Is the 2013 Gmc SIERRA 3500 reliable?

The 2013 Gmc SIERRA 3500 has 15 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Gmc SIERRA 3500?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (5 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (2 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Gmc SIERRA 3500?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Gmc dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Gmc SIERRA 3500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Gmc SIERRA 3500 is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Gmc SIERRA 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2013 Gmc SIERRA 3500 has 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 25. The most common issue is air bags problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: 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 de. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

5 complaints

33%

• 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 DE
• 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 CONFI
• 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 cont

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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 DE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (4)

EQUIPMENT26/04/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Gmc SIERRA 3500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Gmc SIERRA 3500 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Gmc New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Gmc. If you're buying a used 2013 SIERRA 3500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 15 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
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 DE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
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 REPLA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL 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 REPLACE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)