Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2013 GMC Sierra 3500 with NHTSA between 2014 and 2025.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 22 of 26 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 26
Against the median year of the GMC Sierra 3500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 34
6.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 76
44% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2013 compares with every other GMC Sierra 3500
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2013 GMC Sierra 3500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
533.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 78,892 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
213.3%
Median failure at 34,500 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
213.3%
Engine & Cooling
213.3%
Median failure at 75,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
16.7%
Median failure at 125,000 miles
Brakes
16.7%
Median failure at 14,000 miles
Steering
16.7%
Median failure at 61,000 miles
Electrical System
16.7%
Median failure at 5,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
222.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
111.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
222.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
111.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
333.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2014peak 2Sep 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2013 GMC Sierra 3500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 37,435 milesGloversville, NYCrash
AIR BAGS
COLLISION WITH A DEER PASSENGER FRONT BUMPER . CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THAT AREA OF THE TRUCK , NO PASSENGER IN THE TRUCK WITH ME . UPON IMPACT SET OFF ONE OF THE AIRBAGS BUT DID NOT DEPLOY ! SO THE CHEMICAL EXPLOSION THAT EXPELS THE AIRBAG HAPPENED BUT NO AIRBAG CAME OUT . MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #10618029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 14,000 milesFort Washington, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the ABS independently engaged. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.
NHTSA complaint #11690612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Suzy, FL
AIR BAGS
The passenger side airbag recall involves the removal of the dashboard and the dealer advised the dashboard may break during this process and I am responsible for the cost to install a new one. Their estimate was $1500.00.
NHTSA complaint #11544454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seffner, FL
POWER TRAIN
GM TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE # 24256861.... There are over 9,000 GM trucks that are sitting idle because GM quit making this part, There are no after market replacements nationwide. When this part fails it shifts the transmission into 2-3 rd gear and goes into limp mode which if you are doing 70 on the interstate you are in for a sudden awakening. It also causes other issues like stablitrac issues there are at least 4 other issues which make the vehicle undrivable It is sad that GM has known of this failure for well over year. It should be a warranty item but is not. I just need my truck to be drivable again.....
NHTSA complaint #11525589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,350 milesSouth Weber, UT
AIR BAGS
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11453445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whitney, TX
POWER TRAIN
I was driving down the highway at 75 MPH when the Transmission Control Module overheat and put my truck into third gear causing the truck to speed unsafe.
NHTSA complaint #11445054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuscola, TX
AIR BAGS
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11422272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corona, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving carrying a full load in the back of the truck, the engine began to lose power, started running rough and then died without any warning within a matter of seconds. No indicator light or warnings were displayed. We were traveling in the number one lane during heavy traffic and had difficulty trying to stop with no power nearly causing an accident. We were left stranded in the fast lane of a large intersection during heavy traffic causing a large traffic jam. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who found metal shavings throughout the fuel system indicating the high pressure fuel pump had disintegrated internally causing the metal shavings. I have asked the parts be saved for further inspection if necessary. The mechanic stated this type incident has occurred and is a well documented and known deficiency for this make and model of truck.
NHTSA complaint #11418356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broadlands, VA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V053000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TED BRITT CHEVROLET (46990 HARRY BYRD HWY, STERLING, VA 20164) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED POHANKA CHEVROLET REPLACED THE AIR BAGS UNDER THE RECALL ON 04/08/2021.
NHTSA complaint #11402565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesCarencro, LA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS LIMITED TO 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (RAINBOW NORTH SHORE GMC/CHEVROLET (2925 N. HWY 190, COVINGTON, LA) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE KNOCK SENSORS AND INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11306641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesCumberland, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASH CRACKING OUTBOUND PASSENGER AIR BAG
NHTSA complaint #11290794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesKnoxville, MD
STEERING
AT LOW SPEED THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP AND IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE WHEN TURNING EITHER DIRECTION
NHTSA complaint #11175747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,500 milesKapaa, HI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KUHIO CHEVROLET CADILLAC HYUNDAI NISSAN (3033 AUKELE ST, LIHUE, HI 96766, (808) 245-6731) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND INJECTORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11088735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesBloomsburg, PA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION "TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
NHTSA complaint #10916610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesBloomsburg, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION "TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
NHTSA complaint #10916610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,435 milesGloversville, NYCrash
AIR BAGS
COLLISION WITH A DEER PASSENGER FRONT BUMPER . CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THAT AREA OF THE TRUCK , NO PASSENGER IN THE TRUCK WITH ME . UPON IMPACT SET OFF ONE OF THE AIRBAGS BUT DID NOT DEPLOY ! SO THE CHEMICAL EXPLOSION THAT EXPELS THE AIRBAG HAPPENED BUT NO AIRBAG CAME OUT . MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #10618029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.