Model year 2013 · Standard Pickup Trucks

2013 Chevy Silverado 1500

2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 MPG

EPA ratings for the 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 run from 12–15 mpg in town to 18–22 on the highway, or 14–18 combined, depending on which of its 9 gasoline versions you look at.

The most efficient pairs the 5.3-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 18 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 6.2-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive and is rated 14 mpg combined. The EPA also rated a hybrid version, the best at 21 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2012 model.

Chevy Silverado 1500, 2nd generation (GMT900) (2008–2013 model years)
Chevy Silverado 1500, 2nd generation (GMT900) (2008–2013 model years). Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; resized.
EPA fuel economy for every 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 version, best combined first
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
Silverado 15 Hybrid 2WD6.0 L 8-cyl hybridAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Rear-Wheel Drive202321Regular · 418 g CO₂/mi
Silverado 15 Hybrid 4WD6.0 L 8-cyl hybridAutomatic (variable gear ratios)4-Wheel Drive202321Regular · 423 g CO₂/mi
Silverado C15 XFE 2WD5.3 L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive152218Gasoline or E85 · 500 g CO₂/mi
Silverado C15 2WD4.3 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive152017Regular · 531 g CO₂/mi
Silverado C15 2WD5.3 L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive152117Gasoline or E85 · 520 g CO₂/mi
Silverado K15 4WD5.3 L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive152117Gasoline or E85 · 524 g CO₂/mi
Silverado C15 2WD4.8 L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive141916Gasoline or E85 · 565 g CO₂/mi
Silverado K15 4WD4.3 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel Drive141816Regular · 573 g CO₂/mi
Silverado K15 4WD4.8 L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel Drive131815Gasoline or E85 · 598 g CO₂/mi
Silverado C15 2WD6.2 L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive131814Gasoline or E85 · 618 g CO₂/mi
Silverado K15 4WD6.2 L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive121814Gasoline or E85 · 625 g CO₂/mi

2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 fuel cost per year

Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 costs about $3,630 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (18 mpg combined), or roughly 24 cents a mile.

The thirstiest priced version (14 mpg combined) comes to about $4,670 a year, $1,040 more.

This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.

2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 specs

2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 buyers could choose between 5 engines, according to EPA records: 5.3 L 8-cyl, 4.3 L 6-cyl, 4.8 L 8-cyl, 6.0 L 8-cyl hybrid and 6.2 L 8-cyl. It came with continuously variable (CVT) and automatic transmissions, in four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. The EPA classes it as a standard pickup truck.

Engines and drivetrains (EPA)
Engine size (L)CylindersTransmissionsDriveVersions
5.3 L8Automatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive3
4.3 L6Automatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive2
4.8 L8Automatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive2
6.0 L hybrid8Automatic (variable gear ratios)Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive2
6.2 L8Automatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive2

2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 problems

Owners have filed 301 complaints about the 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.

Air bags are the most-reported area (21% of component mentions), followed by structure (19%) and engine (8%).

Spread over its time on sale, that is 21 complaints a year: more than the 2012 (14 a year) and fewer than the 2014 (110 a year).

That ranks 15th of 17 Chevy Silverado 1500 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.

Of the 301, 8 mention a crash and 4 an injury, and none report a fire.

Unknown or other105 (27%)Air bags83 (21%)Structure75 (19%)Engine33 (8%)Suspension21 (5%)Power train13 (3%)Electrical system10 (3%)Steering10 (3%)
Component mentions in NHTSA owner complaints (one complaint can name several components)
NHTSA complaints by component
ComponentMentionsShare
Unknown or other10527%
Air bags8321%
Structure7519%
Engine338%
Suspension215%
Power train133%
Electrical system103%
Steering103%
Visibility/wiper72%
Service brakes51%
Vehicle speed control51%
Seat belts41%
Wheels41%
Engine and engine cooling2<1%
Exterior lighting2<1%
Diesel fuel system2<1%
Fuel/propulsion system2<1%
Latches/locks/linkages2<1%
Back over prevention1<1%
Electronic stability control (esc)1<1%
Equipment1<1%
Gasoline fuel system1<1%
Seats1<1%
Tires1<1%
Visibility1<1%

What owners told NHTSA

I am submitting this complaint regarding an unrepaired Takata airbag recall associated with my vehicle VIN and concerns related to dealership representations and compliance charges at the time of sale. …
Owner report to NHTSA (unverified), May 2026 · Air bags · complaint 11739656
The vehicle's structural frame rails have suffered a catastrophic failure. The driver-side frame rail has a physical separation gap measuring between 1/2-inch and 1 inch wide. The passenger-side frame rail is actively delaminating and separating from the inside out. …
Owner report to NHTSA (unverified), July 2026 · Structure, Suspension · complaint 11752287
Driving down the road and motor died, like when you run out of gas. Would not restart. Had it towed. Engine had to be rebuilt, cost over 5k. …
Owner report to NHTSA (unverified), May 2025 · Engine · complaint 11659271

2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500.

The most recent, campaign 21V053000 from February 2021, concerns air bags.

Is a recall still open on your car? This list covers every 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls still need a repair on your car.
Recall campaigns (details on nhtsa.gov and the model overview)
CampaignReportedComponentSilverado 1500 years covered
21V053000February 5, 2021Air bags2009–2010, 2013
21V054000February 5, 2021Air bags2010–2013

Safety ratings

NHTSA crash-tested 8 versions of the 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500; the best overall score is 4 out of 5 stars.

NHTSA 5-star safety ratings
Version testedOverallFrontalSideRollover
PU/CC RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
PU/CC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
PU/EC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
PU/RC RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
PU/RC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
PU/EC RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Hybrid PU/CC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Hybrid PU/CC RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Frontal crash test of the PU/CC RWD version of the 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 at NHTSA
Frontal test · PU/CC RWD
Side crash test of the PU/CC RWD version of the 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 at NHTSA
Side barrier test · PU/CC RWD

Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.

Compared with other years

Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Chevy Silverado 1500s can be compared fairly. Among other 2013 models in the EPA's standard pickup trucks class, the 2013 Ford F-150 (19 mpg) and 2013 Ram 1500 (21 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.

Chevy Silverado 1500, 2010–2016 (EPA and NHTSA)
YearBest mpgComplaintsPer year on saleRecalls
201022363213
201121563354
201221216142
201321301212
2014201,4361106
2015201,1109211
2016207977212

Every Chevy Silverado 1500 model year compared →

Similar 2013 models

FAQ

Is the 2013 Silverado 1500 a good car?

We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 has 21 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (15th most of 17 model years), 2 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 4 stars and up to 21 mpg combined from the EPA.

What are common 2013 Silverado 1500 problems?

The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (83), structure (75) and engine (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many recalls does the 2013 Silverado 1500 have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Silverado 1500 get?

The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 14–18 mpg combined (12–15 city, 18–22 highway). The hybrid versions reach up to 21 mpg combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Silverado 1500 per year?

About $3,630 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $4,670 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).