2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Tires & wheels620.0%
- Fuel system620.0%
- Engine413.3%
- Airbags413.3%
- Steering310.0%
- Electrical26.7%
- Driver assistance13.3%
- Brakes13.3%
- Interior & seats13.3%
- Other / unspecified13.3%
- Powertrain (other)13.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
Tire - 265/70 r18 Cooper Could have been a very bad accident. Tire blew out. The tire was inspected by Goodyear PCA-Visual only -recvd below response after several requests. All Internal Goodyear visual Inspection procedures & methodologies are confidential and/or proprietary information of The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Goodyear's findings in this claim are final, and we have closed our file with no further action.
TIRE - 265/70 R18 Failure: Tire caused vehicle damage - Tire is at Goodyear Tire - Akron, Ohio Pulled off the road to change tire - was helped by someone that saw incident and lived close by. Yes - Filed a claim with insurance -see attached-and Property Damage Claim Team - Goodyear Tire- PDCT re [email protected] - Claim # 000645055. Claim was denied. Provided proof that tires were maintained properly by periodic rotation and inspection and requested Goodyear findings twice and still have not received. Claim denied again. Last request to Goodyear was 10/2 requesting their documentation. Waiting for tire to be returned and response to our request. Warning -the vehicle started vibrating
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle would be low or completely out of fuel quicker than expected. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel, the contact was unable to fill the rear tank due to the tank being full of fuel. The vehicle had been taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transfer pump had failed to transfer fuel from the rear tank to the front tank. The contact was informed that the transfer pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 197,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. While the contact's sister was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk with the check engine warning light illuminated violently. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled in the middle of the highway. The contact called California Highway Patrol who assisted with getting the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was eventually towed to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective fuel pump. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. While the contact's sister was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk with the check engine warning light illuminated violently. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled in the middle of the highway. The contact called California Highway Patrol who assisted with getting the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was eventually towed to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective fuel pump. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Our diesel fuel pump failed unexpectedly and without any notice while pulling a fifth wheel camper on a state highway in Ohio. The engine stopped completely (we were coasting within seconds). We were in a one-lane construction zone, and had it not been for a paved median, I would have been unable to pull off in this construction zone. Fortunately, I had enough momentum to get off the road and was able to exert enough pressure on the brakes manually to stop. In reading about this issue, it is clear that there are known problems with this fuel pump. My cost to repair this defective part will be about $11,500 and will require a 12 hour round trip back to Ohio to pick-up the vehicle after a two-week repair.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
It is amazing to me that a recall is issued in March 2021 and nothing has been done yet and they still are building vehicles probably with defective equipment if there isn't a fix for this recall. GM recall # N212328800
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number 21V051000 (Air Bags) however, upon contacting the dealer, he was informed that the repair might cause the dashboard to crack. The contact was then informed that he needed to sign a waiver to ensure that the dealer would not be held responsible for any damages to vehicle. The contact declined to sign the waiver and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY TOWING OUR 15,500 LB FIFTH WHEEL, SUDDENLY, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, WE HEARD RATTLING, LOST POWER, AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THE NOISE AND LOSS OF PROPULSION, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALL OCCURRED WITHIN ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS. GRATEFULLY, THE DRIVER HAD THE FORTITUDE TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN PULLING ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE SLIGHT DOWNWARD SLOPE ON WHICH WERE WERE DRIVING. LUCKILY, WE WERE ON A STRETCH OF ROAD THAT WAS NOT INCLINED, NOT IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE WITH BARRIERS, NOT IN A SNOWY MOUNTAIN PASS OR IN OTHER INCLEMENT WEATHER, NOT IN THE LEFT LANE PASSING, ETC. HAD ANY OF THESE FACTORS PREVENTED US FROM SIMPLY PULLING ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, THE POTENTIAL FOR A LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT. THE CHEVROLET/GM SERVICE CENTER CONFIRMED THE BOSCH CP4 HPFP SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, DESTROYING THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE TRUCK. GM IS COVERING PART OF THE REPAIR COSTS (TRUCK IS AT 119,705 MILES), BUT OUR BILL WILL REMAIN SUBSTANTIAL. RESEARCH OF DIESEL, TDI, AND OTHER FORUMS DOCUMENT THIS PROBLEM AS WELL-KNOWN AND BROADER THAN THE EXISTING 9 COMPLAINTS IN THE NHSTA PUBLIC DATABASE AND THE INVESTIGATION OF VW/AUDI. SOME PEOPLE ARE EVEN REPORTING MULTIPLE FAILURES. THE MOST COMMON BELIEVABLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES SEEMS TO BE A MISMATCH OF LUBRICITY SPECS BETWEEN THE BOSCH CP4 AND THE DIESEL FUEL IN THE U.S. PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION, AND ORDER GM, FORD, VW, BOSCH AND OTHERS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. ALSO PLEASE MANDATE, TO THE EXTENT YOU'RE ABLE, REIMBURSEMENT TO THOSE OF US PAYING FOR REPAIRS TODAY. I HAVE READ, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM, THAT VW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 120K MILES. THIS SEEMS LIKE A MINIMUM (MORE IS BETTER) STEP, AND IT SHOULD BE RETROACTIVE.
POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GIVES OUT AS IF THE ENGINE STALLED BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT STALL. IT GIVES OUT AND THE STEERING STICKS MAKING THE STEERING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND ONLY LAST FOR SECONDS. WAS RETURNED TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND WAS RETURNED WITHOUT ANY FIX STATING UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. VEHICLE NOW HAS 21,000 MILES AND PROBLEM CONTINUES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
2012 SILVERADO 3500HD WITH DEALER INSTALLED DEJANA RUGBY DUMP BODY THE DUMP BODY HOIST MAKES CONTACT WITH THE ELECTRONIC TRAILER BRAKE/BODY CONTROL MODULE EVENTUALLY CRACKING OPEN OR DAMAGING THE TOP OF THE MODULE AND ALLOWING MOISTURE/WATER INSIDE DAMAGING THE MODULE. THIS CAUSES A NO START CONDITION AND OR ERRATIC GAUGES, DOOR LOCKS, ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS TO COME ON, DRIVABILITY ISSUES TRUCK CAN GO INTO A LIMP MODE WITH NO SHIFTING ETC. TEST EQUIPMENT SHOWS NO COMMUNICATION TO ECM ERRORS AND DRIVETRAIN- PROBLEM WILL OCCUR WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL MODULE IS UNPLUGGED ALL SYMPTOMS WILL GO AWAY AND TRUCK WILL FUNCTION NORMAL. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH A SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE WARNING FROM THE VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER IN THE DASH.
TRUCK STALLED WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HAD TRANSFER SWITCH AND TWO SENSORS REPLACED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING THE STABILITRAK FAULT LIGHT CAME ON AND THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP, JERKING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENED 2 YEARS AGO AND I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL IT HAPPENED TO MY COMPANY VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY TOWING OUR 15,500 LB FIFTH WHEEL, SUDDENLY, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, WE HEARD RATTLING, LOST POWER, AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THE NOISE AND LOSS OF PROPULSION, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALL OCCURRED WITHIN ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS. GRATEFULLY, THE DRIVER HAD THE FORTITUDE TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN PULLING ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE SLIGHT DOWNWARD SLOPE ON WHICH WERE WERE DRIVING. LUCKILY, WE WERE ON A STRETCH OF ROAD THAT WAS NOT INCLINED, NOT IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE WITH BARRIERS, NOT IN A SNOWY MOUNTAIN PASS OR IN OTHER INCLEMENT WEATHER, NOT IN THE LEFT LANE PASSING, ETC. HAD ANY OF THESE FACTORS PREVENTED US FROM SIMPLY PULLING ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, THE POTENTIAL FOR A LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT. THE CHEVROLET/GM SERVICE CENTER CONFIRMED THE BOSCH CP4 HPFP SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, DESTROYING THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE TRUCK. GM IS COVERING PART OF THE REPAIR COSTS (TRUCK IS AT 119,705 MILES), BUT OUR BILL WILL REMAIN SUBSTANTIAL. RESEARCH OF DIESEL, TDI, AND OTHER FORUMS DOCUMENT THIS PROBLEM AS WELL-KNOWN AND BROADER THAN THE EXISTING 9 COMPLAINTS IN THE NHSTA PUBLIC DATABASE AND THE INVESTIGATION OF VW/AUDI. SOME PEOPLE ARE EVEN REPORTING MULTIPLE FAILURES. THE MOST COMMON BELIEVABLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES SEEMS TO BE A MISMATCH OF LUBRICITY SPECS BETWEEN THE BOSCH CP4 AND THE DIESEL FUEL IN THE U.S. PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION, AND ORDER GM, FORD, VW, BOSCH AND OTHERS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. ALSO PLEASE MANDATE, TO THE EXTENT YOU'RE ABLE, REIMBURSEMENT TO THOSE OF US PAYING FOR REPAIRS TODAY. I HAVE READ, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM, THAT VW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 120K MILES. THIS SEEMS LIKE A MINIMUM (MORE IS BETTER) STEP, AND IT SHOULD BE RETROACTIVE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
Our dashboard is beyond cracked, repair cost $2100.00 plus. I was told that the dash needed to have a metal brace installed with repair. We used a sun reflector from day one. We have a little more than 25k miles on it and the vehicle is immaculate except for the 3rd brake light leaking which we have tried to repair over and over again another flaw design. We finally got our airbag replaced and now the dash is worse than ever. How are we expected to ever get anything even close to resale value for this vehicle. We paid 36,000.00 We did nothing wrong except be a loyal chevrolet customer for our entire lives. We loved chevy but unfortunately since chevrolet refuses to admit that there is a flaw in these dashboards we would not in clear conscience buy from the company again, it's too bad we wanted to trade it in for a 2023. David Shoemaker The starburst breakage is from airbag replacement the straight lines is chevy defect. I think you should meet us halfway on this at least.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE TIRES MANUFACTURE DATE 2811, ON 01-05-12 FOUND TO BE DRY ROTTED, DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE IS A 2012 TRUCK WITH 26000 MILES. CHEVROLET DEALER IS OFFERING REPLACEMENT AT A COST TO THE OWNER OF $1220.00. TIRES ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE SINCE THEY WERE DEFECTIVE AT TIME OF INSTALLATION AT THE FACTORY. THIS PRICE IS NEARLY $500 MORE THAN THE MICHELIN DEALER IS OFFERING AS A PRORATED REPLACEMENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
2012 SILVERADO 3500HD WITH DEALER INSTALLED DEJANA RUGBY DUMP BODY THE DUMP BODY HOIST MAKES CONTACT WITH THE ELECTRONIC TRAILER BRAKE/BODY CONTROL MODULE EVENTUALLY CRACKING OPEN OR DAMAGING THE TOP OF THE MODULE AND ALLOWING MOISTURE/WATER INSIDE DAMAGING THE MODULE. THIS CAUSES A NO START CONDITION AND OR ERRATIC GAUGES, DOOR LOCKS, ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS TO COME ON, DRIVABILITY ISSUES TRUCK CAN GO INTO A LIMP MODE WITH NO SHIFTING ETC. TEST EQUIPMENT SHOWS NO COMMUNICATION TO ECM ERRORS AND DRIVETRAIN- PROBLEM WILL OCCUR WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL MODULE IS UNPLUGGED ALL SYMPTOMS WILL GO AWAY AND TRUCK WILL FUNCTION NORMAL. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH A SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE WARNING FROM THE VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER IN THE DASH.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .