10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,296 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #57

May 312024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
The frame of my 2013 Silverado has rusted through and the car is no longer safe to drive. It has 94K miles and is otherwise in perfect condition. Last year I had the cross members of the frame replaced because they were totally rotted through. My truck was the 24th Chevy that Amherst Welding had repaired that year. I traded my 2000 Silverado in 2013 to buy my current truck, and the frame on the 2000, was totally sound, and had a lot of life left in it at over 1000K. Toyota replaced the Rusting frames on their trucks, and so should Chevy. I could provide photos if necessary... I saw the rotted frame when the truck was on a lift.

- Wendell, MA, USA

problem #56

May 212024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
An independent service center noted the integrity of my frame is compromised due to severe rust. The rear passenger side area of the frame near the gas tank is falling off and holes can be poked thru it. My safety is put at risk if I were to get in an accident or even minor collision. Potential for parts to abruptly break due to the rust/corrosion. No warning lamps or messages have appeared.

- Rothschild, WI, USA

problem #55

Apr 292024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Truck failed inspection due to cracked frame and excessive rust.

- New Castle, PA, USA

problem #54

Mar 082024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
I took my 2013 Silverado to my local mechanic for an airconditioning repair. While the mechanic was checking the undercarriage he discovered the frame had cracked due to corrosion on the passenger side just behind the cab. My truck has 144k miles and I am apalled that this has happened so soon. This level of corrosion seems very advanced for a 11 year old truck with below average mileage.

- Milton, WI, USA

problem #53

Jun 012023

Silverado 1500

  • miles
In June 2023 I was doing some minor work and inspection on my 2013 Silverado, while under the truck looking for possible issues before taking a trip to Colorado I noticed the frame had a hole in it, after further inspection of the complete frame and undercarriage I found holes all throughout the frame and also cracks in 2 locations. The truck had 85k, the body is solid, and in great condition, kept in a heated garage. In June I went to a Chevrolet dealer to have an air bag recall repair done, at that time the mechanic did a complete inspection of the undercarriage and never mentioned the safety issue with the rusting frame. I decided to go back to the dealer to question a possible frame recall, in my discussion with 3 service writers they assured me there was no recalls or safety bulletins regarding this. Being highly upset about the frame I started looking for possible issues on the frame. I found hundreds of complaints regarding rusting frames and safety incidents, and a service bulletin that came out in 2014 which has been revised to cover up to 2019 Silverados. This bulletin stated the wax protection to prevent the frame from rusting was pealing off and should be repaired, the dealers were cleaning and sealing the rust locations as the bulletin stated. My complaint is, I never received a notice of the bulletin from GM. If I did I could have tried to take precautions to help prevent the rust from spreading. The Chevy dealership said there was never any frame bulletin or recall. Now my truck is not reliable and definitely not safe! The body and mechanical parts are in great shape. It-??s unbelievable that a $40,000 vehicle is unsafe to drive, 10 years old, 85k miles and now worth nothing due to the bad frame. Not sure, but if you have read some of these experiences with other owners, I think you would not want any of these on the road. GM should be held accountable for knowing the frames are failing do to a sealer that wouldn-??t stay on the frames.

- Hartville , OH, USA

problem #52

Dec 272023

Silverado 1500

  • miles
The frame has completely rusted out and the vehicle is no longer roadworthy. Mechanic was shocked it didn-??t snap while on the road. Only has 113k miles. Apparently this is a known major issue with these vehicles and costing owners thousands of dollars due to incorrect manufacturing of the frames. Please hold the manufacturer accountable for this defect before someone does get hurt.

- Thomaston, ME, USA

problem #51

Oct 192023

Silverado 1500

  • miles
I went to get a Virginia Inspection and found that the frame on both sides near the fuel tank was rusted completely through. The truck has no other rust spots anywhere.

- Lebanon, VA, USA

problem #50

Aug 252023

Silverado 1500

  • miles
The frame has rusted with holes and is flaking away. The local dealer would not take the truck on trade because of the extensive rust and liability of reselling it.

- Mansfield , OH, USA

problem #49

Jun 152023

Silverado 1500

  • miles
2013 silverado was in for a fuel leak, which turned out to be a rusted out fuel pump and gas line. However the mechanic found that the frame on either side of the gas tank was severely rusted and recomended to NOT do the repair because the truck was now worthless and would not pass a safety inspection. The truck has only 53500 miles and has been frequently washed underneath and stored mostly inside. A frame repair shop can weld a steel cap over the frame in the affected areas at a cost of over $2000. Seems like GM should bear some responsibility for such poor quality.

- Marion, NY, USA

problem #48

May 242023

Silverado 1500

  • miles
On my 2013 Chevy Silverado with only 70000 miles I noticed a clunk noise when driving. After bringing it to the dealer I was told the frame was rusted beyond repair. It is not safe to drive at this point. The frame was treated with a wax coating by GM that basically covered the rust for years. It was only till now the wax coating is flaking off exposing holes in the frame. The rear shock mount is barely hanging on to the cross support which is crumbling away. After doing some research I found others silverado owners are experiencing the same thing. I was told by the dealer that it would cost $7000 to put a new frame on. They also told me GM doesn't make that frame anymore and they can't even find any salvage frames. I was planning on towing my travel trailer for many camping trips this year. I can't even imagine what might have happened if I'd never heard the clunk and took it out on the highway. I suspect there are numerous other drivers on the road that don't realize they have the same issue. How a 10 year old vehicle with only 70000 miles on it can have such a rusted out frame is beyond me. This is a junk frame rusted so bad it's a disaster waiting to happen.

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #47

Jun 012023

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Frame of truck is completely rusted out, truck has only 88,000 miles. The body of the truck is in perfect condition with no rust but the frame is shot! This will be over 4,500 dollars to repair, this seems to be a common issue in the Chevy and GMC trucks. I did see on a web site GM had issues on application of a wax sealer on the frames that was thought to be discoverd in 2020. I contacted Chevy at 1-800-222-1020 call center and was told at this time it is out of warranty and thank you for being a valued Chevy customer! I have never had a vehicle in my life of 63 years have a bad frame like this, my wife and I have had over 19 GM vehicles in our life but never a issue like this! These frames are worse than the Toyata Tacoma frames! 10 years old well maintained, frame is shot.

- Hartville, OH, USA

problem #46

Feb 222023

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Frame rusted out, broke and holes in it. GM is aware and wont replace. The truck is worthless and I still owe 19K on it. Something must be done.

- Lexington, OH, USA

problem #45

Jan 232023

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Frame is starting to rust after 60,000 miles of being washed regularly. An investigation need to be performed to determine if many similar modles have this issue and issue a free frame replacement if its determined that the anti corrosion coating failed.

- Owingsville, KY, USA

problem #44

Dec 062022

Silverado 1500

  • miles
The vehicle is unsafe to operate around pedestrians and other roadside objects because of the poor visibility, especially at critical moments where visual confirmation is needed like crosswalks, intersections, and parking lots. The A pillars, side mirrors, and tall front profile, block the driver from visually confirming hazards and pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections. While driving, I made a right hand turn and attempted to park roadside. The vehicle was blocking my view of cement barriers placed in the parking space before mine, and the vehicle collided with the barriers. Also, many times I have had to stop just after entering an intersection to keep from hitting a pedestrian, because the vehicle blocked my view.

- Eureka, CA, USA

problem #43

Aug 252022

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Frame rusted and broke in 2 places!!!!!! 54,000 miles. No accident!!!!

- Springville, NY, USA

problem #42

Dec 312021

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Frame already has holes from rust after only 8 years and was well kept and washed regularly. The vehicle also has about 85k miles

- Coraopolis, PA, USA

problem #41

Aug 052015

Silverado 1500

  • miles
1/ PREMATURE RUST ALL OVER FRAME. FRAME RAIL IS ROTTED THRU AND WILL COLLAPSE IN AN ACCIDENT ALDO WILL NOT PASS A SAFTY INSPECTION. THIS TRUCK HAS APPROV. 70,000 MILES ON IT. THERE ARE AMNY THREADS ALL OVER TH INTERNET WITH OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM.G M KNOWS ABOUT IT 2/ I HAVE NOT BROUGHT IT TO A DEALER BECAUSE I ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS i HAVE HAD GM TRUCKS ALL OF MY LIFE ( IM 68) I HAVE NEVER HAD A FRAME ROT OUT. I DID SPEAK TO A FRIEND IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AT A DEALER AND HE KNEW ALL ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME HE HAS NO KNOWLEDGE THAT GM WILL RECALL THEM LIKE TOYATA DID YEARS AGO. I CAN'T EVEN TRADE IT IN BECAUSE THE DEALER ALREADY KNOWS THE FRAME WILL BE A PROBLEM AND GIVE ME NOTHING FOR A 28,000 TRUCK. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE DATE ON THE INCIDENT IS I BELIVE WHEN I PURCHASED IT. IT WAS RUSTING THEN. THE TRUCK IS TITLED TO MY BUSNESS PPD CORP 1489 MAIN STREET BROCKTON MA 02301. THANKS

- Whitman, MA, USA

problem #40

Mar 162021

Silverado 1500

  • 168,000 miles
Personal mechanic noted rotting frame areas, tubes between main frame supporting gas tank and connecting shock absorbers. Metal fabricating business consulted and when gas tank was removed and entire main frame exposed severe rusting of main frame on both sides noted. Appears entire frame should be replaced or extensive welding of new metal onto existing frame. The rear passenger shoch broke off and fell onto the highway prior to this. The gas tank was near falling off too. See attached pictures.

- Sandwich, MA, USA

problem #39

Jan 032021

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Imy 2013 Chevy Z21 has started leaking sround the light on top and back light on the hood of the truck. I noticed wet spot on back part of headliner and some mold in the area. I have found where other people have said the same problem on their 2013 Silverado, I can't found any recalls on this. I feel there needs tio be a recall from what I have found about this.. my 3 year old son rides in the backseat right where the leak is.and I'm afraid it could make him sick

- Bastrop, LA, USA

problem #38

Aug 202020

Silverado 1500

  • 81,000 miles
The driver door handle (both the interior or exterior handles) would not open the door when stopped. The repair shop showed me a small pot metal arm that broke inside the door panel and caused the problem. While not an issue by itself, if the auto was in an accident, this would not have allowed the driver to exit the vehicle, depending on the final resting position. Further adding to this is that the issue appeared for a day, then the door worked fine for 2 more days before becoming permanently non-functioning.

- Dubuque, IA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »