Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the message "Service Air Bags" was displayed. The dealer was notified of the failure, and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that an unknown recall related to the failure was previously completed on the vehicle. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine made an abnormal sound. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,400.
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags). An unknown dealer was made aware of the issue and the contact was informed that the dealer was not responsible for any damages to the dashboard while performing the recall repair. The contact was concerned that the dashboard would be damaged during the recall repair and stated that he should not be responsible for any damages incurred by the dealer. The contact declined to allow the dealer to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but provided no assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available and that he would receive a call once parts were available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
The manufacturer has known about the problem with the passenger air bag for years and waited until February 2021to issue a recall. When the manufacturer was asked on 7-22-2021 when this problem would be fixed they responded that they do not have a remedy for the problem. It seems to me that they are dragging tier feet in the hope that the problem will fix itself through attrition of the affected vehicles. unless the government pressures the manufacturer by the use of fines or sanctions, they don't have any real reason to fix this problem in a timely manner.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
I recently purchased this Pick UP and checked on-line for any Recalls. There was one on the airbag - needs replacement of some components. As of 6/28/21, the Recall still states parts are unavailable. I need to be informed when I need to contact Service Center for Repair. My Name is [redacted] My email is [redacted] My Phone Number and Text is [redacted] Please keep me updated with any changes. Thank You.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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,…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 28% of the model year's 301 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-053 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021); NHTSA recall 21V-054 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.