At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, high heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
This page covers 3 recalls and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2013 GMC Sierra 2500.
2/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2013 GMC Sierra 2500 has 3 recalls, the most serious involving the passenger-side front airbag inflator, which can rupture and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death.
This airbag inflator issue applies to vehicles originally sold or registered in high-humidity states and territories, including Florida, Texas, Hawaii, and several others. Over time, moisture can degrade the inflator so that instead of deploying normally, it explodes with enough force to scatter metal shards toward anyone in the front seats. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue across all affected vehicles, which is why multiple recall campaigns exist for this same defect.
The third recall covers trucks equipped with a specific type of fire extinguisher, either a plastic-handle model or a push-button "Pindicator" style. If one of these extinguishers fails to discharge properly when needed, it leaves the driver without a working tool to suppress a fire.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, high heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 8 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may fail to deploy or deploy incorrectly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fire extinguisher may clog and fail to discharge, or require excessive force to use. In some models, the nozzle may detach forcefully, potentially causing injury and making the extinguisher inoperable.
What the fix does
GM will provide a free replacement fire extinguisher from Kidde. Contact your vehicle manufacturer's customer service to arrange the replacement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.