KnownCarProblems2013 GMC Sierra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 GMC Sierra, most often about the air bags (18% of complaints, typically around 34,000 miles). It is 14th of 18 Sierra model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2013 GMC Sierra problems
Air bags
7 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH and became involved in a six vehicle crash. The contact's air bags failed to deploy on impact. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the front end, right quarter panel and the rear…
On april 7, 2014, I was involved in car accident. My vehicle was traveling on the highway through a solid green light when the other the vehicle making a left turn tried to speed up to get pass. I saw the other the vehicle and press the brakes hard but the truck slid and hit the other vehicle. I was great impact and I…
Electrical
5 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while reversing, the park assist light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000. Updated 9/17/13
Mice, rabbits etc. Chewed through wires because GMC puts peanut oil on their wires. GMC dealer said they would fix wires but the problem will persist because peanut oil is bait for these animals. This is a problem that was reported on a 2012 vehicle. This could cause fires etc and needs to be fixed. The vehicle wasn't…
Transmission
5 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 3,000 miles.
The transmission on this vehicle slips sometimes between 2nd and 3rd gear and also when parked on a hill and put into drive the transmission shifts late into 1st gear.
At this occurrence the hood latch does not keep the hood tight when closed. The hood rattles at speeds over 35mph and appears as though it is going to open. As a result of attempting to sufficiently securing the hood, I subsequently dented the hood. I have had the body department at the local dealership look at it and…
Steering
5 complaints · 13%Power steering gear box leaks oil out of front adjustment nut seal. After three replacement gear boxes it still continually leaks. The last attempted fix by a GMC dealer ended with power steering spraying all over everything under hood including exhaust which is a significant fire hazard. Also, when fluid level gets…
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…
Brakes
4 complaints · 10%On april 7, 2014, I was involved in car accident. My vehicle was traveling on the highway through a solid green light when the other the vehicle making a left turn tried to speed up to get pass. I saw the other the vehicle and press the brakes hard but the truck slid and hit the other vehicle. I was great impact and I…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 8%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…
Body and structure
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: body.
At this occurrence the hood latch does not keep the hood tight when closed. The hood rattles at speeds over 35mph and appears as though it is going to open. As a result of attempting to sufficiently securing the hood, I subsequently dented the hood. I have had the body department at the local dealership look at it and…
Mice, rabbits etc. Chewed through wires because GMC puts peanut oil on their wires. GMC dealer said they would fix wires but the problem will persist because peanut oil is bait for these animals. This is a problem that was reported on a 2012 vehicle. This could cause fires etc and needs to be fixed. The vehicle wasn't…
Engine
3 complaints · 8%Truck is leaking oil, and I have a small puddle oh garage floor. Brought to original selling dealer to be checked. They claimed there was a plug on back of engine that was leaking. They had vehicle for 3 1/2 days, and claimed it was fixed. They had over 1 page of seals, gaskets, plug were replaced. Drove approximately…
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 58 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The contact waited five minutes before restarting the vehicle and resumed normally. The failure recurred four times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where a diagnostic…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 GMC Sierra recalls
Equipment: labels
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel system, diesel
Risk: If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2013 GMC Sierra
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 GMC Sierra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (7 complaints, typically around 34,000 miles); electrical (5 complaints, typically around 5,000 miles); transmission (5 complaints, typically around 3,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 GMC Sierra have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 30, 2015 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the GMC Sierra?
- It is 14th of 18 Sierra model years by number of complaints, with 39 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.