2013 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 has 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is steering problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet silverado. the contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph the steering wheel began shaking vigorously from left to right. the vehicle was taken to the dealer twice diagnosis. the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. the manufacturer was not made. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
36
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.5x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
STEERING
7 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING VIGOROUSLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE
- • I DRIVE A 2013 CHEVY SILVERADO 3500HD, DIESEL. I HAVE HAD TWO INCIDENTS. THE FIRST ABOUT A MONTH OR TWO AGO, TURNING SHARPLY AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO QUIT FUNCTIONING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE SECOND TIME WAS LAST WEEK WHILE PULLING
- • I DRIVE A 2013 CHEVY SIVERODO 3500HD, DIESEL. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS. THE FIRST ABOUT A YEAR AGO, TURNING SHARPLY AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO QUIT FUNCTIONING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE SECOND TIME WAS SHORTLY AFTER WHILE PULLING IN
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING VIGOROUSLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
7 complaints- • THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOLLOWING GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. I STOPPED AFTER PULLING ACROSS THE STREET AND NOTICED FALSE FAULT INDICATIONS ON THE DISPLAY, FOLLOWED BY SMOKE BLOWING FROM THE HEATER VENTS. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, RAISED THE HOOD, AND SAW FLAMES COMING F
- • 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K3500HD LTZ CREWCAB 6.6L DURAMAX : ENGINE REGULARLY FAILS TO START. SINCE ACQUIRING THIS PRE-OWNED TRUCK IN JUNE 2017 I HAVE EXPERIENCED THREE INSTANCES WHERE THE ENGINE TURNS OVER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START BUT FAILS TO DO SO. IN ALL CASES THE ATTEMPT TO START WAS MADE AFTER
- • CAME TO A STOP AT TOP OF EXIT RAMP TRUCK CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON, TRUCK BEEPED THREE TIMES COMING UP RAMP, HIT EXCELLERATOR AND TRUCK ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. HIT EMERGENCY BRAKE. PUT TRUCK IN PARK AND TURN OFF IGNITION. TRUCK REFUSED TO START. EXTREMELY DANGERO
“THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOLLOWING GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. I STOPPED AFTER PULLING ACROSS THE STREET AND NOTICED FALSE FAULT INDICATIONS ON THE DISPLAY, FOLLOWED BY SMOKE BLOWING FROM THE HEATER VENTS. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, RAISED THE HOOD, AND SAW FLAMES COMING F”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
5 complaints- • EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF . DUE TO CHEAP METAL USED.
- • EXHAUST IS LEAKING INTO CABIN WHEN STOPPED OR PARKED
- • THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. ONE CRACK IS AT THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BIG AND THE OTHER IS ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CRACKS LEAD ME TO SUSPECT THE DASHBOARD IS EITHER BRITTLE OR UNDER STRESS. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS? WILL THE DASHBOARD DISINTEGRATE AND CAUSE
“EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF . DUE TO CHEAP METAL USED.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
5 complaints- • According to GM 2009 to 2015 Chevy Silverado transmission control module and wiring harness failed. People have been without their cars for more than a year ours has been down for 6 months. NO dates for the parts to be back in stock.
- • Tcm module faild on freeway when doing 60mph the vehicle suddenly down shifted causing car behind me to skid there brakes to avoid a rear end collision.Yes vehicle can be inspected for failure of transmission control module.The vehicle was diagnosed of a faulty transmission control module.. The truc
- • General Motors produces several years of vehicles with a faulty transmission control module (TCM). From 2008 thru 2015, Chevrolet and GMC 2,500 & 3,500 trucks with the 6.6 L Duramax engine and Allison 1,000 transmission all used the same TCM; part number 24256861. This part has experienced a very hi
“According to GM 2009 to 2015 Chevy Silverado transmission control module and wiring harness failed. People have been without their cars for more than a year ours has been down for 6 months. NO dates for the parts to be back in stock.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
4 complaints- • THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOLLOWING GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. I STOPPED AFTER PULLING ACROSS THE STREET AND NOTICED FALSE FAULT INDICATIONS ON THE DISPLAY, FOLLOWED BY SMOKE BLOWING FROM THE HEATER VENTS. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, RAISED THE HOOD, AND SAW FLAMES COMING F
- • According to GM 2009 to 2015 Chevy Silverado transmission control module and wiring harness failed. People have been without their cars for more than a year ours has been down for 6 months. NO dates for the parts to be back in stock.
- • General Motors produces several years of vehicles with a faulty transmission control module (TCM). From 2008 thru 2015, Chevrolet and GMC 2,500 & 3,500 trucks with the 6.6 L Duramax engine and Allison 1,000 transmission all used the same TCM; part number 24256861. This part has experienced a very hi
“THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOLLOWING GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. I STOPPED AFTER PULLING ACROSS THE STREET AND NOTICED FALSE FAULT INDICATIONS ON THE DISPLAY, FOLLOWED BY SMOKE BLOWING FROM THE HEATER VENTS. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, RAISED THE HOOD, AND SAW FLAMES COMING F”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 36 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING VIGOROUSLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOLLOWING GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. I STOPPED AFTER PULLING ACROSS THE STREET AND NOTICED FALSE FAULT INDICATIONS ON THE DISPLAY, FOLLOWED BY SMOKE BLOWING FROM THE HEATER VENTS. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, RAISED THE HOOD, AND SAW FLAMES COMING F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF . DUE TO CHEAP METAL USED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: According to GM 2009 to 2015 Chevy Silverado transmission control module and wiring harness failed. People have been without their cars for more than a year ours has been down for 6 months. NO dates for the parts to be back in stock.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 36
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500