Chevy’s popular pickup truck is famously reliable, but the 2013 model does have reported problems with airbags that may explode, premature rusting, and over 250 consumer complaints about structural issues.
Key Points
- The 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rating of four out of five stars. But it also garnered five recalls, one investigation, and over 250 consumer complaints.
- An open investigation was launched in fall 2021 over faulty Takata-produced airbag inflators that could rupture during airbag deployment and launch shrapnel in the cabin.
- Despite claims of taking preventative measures with sunscreens, many 2013 Silverado owners report a similar problem with dashboards prone to fracturing easily.
- The 2013 Silverado seems to be the final year before the model experienced major problems, with the 2014 and 2015 editions racking up 20 and 23 recalls, respectively.
- While its airbag issues should be noted, the 2013 Silverado is overall a solid, reliable, and very worthy pickup truck, second only to the legendary Ford F-150.
2013 Silverado’s Problems Range from Faulty A/C Units, to Airbag Inflators that May Explode in a Crash
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is the greatest full-size, light-duty, half-ton pickup truck to ever hit the pavement since the Ford F-150, which is its main competitor along with the Ram 1500. Chevy’s top-selling pickup pushes around 40,000 units a month, and we can list tons of reasons why it’s one of the best trucks ever made. But Car Wow’s Mat Watson does a great job going over those details in this clip where he covers everything from the loads of cabin room to the pickup’s seemingly endless driver features.
However, despite its unshakeable reputation for reliability, the 2013 edition of the Silverado has a few notable problems within its relatively small number of recalls and complaints.
While Repair Pal has amassed a collection of complaints from 2013 Silverado owners that relays common problems with a temperamental A/C unit, and a faulty transfer case sensor, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports much more serious problems.
Five NHTSA Recalls Cover Serious Concerns over Airbags Sending Shrapnel in the Cabin, and Trucks that Could Roll Away After You Exit
The NHTSA’s five official recalls include two related to the same airbag issue that were launched on the same day in Feb. 2021. Both recalls cover problems with front passenger airbag inflators that may explode, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or passengers. GM notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger airbag inflator free of charge.
Aside from a third recall about incorrectly-sized print on a fuel label, the 2013 Silverado has two additional serious recalls. One concerns a malfunctioning fuel gauge that could provide an inaccurate reading and result in the truck unexpectedly stalling while driving.
The fifth recall is over potential rollaway, where affected 2013 Silverados may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or in the off position. The truck 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 Silverado.
2013 Silverado Has a Single Open Investigation Related to Widespread Takata Airbag Recall
In addition to two recalls over front passenger airbag inflators that could explode, the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado also faces an open investigation over similar serious airbag issues. Launched in Sept. 2021, the NHTSA investigation is over Takata-produced airbag inflators.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of faulty airbag inflators using propellants that can degrade and burn too quickly when ignited, which can lead to the inflator rupturing during airbag deployment and spread shrapnel throughout the cabin. The incident can potentially cause serious or fatal injury to vehicle occupants.
In some cases, the remedy for the recalled inflators was to have dealers replace them. However, the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation is currently examining whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled frontal inflators manufactured by Takata.
More than 250 Owners Complained about 2013 Silverado’s Malfunctioning Airbags, Premature Rust, and Cracked Dashboards
From the NHTSA’s nearly 50 consumer complaints related to the 2013 Silverado’s structure, owners mention problems with flaking and chipping paint as well as issues with the Silverado’s full-size frame suffering from significant corrosion or premature rust. But by far, the most common complaint from owners relates to cracking dashboards.
Look through the 10 pages of feedback on the 2013 Silverado’s structure and you’ll notice the large majority mention the same problem with dashboards prone to fracturing easily. Judging from the vast amount of feedback, it seems that even preventative measures didn’t do any good for some 2013 Silverado owners.
“I take good care of my dash,” reports one owner from Texas. “I put a blanket over it and a sun visor to protect it from the sun. Yet, it still managed to get a crack. I believe it might be due to GM using cheap material or over-tightening the dash.”
Cracked dashboards can affect more than just the truck’s aesthetics. One owner mentioned that at around 30,000 miles, he noticed that the dashboard was fractured in several places, including over the front passenger’s side airbag. Reportedly, in the event of a crash, the airbag would not function as intended. Many owners mention they do not know when the dash initially cracked.
2013 Model is Still One of Silverado’s Best Years Despite Notable Airbag and Dashboard Issues
Chevy’s 2013 Silverado maintains the Bowtie’s high standards of craftsmanship and capability. Despite some of the serious airbag and dashboard problems, the 2013 model has received only five recalls, one investigation, and just over 250 consumer complaints since first hitting the market almost 10 years ago with an EPA highway estimate of between 21 and 22 mpg. The 2013 model also did well on its Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s crashworthiness tests, landing mostly “Good” and “Acceptable” rankings, with only the roof strength being labeled “Marginal.”
Also, the 2013 Silverado seems to be the final year before the model experienced some major problems, with the 2014 and 2015 editions racking up 20 and 23 recalls, respectively. That’s a significant jump, and it also further proves that the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is overall a solid, reliable, and very worthy pickup truck, second only to the legendary Ford F-150.
Photos: Chevrolet
