2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Complaints

Severe frame rot on driver side beneath the cab. Just noticed it today July 13, 2026.

NHTSA ID

11750169

Incident

Jul 13, 2026

I noticed the gas tank was listing to one end and not level. I noticed one of the tank straps had rusted away and I took the truck to a mechanic to replace the strap. The mechanic showed me that practically the majority of the frame was rusted away. There was nothing substantial enough for the straps to attach to. Are there many cases of the frame disintegrating on this model truck. I would be satisfied if the frame was replaced as I believe the manufacturer failed in protecting these frames from rusting away. I have been looking for a frame for a reasonable price and have not found one yet. I will also need someone to remove the old one and install the new one. I have not driven the truck because I am afraid it could collapse on the road if driven.

NHTSA ID

11747867

Incident

Jul 19, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and stopping at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the accelerator pedal became stuck, and the engine unexpectedly revved to 5,000 RPM. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal failed to release. The brake pedal was depressed several times within 15 seconds, and the engine stopped revving. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,250.

NHTSA ID

11733013

Incident

Apr 22, 2026

Mileage

146,250 mi

Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While the vehicle was being registered with the Department of Motor Vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was approximately 141,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 230,925.

NHTSA ID

11716826

Incident

Feb 6, 2026

Mileage

230,925 mi

Dash is cracked in several places

NHTSA ID

11711791

Incident

Jun 10, 2018

Rusted Frame and body

NHTSA ID

11674934

Incident

Jun 28, 2023

I got the code p2138 and I’ve had it inspected and throttle body and accelerator pedal assembly replaced. The problem is still not fixed. I lost power driving to work and heavy vibration and shaking. If I pull out in a turn and someone is coming up fast and this happens again it reduces my engine power and could cause a crash. Problem has been confirmed by a licensed mechanic, AutoZone, oreillys, and an independent mechanic. There was absolutely no warning this was gonna happen. It happened and I’ve spent $3,000 on replacement and labor costs trying to figure this out.

NHTSA ID

11673534

Incident

Jul 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was significantly rusted, and the contact did not feel safe driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the frame was inspected. The dealer informed the contact that the frame needed to be replaced; however, the repair fee would supersede the value of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered monetary assistance towards the purchase of a new vehicle. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 19-NA-255. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

NHTSA ID

11662373

Incident

May 7, 2025

Mileage

139,000 mi

I have been shopping for a truck for a little over a year now specifically a 2012 Chevy Silverado. To date everyone I found has frame and body rust but the frame rust is so bad that most aren’t safe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11659405

Incident

May 2, 2025

Unknown

NHTSA ID

11655803

Incident

Mar 22, 2025

I HAVE A SEVERE ENGINE STALL AT SLIGHT ACCELERATION IT FEELS LIKE THE TIRES ARE GOING TO LOCK UP OR BREAK SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN DEALER SAYS MY COMPLAINT IS NORMAL

NHTSA ID

11651523

Incident

Dec 11, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while her son was driving at low speeds during snow weather, the driver-side air bag deployed on its own without a crash or impact with an object. As a result, the driver lost visibility and control of the vehicle resulting in a crashing into a telephone pole and then a ditch where it came to a stop. It was unknown if a warning light illuminated. The paramedics were called and performed a check; however, the contact's son sustained no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A dealer was not contacted. The insurance company was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11639344

Incident

Jan 29, 2025

Mileage

200,000 mi

I took my truck for a routine service with the dealership. The Service Rep told me that my truck frame was rusting out to the point where it's near unsafe to drive. He told me it'd be 15k to replace the frame. I find it incredible that a 12 year old American made vehicle can have the frame rust out so fast and to such a degree without the dealership or manufacturer knowing that there is a potential safety risk in their product.

NHTSA ID

11615537

Incident

Sep 12, 2024

Airbag light came on indicating an issue. Went to dealer and the codes that came up are B0030 (Passenger Instrument Panel Air Bag Deployment Loop Stage 2 Short to Ground) and B0413 (Temperature Control 1 Feed back Circuit Actuator Stuck). It cost $597.67 to have a new airbag installed. I worry others couldn't afford this and it should be covered by the mfg due to the safety risk created from the vendor creating airbags that do not last the life of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11613679

Incident

Sep 9, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the Walmart Tire Center for tire replacement, the contact was informed that the tires could not be replaced. The contact was informed that the front driver's side frame was corroded and had holes. The contact was advised to stop driving the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to bring the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was offered a 1-10 percent discount on the purchase of another vehicle. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 181,000.

NHTSA ID

11611537

Incident

Aug 28, 2024

Mileage

181,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, her husband observed corrosion and holes in front of the gas tank and the frame of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the ABS, traction control, and steering stabilizer warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

NHTSA ID

11610890

Incident

Jun 15, 2024

Mileage

42,000 mi

Engine power reduced warning keeps coming on. As well as stabilitrak and traction control turns off. Code p2138 pops up. I’ve spent over $1,000 trying to get this fixed because it is unsafe to drive it like that. It will be fixed for 1 or 2 weeks and then it’s time to take it to the shop again. So many people have this issue.

NHTSA ID

11608641

Incident

Aug 6, 2024

The frame has rust holes and rusted through the bottom on the driver side.

NHTSA ID

11600245

Incident

Jul 8, 2024

i took the car to the GM dealer to fix the recalled item and was told the dashboard will crack and will need to be replaced when they pull the airbag out and i will need to pay for new dash board....i told them not to fix it....

NHTSA ID

11598388

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle decelerated without the brake pedal being depressed. In addition, the vehicle veered to the left independently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle using a scanner the vehicle and it was determined that the front passenger’s side wheel speed sensor had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11589930

Incident

May 15, 2023

Mileage

125,000 mi

The trailer hitch assembly has rusted to the point where it is barely being held to truck frame. It is available for inspection (I do not know how to attach photos to this notice but can e-mail if provided with your address) Have been advised by Chevrolet dealership service manager not to use the hitch under any circumstance. Do not know if any other portion of frame assembly is compromised, nor can this be determined accurately by me. But if other portions of the frame are “rusted out “ the danger is grave: the tubular structural element to which the hitch assembly is attached is the same diameter and thickness as the tubular structural supports which link the lengthwise H elements of the vehicle frame. It is therefore reasonable to conclude these structural components may lack structural integrity due to possible rust and perforations Concluding; 1. the hitch assembly is an integral part the vehicle’s structure. Failure would threaten the life of occupants as a trailer broke loose and swerved.. Others in proximity to the flailing or loose trailer would also be threatened. 2. Given the affected element is similar to other structural iparts used in the vehicle’s frame, failure of their structural integrity may cause failure of a portion of the frame, leading to additional risks to occupants, surrounding humans, vehicles and property. 3. The rusted assembly is not easily visible so that a warning to owners highlighting this potential risk to life should be sent ASAP. 4. Inspection of undercarriages of this and similar vehicles should be mandated to determine the existence of rust-damaging structural integrity. 5. Proper metallurgy/coating/reinforcement or redesign should be mandated of manufacturers.

NHTSA ID

11588881

Incident

May 10, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he became aware that the front and rear sub frame were extremely rusted. The contact also stated the shock tube had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the front and rear sub frame needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ID

11588548

Incident

May 13, 2024

Mileage

72,000 mi

Recall [XXX] FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG was completed [XXX] by Authorized Dealer 9105803 Replace Dual Stage Front AIR BAG Inflator ,as of [XXX] system light in dash steadily on and system shows to have system serviced, I don't feel I should have to pay the AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR Checking and or Repairing the NEW DEFICIT as the complaint. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11583576

Incident

Feb 29, 2024

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck has very extensive frame damage for 115k miles which has caused it to be unsafe to drive and basically scrap. I am the 2nd owner of the truck. When I bought it at 70k miles it definitely had rust on the frame, but no major holes. It has now rusted through in multiple spots. Is there anything that I can do or am I pretty much out of luck?

NHTSA ID

11575926

Incident

Mar 7, 2024

dealer told me that they will replace the passenger airbag but i need to sign a paper saying that if the dash board breaks while they work on it then they are not responsible and i need to pay to repair whatever damage there may be, they also said GM or Tekada would not pay to damage to dashboard because its old.....i did not let them replace airbag. my name is [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Rydell Chevrolet in Northridge CA. 818-832-1616 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11573453

Incident

Feb 22, 2024