What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2012 Chevrolet Silverado

Early-defect pattern

18.7% of complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado came in its first year of service — a higher share than 98% of the 201 2012 model-years on record. That points to problems present from new rather than wear. The most-reported system is air bags (15 complaints), typically at 4.0 yr or about 48,000 miles.

Complaints
91
Median age at failure
2.8 yr
Median mileage
19,423 n=81
Crash / fire / tow
23.1% of reports
Safety recalls
2

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
15 reports · 48,000 mi
4.0 yr
20%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

14V827000 2014-12-30
Electrical system:ignition

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.

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.

13V615000 2013-12-11
Fuel system, diesel

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.

If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Air bags 35,000 mi 2.8 yr in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE DRIVING, A DRIVER CUT IN FRONT OF ME AND LITERALLY SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES. I WAS NOT AT FAULT IN THE ACCIDENT. MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO MY HEAD. THE INJURY WAS NOT CONSISTENT WITH AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH ME WEARING MY SEATBELT. I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A SEVERE CONCUSSION AND MANY OTHER AILMENTS, BALANCE DYSFUNCTION, MEMORY LOSS, PARASYMPATHETIC ANOMALIES, ETC. IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD HAVE CAUSED SUCH SIGNIFICANT INJURY CONSIDERING THE LOW SPEED OF THE CRASH CORRELATED WITH PROPER SEAT BELT UTILIZATION. *TR
Air bags 11,004 mi 3.0 yr in service
FRONT WINDOW SAFETY ADHESION FROM FACTORY INSTALL BAD ON ALL BLACK TRUCKS.BODYS AND AIR BAGS HAVE NO RESISTANCE THROUGH FRONT WINDOW(REPLACED MINE AND FOUND OUT MAJOR FLAW).ALL ADHESION CONNECTIONS NOT STICKING.NO RESISTANCE FROM WINDOW IN FACTORY INSTALLS///ALL.FIXING TO TWEET THIS INFO. *TR
Air bags 37,000 mi 3.2 yr in service
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 37 MPH, ALL FOUR SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION KEY WAS CYCLED OVER 5,000 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. DJR

Other Silverado model years

2017201420122011200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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