CHEVROLET SILVERADO · model year

2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO

91 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012CHEVROLETSILVERADO carries 91 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 13 crashes, 7 fires, 12 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 SILVERADO is air bags with 15 filings, followed by power train (11) and structure:body (10). 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 57 investigation files overlapping the 2012 SILVERADO, 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.

91
Complaints
13
Crashes
7
Fires
12
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

91 filings

Crashes Reported

13 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS15
POWER TRAIN11
STRUCTURE:BODY10
SERVICE BRAKES9
ENGINE6
TIRES5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
SUSPENSION4
WHEELS4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
STRUCTURE3
SEATS2
STEERING2

Recalls (2)

14V82700030/12/2014

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, m

13V61500011/12/2013

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 t

Recent Complaints

20230609CrashSERVICE BRAKES

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,

Mileage: 192,006

20210803AIR BAGS

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.

20210624AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 126,625

20160422STRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 35,000

20160418STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 26,000

20160417AIR BAGS

"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.

Mileage: 48,000

20160410STEERING

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

Mileage: 34,162

20160317AIR BAGS

FRONT SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WENT BAD

Mileage: 48,000

20160314STRUCTURE:BODY

MY 2012 SILVERADO LS HAS 22,000 MILES. IT IS A SHAME BECAUSE IT IS A BEAUTIFUL TRUCK, BUT THE FRAME LOOKS TERRIBLE. IT IS NOT A LITTLE RUST HERE AND THERE. THE RUST IS LITERALLY ALL OVER THE FRAME. THERE IS MORE OF THE FRAME WITH RUST THAN WITHOUT. THE FRAME IS VERY EASY TO SEE. UNFORTUNATELY FOR GM, MY TRUCK IS A ROLLING BILLBOARD AND THE RUST IS GETTING WORST EVERY YEAR.

20160314SUSPENSION

MY 2012 SILVERADO LS HAS 22,000 MILES. IT IS A SHAME BECAUSE IT IS A BEAUTIFUL TRUCK, BUT THE FRAME LOOKS TERRIBLE. IT IS NOT A LITTLE RUST HERE AND THERE. THE RUST IS LITERALLY ALL OVER THE FRAME. THERE IS MORE OF THE FRAME WITH RUST THAN WITHOUT. THE FRAME IS VERY EASY TO SEE. UNFORTUNATELY FOR GM, MY TRUCK IS A ROLLING BILLBOARD AND THE RUST IS GETTING WORST EVERY YEAR.

20160311AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER ROUGH PATCHES IN ROAD, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE CLEAN OFF AND REINSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000. UPDATED 05/20/16*LJ *TR

Mileage: 46,000

20160308AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

Mileage: 84,000

20160304AIR BAGS

DASH IS CRACKED AROUND THE AIR BAG AREA CONCERNED THIS MIGHT AFFECT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. EVEN THOUGH GM STATES IT WILL NOT AFFECT IT, THE CRACK IS IN A CORNER OF THE DEPLOYMENT ZONE. THE DASH IS ALSO CRACKED IN A AREA ABOVE THE GAUGES. EVERYONE I KNOW THAT HAS THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. A PERSON I KNOW HAS ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND IS ALREADY CRACKED AS WELL.

Mileage: 20,000

20160210AIR BAGS

THERE'S CRACKS SURROUNDING MY PASSENGER AIRBAG IN MY 2012 SILVERADO. THESE CRACKS ARE NOT ONLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN DESIGN BUT ARE ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING TOO WITH THIS MODEL TRUCK/SUV.

Mileage: 50,000

20160206AIR BAGS

THE DASH IS CRACKED BY THE AIR BAG HOUSING THE DOOR HANDLES ARE DISCOLORED AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS ALSO DISCOLORED.

20160206UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DASH IS CRACKED BY THE AIR BAG HOUSING THE DOOR HANDLES ARE DISCOLORED AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS ALSO DISCOLORED.

20160202STRUCTURE:BODY

DOOR HANDLE COMES OFF ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR, MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS OF THE VEHICLE

Mileage: 55,000

20160119STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD IN THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CRACKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD HAD A CRACK FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE AIR BAG COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

Mileage: 27,000

20160115AIR BAGS

CRACKS IN THE DASH AT THE AIRBAG MAY BECOME PROJECTILES.

Mileage: 37,000

20160115UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CRACKS IN THE DASH AT THE AIRBAG MAY BECOME PROJECTILES.

Mileage: 37,000

Compare 2012CHEVROLETSILVERADO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO have?
The 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO has 91 NHTSA complaints, 13 crashes, 7 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO?
Yes, the 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO?
The most-complained component for the 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO is AIR BAGS with 15 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 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.