380 complaints 2008 2009: 234 complaints 2010: 167 complaints 2010 2011: 284 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2013: 115 complaints 2013 115 2014: 740 complaints 2015: 720 complaints 2016: 342 complaints 2016 2017: 354 complaints 2018: 302 complaints 2018 2019: 648 complaints 2020: 479 complaints 2020 2021: 585 complaints 2022: 585 complaints 2022 2023: 486 complaints 2024: 376 complaints 2024 2025: 117 complaints 2026: 133 complaints 2026

2013: 115 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199413
19953
19965
199783
199859
1999158
2000181
2001140
2002166
2003180
2004212
2005177
2006145
2007263
2008380
2009234
2010167
2011284
2012107
2013115
2014740
2015720
2016342
2017354
2018302
2019648
2020479
2021585
2022585
2023486
2024376
2025117
2026133

Known problem areas

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

Air bags

30% · 35 reports
CRASHINJURY
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, 2016-08-05

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, 2016-07-28

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, 2017-10-31

Structure

22% · 25 reports

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, 2023-10-09

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, 2017-11-06

Suspension

9% · 10 reports
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-22

Engine

7% · 8 reports
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, 2023-10-05

Electrical system

5% · 6 reports
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, 2017-11-19

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2018-06-11Equipment18V267000 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.

  2. R
    2021-05-11Air bags21V053000 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.

  3. R
    2021-05-11Air bags21V054000 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.

  4. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  5. I
    2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds

Buy-smart checklist

2013 GMC Sierra 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 35 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 18V267000 · Equipment
  • Recall 21V053000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V054000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.