2013 GMC Sierra 2500: common problems

Owners of the 2013 GMC Sierra 2500 filed 46 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and fuel/propulsion system. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 46
involving a crash: 1

What fails most often

1 Air bags 15% of all complaints
2 Fuel/propulsion system 15% of all complaints
3 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
4 Steering 11% of all complaints
5 Structure 9% of all complaints
6 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
7 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
8 Fuel system 4% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Air bags: 7 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Fuel/propulsion system: 7 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Powertrain: 5 complaints (11% of all).
Steering: 5 complaints (11% of all).
Structure: 4 complaints (9% of all).

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 46 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

warning lights, check engine8 · 17%
loss of power / limp mode7 · 15%
fuel system, fuel smell5 · 11%
steering or power steering problems4 · 9%
rust, corrosion3 · 7%
stalls while driving3 · 7%
brake failure1 · 2%
jerking, harsh shifts1 · 2%
knocking, grinding or other noise1 · 2%
tires: bulges, blowouts1 · 2%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Air bags	7	1
Fuel/propulsion system	7	1
Powertrain	5	0
Steering	5	0
Structure	4	0
Electrical system	3	0
Service brakes	3	0
Fuel system	2	0
Tires	2	0
Vehicle speed control	2	0
Engine	1	0
Engine and cooling	1	0
Suspension	1	0
Other	14	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

I was traveling east bound on i26 when the Bosch fuel pump exploded and sent metal shavings throughout the fuel system. It's the same pump GM has settled a class action lawsuit when I spoke to the adjuster I was told.my truck wasn't included but yet it has the Bosch fuel pump the lawsuit is for cost [ZIP] to repair.
Air bags · crash · 2024-12-18 · NHTSA complaint #11631474
The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road, where a mobile independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel pump had failed. The mechanic determined that the entire fuel system assembly needed to be replaced.
Fuel/propulsion system · 2025-01-03 · NHTSA complaint #11633823
I get a recall notice from GM but the dealer won't do the repair without me signing a waiver for any damage they may cause to the dashboard during the recalled airbag removal. Can anyone get GM dealers to do the necessary repair and have accountability for any damage they may do?
Air bags · 2024-08-21 · NHTSA complaint #11610068
The pickup went into limp mode and would not let me accelerate above 45 mph. Took it to a dealership and was told the valve body had malfunctioned. I have been without a vehicle for over 40 days due to the part being back ordered.
Powertrain · 2024-08-21 · NHTSA complaint #11610040
On 9/20/23 my truck suffered a brake failure in which one of the front calipers ruptured and there was a complete loss of braking. The brakes were repaired the following day and an "ABS" light remained on after the brakes were repaired and the brake lines were bled.
Service brakes · 2023-10-24 · NHTSA complaint #11551659
Check engine light came on and vehicle began to have issues with transmission
Engine and cooling · 2023-09-22 · NHTSA complaint #11545974
My truck will not move faster that a few miles an hour now that it is in limp mode. I am a police officer and I had an onboard diagnostic tool that showed that there was no communication to the TCM. Stabilitrack warning lamp and check engine light are now on. It all happened at once no warning.
Powertrain · 2023-09-08 · NHTSA complaint #11543326
My check engine light came on and the vehicle stability control light began flashing, it was as if everything in my truck was going haywire. I turned my hazards on as vehicles were whizzing by us, barely missing us.
Powertrain · 2023-09-05 · NHTSA complaint #11542705

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20162
20178
20187
20192
20204
20216
20223
202310
20243
20251

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 5,571 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Sierra 2500 has 59 complaints (31 years in the data). This year has 46, below average.

What to check before buying

Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2013 GMC Sierra 2500?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, fuel/propulsion system, powertrain. Total complaints: 46. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (17%), loss of power / limp mode (15%), fuel system, fuel smell (11%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 GMC Sierra 2500?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2013 GMC Sierra 2500 from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2013 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.