Total Complaints
7 filings
CHEVROLET EXPRESS 4500 · model year
2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 4500
7 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012CHEVROLETEXPRESS 4500 carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 EXPRESS 4500 is service brakes with 2 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (2) and power train (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2012 EXPRESS 4500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
7
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20180215FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 4500. IN COLD WEATHER, THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) FROZE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY IDLED. THE DEALER (KUPPER CHEVROLET, 1500 2ND ST NE, MANDON, ND 58554) STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN A HEATED SHOP TO PREVENT THE DEF FROM FREEZING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Mileage: 86,000
20161208FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON 9/30/2016, A THERMAL EVENT OCCURRED WHILE THE BUS WAS IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. AS THE BUS WAS BEING MOVED (BACKED-OUT) OF THE SERVICE BAY AND SMOKE WAS SEEN ESCAPING FROM THE CNG TANK STORAGE COMPARTMENT AT THE REAR OF THE BUS. LOCATION: 4127 ELM ST., DALLAS, TX 75226 A DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT (DART) EMPLOYEE QUICKLY OPENED THE COMPARTMENT AND EXTINGUISHED THE SMALL FLAME. DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE CNG FUEL TANK SOLENOID (MELTED) AND THE CONNECTING HARNESS (MELTED). THIS VEHICLE HAS A HIGH PRESSURE ELECTRONIC SHUT-OFF SOLENOID VALVE MOUNTED DIRECTLY TO THE ON-BOARD CNG FUEL TANK(S). NOTE: IF THERE IS A FUEL LEAK OR OTHER COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL IN THE VICINITY, THERE IS A RISK OF IGNITION. DART HAS A TOTAL OF 123 EA., 2012 MODEL YEAR GM 6.0L CHEV EXPRESS SHUTTLE BUSES WHICH WERE PURCHASED FROM NATIONAL BUS SALES & LEASING BY DART. PRIOR TO DELIVERY, THE BUSES WERE MODIFIED BY ARBOC AND CONVERTED TO DEDICATED CNG OPERATION BY IMPCO AUTOMOTIVE IN UNION CITY, IN. E
Mileage: 1
20161208FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON 9/30/2016, A THERMAL EVENT OCCURRED WHILE THE BUS WAS IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. AS THE BUS WAS BEING MOVED (BACKED-OUT) OF THE SERVICE BAY AND SMOKE WAS SEEN ESCAPING FROM THE CNG TANK STORAGE COMPARTMENT AT THE REAR OF THE BUS. LOCATION: 4127 ELM ST., DALLAS, TX 75226 A DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT (DART) EMPLOYEE QUICKLY OPENED THE COMPARTMENT AND EXTINGUISHED THE SMALL FLAME. DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE CNG FUEL TANK SOLENOID (MELTED) AND THE CONNECTING HARNESS (MELTED). THIS VEHICLE HAS A HIGH PRESSURE ELECTRONIC SHUT-OFF SOLENOID VALVE MOUNTED DIRECTLY TO THE ON-BOARD CNG FUEL TANK(S). NOTE: IF THERE IS A FUEL LEAK OR OTHER COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL IN THE VICINITY, THERE IS A RISK OF IGNITION. DART HAS A TOTAL OF 123 EA., 2012 MODEL YEAR GM 6.0L CHEV EXPRESS SHUTTLE BUSES WHICH WERE PURCHASED FROM NATIONAL BUS SALES & LEASING BY DART. PRIOR TO DELIVERY, THE BUSES WERE MODIFIED BY ARBOC AND CONVERTED TO DEDICATED CNG OPERATION BY IMPCO AUTOMOTIVE IN UNION CITY, IN. E
Mileage: 1
20130423SERVICE BRAKES
TRAVELING AT 50 TO 55MPH I MAKE A EASY BRAKE APPLICATION AND THE FRONT WHEELS WILL START OSCILLATING UNTIL THE FRONT GOES INTO A VIOLENT SHAKE. RELEASING THE BRAKE WILL STOP THE SHAKING. THIS IS A CUTAWAY SCHOOL BUS. I'M THE MECHANIC AND THE DRIVER BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION. SHE NOTICED IT WHILE BRAKING ON A DOWNHILL. I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT ON A LEVEL SURFACE. HAVEN'T FOUND THE FIX YET. *TR
Mileage: 13,000
20130423STEERING
TRAVELING AT 50 TO 55MPH I MAKE A EASY BRAKE APPLICATION AND THE FRONT WHEELS WILL START OSCILLATING UNTIL THE FRONT GOES INTO A VIOLENT SHAKE. RELEASING THE BRAKE WILL STOP THE SHAKING. THIS IS A CUTAWAY SCHOOL BUS. I'M THE MECHANIC AND THE DRIVER BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION. SHE NOTICED IT WHILE BRAKING ON A DOWNHILL. I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT ON A LEVEL SURFACE. HAVEN'T FOUND THE FIX YET. *TR
Mileage: 13,000
20130325POWER TRAIN
THIS IS A BRAND NEW BUS, GM CHASSIS. IT HAS A LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL. THE BRAKE LINES ARE ROUTED IN FRONT OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. TWICE, WE HAVE HAD ROCKS HIT THE BRAKE LINE AND SHEER IT OFF CAUSING TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Mileage: 5,000
20130325SERVICE BRAKES
THIS IS A BRAND NEW BUS, GM CHASSIS. IT HAS A LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL. THE BRAKE LINES ARE ROUTED IN FRONT OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. TWICE, WE HAVE HAD ROCKS HIT THE BRAKE LINE AND SHEER IT OFF CAUSING TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Mileage: 5,000
Compare 2012CHEVROLETEXPRESS 4500 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 4500 have?▼
The 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 4500 has 7 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 4500?▼
The most-complained component for the 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 4500 is SERVICE BRAKES with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 4500 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.