2012 Chevrolet Silverado problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (12) · Service Brakes (7) · Power Train (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Silverado model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
61 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Electrical System:ignition 2014-12-30 · campaign 14V827000 · 84,192 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
Risk: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
Fuel System, Diesel 2013-12-11 · campaign 13V615000 · 9,733 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, equipped with 6.6L diesel engines and dual fuel tanks. In the affected vehicles, the transfer pump which moves fuel from the rear tank to the front tank could malfunction and cause the fuel gauge to indicate an inaccurate reading.
Risk: If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel transfer pump, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 13420.
Service bulletins (279)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Tires 2017-07-19 · 03-03-10-007J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this informational bulletin provides information on the temporary tire flat spotting condition.
Equipment 2017-07-18 · 10-00-89-005F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this informational bulletin provides warranty policy information on revised wiring repair labor operations and required additional information.
Electrical System:wiring 2017-07-18 · 10-00-89-005F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this informational bulletin provides warranty policy information on revised wiring repair labor operations and required additional information.
Equipment 2017-07-18 · 10-00-89-005F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this informational bulletin provides warranty policy information on revised wiring repair labor operations and required additional information.
Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring Assembly 2017-07-17 · 06-03-09-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage 2017-02-08 · PIT5161E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a bump feel or clunk noise at a stop or on launch. dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. the bump clunk issue may b
Showing the 6 most recent of 279 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-06-09 · Service Brakes · 192,006 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet silverado. the contact stated he purchased the vehicle at a used dealer on march 13, 2023, and the anti-lock braking systems (abs), the traction control sensor, and the brake warning light illuminated. the contact took the vehicle back to the used dealer on 3 different occasions and had the anti-lock braking system…”
2021-08-03 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet silverado. the contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign number: 22v054000(air bags); however, the parts for the repair were unavailable. the dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. the manufacturer had been notified of the recall.…”
2021-06-24 · Air Bags · 126,625 mi“the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet silverado 1500. the contact stated that while starting the vehicle the air bag warning indicator light illuminated the contact called onstar who completed diagnostic testing. the local dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified. the failure mileage was 126,62…”
2016-04-22 · Structure:body · 35,000 mi“dash cracked at corner dash above left side of passenger side airbag only 35k on vehicle 3.5 years old with use of sunshade half the time…”
2016-04-18 · Structure:body · 26,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet silverado. the contact stated that the passenger side of the dashboard was fractured. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 26,000. the vin was not a…”
2016-04-17 · Air Bags · 48,000 mi“"takata recall", i have a crack in my dash that is located right next to passenger side airbag. this is a safety hazard because my dash will continue to crack that will cause my passenger side airbag to fail when it will be needed to protect passengers that ride in my vehicle. i have done a lot of research on this topic and general motors knows tha…”
2016-04-10 · Steering · 34,162 mi“at 34,162 miles the steering gear was binding, creating a safety problem. a steering gear should last longer than 34,162 miles.…”
2016-03-17 · Air Bags · 48,000 mi“front side airbag sensor went bad…”
2016-03-14 · Suspension“my 2012 silverado ls has 22,000 miles. it is a shame because it is a beautiful truck, but the frame looks terrible. it is not a little rust here and there. the rust is literally all over the frame. there is more of the frame with rust than without. the frame is very easy to see. unfortunately for gm, my truck is a rolling billboard and the rust is…”
2016-03-11 · Air Bags · 46,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet silverado. the contact stated that when the vehicle drove over rough patches in road, the service air bag warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor needed to be clean off and reinstalled. the vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.