The Lemon IndexAll cars · Chevrolet Silverado
2013 Chevrolet Silverado.
The 2013 Chevrolet Silverado is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 114 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 20, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 14 to 21 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Silverado year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 442 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Silverado year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 21K to 86K miles on the car (282 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 37K–85K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 26K–84K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 38K–130K miles
Recalls 5
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- equipment 2015
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.
Show all 5 recalls
- fuel system, diesel 2013
In the affected vehicles, the transfer pump which moves fuel from the rear tank to the front tank could malfunction and cause the fuel gauge to indicate an inaccurate reading.
- steering 2013
102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have be.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 2247 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Hydraulic Power Steering Leak at Hose Connection to Steering Rack
- Power Steering Noise or Fluid Leak from Power Steering Pump, Gear or High Pressure Hose During…
- This informational bulletin provides information on how to inspect the upper valve body to…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Cracked dash, through and through, resulting in a sharp Edge. This was a spontaneous crack. There was no force or trauma. It just randomly appeared.
2013 Chevrolet Silverado owner · NHTSA complaint 10908250
More owner reports
The dash is cracking there are loose pieces of plastic over the air bag and over the instrument panel.
NHTSA complaint 10933915
Dash cracked above top left corner of passenger airbag
NHTSA complaint 10909832
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 20; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Silverado year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Silverado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (17%), airbags (17%) and steering (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado get?
14 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Silverado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 21,800 and 86,500 miles. The middle report was at 50,100 miles, from 282 complaints.
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Silverado year is better than the 2013?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works