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, Apr 2, 2017
OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE WITH 5.3 L V8 ENGINE. USES 4 QTS OF OIL BETWEEN 5000 MILE OIL CHANGE. STARTED AT 95352 MILES WHEN WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SAYING OIL PRESSURE WAS EXTREMELY LOW. FOUND OUT TRUCK ONLY HAD 2 QTS OF OIL LEFT IN IT. OIL LIFE READING WAS STILL AT 7%. THEN ENGINE STARTED FOULING CYLINDER ONE SPARK PLUG NOTICED BY ENGINE CODE AND SLUGGISH DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED, FOULED AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED LEFT VALVE COVER TO FIX, FOULED PLUG AGAIN. DEALER SUGGESTED PISTON RING JOB. NOT DONE DUE TO COST. NOW HAS FOULED PLUG TWO MORE TIMES AND IS STILL USING 4 QTS OIL BETWEEN 5000 MILE OIL CHANGES. ONLY 119816 MILES CURRENLY.
Structure, Mar 27, 2017
DASHBOARD ON PASSENGERS SIDE HAS TWO CRACKS ABOVE THE AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2017
I HEARD A VIBRATION NOISE COMING FROM MY DASHBOARD FOR OF MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING FROM THE FORWARD END RUNNING AFT TOWARD THE STEERING WHEEL. I RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND LEARNED THIS MAY BE A SAFETY CONCERN IF THE AIR BAG IS INFLATED. I HEARD THE VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I STOPPED I NOTICED THE CRACKING PROBLEM.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 20, 2017
I HAVE A 2012 SILVERADO THAT HAD AN ENGINE LIGHT GO ON. TOOK TO THE DEALER (CARBONE CHEVY, YORKVILLE NY) THE PROBLEM WAS AN AIR LEAK IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FIX, REPLACE GAS TANK AND SENDING UNIT, $900. I ASKED ABOUT THE WARRANTY, AND I WAS TOLD PAST MILEAGE, I'M AT 39000. I DIDN'T BELIEVE THIS COULD BE POSSIBLE THAT A 4-YEAR-OLD TRUCK COULD ROT OUT SO SOON THAT THERE MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH THESE TANKS. I CALLED GM TO ASK, AND THE WOMAN COULD NOT HAVE CARED LESS JUST LISTEN TO ME COMPLAIN AND SAID SHE WOULD CALL THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP TO CONTACT ME. THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. ALSO SAID THAT THE CORROSION WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER TANKS AND IT'S UP TO ME TO PAY FOR THIS. I SPENT $36000 ON THIS TRUCK AND DIDN'T HAVE A SCRATCH ON IT BUT NOW FIND OUT IT IS ROTTING THROUGH LIKE A TIN CAN. MY QUESTIONS ARE; SHOULD THIS HAVE BEEN COVERED OR RECALLED? IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP?
Seats, Other or unspecified, Feb 16, 2017
THE SILVERADO DASH MELTS AND CRACKS. ON THEIR SITE THERE IS A STATEMENT THAT THE CRACKS CAN BREAK LOOSE AND CAUSE INJURIES BUT THE RECALL WAS DISCONTINUED. THE PASSENGER SEAT LEAKS FUEL AND THEY REFUSED TO CORRECT THAT. VEHICLES ARE VERY NOISY, WE HAVE TO TALK LOUD OR TURN THE RADIO UP TO HEAR. I MOTION AND STATIONARY. PURCHASED NEW IN 2012. THESE ARE KNOWN ISSUES AND THE DEALER AND THE COMPANY'S HEADQUARTERS STATED THEY ARE KNOWN ISSUES BUT THERE ARE NOT ANY RECALLS AND WOULD NOT REPLACE OR GIVE ANY DISCOUNT IN FIXING THE DEFECTS. I HAVE TALKED TO THE HEADQUARTERS DOWN TO THE LOCAL DEALERS AND NO RESOLUTION.
Steering, Jan 12, 2017
STARTED LEAKING FLUID UNDER THE FRONT OF TRUCK MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT AND FLUID WAS COMING OUT OF STEERING FILLING BOOT FULL OF FLUID SEAL GAVE OUT RAPID STEERING SHOCK AT 46,000 MILES ON TRUCK NO WARRANTY.
Other or unspecified, Dec 29, 2016
DASH IS CRACKING ALL OVER NEAR AIRBAG 3GCPCSE02CG139623
Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2016
DASH CRACKED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHEN I CAME OUT I NOTICED THE CRACK IN THE DASH.
Other or unspecified, Dec 14, 2016
FEW CRACKS ON DASHBOARD WORRIED ABOUT ONE CRACK ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIR BACK I DID CALL GM NOTHTING HAPPEN.
Other or unspecified, Dec 12, 2016
DASH CRACKED BEHIND INSTRUMENT PANEL AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. CONCERNED ABOUT SHRAPNEL SHOULD AIR BAGS DEPLOY....THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FROM 2007-2013.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 8, 2016
MY TRUCK SHOULD HAVE NO ISSUES AS I FOLLOW THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE BUT IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHERE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION OFF, STABILTRAC OFF, THE AIRVENTS STOPPED BLOWING COOL AIR AND RELEASED HUMIDITY, BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY (HARD TO ACTUALLY BREAK), STEERING WHEEL/POWER STEERING WAS MALFUNCTIONING MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN OR GET OUT OF TRAFFIC AND IT SEEMS THE VEHICLE JUST DECIDED TO SUDDENLY STALL WHILE IN MOTION. I WAS VERY LUCKY DUE TO SUDDEN HIGH RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT GETTING ANYONE HURT. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF ONCE I GOT IN PARK AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, EVERYTHING WAS FINE SHOWING NO ISSUES BUT I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT DID NOT CRANK OR TRY TO TURN OVER BUT ALL ELECTRONICS/LIGHTS WERE STILL WORKING. I CHECK ALL FLUID LEVELS, ALL WAS FINE AND THEN I WENT TO TRY ONE MORE TIME TO START THE VEHICLE. TO MY SURPRISE, IT STARTED UP JUST FINE AND WITH ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND NOT READING ANY OTHER MESSAGES. ALL FUNCTIONS WERE WORKING PROPERLY BUT I WAS TOO SCARED TO GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT HAVING AN IDEA WHAT JUST HAPPENED. I WENT TO THE CLOSEST TRUSTED AUTO PLACE THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO USE A SCANNER TO FIND THE TROUBLE CODES OF MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CODE WAS FOR A MALFUNCTION WITH THE INTERNAL CONTROL MODULE (CODE: P0601). THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE IN THE LAST WEEK AND ITS VERY SCARY TO FEEL AT RISK FOR A SUDDEN MALFUNCTION TO CAUSE A CRASH. AFTER RESEARCHING, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BULLETIN NO: 14515B, THAT HAD COVERED PRETTY MUCH THE SAME ISSUES AND FOR MY VEHICLE'S YEAR/MODEL. MY VIN DIDN'T REGISTER FOR ANY RECALLS, I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW OTHER VEHICLES ARE GETTING QUALIFIED IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE SAME ISSUES I'M EXPERIENCING. *TR
Other or unspecified, Nov 20, 2016
DASHBOARD HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN CERTAIN AREAS, INCLUDING AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, AND THE MIDDLE SECTION IS FLIMSY AND ABLE TO BE PULLED UP OR PUSHED DOWN.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Nov 7, 2016
I FOUGHT GM ON THIS FOR 7 MONTHS. AND DID SO 30 DAYS FROM MY PURCHASE DATE. WHEN I SLOW DOWN MY TRUCK MAKES A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE. AND WILL REV UP IN A SENSE AND PUSH YOU FORWARD. MOST OF THE TIME IT'S ONLY PROBABLY A FOOD BUT OTHER TIMES I HAS CAUSED ME TO GO THROUGH STOP SIGNS. LUCKILY NO ONE IS THERE BUT I FEAR THAT WHEN I HAVE MY FIANCE AND 3 KIDS IN THE TRUCK I MAY GET PUSHED FORWARD AND T BONED. OR I MAY GO INTO SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME. OR INTO A FENCE. AND THEY SAY IT'S NORMAL EVERY TIME. BUT IT'S GETTING WORSE AND MY THING IS IS IF IT'S NORMAL.. THEN IT'S A SERIOUS ISSUE. I HAVE READ REVIEWS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT'S NOT SAFE AND DEFINITELY NOT PRACTICAL. THEY SAY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY 6 SPEED. BUT I FOUGHT GM AND HE PLACE I BOUGHT IT FROM FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS. STARTING FROM REPAIRS ON MY TRUCK THAT WAS PROMISED TO BE FIXED TO THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND THEM CLAIMING THEY FIXED IT WITH SOME SENSOR. THEN LYING SAYING THEY NEVER FIXED ANYTHING WHEN GM QUESTIONED THEM. LUCKILY I HAD SOMEONE THAT WORKED THERE THAT FELT BAD FOR ME SO HE GAVE ME ALL THE INFO I NEEDED. ALL IN ALL GM ENDED UP GIVING ME A BUMPER TO BUMPER GM WARRANTY FOR 4YRS. FOR A PROBLEM THEY CLAIM WAS NORMAL. THAT'S GENEROUS OF THEM. BUT IT'S GETTING WORSE AND I'M SCARED FOR MY FAMILIES SAFETY.
Other or unspecified, Nov 5, 2016
I WENT OUT TO MY TRUCK ON 10/15/2016 TO NOTICE A CRACK IN MY DASHBOARD BETWEEN THE AIRBAG AND THE VENT. SINCE THEN I HAVE MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO STARTING WITH THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT MY TRUCK FROM. I EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT WAS GOING ON TO ONLY BE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. I CAN HOWEVER PAY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR A NEW DASHBOARD INSTALLED. NOW I FIND THIS AGGRAVATING AS THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I DID NOR WAS THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. IT HAS SIMPLY BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY!!! I THEN CALLED A BODY SHOP TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY CAN DO, IT WAS THEN I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR CHEVY AND THAT THIS CRACK WILL CONTINUE TO SPIDER OUT AND EVENTUALLY SPREAD!!!!! THEY CAN FIX IT BUT UNLESS I REPLACE THE WHOLE DASHBOARD THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY IT!!!! BUT AGAIN I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS OUT OF MY POCKET. I THEN RESEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE IF EXACTLY HOW MANY CASES THERE ARE OUT THERE INVOLVING DASHBOARD CRACKS, COME TO FIND OUT THERE WAS A LAWSUIT AGAINST CHEVY FOR THIS EXACT REASON. IF CHEVY HAS THIS MANY COMPLAINTS AND IS AWARE OF THE DASHBOARD CRACKING WHY AREN'T THEY TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND OFFER A RESOLUTION! THIS CONCERNS ME AS THIS IS NEAR THE AIRBAG, COULD THIS CAUSE HARM TO THE DRIVER OR THE PASSENGERS IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY???????????
Other or unspecified, Oct 31, 2016
MY 2012 1500 SILVERADO'S, DASH HAS CRACKED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE, PURCHASED LATE 2012 ONLY 40 K MILES, NO ACCIDENTS OR REASONS FOR CRACKS OTHER THAN FAULTY MATERIAL USE FOR DASH.
Air bags, Oct 28, 2016
CRACK IN THE DASH AT THE CORNER OF AIRBAG AND ANOTHER AT THE STEERING CONCOLE
Air bags, Oct 20, 2016
MY DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND SEVERAL OTHER CRACKS HAVE FORMED.
Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2016
MY 2012 CHEVROLET SILVADO HAS A CRACK AROUND THE AIRBAG. THERE HAS BEEN NO WRECK JUST HAPPEN. IT ALSO HAS A CRACK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DASH.
Engine, Sep 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER EVERY 10,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A MISFIRE ON A CYLINDER AND THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REDUCE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP SHATTERED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2016
DASH CRACKING AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG AND DRIVER SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Air bags, Sep 12, 2016
THE DASH IS CRACKING NEAR THE AIR BAG. THERE IS A CONCERN OF A SAFETY HAZARD AND THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE OF FAULTY DASH.
Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2016
CRACKS ON THE DASH BOARD AROUND AIRBAG AND ALSO IN FRONT OF THE STEER WHEEL ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF DASH.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2016
DASH CRACKED AT RIGHT UPPER CORNER BY PASSENGER AIRBAG WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RIP AIR BAG UPON DEPLOYMENT