2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy upon obtaining a Vinlo vehicle report. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 93,000; however, the Vinlo report listed the mileage at 456,903 in 2023. The contact called the Missouri DMV, but no assistance was provided.

NHTSA ID

11749134

Incident

Jan 7, 2025

Mileage

456,903 mi

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle seller advised the contact that the mileage was 196,000 prior to the purchase. Upon purchasing and driving the vehicle, the contact noticed that the odometer was inoperable. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the failure was corrected, and the odometer reading was 216,000. The seller informed the contact that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced for the correct odometer reading to be displayed; however, the contact stated that the actual mileage was 216,000, and the seller had committed odometer fraud.

NHTSA ID

11723008

Incident

Mar 5, 2026

Mileage

216,000 mi

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 147,209. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was unknown. The contact paid for a full vehicle report, and he discovered that the mileage was 250,000. on September 6, 2025. The VIN was invalid.

NHTSA ID

11690527

Incident

Sep 27, 2025

Mileage

250,000 mi

The vehicle's TCM has apparently failed as evidenced by CEL code "U0101", low power ("limp mode"), hard shifting, no gear selection indicator, and extremely slow acceleration. Vehicle is currently available for inspection, but will be receiving a replacement TCM soon. Myself and others' safety was put at risk due to my the vehicle's inability to continue through an intersection at a reasonable rate. The problem has not been reproduced by a dealer/service center, nor has it been inspected by anyone since the incident. The aforementioned warning lamp that indicated the issue appeared upon starting the vehicle, which drove normally for the first 11 miles.

NHTSA ID

11654876

Incident

Apr 15, 2025

Day after driving to n a snow storm the vehicles stabilitrak and traction control light and message to service those came on the dash and a sudden lose of power. I pulled over and put it in park noticing the gear indicator on the dash was gone. I put in drive and could barely move. So I shifted to 1st gear then back to park and into drive and the light came off and it was back to normal. The next day I started the vehicle and the light was on again with the check engine light. And stuck in limp mode. There are forums I've read with thousands of people with the same problem. The vehicle is available for inspection. The safety concerns are the traction control and stabilitrak can affect the way it handles and brakes. The vehicle will be going to dealership. There where no warning light prior to. The lights and systems failed simultaneously. This vehicle only has 44000 miles on it, no rust the frame is mint. This is a very clean truck and shouldn't be having this kind of problem.

NHTSA ID

11643267

Incident

Feb 15, 2025

Transmission control module

NHTSA ID

11568776

Incident

Jan 19, 2024

Was driving the truck doing 65 on the highway and the cp4 ruined the whole fuel system. That includes the fuel rails injectors and pump! Ended up costing me around $8,000 I believe!

NHTSA ID

11559138

Incident

Dec 31, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, a message indicating that the DEF system had failed was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several unknown dealers, where the O2 sensor, a diesel injector, and other unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, a message indicating that the DEF system had failed was displayed. Additionally, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and gradually decelerated. The contact was able to drive to the nearest independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the DEF system, fuel pump, and oxygen sensor had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was concerned that the repair was temporary. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

NHTSA ID

11552896

Incident

Oct 31, 2019

Mileage

22,000 mi

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some owners of Heavy Duty Trucks and Utilities may ask if they can lower their tire pressures. Tire pressures being set to the "Tire and Loading Label" will ensure the safe handling and ride characteristics of the truck and should not be lowered.

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.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.