Total Complaints
91 filings
CHEVROLET SILVERADO · model year
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.
Total Complaints
91 filings
Crashes Reported
13 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 15 |
| POWER TRAIN | 11 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 10 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 9 |
| ENGINE | 6 |
| TIRES | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| SUSPENSION | 4 |
| WHEELS | 4 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 3 |
| STRUCTURE | 3 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| STEERING | 2 |
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
"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
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
FRONT SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WENT BAD
Mileage: 48,000
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
THE DASH IS CRACKED BY THE AIR BAG HOUSING THE DOOR HANDLES ARE DISCOLORED AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS ALSO DISCOLORED.
THE DASH IS CRACKED BY THE AIR BAG HOUSING THE DOOR HANDLES ARE DISCOLORED AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS ALSO DISCOLORED.
DOOR HANDLE COMES OFF ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR, MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS OF THE VEHICLE
Mileage: 55,000
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
CRACKS IN THE DASH AT THE AIRBAG MAY BECOME PROJECTILES.
Mileage: 37,000
CRACKS IN THE DASH AT THE AIRBAG MAY BECOME PROJECTILES.
Mileage: 37,000
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
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.