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.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 9, 2020
I BOUGHT MY 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO TEXAS EDITION ON, MAY 26, 2012, FROM CLASSIC CHEVROLET OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS. I PAID $31,622.80 FOR THE TRUCK. I FEEL THAT A NEW VEHICLE SOLD IN AMERICA SHOULD HAVE AN IMPLIED WARRANTY ATTACHED TO IT THAT GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND EXPRESS WARRANTIES WHEN IT COMES TO THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY. AFTER TWO YEARS AS AN OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE I NOTICED A STAIN ON MY REAR CARPET. THE MORE I RUBBED IT THE MORE IT SPREAD. I FIGURED THAT ONE OF MY GRAND CHILDREN PROBABLY SPILLED SOMETHING AND SO I JUST DECIDED TO TRY TO LIVE WITH IT. IN LATE 2019 I NOTICED THAT MY CARPET BEHIND MY DRIVER'S SEAT WAS WET AFTER A HEAVY RAIN. SO I TOWEL DRIED IT AND TOOK A PAPER RECEIPT FROM MY CONSOLE AND ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THE HEADER PRESSURE ON THE REAR DOOR BY STRIKING THE ROCKER PANEL STRIKER. THIS YEAR I TOOK A TRIP TO KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI IN FEBRUARY. I FOUND MYSELF HAVING TO DRIVE UNDER RAINY, MISTING, WINDSHIELD, FREEZING AND FOGGING, UP. MY DEFROSTER WAS NO MATCH FOR IT BECAUSE IT NEVER WAS ABLE TO CLEAR MY WINDSHIELD SUFFICIENTLY. ON THE WAY BACK TO TEXAS I LEFT K.C. AT 4:00 AM. THE HAZARDOUS WEATHER WAS STILL PERSISTING. MY BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEARTBEAT RACED A FEW TIMES WHEN I TRIED TO MOVE AHEAD OF TRUCKS TO AVOID THE SPLASHING FROM THEIR WAKE. IN JUNE I DISCOVERED POOLING OF WATER BEHIND MY DRIVER'S SEAT. IT WAS SO RIDICULOUS I HAD TO TAKE IT TO CLASSIC. AFTER 3 HOURS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE SERVICE MANAGER RETURNED TO ME AND ESCORTED ME TO THE TECHNICIAN. THE TECH SHOWED ME THAT THE WATER WAS COMING FROM AN UNSEALED OVERLAP AT MY FIREWALL. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE LEAK'S BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME. THIS AREA AT THE TOP OF YOUR FENDER IS WHERE THE WATER IS ENTERING AND IT FILLS UP AN AREA INSIDE YOUR FINDER AND THEN IT LEAKS THROUGH YOUR FIREWALL AND RUNS DOWN YOUR ROCKER AND SETTLES AT THE BACK SEAT WELL. THAT REPORT COST ME $145.00.*DT*JB*JB
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 31, 2020
REAR WHEELS LOCK UP WHEN DOWN SHIFTING WHEN DRIVING SPEEDS OF 40 MPH OR MORE
Service brakes, Jul 11, 2020
WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY THEN ACCELERATION, ABS & TRACTION CONTROL WARNING CAME ON DASHBOARD.
Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2020
DASHBOARD CRACKED AT PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA WHEN TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 25,000. CHEVROLET REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. AT ABOUT 100,000 THE DASHBOARD CRACKED IN THE SAME EXACT LOCATION. CONCERNED THAT BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THE CRACK IT MAY EFFECT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. EVERYONE I KNOW WITH THIS TRUCK IN THE 2011 - 2012 MODELS HAS THE SAME EXACT CRACK IN THE SAME EXACT LOCATION. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 16, 2020
DASH IS CRACKING. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Jun 10, 2020
TLA* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERED 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES CEASED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INSPECTION STATION AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT FRIENDSHIP HONDO OF BOONE LOCATED AT 1440 BLOWING ROCK RD, BOONE, NC 28607, SOLD THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 125,600. *BF CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE DID NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION TEST.*JB
Engine, Jun 10, 2020
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AND ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN SCANNED CODE CAME UP FOR LOW OIL PRESSURE. CHECKED OIL LEVELS AND THERE WAS NO OIL PRESENT ON THE OIL DIPSTICK. I HAD TO ADD 3 QUARTS OF OIL TO RETURN IT TO THE PROPER OIL LEVEL. I NOW CHECK OIL LEVEL REGULARLY AND HAVE TO ADD AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL ON A REGULAR BASIS. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Apr 29, 2020
MY 2012 CHEVY SILVERADO HAS STARTED CRACKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEARBY THE AIR BAG AREA. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY PARKING LOT WHEN I REALIZED THIS CRACKING ISSUE STARTED. I AM JUST WORRIED THAT IT WILL CRACK MORE AND BE A SAFETY ISSUE IN THE FUTURE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2020
MY DASH BOARD IS CRACKED IN SERVAL PLACES !!
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 24, 2020
OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ALARMED, STATING SHUT ENGINE OFF IMMEDIATELY! WENT REPAIR SHOP CLOSE TO HOME, A DIAGNOSING TEST SHOWED NO CODES AT ALL. A CHECK OF BULLETINS FOR POSSIBLE ISSUE WITH CODES THAT SHOULD BE PRESENT, WERE NOT THERE? SHOP HAS RECOMMENDED I TAKE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2020
MY DASH STARTED A SMALL CRACK BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. IT'S A VERY COMMON ISSUE BETWEEN 07-13 GM TRUCKS AND SUVS. THEY SEEM TO RANDOMLY CRACK I HAD MINE CRACK OVERNIGHT. IT MAKES A HORRIBLE VIBRATION SOUND WHILE DRIVING IT'S KIND OFF ANNOYING TO DRIVE NOW.
Structure, Dec 22, 2019
THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AROUND THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND BEHIND THE STEERING WHILE. I'M GUESSING IT HAPPENED OVER NIGHT I DONT KNOW EXACTLY. ONE MORNING I GOT IN MY TRUCK NOTICED THE CRACK AROUND AIRBAG AND WEEKS LATER THE ONE BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL.
Engine, Dec 6, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON A CURVY ROAD RUNNING 45 MILES AN HOUR AND SUDDENLY MY MOTOR STARTED KNOCKING HAS 95,000 MILES ON IT.
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
Service brakes, Sep 11, 2019
GM IS RECALLING CHEVROLET TRUCKS BECAUSE OF BRAKING PROBLEMS. BUT, THEIR STATING IT DOES NOT EFFECT EARLY MODELS. I'M TELLING YOU THEIR WRONG BECAUSE MY 2012 SILVERADO HAS THE SAME BRAKING PROBLEM, YOU HAVE TO SOMETIMES STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP BEFORE HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE BACK.
Air bags, Sep 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COURTESY BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 1857 EDWARDS LAKE RD, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35235, 205-718-7565) WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Air bags, Aug 14, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN A GULLY BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. DURING THE CRASH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED VARIOUS BODY CONTUSIONS AND BRUISES DURING THE INCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Structure, Jul 26, 2019
DASH CRACKED TO FRONT AIRBAG
Air bags, Jul 16, 2019
SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING.
Engine, Jul 1, 2019
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE ENGINE JUST QUIT AND WOULD NOT RESTART. IT LEFT ME STRANDED AND IMPEDING TRAFFIC AT RUSH HOUR,IN CHARLOTTE N C.
Electrical system, Jun 11, 2019
HEADLAMP MELTING PIGTAIL HARNESS
Air bags, May 28, 2019
B0085 CODE FAULTY LEFT FRONT SIDE IMPACT SENSOR. LEFT FRONT SIDE IMPACT SENSOR HARNESS IS OPEN OR SHORTED. LEFT FRONT SIDE IMPACT SENSOR CIRCUIT POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FAULTY INFLATABLE RESTRAINT SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM). THE WIRING HARNESS THAT GOES THROUGH THE DOOR HING BREAK APART INSIDE THE INSULATOR CAUSING THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE DRIVER DOOR NOT TO WORK. IT IS A VERY DANGUROUS ISSUE AND A VERY EXPENSIVE ISSUE TO HAVE FIXED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED.
Electrical system, Air bags, May 10, 2019
CHEVROLET USED EXTREMELY THIN WIRES AND THE WIRING HARNESS THAT GOES THROUGH THE DOOR HING BREAK APART INSIDE THE INSULATOR CAUSING THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE DRIVER DOOR NOT TO WORK. OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME TRUCK HAVE HAD SAME ISSUE. IT IS A VERY DANGUROUS ISSUE AND A VERY EXPENSIVE ISSUE TO HAVE FIXED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING WIRE YOU NOT BREAK INSIDE THE INSULATOR.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 3, 2019
NO PART AVAILABLE FOR THE CLIMATE CONTROL, WITH A MAIL IN PROCEDURE AND A 30 DAY TURN AROUND TIME. THIS CREATES A VISIBILITY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. INABILITY TO CONTROL THE HEAT DURING COLDER CLIMATE WHILE CREATING FOGGY WINDOWS AND TRYING TO TRAVEL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC! I CANNOT TAKE THE PART OUT FOR A MONTH BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE WEATHER WILL BE LIKE 10 MINUTES FROM NOW AND IF I DID WOULD BE WITHOUT FOR 30 DAYS AND NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO CLEAR A FOGGY WINDSHIELD!
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 23, 2019
MY TRUCK HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUE AFTER ISSUE WITH SENSORS GOING BAD AND CHECK ENGINGE LIGHT ALWAYS COMING ON. NOW I HAVE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH A SOLENOID GOING BAD. THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD THE "CLUNK" AS PEOPLE DISCRIBE IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT. NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT SO I WAS TOLD AND THAT WAS NORMAL. THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS YEAR AND MAKE SILVERADO ITS PRETTY SAD THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. NOW MY TRUCK SITS AND STILL PAYING THE NOTE BECAUSE OF THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE THAT A TON OF PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED. HOW MANY THIGS DO I HAVE TO CHANGE BEFORE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STOPS COMING ON. PLEASE HELP ALL OF US WHO OWN A CHEVY AND HAVE GM MAKE THIS RIGHT.