Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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 approximately 5 MPH and going over a speed bump, the contact heard an abnormal banging sound underneath the vehicle like the tailpipe had detached and was striking the undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the rear-end of the vehicle was considerably lower than normal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the undercarriage, suspension arms, braces, and frame had rusted through in many large areas, rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. The contact stated that she contacted her insurance provider who had the vehicle towed to a collision shop. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the local dealer for servicing, he was informed that the subframe of the vehicle was severely corroded and all cross members of the vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the cross members were replaced and welded. However, the failure persisted. The contact stated that he could hear parts separating from the subframe and falling onto the ground while driving. The contact stated that upon inspecting the subframe, he noticed that unknown parts were corroded and had detached. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the subframe of the vehicle and the rear cross member were severely rusted, causing the fuel tank to become unsecured. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. Additionally, the mechanic stated that the catalytic converter was faulty and created a fire hazard. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated during a State Inspection, the vehicle failed the inspection due to extensive corrosion on the sub frame. The contact was informed that the vehicle would not pass a safety inspection and the contact was denied an inspection sticker. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was advised that there was severe corrosion on the front-end sub frame and members and on the rear-end sub frame and members. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed inspection due to two holes in the frame rail near the fuel tank. The contact was informed that the entire sub frame was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it diagnosed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and the sub frame was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a TSB with NHTSA ID Number: 10254236 (Structure). The failure mileage was 27,233.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the inspection station for a scheduled inspection, the contact was informed that there was corrosion on the sub frame of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the corrosion was behind the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was plated and welded. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed low speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, and the control arm detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact parked and stopped driving the vehicle due to safety concerns. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while in the process of trading the vehicle at a Toyota dealer, the dealer inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the subframe was severely rusted. The Chevrolet dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the location for inspection. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who discovered significant corrosion on the rear subframe of the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that they had never heard of such a failure with that model vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Body complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the body & structure of the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 25% of the model year's 301 complaints. The component named most often is body (57 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to body & structure 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.