RoadVitals

2012 Chevrolet Silverado

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
68
Latest Jun 9, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Dec 30, 2014
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 68 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, most frequently naming the airbags, body & structure and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 279 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
14V827000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Dec 30, 2014
84,192 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 14696 and 14912View on NHTSA.gov
13V615000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Dec 11, 2013
9,733 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 13420/13421View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 68
Brakes
Filed Jun 9, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11526178
Incident
Apr 17, 2023
Mileage
192,006 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 3, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11427569
Incident
Feb 1, 2021
Airbags
Filed Jun 24, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11422186
Incident
Jun 24, 2021
Mileage
126,625 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 22, 2016

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

NHTSA ID
10860856
Incident
Mar 5, 2016
Mileage
35,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 18, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10860023
Incident
Apr 17, 2016
Mileage
26,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 17, 2016

"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.

NHTSA ID
10859959
Incident
Feb 15, 2016
Mileage
48,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 10, 2016

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

NHTSA ID
10854644
Incident
Feb 11, 2016
Mileage
34,162 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 17, 2016

FRONT SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WENT BAD

NHTSA ID
10850168
Incident
Mar 13, 2016
Mileage
48,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

03-03-10-007J

TIRES

This informational bulletin provides information on the temporary tire flat spotting condition.

10-00-89-005F

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

This informational bulletin provides warranty policy information on revised wiring repair labor operations and required additional information.

10-00-89-005F

ENGINE; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides warranty policy information on revised wiring repair labor operations and required additional information.

10-00-89-005F

ENGINE; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides warranty policy information on revised wiring repair labor operations and required additional information.

06-03-09-004H

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY

This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.

PIT5161E

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a bump feel or clunk noise at a stop or on launch. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. The bump clunk issue may be due to fuel movement in the fuel tank when not completely full. The condition is eliminated after completely filling the fuel tank.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Silverado by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
20171250040.0
2016520—
2015767052.7
201412414053.5
2013643050.8
2012Viewing682052.0
2011752048.6
2010621038.1
2009760037.9
20081622050.7
20071834258.7
200618210052.8
200531614050.7
200462215159.9
200369513862.5
2002710151266.5
2001877151366.8
20001,305201366.6
19991,660171463.5
19982790243.0
19972720038.1
19961860039.2
19952630035.9
19942100037.1
1993690037.5
1992400036.9
1991170028.0
1990250040.0
1989220042.3
1988150038.7
1987200—
1985300—
1984500—
1982200—
1980200—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.