2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks most often describe brakes that stick, lock up, respond late or lose effect, and fuel pump or injection failures that lead to stalls and no-starts. Transmission control module failures that put trucks into limp mode are another frequent theme, and some owners say replacement modules were not available. Mileage varies widely, and the data show reports for this model year trending down.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brakes sticking, locking up or responding late

   • 10 complaints (20%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 6.8 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2021

   Owners describe brakes that stick or lock up and become very hot, sometimes producing smoke or a burning smell and making the truck pull or shake. Some say a brake locked up shortly after pad replacement and that the caliper and brake line were replaced, while another complaint links the problem to a master cylinder failure that the owner was told about. Other complaints describe a delay after the pedal is pressed, a brake pedal that made the front end and steering wheel shake at moderate speed, and a complete loss of brake function that the complaint links to cyberhacking of vehicle systems. A complaint also describes trailer brakes switching off when an anti-lock brake fault occurs, with near misses while towing. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 25,000 to 174,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the dealer has checked the brake system fault history and any trailer brake or ABS codes, and whether the calipers and lines were replaced earlier. During a test drive, check brake pedal response, pedal feel and vibration at moderate speed, and look for uneven pad wear or heat signs at the wheels after a short drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving, breaks stick causing the to get so hot the smoke and smell like they are burning. The truck pulls and shakes so aggressively you can barely steer it. I have reached out to the dealership and was told there is nothing wrong. Initially, my husband thought I was crazy because he wasnt with me, but yesterday he was driving and thought we had a completely flat tire, and could barely keep the truck on the road.”

   NHTSA complaint #11406036, filed 2021-04, 68,000 miles

   “By design this truck will turn off my trailer brakes when there is an issue with anything associated with the anti lock brake system. I have had two near misses, catastrophic accidents in the last two weeks as a result of this condition. I load this machine up to its maximum trailer carrying capacity on a daily basis. This machine is operated in the mountains often. The 2 near misses were as described here. 1st: I was approaching a stop sign with a highway cross road. Cross traffic did not have to stop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10950145, filed 2017-02, 174,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump and injection failures causing stalls

   • 8 complaints (16%)
   • median 130,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2023

   Owners describe engines that stall or will not restart, sometimes without warning and sometimes while driving at moderate or highway speed. Some say dealers found a failed fuse block, a blown fuel pump fuse, or a failed high-pressure pump or injection system. Some describe a fuel system warning that reduced allowed speed and was followed by an engine that would not run or restart. A complaint describes metal debris from a failed high-pressure pump reaching the fuel tank, and another says a fuel system repair was not covered under warranty. Where mileage is given, reports range from very low mileage to about 140,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump, fuse block and high-pressure pump have been checked, and whether any fuel system repairs are documented. During a test drive, watch for fuel system warning messages, hesitation or a loss of power.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on the highway I started to lose power and so when I pulled into the airport parking lot my truck stalled while I was still in drive. I tried to restart the truck however it would not crank over so I had to contact a tow company. What I found out was that it was the high pressure fuel pump that went out causing severe damage to my fuel system by sending metal shavings into all of my fuel system to include my gas tank. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11330630, filed 2020-06, 15 miles

   “Sporatic failure of the fuel pump causing the truck to not start or to stall while being driven. Issue happened both when stationary and while in motion. Vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. Dealership diagnostics determined fuse block failure. Was informed by the dealership that the fuse block failure is common, so much so that they stock the replacements. Fortunately I was not on the highway towing my trailer when the last incident happened. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11349749, filed 2020-08, 11,612 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission control module failures and limp mode

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • typically at 10.5 yrs old
   • filed 2023

   Owners describe the transmission control module failing while driving, often with loss of communication, a limp mode that reduces speed and power, and loss of stability and traction control. Some say the module stopped communicating with the engine control module or the braking system, and that a scan tool could not communicate with it. Some owners say a replacement module was backordered or not available, leaving the truck out of service. A complaint describes the module failing at highway speed, with the owner unable to move the truck off the highway and needing a tow. The only mileage given in these reports is about 65,000 miles, and the failures were described while driving, including at highway speed.

   What to check: Ask the dealer to scan for transmission control module and communication codes, and whether a replacement module is available or was installed. During a test drive, check that the transmission shifts normally and that stability and traction control warnings stay off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The transmission control module shut down in the process of me driving. I could not even move my truck out of the highway. Had to have it towed. General Motors isn’t even producing this part even though thousands of people are having this same problem with trucks made from 2009 through 2015. This problem could prove to be deadly if the module goes out in heavy traffic.”

   NHTSA complaint #11525733, filed 2023-06

   “Tcm failed driving 60 down the highway, check engine light came on, stabiliatrack service light came on traction control tuned off all at the same time. Lost all communication to the transmission putting truck in limp mode going down the highway. Mechanic shop hooked up the scanner to the truck and couldn’t communicate with the tcm in anyway. All things happened at once while driving. There are no replacement parts to be found in the country. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11529314, filed 2023-06
4. 4
   Electronic stability control

   StabiliTrak warnings and unexpected pulling

   • 7 complaints (14%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2023

   Owners describe StabiliTrak or traction control warnings that appear while driving or right after starting, and in some cases a flashing warning while the system applies a front brake and pulls the truck to one side. A complaint says the ABS warnings stayed on until the truck was nearly stopped, and that the StabiliTrak warning stayed off until the truck was turned off and reset. Some describe reduced engine power, rough running and a range of codes, with repeated repairs that did not resolve the problem. A complaint notes the manufacturer was notified but offered no help, and that the source of the failures was not determined. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 38,000 to 170,000 miles, and some describe the warning at highway speed.

   What to check: Ask whether the dealer has scanned for stored StabiliTrak, traction control and ABS codes, and whether any repairs or resets were recorded. On a test drive at highway speed, check for warning lights and any pull to one side under light braking.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle has been running poorly and throwing many codes (evap, stabilitrak, ABS, cam, ignition, injection, and even throttle errors for the past three months. The transmission has also been bumping (not slipping) in 2nd gear under load. Yesterday the truck started running really rough and the transmission started shifting really hard (up and down) just before the message reduced engine power and the stabilitrak came on again. I shut the truck off and it would not restart. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10809089, filed 2015-12, 170,000 miles

   “Service stabilitrac keeps coming on and sometimes when it comes on it flashes and every time it flashes it applies the right front brake pulling the truck to the right. When you go to slow down to pull over the anti lock brakes turn on until you are almost completely stopped and once the stabilitrac light comes on steady and stops flashing it will not do it any more until you turn the truck off and reset it. It mainly does it on the highway at higher speeds but it has done it in town also. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11190096, filed 2019-03, 90,000 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Dashboard cracking and door part failures

   • 9 complaints (18%)
   • median 57,069 mi at 5.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2021

   Owners describe plastic dashboards cracking, in one reported case overnight in cold weather near the passenger airbag, and say the manufacturer would not repair them outside the warranty period. Other complaints describe a driver's door that fractured at the hinge and a passenger door that fractured and detached, with no warning lights shown. A separate complaint describes an inside door handle that came off in a parked truck, and the owner raised concern about getting out during a fire or accident. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 40,000 to 54,500 miles.

   What to check: Inspect the dashboard for cracks, especially near the passenger airbag, and test the interior and exterior door handles and hinges. Ask whether the seller has records of any dash or door repair, since complaints describe the manufacturer declining repairs outside the warranty period.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Like thousands of other people (and a previous Chevrolet of mine), my dash board has spontaneously cracked over night in cold weather near the passenger airbag. My vehicle is only 3 years old and this should be replaced under warranty and/or a safety recall. Due to it being outside its 36k warranty, GM will not repair it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10955221, filed 2017-02, 54,500 miles

   “The plastic dash on my vehicle is cracking majorly. There is nothing GM is doing to fix this issue. However, if the cracking continues to get worse it could cause harm me the driver and passengers in the vehicle. GM should have to submit the formula in which was used to create this plastic dash because it is cracking from the sun.”

   NHTSA complaint #11417956, filed 2021-05

Buying note. Buyers considering a 2013 Silverado 2500 should ask for brake, fuel system and transmission control module repair records, and check for stored StabiliTrak, ABS and fuel system codes before purchase. Check recall status by VIN, including the passenger airbag inflator recall, and on a test drive confirm that the brakes release fully, the engine restarts cleanly, and the transmission shifts normally.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 37 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.