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
284 reports, newest first.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 2, 2022
While driving the motor completely cut off. Yes, the vehicle can be inspected. The vehicle just shut down without warning, causing the vehicle to rapidly slow down with no warning to other motorists behind me. Yes, a dealer has confirmed the problem and could not definitively determine what the problem is. they said it could be: A shielded wire, service dept. said its not available from GM and would have to purchase the entire wiring harness and install to see if it fixed the issue. They said it could be a bad power inverter, again had to install to see if it fixed the issue. Finally said it could be a bad transmission(??) The only people who has attempted to diagnose is at the GM dealer service department. Their was no warning that the vehicle was about to turn completely off prior to it doing so.
Air bags, Jun 6, 2022
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Structure, May 18, 2022
The frame of my truck is very badly rusted. Parts such as shock, body and engine mounts are very rusted and can't be as strong as necessary. Pieces of rust 1/16th thick are coming off in many places. I have not taken it to a dealership yet to see it because i have only just recently really looked at it because i was working on the trailer hitch and was under the truck for a while.
Air bags, Feb 28, 2022
This is in regards to: Manufacturer Recall NumberN212328800 NHTSA Recall Number21V054 GM's handling of this is absolutely unacceptable. I have been waiting for parts for over a year. GM's statement is "just don't drive it" if I have a concern about me or someone dying from their defective part. For over a year this is [XXX] to put it bluntly. I just got a letter stating that parts were now available, I have called immediately and was told sorry, there aren't actually parts available now. No ETA. GM should be financially compensating me for giving me no other option to drive an unsafe vehicle for over a year and who knows how much longer. I don't have the financial means to 'just not drive my truck for over a year', or to 'go buy/lease another vehicle for this duration'. I'm livid that this problem hasn't been resolved and more needs to be done federally to put the heat to GM. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Air bags, Feb 10, 2022
I received recall notice N212328770 by letter in July 2021. I immediately notified my local dealership and they told be they were waiting for the part. We just received a call from the dealer about a week ago and schedule to ge the recall issue repaired on Wednesday, February 9th 2022. We were given an appointment and my wife had to take the vehicle due to the me working. She arrived to have the safety defect replaced (passender air bag) and was told that when they do the replacement that if the dash cracks or is damaged they are not responsible for the damages and we would have to pay to get it fixed or replaced. This is very pooe customr service as well as causing a customer not to go through getting the recall completed. My wife called me and did not want to challenge the dealership. I told her just come home and do not let them make the repair/replacement and I would contact GM. I have had no luck doing so. This should be a no brainer. If they damage the dash or it cracks they fix it or replace it. My dash does hav 2 small cracks right where the air bag is located and from what I have read online many have stated that they too have had the same issue. This is supposedly due to the air bag issue. So now I am in a rock and hard place. I either don't get it done and risk a serious injury or death due to GM's unwillingness to take responsibility and handle in a professional manner or have them do it, damage the dash and pay lots of money to get it replaced. Can you please advise what I should do? Since I can not provide you with any personal info so you can contact me what am I to do to get this recified? A very long standing upset GM customer.
Power train, Jan 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the transmission disengaged upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The vehicle then went into limp mode. The contact was able to slowly drive the vehicle home. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where metal shavings were discovered in the transmission reservoir. The mechanic informed the contact that unless the transmission was replaced, the transmission would fail. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Air bags, Jan 25, 2022
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact mentioned he was concerned about driving the vehicle and the safety of the occupants. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air bags, Jan 17, 2022
I have received a recall letter from General Motors regarding recall # N212328800, NHTSA campaign ID number 21V054. The letter was dated last February of 2021 and received shortly thereafter. The letter specifically states that I am to receive a second letter advising when the parts are available and requesting that I take my vehicle to a Chevrolet dealer. As of today, January 17, 2022, I have not received any such letter. I am writing to advise you of GMs totally unacceptable response to this instance of the Takata airbag recall. I have checked with Chevrolet dealers in my area and am being told that I can come to their lot and they will order the parts and THEN call me when they are ready to do the work. This response is contrary to the way the letter states that the recall will be handled and is confusing to customers. Please investigate and get GM back on track. I would also appreciate an email from someone at GM advising when the airbag parts will be available or if they are already available. I can be reached by email at [XXX]. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Air bags, Dec 6, 2021
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 7, 2021
Dash Board of my vehicle has cracked around the area of my air bag. Worried that my air bag will not work properly if ever in an accident. No dash board should crack! Either the material's used when made were not as durable as they should be. Truck has been maintained in excellent condition since it was bought from dealership. No inspection, no safety lights on, no warning lights on. As being the original owner and seeing this worries me and my safety. NO DASHBOARD SHOULD NEVER CRACK/SPLIT.
Structure, Nov 2, 2021
vehicle has extreme rust rot to both frame rails and cross member near the gas tank. vehicle has 88000 miles
Air bags, Oct 20, 2021
The following recall has not been resolved within a timely manner: N212328800 Front Passenger Airbag Takata Inflator - Priority Group 10
Air bags, Sep 30, 2021
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
Air bags, Sep 27, 2021
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the recall and informed the contact that parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
Air bags, Aug 3, 2021
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.
Structure, Jul 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that after the dealer performed the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V051000 (Air Bag) recall repair, the dashboard was cracked on the corner of the passenger’s side air bag compartment. The contact was concerned that the air bag might deploy due to the crack. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that he was responsible for the cost to replace the dashboard. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that due to the age and mileage of the vehicle; the manufacturer was not responsible for the damage to the dashboard. The contact had also signed a waiver prior to the recall repair. The failure mileage was 101,194.
Air bags, Jul 25, 2021
Chevy refuses to replace the recalled Takata airbags currently under recall without doing a “full vehicle inspection” and providing us with a “list of repairs that must be made” before the airbag can be ordered or replaced. Note: The is nothing wrong with our truck. They say this is their standard operating procedure for this recall and it requires two full day appointments: one for the inspection and one for the recall repair. They refuse to order the replacement airbag until the inspection has been completed and any repairs Chevy deems “necessary” are complete. This seems to me to be extortion, i.e. we have to keep a defective airbag or comply with their inspection and any repair/payment for anything they deem “necessary.”
Air bags, Jul 9, 2021
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V051000 (Air Bags). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer for the recall repair. While the mechanic was inspecting the vehicle, the contact was informed that while performing the recall repair on the passenger’s side frontal air bag, there could be potential damages to the dashboard that the dealer would not be responsible for repairing, replacing, or reimbursing the contact for any damages. The contact felt that was not right and did not want the recall repair performed if neither the dealer nor the manufacturer would not repair nor reimburse the contact for damages made to the dashboard. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and agreed with the local dealer. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air bags, Jun 24, 2021
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.
Steering, May 24, 2021
Electric power steering motor failed while driving. The failure happened at such a time that it did not cause loss of control or a collision. The repair has yet to be completed at a local GM dealer due to awaiting parts. The failure of the electric power steering motor while driving the vehicle poses a massive safety risk to occupants of the vehicle and others due to there not being an apparent fail safe when the part failed, the steering wheel was completely locked in position and was not able to be turned. The local GM dealer reproduced the problem and diagnosed the electric power steering motor as the culprit and determined that the entire steering rack must be replaced due to the electric motor being a non-serviceable part. To my knowledge the defective part is still in the vehicle awaiting replacement at the dealer. There were no warning signs of a steering problem prior to the steering wheel being unusable and the dash displaying “service power steering” message.
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2021
Cracks in dash around passenger side airbag. Concern is that if airbag deploys that the dash components around the airbag will become dangerous projectiles.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2021
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2012 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 IS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. THE CRACK NEXT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS BEEN THERE SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BUT THE CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASHBOARD JUST APPEARED FROM NORMAL CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. I AM CONCERNED IT COULD BE A PROBLEM IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Structure, Apr 23, 2021
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND IS NOISY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT IS A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER.
Air bags, Apr 20, 2021
WAS INFORMED OF TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL IN FEBRUARY NO REMEDY, APPOINTMENT, OR PARTS HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE EVEN AFTER CALLING LOCAL DEALER.
Electrical system, Apr 13, 2021
MOVING ON HIGHWAY 60MPH AND VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN TO SEVERAL LOCATIONS PREVIOUSLY AND SHOWED NO DIFFICULTIES IN STARTING OR UNUSUAL SYMPTOMS WHILE RUNNING. AAA TOWING SERVICE GOT TRUCK TO MY HOME. WILL NOT CRANK OR START. IT WOULD NOT TAKE A JUMP FROM AAA TOWING BEFORE THEY LOADED IT ONTO THEIR TRUCK. INCIDENT OCCURED ON 04/08/2021 ON U.S. HWY 98 NORTH, LAKELAND, FL.33810. FORTUNATELY NO TRAFFIC WAS BEHIND ME AT THE TIME. VEHICLE SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY UNREPAIRED. 89,775 MILES ON ODOMETER.