This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on at low mileage. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0420 and or P0430 stored. Technician should be advised that the catalytic converter efficiency Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0420 and P0430 are disabled for the first hour of engine run time to allow break-in of the catalytic converter. Technician will need to use a Tech2 to check the verify engine run time on the Engine Hour Meter in the Instrument Panel Cluster Data Display/Data 1 List in the scan tool match. If the engine run time is less tha
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Silverado powertrain problems
moderate 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 21 powertrain complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of an engine power reduced message on the driver information center after performing the Canada Onstar® 4G upgrade. If the concern is present park the vehicle outside and call General Motors Technical Assistance Center.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that are equipped with 6L80 Regular Production Option Code (MYC), 6L90 Regular Production Option Code (MYD) or 8L90 Regular Production Option Code (M5U) Automatic Transmission. Starting with the 2013 model year, Full Size Trucks and Utilities now have Powertrain Grade Braking. Powertrain grade braking assists when driving on a downhill grade to help maintain desired vehicle speed by using the engine and transmission to slow the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Allison 6 Speed Automatic Transmission Assembly (RPO MW7) have been placed on restriction through General Motors Product Quality Center. Dealer will need to contact General Motors Product Quality Center for further assistance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the valve body for the Allison A1000 Transmission has been placed on restriction through the General Motors Product Quality Center to assist Engineering with product feedback. Dealer will need to contact General Motors Product Quality Center for further assistance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a cluster of transmission and engine control problems affecting 2013 Silverados across the powertrain. Most frequent are transmission shift issues: slipping during acceleration from a stop (especially after the truck sits idle), accompanied by RPM surging and tire-squealing engagement. Multiple owners report harsh downshifts that drop several gears suddenly at highway speeds, creating hard deceleration and near-loss of vehicle control. Some trucks surge between 20–45 mph with RPM jumping 200–300 points continuously.
Engine throttle response is erratic—owners describe 3–4 second delays when releasing the accelerator, with RPM holding at 1400 instead of dropping, forcing owners to brake against engine load. One owner reports stalling and shaking while downshifting at highway speed with warning lights illuminated.
Parking engagement fails repeatedly: vehicles roll away while parked in Park (some on inclines), sometimes with clucking or clicking noises from the transmission. One truck's parking pawl fractured completely at 6,000 miles. Shift linkage also fails—one vehicle erroneously shifted from Park to Neutral to Drive on its own while parked on an incline.
A few owners report transmission solenoid failure (code P0796 documented), limp-mode engagement, and one truck requiring converter replacement after a post-recall issue. Engine knock and excessive oil consumption appear in two complaints. Dealers often cannot diagnose or cannot replicate the failures, leaving vehicles unrepaired despite manufacturer awareness in several cases.
Same Chevrolet Silverado powertrain reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission slip and harsh shift engagement
Transmission slips during acceleration from stop, particularly after vehicle sits unused for several days. RPM races while transmission catches, sometimes squealing tires. Problem occurs more frequently over time and in warm conditions. One owner reports hard downshifts dropping multiple gears at highway speeds (45–70 mph) causing sudden deceleration and loss of control.
When: After idle periods or when hot; some owners report increases with mileage
Symptoms owners cite: RPM surge during acceleration from stop; Transmission slip with delayed engagement; Tire squealing during harsh shift; Hard downshifts at highway speeds; Near-loss of vehicle control during sudden deceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer found bulletin addressing problem but could not verify complaint in one case; no repairs completed. Another owner reported transmission replacement needed (cost not stated); warranty coverage questioned.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised owner warranty should cover future transmission damage if it occurs; manufacturer did not intervene in cases presented
Throttle and engine RPM control failure
Engine RPM does not respond to accelerator input or fails to decrease when pedal is released. When releasing accelerator pedal to brake, engine holds constant 1400 RPM for 3–4 seconds, forcing driver to brake against engine load. One owner reports no throttle response for several seconds, then sudden full-throttle-like acceleration.
When: At 20 miles, repeated; affects multiple driving conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed throttle response; RPM held at ~1400 when braking, not decreasing; Sudden acceleration after delay; RPM surge of 200 RPM when shifting to Neutral; Engine surging between 20–45 mph with 200–300 RPM jumps
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; cause not determined by dealer or manufacturer representative who drove vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer representative drove vehicle, experienced defect, but could not identify cause
Park engagement failure and unintended vehicle movement
Vehicle rolls away while in Park position, even with parking brake applied. In some cases vehicle shifts out of Park into Neutral and then into Drive while parked on incline, sometimes with clucking or clicking noises. One truck's parking pawl was completely fractured at 6,000 miles.
When: At 4,000–6,300 miles; recurring in multiple incidents
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls when in Park; Clucking or clicking noise before unintended movement; Vehicle shifts from Park to Neutral to Drive on own incline; Parking brake unable to prevent rolling; Vehicle began rolling immediately after driver exited
Repairs/costs cited: Parking pawl required replacement in one case (6,000 miles). Dealers unable to diagnose or replicate failure in multiple complaints.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer aware of parking pawl fracture; warranty and repair status unclear
Transmission solenoid failure and limp mode
Transmission solenoid malfunction causes vehicle to drop into limp mode while driving at highway speed with no prior warning. One owner documented trouble code P0796. Transmission shop confirmed this is common across same year/make/model.
When: High mileage not specified; highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden entry into limp mode while driving; No prior warning signs or check engine light; Loss of normal transmission function
Codes mentioned: P0796
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission shop identified common issue; repair cost not stated
Transmission stall and abnormal vibration during shift
Vehicle stalls and shakes abnormally during downshift attempts. Check engine warning lights illuminate. One owner reports transmission strained while shifting between gears with abnormal sound at 700 miles.
When: At 112,000 miles (one case); at 700 miles (another case)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalling during downshift; Abnormal shaking while shifting; Abnormal grinding or strained noise during shifts; Multiple check engine lights
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer diagnosed transmission replacement needed at 700 miles but did not repair. Another vehicle not diagnosed or repaired at 112,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware in 112,000-mile case; no action reported
Transmission locking/rear wheel lockup
Rear wheels lock up while driving at all speeds, making vehicle unsafe to operate. Owner required unplugging battery for 10 minutes to restore function. Locking occurs repeatedly.
When: Multiple incidents at various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Rear wheels lock up while driving; Loss of vehicle control; Repeated lockups requiring battery disconnect to reset
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership stated transmission replacement needed and not covered under warranty. Owner reports GM refused assistance and directed to attorney regarding class action.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM declined to assist; directed owner to attorney regarding class action lawsuit
Engine valve train noise and oil consumption
Engine develops lifter ticking and lifter collapse. One owner reports excessive oil consumption at 68,000 miles with engine ticking similar to known LC9 engine failures. Another owner reports 3-quart oil consumption between changes. Stability and traction control system malfunctioned in conjunction with lifter problems.
When: At 68,000 miles (ticking); excessive consumption rate not tied to mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Lifter ticking noise; Lifter collapse; Excessive oil consumption; Stability and traction control flashing on/off; Hesitation and jerking
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; one owner inquired about LC9 engine lawsuit and recall status
Transmission converter damage post-recall
Following dealer recall service for passenger airbag, truck began bucking in traffic with no reverse or forward motion. Issue resolved temporarily but transmission shop found converter damage.
When: Day after airbag recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Severe bucking/jerking in traffic; Loss of forward and reverse motion; Temporary loss of function resolving without repair
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission shop identified torque converter damage; repair not completed as of report
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Lifter ticking and lifter collapse. Stability and traction control system working improperly and flashed on and off and the truck started to hesitate and jerk. Oil consumer is excessive. This all occurred while driving on a city street without any prior problem. There were no check engine light or other 'idiot light' warnings before the lifter clicking started or the stability and traction…
Rear wheels lock up while driving. This happened several times and to get it to move again I had to unplug battery for 10 mins. This happened while driving at all speeds and it is so unsafe to drive that I do not feel comfortable driving the vehicle for my safety and the safety of others. I had it towed to the dealership, and they said transmission needed to be replaced and it was not under…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2013 Chevrolet Silverado?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 21 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 3,000 and 79,000 miles, with the median around 6,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,000; a quarter make it past 79,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Chevrolet/Silverado.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.