2012 Gmc Sierra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (4) · Air Bags (4) · Electrical System (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Sierra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
27 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 (275)
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.
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages 2017-01-31 · PIT3665E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication advises the technician that the hydro-boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.
Engine 2016-07-11 · 16-NA-222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this informational bulletin provides the technician with what may happen to an engine due to lack of maintenance.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2016-04-04 · PIT-5338-A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication advises the technician that the part restriction for the accessory dc power control module and the seal kit has ended.
Showing the 6 most recent of 275 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-06-04 · Air Bags“2012 gmc sierra. consumer writes in regards to passenger side airbag safety recall. the consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repair.…”
2016-04-08 · Power Train · 65,722 mi“while driving at normal highway speed, truck shut off except for the lights. lost powers steering, brakes etc. once i got the truck pulled over and stopped, attempted to restart. was unable to do so until the 4th attempt during a 5 minutes time span. once started, appeared to be running fine except for the mil on the dashboard which was lit.…”
2016-03-30 · Unknown Or Other · 49,000 mi“dashboard is cracked near the passenger side airbag close to the windshield. vehicle has never been in an accident or had the airbags deployed. crack occurred just before 50,000 miles.…”
2016-03-20 · Unknown Or Other · 72,000 mi“dashboard cracking above instrument panel.…”
2016-03-17 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/Under Dash · 22,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc sierra 1500. the contact stated that the dashboard near the passenger side air bag 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 22,000. …”
2016-01-07 · Structure:body · 67,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc sierra. the contact stated that the dashboard near the passenger side air bag was fractured. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. the contact informed the manufacturer of the failure. the manufacturer stated that the dashboard would be able to be …”
2015-12-16 · Electrical System · 75,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc sierra. the contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power which resulted in a front end collision with a guardrail. when the failure occurred, all the warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was able to be operated after the crash. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be …”
2015-11-16 · Unknown Or Other · 32,000 mi“dash is cracking around my passenger airbag. the crack is in front of the passenger airbag closer to the windshield. vehicle only has 32,000 miles but is just out of the 3 year bumper to bumper warranty.…”
2015-11-14 · Air Bags · 40,000 mi“dash cracked around airbag module…”
2015-10-27 · Air Bags · 20,000 mi“the dash that supports the air bag on the passenger side is cracking and could possibly puncture the air bag or send parts of the dash flying a occupants during a collision. because of the cracks the air bag is not properly secured in the vehicle.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.