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 GMC Sierra engine problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 10 engine complaints filed for the 2013 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 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 engine 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 INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES THE TECHNICIAN WITH WHAT MAY HAPPEN TO AN ENGINE DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides steps the technician will uses to diagnose and repair vehicles that have low oil pressure after an oil change with the engine Regular Production Option Code L20, L77, L94, L96, L99, L9H, LC8, LC9, LH9, LMF, LMG, LY6, or LZ1. Vehicle may have Service Engine Soon lamp with Diagnostic Trouble Code P0521 or Low Oil Pressure message on the instrument panel. Dealer will need to determine if bulletin 10-06-01-008 was completed. If the bulletin was performed inspect the left rocker cover. Dealer will insure the left rocker can hold water without leaking. If leaks are found apply room temperature vulcanization silicone to the rocker cover if possibl
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ABOUT VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE A COLD ENGINE TICK NOISE FOR 50 SECONDS AT START UP. TECHNICIAN DETERMINES IF THE TICK NOISE IS POSSIBLY COMING FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AS THIS NOISE COULD EASILY BE MISTAKEN FOR AN ENGINE TICK NOISE. IF YOUR SI DIAGNOSIS DOES NOT ISOLATE THE CAUSE OF THIS CONCERN, THIS CONCERN SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A VEHICLE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ECM CALIBRATION AND NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS SHOULD BE PERFORMED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on close coupled converters and there affect on newly installed engines or engines during there break in period.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3L Vortec engine shows multiple independent failure patterns. The most common complaint is lifter and valve train noise—loud clattering, clacking, or ticking from under the hood—often accompanied by power loss and stalling. Owners report this typically emerges between 100,000 and 163,000 miles and requires full engine replacement in several cases. One owner documented the issue as part of ongoing class action litigation against GM for 2009–2015 5.3L AFM engines and states GM was aware of the defect before sale. Repair costs cited run to $10,000 or more.
A separate group reports piston ring failure causing rattling and requiring engine replacement around 163,000 miles. Intermittent stalling has occurred as early as 11,000 miles and as late as 100,000 miles, but dealers cannot replicate the fault or identify a root cause.
Oil-related issues also appear: one owner dealt with persistent leakage from rear engine seals and gaskets despite three separate repair attempts over weeks; the dealer blamed manufacturing silicone rather than defective parts and GM denied an engine replacement request. Another owner reports the low oil pressure sensor triggering check engine and emissions failures at idle and low speeds, with multiple sensor and pickup tube replacements failing to resolve it.
Same GMC Sierra engine reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Lifter and valve train failure (AFM-related)
Valve lifter clatter and failure, often affecting AFM (Active Fuel Management) equipped engines. Owners report lifter springs breaking, lifter claddering, and engine noise requiring complete engine replacement in several cases.
When: 100,000–163,000 miles; one case at 149,900 miles after 5 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clatter or clanging from engine; Engine stalling; Loss of power while driving; Ticking sound from under hood; Engine missing/rough idle; Check engine light illumination
Codes mentioned: P0011 or related valve/cam codes (inferred from descriptions), Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner cited $10,000 repair cost for lifter and camshaft work; multiple owners report engine replacement recommended by dealers; parts ordered included seals, gaskets, and plugs in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action lawsuits filed by owners for 2009–2015 5.3L Vortec engines with AFM; GM declined engine replacement request in at least one case; owner alleges GM knew of the defect before sale
Piston ring wear and engine degradation
Faulty or premature piston ring wear causing compression loss, rattling, and engine noise. Owners report diagnosis of piston ring failure requiring engine replacement.
When: 163,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling sound from hood; Check engine light; Engine noise indicating internal damage
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific code not stated)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement recommended by independent mechanic
Intermittent stalling without diagnostic confirmation
Engine stalls while driving at normal speeds with no fault code replication on dealer scan. Issue recurs but dealer unable to locate root cause.
When: 11,000 miles; 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning; Loss of power while driving; Stalling recurring multiple times
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repair; dealer diagnostic unable to replicate failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in one case but no recall or fix offered
Oil pressure sensor malfunction and low oil pressure fault
Check engine light triggered by low oil pressure sensor reading, emissions test failure. Multiple sensor replacements and oil pickup tube O-ring service do not resolve the intermittent fault.
When: Unspecified mileage; occurs at low speed and stopped in traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light related to low oil pressure; Emissions light and test failure; Oil pressure warning light at low speeds and idle
Codes mentioned: Low oil pressure sensor code
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pickup tube O-ring replaced (found undamaged); pressure sensor replaced; screen replaced; multiple mechanics unable to resolve
Persistent oil leak from engine seals and gaskets
Oil leaks from rear of engine and other seal/gasket locations. Multiple dealer repair attempts over weeks fail to stop leak. Dealer blames manufacturing silicone application rather than defective parts. GM denied engine replacement request.
When: Early ownership (leaking within first ~1,800 miles of troubleshooting period)
Symptoms owners cite: Oil puddle on garage floor; Visible oil leakage from engine
Repairs/costs cited: First dealer visit: over 1 page of seals, gaskets, plugs replaced in 3.5 days; second dealer visit: 4 pages of parts ordered; leak persisted after 50 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM denied dealer request to replace engine; advised second opinion at different dealership; no lemon law action or buyback offered
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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 50 miles, and it started leaking exactly the same as before. Returned to…
Had engine trouble with your 2013 GMC Sierra?
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 engine problem on the 2013 GMC Sierra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 70,000 and 163,000 miles, with the median around 100,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 70,000; a quarter make it past 163,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/GMC/Sierra.
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.