2012 Gmc Sierra 1500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (23) · Structure:body (14) · Power Train (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Sierra 1500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
67 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2021-02-05 · campaign 21V051000 · 284,645 vehicles
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2021-02-05 · campaign 21V054000 · 1,778,128 vehicles
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-8
Equipment 2018-04-26 · campaign 18V267000 · 6,154 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally,
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
Service bulletins (892)
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.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-16 · PIT6400A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-na-255: wax coating on frame peeling, metal shows corrosion/rusting due to issue with getting product from current supplier listed in the bulletin.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 892 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-11 · Service Brakes“june 29, 2025, driving on the st. francis loop in amarillo, tx, brake lights start flashing, the warning sounds happening, no brakes. i had already slowed down to 35-45 mph due to road construction ahead. i weaved through the cones and as soon as possible, hit the ditch and then coasted to a stop. (i didn’t think about the emergency brake, in my…”
2026-05-22 · Unknown Or Other“they should be responsible for repairs or replacement of the cheap made frames that rust away so fast so u ain’t gotta worry about your truck fallling apart going down the rd and the lower control arms made of cast that rust from inside out and you don’t know until breaks while driving along with camber adjustments where they can throw alignment ou…”
2026-01-15 · Power Train · 20,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 gmc sierra 1500. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, especially between second and third gears. the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. in addition, the contact stated that the engine felt as though the engine mounts were inoperable.…”
2025-08-21 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 243,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2012 gmc sierra 1500. the contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the mileage was 111,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 243,000. the carfax report indicated that the vehicle …”
2025-04-03 · Fuel/Propulsion System“p0521 has been addressed/replaced almost nine (9) times. “low oil pressure-stop engine” is another one that is not completely functional. the truck is using oil but we cant find evidence of leakage. services performed at dealership or certified shop. troubleshooting was performed, im told. i cant vouch for the quality of the workmanship. this sh…”
2024-06-04 · Air Bags · 312,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2013 gmc sierra. the contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, she lost consciousness. after regaining consciousness, the contact discovered that the vehicle had crashed into two vehicles and that the driver's side air bag had deployed. the police and paramedics arrived at the scene; however, no one involved in the accident n…”
2024-05-28 · Wheels“faulty tire pressure management system. looking for recalls or service bulletins. …”
2024-03-18 · Unknown Or Other“manufacturer interior defect - crack on dash w/potential to crumble all the way in diminishes vehicle …”
2024-03-11 · Unknown Or Other“frame rot behind gas tank truck doesn't even have 90000 miles on it unsave to drive poor frame quality …”
2023-12-14 · Structure:body“major major frame and wheel well rust , ever one i see is exactly the same , i live in upstate ny and yes we use salt but i've done a lot of research and the problem is country wide , please do some things this isn't right , i'm not trying to get a new free truck , just not get screwed out of the one i have cause it will fail inspection soon…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.