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.
Air bags, Aug 25, 2016
THE DASH IN MY 2012 SILVERADO TRUCK HAS CRACKED ON IT'S OWN IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT TO CONSUMERS(JUST DO A GOOGLE SEARCH) WITH A SAFETY CONCERN THAT IF THE AIR IS DEPLOYED, THE CRACKED PLASTIC COULD GET BLOWN OFF AND BECOME A DEADLY PROJECTILE.THERE IS NO ASPECT OF THIS THAT CAN OR SHOULD BE CONSIDERED SAFE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 18, 2016
THE DASH HAVE THREE CRACKS IN IT EVEN THOUGH I KEEP IT COVERED. I SEE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME SITUATION AND YET CHEVROLET AND OR THE DEALERS REFUSE TO REPLACE IT. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $200.00 TO $250.00 TO REPLACE IT. CHEVROLET KNOW OF THIS AND YET DO NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. EVEN THE DEALER STATED THE THIS IS A DEFECT.
Power train, Engine, Aug 5, 2016
AT 170208 MILES THE CAM WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IT ON A CITY STREET IT STARTED TAPPING LIFTERS, I TOOK IT DIRECTLY TO REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND A NEW MOTOR HAS TO BE PUT IN. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ONE YEAR AGO AT 139171 MILES WITH POWERTRAIN ASSURANCE WITH APG CORP. BUT NO ONE WANTS TO COVER IT NOW THAT IT HAS ISSUES. EVEN WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2016
THE DASHBOARD CRACKED RIGHT NEAR AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE. I DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF CLEANER TO MAKE IT CRACK AND I ALSO USE A VISOR TO COVER WIND SHIELD. I HAD THIS TRUCK FOR A YEAR AND COUPLE MONTHS. EVERY PERSON THAT I SPEAK WITH HAD SAME PROBLEM. AND THE SAME SPOT. I WAS LITERALLY JUST ON MY WAY TO DAD'S HOUSE WITH A BIRTHDAY CAKE AND I HEARD A NOISE SO WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I LOOKED AND DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING SO MY BOYFRIEND LOOKED AND SAW THE CRACK.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2016
THE DASH HAS A CRACK ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE CRACK IS COMPLETELY THROUGH THE ENTIRE PIECE OF PLASTIC SO IT MAKES ME CONCERNED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IF IT WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT I AM NOT CERTAIN THAT THERE WOULDN'T BE PLASTIC FLYING THROUGHOUT THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK HAS JUST OVER 60000 MILES AND WE WERE TOLD IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEREFORE THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS $1004
Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 15, 2016
I NOTICED YESTERDAY THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING CAME ON. DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT. GOT IN THERE THIS MORNING 7/15 AND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT DID IT AGAIN. THIS TIME ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WENT OUT FOR A MINUTE INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER. COULDNT EVEN TURN MY AC ON OR OFF. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WE GOT IT FROM AND THEY TOLD ME I WAS LOOKING AT A 2 WEEK WAIT BUT I COULD DROP IT OFF ON 7/18 AND THEY WOULD GET TO IT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2016
WENT OUT TO MY TRUCK THIS MORNING AND LOW AND BEHOLD, THERE WAS A 4" CRACK IN THE DASH THAT WAS NOT THERE LAST NIGHT. IT STARTS AT THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE AIRBAG AND GOES TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD. THERE IS A SMALL PIECE OF BLACK PLASTIC STICKING OUT OF THE CRACK. NOW I WONDER IF SOMEONE TOUCHES IT, THE AIR BAG WILL INFLATE. IS THIS SAFE OR NOT?
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2016
WOKE UP THIS MORNING, GOT IN MY 2012 SILVERADO, AND NOTICED A VERY LARGE CRACK IN THE DASH OVER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. AFTER A QUICK SEARCH, I CAN SEE THIS IS A VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM.
Air bags, Jun 24, 2016
CRACKS IN DASHBOARD AROUND AIR BAG.
Air bags, Jun 23, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND CURTAIN AIR BAGS ABRUPTLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 55 TO 60 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HIS KNEES, ELBOW AND RIBS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 08/02/16*LJ UPDATED 08/09/16.*JB
Air bags, Jun 17, 2016
PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR DEVELOPED A SHORT WITH THE CONNECTION.
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2016
THE DASH IS CRACKING AND CHEVY SHARED THAT IT COST 1500 TO REPLACE SO THEY WILL ALLOW ME TO PAY $600 AND THEY WILL PAY THE REST. THE TRUCK HAS 44600 MILES I HAVE NOT REPLACE THE TIRES OR BRAKES YET IT IS PARKED UNDER A TREE MOST OF THE TIME THERE IS NO REASON THAT THIS SHOULD HAPPEN.
Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2016
OUR DASHBOARD CRACKED AT THE TOP LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. IT IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN FOR US. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. WE HAVE NEVER USED ARMOR ALL ON THE DASHBOARD.
Air bags, Jun 9, 2016
DEVELOPED CRACK ON DASH WHERE AIRBAG IS ON PASSENGER SIDE, CRACK IS ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG, WILL THIS EFFECT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT?
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.
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2016
DASHBOARD HAS DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK WHERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS LOCATED. IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE DANGEROUS PLASTIC SHRAPNEL TO INJURE THE PASSENGER AND/OR DRIVER
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2016
CRACKED DASH OCCURRED WITHIN THE LAST MONTH. THE FIRST IS AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG AND THE SECOND IS JUST TO THE LEFT MIDDLE OF THE DASH TOP. SEE PHOTOS. CONCERNED ABOUT LOOSE PLASTIC BREAKING AND PROPELLING IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS IN AN ACCIDENT. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR AND IT WAS FINE. THE CRACKS BEGAN WITHIN THE LAST MONTH. 5/13/2016
Other or unspecified, May 12, 2016
DASH IS CRACKED AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. 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.
Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2016
DASH IS CRACKED AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. 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.
Air bags, Apr 17, 2016
"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.
Steering, Apr 10, 2016
AT 34,162 MILES THE STEERING GEAR WAS BINDING, CREATING A SAFETY PROBLEM. A STEERING GEAR SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 34,162 MILES.
Air bags, Mar 17, 2016
FRONT SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR WENT BAD
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.