RoadVitals

2012 GMC Sierra 2500 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
30
Latest Feb 24, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
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.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500, 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

  • Airbags825.0%
  • Fuel system515.6%
  • Electrical412.5%
  • Powertrain (other)412.5%
  • Body & structure412.5%
  • Engine39.4%
  • Tires & wheels13.1%
  • Other / unspecified13.1%
  • Suspension13.1%
  • Driver assistance13.1%

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

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V051000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and an unknown dealer were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. .

NHTSA ID 11624777 · filed Nov 12, 2024

I received notice of a defective front airbag in February, 2021. As of now (about 7 months later) no action by GM to repair.

NHTSA ID 11432754 · filed Sep 13, 2021
All 8 reports naming airbags

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Truck is a diesel. Fuel pump blew up and died in the middle of the street. Now I'm being told the Fuel system needs completely re done and will cost me 10g. I also found a lawsuit for this issue as well.

NHTSA ID 11541273 · filed Aug 28, 2023

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED AND PASSING SLOWER TRAFFIC; ENGINE POWER FELL OFF, CHANGE FUEL FILTER NOW, ENGINE DERATE, AND CHECK ENGINE LITE, OCCURED. I HAD TO MANEUVER WITH NO POWER THROUGH THE TRAFFIC TO GET OUT OF THE TRAVEL LANES. I WAS THEN STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE AS THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. I WAS ABLE TO GET A MECHANIC TO COME AND CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, BUT THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. THE TRUCK WAS EVENTUALLY TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP (DIESEL MOTOR DRIVEN PUMP).

NHTSA ID 11366632 · filed Oct 27, 2020

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Driving on the expressway around 60 mph when the truck went into limp mode slowing me down to 40 and then would not shift gears Tcm went out gm told me that there is a big problem

NHTSA ID 11542551 · filed Sep 5, 2023

Failed TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (24256861). While driving in the early morning hours (darkness) taking my child to school, I was navigating through a busy intersection when the vehicle surged and then made a loud metal on metal sound, feeling as if someone had struck me from behind. At that point the power train became inoperable, stranding us and coming very close to being first, struck from behind and then from cross traffic. The vehicle was/has been inspected by a GM technician at Starling Chevrolet, St Cloud, FL and the TCM was found to have failed (trouble code U0101, lost communication with TCM). It has been at the dealership for going on four months awaiting the production of a replacement part(TCM). There was no prior indication that the TCM was about to fail. Upon failure, all lights on the vehicle display flashed and the indicator for the vehicle drive position was lost (P, R, N, D), no longer visible.

NHTSA ID 11536038 · filed Aug 2, 2023

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Driving on the expressway around 60 mph when the truck went into limp mode slowing me down to 40 and then would not shift gears Tcm went out gm told me that there is a big problem

NHTSA ID 11542551 · filed Sep 5, 2023

Failed TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (24256861). While driving in the early morning hours (darkness) taking my child to school, I was navigating through a busy intersection when the vehicle surged and then made a loud metal on metal sound, feeling as if someone had struck me from behind. At that point the power train became inoperable, stranding us and coming very close to being first, struck from behind and then from cross traffic. The vehicle was/has been inspected by a GM technician at Starling Chevrolet, St Cloud, FL and the TCM was found to have failed (trouble code U0101, lost communication with TCM). It has been at the dealership for going on four months awaiting the production of a replacement part(TCM). There was no prior indication that the TCM was about to fail. Upon failure, all lights on the vehicle display flashed and the indicator for the vehicle drive position was lost (P, R, N, D), no longer visible.

NHTSA ID 11536038 · filed Aug 2, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MULTIPLE CRACKS IN DASHBOARD WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY FLY OFF DURING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

NHTSA ID 10948034 · filed Jan 27, 2017

1 DAY GOT IN TRUCK AND NOTICED THE DASH WAS CRACKED ON DRIVER SIDE BEHIND THE GAUGE CLUSTER AND AS I LOOKED I NOTICED IT WAS ALSO CRACKED AT THE 2 UPPER CORNERS OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 25000 MILE ON IT. GM WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED AND I'M WORRIED THAT IT CAN AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID 10945921 · filed Jan 18, 2017

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Truck is a diesel. Fuel pump blew up and died in the middle of the street. Now I'm being told the Fuel system needs completely re done and will cost me 10g. I also found a lawsuit for this issue as well.

NHTSA ID 11541273 · filed Aug 28, 2023

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED AND PASSING SLOWER TRAFFIC; ENGINE POWER FELL OFF, CHANGE FUEL FILTER NOW, ENGINE DERATE, AND CHECK ENGINE LITE, OCCURED. I HAD TO MANEUVER WITH NO POWER THROUGH THE TRAFFIC TO GET OUT OF THE TRAVEL LANES. I WAS THEN STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE AS THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. I WAS ABLE TO GET A MECHANIC TO COME AND CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, BUT THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. THE TRUCK WAS EVENTUALLY TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP (DIESEL MOTOR DRIVEN PUMP).

NHTSA ID 11366632 · filed Oct 27, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 2500 EQUIPPED WITH PATHFINDER LT24575R16 TIRES, SIZE: 265/70R17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND DAMAGED THE WHEEL PANEL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,391. UPDATED 09/21/15*LJ UPDATED 12/4/2017*CN

NHTSA ID 10735348 · filed Jul 20, 2015

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED A NEW GMC SIERRA HD2500 SLE IN JUNE, IT CAME WITH 20" ALLOY WHEELS AND GOODYEAR WRANGLER SRA TIRES (LT265-60R20), LOAD RANGE E. WITHIN 3 DAYS, I HAD A SIDEWALL PUNCTURE ON ONE TIRE WHILE DRIVING ON OUR RANCH. THE TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW, JUST YESTERDAY, SEP. 15, I HAD ANOTHER SIDEWALL PUNCTURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE RANCH. I JUST LEFT THE LOCAL DISCOUNT TIRE, WHERE THEY ARE WAITING FOR A NEW TIRE TO ARRIVE SO THEY CAN REPLACE THE OLD TIRE. I'VE BEEN LIVING ON THIS RANCH FOR 47 YEARS NOW, AND HAVE OWNED AT LEAST 10 TRUCKS AND 2 SUBURBANS OVER THE YEARS. THERE IS A 3.5 MILE LOOP ROAD THAT RUNS AROUND THE RANCH, AND I DRIVE IT REGULARLY. THESE TWO FLATS ARE THE ONLY TWO I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED IN DRIVING THIS LOOP ROAD, WHICH IS A COMBINATION OF CALICHE AND LIMESTONE. THE ROAD IS NOT GREAT, BUT IT'S NOT TERRIBLE EITHER; AND I FIND IT VERY ODD TO HAVE TWO FAILURES WITHIN 4 MONTHS. (TOTAL MILEAGE ON THE TRUCK IS NOW 9250.) I'M THINKING IT'S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THAT THESE WRANGLERS HAVE A WEAKER THAN NORMAL SIDEWALL; THE WORKER AT DISCOUNT TIRE TOLD ME THAT MY "NORMAL" TRUCK TIRE, A GOODRICH DUELER AT, DID IN FACT HAVE AN ADDITIONAL SIDEWALL LAYER COMPARED TO THE GOODYEAR. IN ANY RESPECT, I'M CALLING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION IN CASE THERE ACTUALLY IS SOME MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT. I WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10543945 · filed Sep 16, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WELL I KEEP DRIVING MY TRUCK. AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. SO THERE FOR IF I GET HIT THEY NOT GOING TO COME OUT AND PROTECT ME. AND I'M HAVING BAD ISSUES WITH MY BALL JOINTS. ON MY 2012 GMC 2500 HD. I'VE PUT 2 SETS ON THEM. AND I'VE ONLY HAD IT A YEAR. YOU GOTTA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

NHTSA ID 11166333 · filed Jan 10, 2019

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Failed TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (24256861). While driving in the early morning hours (darkness) taking my child to school, I was navigating through a busy intersection when the vehicle surged and then made a loud metal on metal sound, feeling as if someone had struck me from behind. At that point the power train became inoperable, stranding us and coming very close to being first, struck from behind and then from cross traffic. The vehicle was/has been inspected by a GM technician at Starling Chevrolet, St Cloud, FL and the TCM was found to have failed (trouble code U0101, lost communication with TCM). It has been at the dealership for going on four months awaiting the production of a replacement part(TCM). There was no prior indication that the TCM was about to fail. Upon failure, all lights on the vehicle display flashed and the indicator for the vehicle drive position was lost (P, R, N, D), no longer visible.

NHTSA ID 11536038 · filed Aug 2, 2023

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

Data on this page last refreshed .