Total Complaints
274 filings
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 · model year
274 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012CHEVROLETSILVERADO 1500 carries 274 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 2 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 SILVERADO 1500 is unknown or other with 71 filings, followed by air bags (58) and structure:body (28). 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. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2012 SILVERADO 1500, and 1 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.
Total Complaints
274 filings
Crashes Reported
8 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 71 |
| AIR BAGS | 58 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 28 |
| ENGINE | 24 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 20 |
| POWER TRAIN | 10 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 10 |
| SUSPENSION | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 7 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 5 |
| STEERING | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS,
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, Californi
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While the vehicle was being registered with the Department of Motor Vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was approximately 141,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 230,925.
Mileage: 230,925
Dash is cracked in several places
Rusted Frame and body
Rusted Frame and body
I got the code p2138 and Iâve had it inspected and throttle body and accelerator pedal assembly replaced. The problem is still not fixed. I lost power driving to work and heavy vibration and shaking. If I pull out in a turn and someone is coming up fast and this happens again it reduces my engine power and could cause a crash. Problem has been confirmed by a licensed mechanic, AutoZone, oreillys, and an independent mechanic. There was absolutely no warning this was gonna happen. It happened and Iâve spent $3,000 on replacement and labor costs trying to figure this out.
I got the code p2138 and Iâve had it inspected and throttle body and accelerator pedal assembly replaced. The problem is still not fixed. I lost power driving to work and heavy vibration and shaking. If I pull out in a turn and someone is coming up fast and this happens again it reduces my engine power and could cause a crash. Problem has been confirmed by a licensed mechanic, AutoZone, oreillys, and an independent mechanic. There was absolutely no warning this was gonna happen. It happened and Iâve spent $3,000 on replacement and labor costs trying to figure this out.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was significantly rusted, and the contact did not feel safe driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the frame was inspected. The dealer informed the contact that the frame needed to be replaced; however, the repair fee would supersede the value of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered monetary assistance towards the purchase of a new vehicle. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 19-NA-255. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
Mileage: 139,000
I have been shopping for a truck for a little over a year now specifically a 2012 Chevy Silverado. To date everyone I found has frame and body rust but the frame rust is so bad that most arenât safe to drive.
I have been shopping for a truck for a little over a year now specifically a 2012 Chevy Silverado. To date everyone I found has frame and body rust but the frame rust is so bad that most arenât safe to drive.
I have been shopping for a truck for a little over a year now specifically a 2012 Chevy Silverado. To date everyone I found has frame and body rust but the frame rust is so bad that most arenât safe to drive.
Unknown
I HAVE A SEVERE ENGINE STALL AT SLIGHT ACCELERATION IT FEELS LIKE THE TIRES ARE GOING TO LOCK UP OR BREAK SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN DEALER SAYS MY COMPLAINT IS NORMAL
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while her son was driving at low speeds during snow weather, the driver-side air bag deployed on its own without a crash or impact with an object. As a result, the driver lost visibility and control of the vehicle resulting in a crashing into a telephone pole and then a ditch where it came to a stop. It was unknown if a warning light illuminated. The paramedics were called and performed a check; however, the contact's son sustained no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A dealer was not contacted. The insurance company was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Mileage: 200,000
I took my truck for a routine service with the dealership. The Service Rep told me that my truck frame was rusting out to the point where it's near unsafe to drive. He told me it'd be 15k to replace the frame. I find it incredible that a 12 year old American made vehicle can have the frame rust out so fast and to such a degree without the dealership or manufacturer knowing that there is a potential safety risk in their product.
Airbag light came on indicating an issue. Went to dealer and the codes that came up are B0030 (Passenger Instrument Panel Air Bag Deployment Loop Stage 2 Short to Ground) and B0413 (Temperature Control 1 Feed back Circuit Actuator Stuck). It cost $597.67 to have a new airbag installed. I worry others couldn't afford this and it should be covered by the mfg due to the safety risk created from the vendor creating airbags that do not last the life of the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the Walmart Tire Center for tire replacement, the contact was informed that the tires could not be replaced. The contact was informed that the front driver's side frame was corroded and had holes. The contact was advised to stop driving the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to bring the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was offered a 1-10 percent discount on the purchase of another vehicle. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 181,000.
Mileage: 181,000
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, her husband observed corrosion and holes in front of the gas tank and the frame of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the ABS, traction control, and steering stabilizer warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
Mileage: 42,000
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, her husband observed corrosion and holes in front of the gas tank and the frame of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the ABS, traction control, and steering stabilizer warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
Mileage: 42,000
Engine power reduced warning keeps coming on. As well as stabilitrak and traction control turns off. Code p2138 pops up. Iâve spent over $1,000 trying to get this fixed because it is unsafe to drive it like that. It will be fixed for 1 or 2 weeks and then itâs time to take it to the shop again. So many people have this issue.
Engine power reduced warning keeps coming on. As well as stabilitrak and traction control turns off. Code p2138 pops up. Iâve spent over $1,000 trying to get this fixed because it is unsafe to drive it like that. It will be fixed for 1 or 2 weeks and then itâs time to take it to the shop again. So many people have this issue.
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.