Is the 2013 Gmc SIERRA reliable?

The 2013 Gmc SIERRA has 46 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Gmc SIERRA?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (7 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (5 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (5 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Gmc SIERRA?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL. Contact any Gmc dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Gmc SIERRA?

The 2013 Gmc SIERRA gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

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

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Gmc SIERRA is approximately $1,663/year (truck-fullsize 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

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Gmc SIERRA has 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 67. The most common issue is air bags problems (15% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2013 gmc sierra. the contact was driving approximately 40 mph and became involved in a six vehicle crash. the contact's air bags failed to deploy on impact. there were no injuries. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the front end, right quart. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 6 crash reports 9 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

7 complaints

15%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND BECAME INVOLVED IN A SIX VEHICLE CRASH. THE CONTACT'S AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT END, RIGHT QUART
• WHILE DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS, I SWERVED TO MISS AN ANIMAL, TOOK THE DITCH, HIT TWO TREES, SOME BOULDERS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 47 MPH. THE ACCIDENT REPORT SHOWED DAMAGES TO EVERY PART OF THE TRUCK EXCEPT THE ROOF AND TAILGATE. WE HAD A GRILL GUARD INSTALLED AT A G
• ON APRIL 7, 2014, I WAS INVOLVED IN CAR ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THROUGH A SOLID GREEN LIGHT WHEN THE OTHER THE VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT TURN TRIED TO SPEED UP TO GET PASS. I SAW THE OTHER THE VEHICLE AND PRESS THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE TRUCK SLID AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE. I WA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND BECAME INVOLVED IN A SIX VEHICLE CRASH. THE CONTACT'S AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT END, RIGHT QUART”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Gmc SIERRA

Based on 43 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 7K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 3K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Later than typicalmedian 34K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS30/10/2015

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD, Chevrolet Express, and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, and model year 2013 GMC Savana compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 303 "Fuel System Integrity of Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles." In the affected vehicles, the text of the CNG fuel-only label is smaller than the required size, and as a result, may be less noticeable.

Risk: Text that does not conform to the required labeling size could inhibit fuel tank inspection practices and safe refueling, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners and will send them a replacement label, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 13365.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Gmc SIERRA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Gmc SIERRA

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

$1,663

Full coverage / month

$139

Liability only / year

$648

vs US avg

-1%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (truck-fullsize)1.08x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1663

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Gmc SIERRA 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, 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 46 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND BECAME INVOLVED IN A SIX VEHICLE CRASH. THE CONTACT'S AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT END, RIGHT QUART
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SLOSHING NOISE OF FUEL COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE SOUND EMITTED A VIOLENT AND FORCEFUL MOVEMENT FROM THE EXTERIOR RE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE SLIPS SOMETIMES BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AND ALSO WHEN PARKED ON A HILL AND PUT INTO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS LATE INTO 1ST GEAR. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR A GRINDING NOISE THE STEERING RACK WAS MAKING WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A POWER STEERING GEAR, COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THEY SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE RE-MANUFACTURED PART THEY USED LEAKS,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)