The 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering equipment and inflator module. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Frame and undercarriage corrosion.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.
EQUIPMENT
Campaign #18V267000 · Apr 26, 2018
Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #21V054000 · May 2, 2021
Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #21V053000 · May 2, 2021
Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…
STRUCTURE
7 NHTSA complaints · 2013-08 → 2023-10
“Rear frame rust/rotted out, primarily shock crossmembers, and spare tire rack”
“EXTREME CORROSION OBSERVED IN THE FRAME. FRAME PEELING AT THE POINT OF PARTS BROKEN”
“I PURCHASED A 2013 SILVERADO, WHILE TAKING POSSESSION OF THE TRUCK I NOTICED THE UNDERCOATING HAD FALLEN OFF OF THE FRAME RAIL ABOVE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND HAD BEGUN TO RUST”
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2023-05
“POOR QUALITY EXHAUST FLUID UNABLE TO DRIVE OVER 55MPH”
“Diesel Exhaust Poor Quality Warning false alarmed and began restricting vehicle speed thus limiting range the vehicle can travel to less than 250 miles and at speeds significantly lower than posted speed limits”
“Driving on the interstate the truck starting. Message center displayed a fuel sys warning. The messages changed warning of speed limitations. The speed allowed wa# reduced every few miles. Eventually the engine would not run nor would it restart”
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
14 NHTSA complaints · 2015-03 → 2021-05
“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”
“THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN 2 PLACES NEXT TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. SHOULD IT DEPLOY THERE WILL BE A PIECE AS LONG AS A BIG KNIFE THAT WILL BECOME A PROJECTILE”
“2013 LTZ SILVERADO 47,000 MILAGE DASH CRACKED IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF AIRBAG AREA. FEEL COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD IF IN AN ACCIDENT AND AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED CAUSING THE DASH TO THROW SHARDS OF PLASTIC IN CAB”
STEERING
8 NHTSA complaints · 2013-04 → 2016-03
“TRAVELING AT 55 MPH STEERING LOCKED UP AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. 15 MINUTES LATER DID THE SAME THING AT 45 MPH DURING BUSY TRAFFIC AND AGAIN APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER AT 45 MPH”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY”
“TRAVELING 70 MPH ON FREEWAY, NATURALLY VEERING LEFT TO RIGHT WENT TO CORRECT TO THE RIGHT AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I COULD TURN TO THE LEFT MORE BUT COULD NOT CORRECT BACK TO THE RIGHT”
POWER TRAIN
6 NHTSA complaints · 2023-04 → 2023-09
“Tcm went out while driving with loaded trailer locked trans in low gear”
“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”
“Transmission control module failure while driving, loss of communication. Sent into limp mode, lost speed and power while towing. Lost stability control and traction control”
SERVICE BRAKES
4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2021-05
“APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AFTER REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE PADS ON FRONT AXLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER BRAKE LOCKED UP WHILE IN MOTION CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP AND SMOKE. WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE CALIPER REPLACED”
“Faulty brakes -master cylinder failed (so i am told) causing the calipers, rotors, pads heating up to the point of a significant amout of smoke coming from tires”
“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”
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2022-06
“Metal shavings in my fuel system”
“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”
“The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle stopped unintentionally without warning. The contact was able to shift the vehicle into neutral(N) and pull over to the side of the road”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles, sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
321 crashes 2010–2024
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
8
complaints mentioning a crash
3
complaints mentioning a fire
Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.