2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 284 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 19 Silverado 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 16 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 14 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
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, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
Campaign 21V054000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
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, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328770.
Campaign 21V051000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
49 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Structure, Oct 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED UPON ENTERING HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK STARTED FROM THE LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND EXTENDED TO THE EDGE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DEFROSTER VENT. THE CONTACT ESTIMATED THAT THE CRACK REACHED APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF INCHES. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH COAST AUTO CENTER INC (530 CHETCO AVE, BROOKINGS, OR 97415, 541-469-5321) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE DEFECT AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST GMC REGARDING SEVERAL OTHER GMC VEHICLES. THERE WAS A POTENTIAL THAT THE CRACKS COULD CAUSE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARDS. THE DEALER DID NOT ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,696. *TT*JB
Structure, Jul 26, 2019
DASH CRACKED TO FRONT AIRBAG
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2018
DASH IS CRACKED IN MANY PLACES. VEHICLE HAS 113K MILES WAS BOUGHT THAT WAY IN MAY OF 17 WITH DASH CRACKED AT 104K MILES
Structure, Aug 31, 2018
DASH BOARD IS CRACKING, WITHOUT INCIDENT, IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS, DECREASING VALUE AND PRESENTING SAFETY HAZARD IF AIRBAG DEPLOYS OR IF COLLISION CAUSES IT TO SPLINTER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Structure, Jul 28, 2018
DASHBOARD SEVERLY CRACKED GM WILL NOT FIX
Structure, Mar 9, 2018
DASH PAD HAS CRACKS IN IT. IF AIR BAGS WERE TO BE DEPLOYED PIECES OF DASH COULD BECOME PROJECTILES. DON'T KNOW WHEN IT CRACKED. I NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS WALKING AROUND TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY TRUCK SITS IN A GARAGE. IT ONLY HAS 60000 MILES ON IT AND I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2011.
Structure, Jan 28, 2018
EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE CHEAP PLASTIC, SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE WILL BE UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR IN EMERGENCY.
Structure, Mar 27, 2017
DASHBOARD ON PASSENGERS SIDE HAS TWO CRACKS ABOVE THE AIRBAG.
Structure, Sep 28, 2016
MY VEHICLE IS JUST OVER THREE YEARS OLD, JUST OUT OF THE WARRANTY AND ONLY HAS 26,500 MILES. THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS CRACKED, EVEN THOUGH THE WINDOWS ARE TINTED AND I HAVE USED A SUN SHIELD AT ALL TIMES SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. THIS I CONSIDER A HAZARD AS IT IS DIRECTLY WHERE ALL MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE ARE LOCATED INCLUDING AIRBAGS AND SUCH. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME 1300 PLUS LABOR AS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME AS I BELIEVE THIS CAN BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I NOTICED THE CRACK WHEN I WALKED PAST THE VEHICLE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Structure, Jun 2, 2016
DASH IS CRACKED AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND ON TOP OF DASH. I'M CONCERNED THAT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY BE AFFECTED. ALSO, PIECES OF THE DASH MAY BECOME AIR BORN IN THE EVENT OF AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
Structure, Apr 22, 2016
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
Structure, Apr 18, 2016
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.
Suspension, Structure, Mar 14, 2016
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.
Structure, Feb 2, 2016
DOOR HANDLE COMES OFF ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR, MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS OF THE VEHICLE
Structure, Jan 19, 2016
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.
Structure, Nov 19, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPAINTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,580. UPDATED 1/15/16 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 01/25/16..*JB
Suspension, Electrical system, Structure, Sep 20, 2015
HERE IS A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ISSUES INVOLVING THE 1012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO LT TEXAS EDITION AFTER THE PURCHASE DATE OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2012. FIRST, I NOTICED THAT IT HAS INCREASINGLY BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW FROM THE DRIVER SIDE MASTER CONTROL UNIT AROUND 2014. NOW, I HAVE TO PRESS HARD SEVERAL TIMES TO OPEN THE WINDOW. SECOND, THE OUTSIDE MOLDINGS OF THE DOOR PANELS ARE FALLING OFF STARTING IN MID-2014. THIRD, I HAVE STARTED TO HEAR POPPING NOISES COMING FROM THE BALL JOINTS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AT A VERY LOW SPEED STARTING THE BEGINNING OF 2014. THESE ISSUES WERE REPORTED TO THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AT THE GM HEADQUARTERS IN AUGUST 2015. ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2015, THE TRUCK WAS FINALLY DIAGNOSED BY THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT SOLD THE PICKUP. THE INVOICE DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 INDICATES THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WORN WITH PLAY, DOOR MOLDINGS FALLING OFF, AND THE DRIVER'S MASTER SWITCH SHORTED.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 11, 2015
TRUCK WAS PARKED WHEN I GOT BACK INTO IT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED
Structure, Wheels, Seats, Sep 9, 2015, fire
I HAD DRIVEN BACK HOME FROM TAHOE AROUND 6:00PM AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 2 HOURS WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE SLIDE ON THE 5TH WHEEL. I FOUND THE SLIDE ON THE TRAILER WOULD NOT OPEN DUE TO A LACK OF POWER ON THE 5TH WHEEL. AT THIS TIME THE PIGTAIL WAS STILL CONNECTED TO THE TRUCK. I DISCONNECTED THE PIGTAIL FROM THE TRUCK AND PLUGGED THE TRAILER INTO A 50 AMP PLUG AND THE SLIDE OPENED NORMALLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THAT THE BATTERY HAD DISCHARGED AFTER SUCH A SHORT TIME. AROUND 10:45PM MY GIRLFRIEND SCREAMED THE TRAILER WAS ON FIRE AND WHEN I REACHED THE BACKDOOR THE ENTIRE TRAILER WAS ENGULFED AND THE REAR OF THE TRUCK WAS ALREADY ON FIRE. BOTH THE VEHICLES WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED ALONG WITH A BARN THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY10 FEET AWAY SUFFERING MAJOR DAMAGE.
Structure, Apr 22, 2015
THERE ARE MULTIPLE CRACKS SURROUNDING MY PASSENGER AIRBAG IN MY 2012 SILVERADO. I BELIEVE 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. *TR
Structure, Nov 2, 2014
WATER COMES IN AROUND BACK WINDOW FROM THIRD BRAKE LIGHT OVER IT. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT . SAID IT HAPPENS A LOT ,IT COMES FROM FACTORY THAT WAY, WITH NO GASKET AROUND IT. HE SAID ONLY WAY IT FIX IT WAS LET THEM REPLACE IT WAS A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX IT. IT COMES FROM THE FACTORY WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Structure, May 16, 2014, crash
PARKED FACING UPSLOPE. THE TRUCK SLIPPED OUT OF PARK GEAR AND ROLLED DOWNHILL BACKWARDS, KNOCKING OVER OWNER. FINALLY HIT A TREE AND STOPPED. INSURANCE DECLARED IT TOTALED. *TR
Structure, Aug 20, 2013
I BOUGHT MY 2012 CHEVY OCTOF 2013. NOW AFTER 11000 MILES MY FRAME LOOKS LIKE A TRUCK OUT OF THE 80'S. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THERE FIX IS TO SCRAPE OFF THE RUST AND PUT THE SAME CRAP BACK ON THE FRAME. SO I KNOW THAT THIS ISSUE WILL ONLY LAST A VERY SHORT TIME. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, May 12, 2012
THERE IS A VERY HIGH PITCH NOISE THE IS EMITTED FROM BEHIND THE DASH. THIS NOISE IS DISTRACTING TO THE POINT THAT MY WIFE CAN NOT RIDE IN THE TRUCK LET ALONE DRIVE IT. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THIS NOISE AND IT IS ACCEPTABLE. *TR