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ProblemsByVin File / 2013-CHEVROLET-SILVERADO NHTSA data synced 3 days ago
2013 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Silverado problems

364 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Silverado?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
92 reports · fails ~69,891 mi · avg $1,100
severe
body
61 reports · fails ~59,675 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
engine
24 reports · fails ~81,904 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
powertrain
21 reports · fails ~30,385 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
18 reports · fails ~32,265 mi · avg $700
severe
suspension
17 reports · fails ~87,033 mi · avg $900
moderate
electrical
12 reports · fails ~68,661 mi · avg $850
severe
visibility
9 reports · fails ~38,173 mi · avg $350
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2013 Silverado's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2013 Silverado?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 Silverado · suspension
Frame already has holes from rust after only 8 years and was well kept and washed regularly. The vehicle also has about 85k miles
2013 Silverado · electrical
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that the service air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driver side impact sensor failed and needed to be replaced.…
12/29/2016 · at 67,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10938435.0 · see electrical pattern →
2013 Silverado · suspension
The frame has completely rotted through and the truck is not driveable as the mechanic has said the frame is likely to crack and that there is severe frame deterioration near the fuel tank putting it at risk of catching fire.
2013 Silverado · body
The frame has completely rusted out and the vehicle is no longer roadworthy. Mechanic was shocked it didn’t snap while on the road. Only has 113k miles. Apparently this is a known major issue with these vehicles and costing owners thousands of dollars due to incorrect…
View all 364 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2013 Chevrolet Silverado? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 13V615000 December 11, 2013

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, equipped with 6

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.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 364 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado?

The 2013 Chevrolet Silverado is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 92 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,891 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 69,891 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Silverado has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 364 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Chevrolet/Silverado. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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