2012 Chevrolet Silverado

Routine

Owners filed 68 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
20,482 milesMedian miles at failure

61 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags15
203
Structure › Body8
010
Service Brakes8
303
Power Train7
301
Vehicle Speed Control4
000
Tires4
000
Engine4
111
Wheels3
010
Structure3
000
Exterior Lighting3
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Ignition14V827000
Filed Dec 30, 201484,192 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

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.

Remedy. 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, Diesel13V615000
Filed Dec 11, 20139,733 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

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.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 9, 2023192,006 milesDC

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 systems (ABS) sensor replaced and inspected the brakes. The dealer stated no failure was found when inspecting the vehicle. The contact stated while approaching an intersection another vehicle made a left turn and intercepted in his lane on the right side, he depressed the brake pedal but failed to stop or slow down the vehicle, causing it to crash into the other vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle continued moving forward while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle jumped a curb and crashed into a building and stopped the vehicle. The contact states the front driver side air bag deployed. The contact sustained leisure on his back muscles, had whiplash and leisure on the left side of his head and arm due to the air bag deployment. The contact stated he was taken to the hospital by ambulance to seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 3, 2021NY

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. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 24, 2021126,625 milesTX

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 126,625.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 22, 201635,000 milesTX

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

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 18, 201626,000 milesFL

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 AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 17, 201648,000 milesAR

"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 THAT THIS IS HAPPENING AND THEY WON'T DO NOTHING TO FIX IT. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP NOISE WHICH I NOTICE THAT MY DASH HAD CRACKED.

Steering
Filed Apr 10, 201634,162 milesCA

AT 34,162 MILES THE STEERING GEAR WAS BINDING, CREATING A SAFETY PROBLEM. A STEERING GEAR SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 34,162 MILES.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 17, 201648,000 milesMI

FRONT SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WENT BAD

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 14, 2016RI

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 GETTING WORST EVERY YEAR.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 11, 201646,000 milesWI

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 RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000. UPDATED 05/20/16*LJ *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 8, 201684,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 4, 201620,000 milesTX

DASH IS CRACKED AROUND THE AIR BAG AREA CONCERNED THIS MIGHT AFFECT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. EVEN THOUGH GM STATES IT WILL NOT AFFECT IT, THE CRACK IS IN A CORNER OF THE DEPLOYMENT ZONE. THE DASH IS ALSO CRACKED IN A AREA ABOVE THE GAUGES. EVERYONE I KNOW THAT HAS THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. A PERSON I KNOW HAS ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND IS ALREADY CRACKED AS WELL.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 10, 201650,000 milesCA

THERE'S CRACKS SURROUNDING MY PASSENGER AIRBAG IN MY 2012 SILVERADO. THESE CRACKS ARE NOT ONLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN DESIGN BUT ARE ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING TOO WITH THIS MODEL TRUCK/SUV.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 6, 2016NM

THE DASH IS CRACKED BY THE AIR BAG HOUSING THE DOOR HANDLES ARE DISCOLORED AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS ALSO DISCOLORED.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 2, 201655,000 milesTX

DOOR HANDLE COMES OFF ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR, MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS OF THE VEHICLE

Structure
Filed Jan 19, 201627,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD IN THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CRACKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD HAD A CRACK FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE AIR BAG COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 15, 201637,000 milesFL

CRACKS IN THE DASH AT THE AIRBAG MAY BECOME PROJECTILES.

Tires
Filed Nov 27, 2015TX

COOPER ZEON LTZ 275/60R20 M + S DOT # UTW0 CN9 TIRES DEVELOPED CRACKS WHERE TREAD MEETS SIDEWALL AND LEAKS AIR TIRE IS NOT LISTED IN THE AVAILABLE NAMES SECTION ON THIS WEBSITE

Structure
Filed Nov 19, 201578,580 milesME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPAINTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,580. UPDATED 1/15/16 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 01/25/16..*JB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 13, 201575,859 milesGA

RECENTLY I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT WAS A DIRECT IMPACT. AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK NOR DID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. THE SPEED FROM THIS ACCIDENT WAS BETWEEN 50-55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. AT THE RATE OF SPEED I WAS GOING BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND THE FACT THAT I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BREAKS TO BEGIN SLOWING DOWN ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THE SEAT BELT WOULD HAVE LOCKED BUT IT DID NOT AND AT THE POINT OF IMPACT I WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT YET THE SYSTEM INDICATED THAT IT DID AND NEEDED TO BE RESET. HOWEVER NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT.

20 of 68 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2017125030Routine
20165200Routine
201576720Routine
20141241400Do not drive
201364320Routine
2012 — this page68240Routine
201175220Routine
201062120Routine
200976031Fatalities reported
2008162251Fatalities reported
20071834101Fatalities reported
20061821075Fatalities reported
20053161470Above average
200462215103Fatalities reported
200369513112Fatalities reported
20027101551Fatalities reported
20018771553Fatalities reported
20001,30520112Fatalities reported
19991,6601760High concern
1998279052Fatalities reported
1997272060Above average
1996186030Routine
1995263000Above average
1994210041Fatalities reported
199369000Routine
199240030Routine
199117000Routine
199025000Routine

Compare every Silverado year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 30, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.