2012 GMC Sierra 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 49 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Sierra 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 4 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire.
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
EquipmentApr 26, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
Campaign 18V267000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
49 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 11, 2026
June 29, 2025, Driving on the St. Francis loop in Amarillo, TX, brake lights start flashing, the warning sounds happening, no brakes. I had already slowed down to 35-45 mph due to road construction ahead. I weaved through the cones and as soon as possible, hit the ditch and then coasted to a stop. (I didn’t think about the emergency brake, in my panic.) I turned the vehicle off and called my husband. I decided that I wasn’t pulled over far enough over in the ditch, so I started the pickup again. The lights and warning signals for the brakes were gone and when I pressed on the brake pedal, there were brakes again. I drove home at 35 mph, knowing I could use the emergency brake at that speed, if needed, and had brakes all the way home. GMC Bender repaired truck. After driving approximately 3 miles since repaired, our daughter took the truck to Grease Monkey. She was at the garage door; employee said the pickup didn't need an oil change. She backed out and didn’t have brakes (no warning lights or sounds) and as the truck continued backing, it hit the Grease Monkey sign at the east end of their lot and broke it, knocked the sign over. An employee walked over to see what happened, she told him that she didn’t have brakes. He sat in the pickup seat and pushed on the brakes and said, yes, you don’t have brakes! The police were called, and the officer who showed up took pictures, gave us his card, talked with my husband and talked to the Grease Monkey boss. August 6, 2025, I called GMC Bender Service Department (11 mins. 8 secs.) I told them what had happened. They sent a tow truck to bring the pickup back to their shop. September 16, 2025, my husband texted me saying GMC Bender said that the pickup shows another EBS Modulator Fault. No new parts… used one would be $1293 installed. A week to get it here, no guarantees. There's more details, but the vehicle cannot be repaired to guarantee brakes will work properly. Please help us know what to do next.
Suspension, Power train, Other or unspecified, May 22, 2026
They should be responsible for repairs or replacement of the cheap made frames that rust away so fast so u ain’t gotta worry about your truck fallling apart going down the rd and the lower control arms made of cast that rust from inside out and you don’t know until breaks while driving along with camber adjustments where they can throw alignment out with a single bump. Mostly the frame replacement is major always having to plate frame or check to make sure it will be able travel long trips or haul stuff in bed or a trailer with breaking or falling off truck causing wreck frame repair is major and time consuming if you don’t have proper stuff and definitely expensive and lower control arms that’ll make a wheel come real fast and it’s time consuming and expensive too but very dangerous and breaks and causes damage right then and there at high or low speed on highways or interstates
Power train, Jan 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, especially between second and third gears. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the engine felt as though the engine mounts were inoperable. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the vehicle resumed normal driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Electrical system, Aug 21, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 111,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 243,000. The Carfax Report indicated that the vehicle was serviced at 149,000 and 179,000 miles, then registered at 149,000 and 179,000 miles on August 8, 2024. The contact had filed a police report with the Dillon Police Department -Special Ops Police Department.
Air bags, Jun 4, 2021
2012 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR.
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2021
DASH CRACKS EVERYWHERE, ALL ATTACHMENT POINTS ARE CRACKING. NO APPARENT REASON OTHER THAN USING A UN U.V PROTECTED PLASTIC.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 3, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK UP A 6% PERCENT GRADE WHEN THE CHANGE FUEL FILTER SOON WARNING POPPED UP, ABOUT A MINUTE LATER THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER, I KEPT DRIVING TO TRY AND GET OVER THE HILL SO I COULD MAKE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO MAKE IT ABOUT 2 MILES AFTER THE WARNING SHOWED UP BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. (THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM ON THE SHOULDER TO PULL OVER ON MY SIDE THE ROAD SO I TRIED TO TURN ACROSS THE HIGHWAY WHERE THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY PULL OUT AND AS I DID THE TRUCK DIED SIDEWAYS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, TAKING UP SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC, FORTUNATELY THERE WAS ENOUGH INCLINE THAT I WAS ABLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND PULL OVER UP AGAINST THE GUARDRAIL) OF COURSE I HAD NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES SINCE THE TRUCK WAS NOT RUNNING. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION! I WAS ABLE TO GET MY TRUCK TOWED TO THE LOCAL GM REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND HAD SENT ALUMINUM SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. THEY SAID THE REPAIRS WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $10,000 SO I CONTACTED GM AND DESCRIBED WHAT HAPPENED, AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME TO GO FLY A KITE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE IT LOOKS LIKE THERE HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH GM TRUCKS WITH THE DURAMAX MOTOR FROM 2011-2016 AFTER THEY CHANGED THERE FUEL PUMP FROM THE CP3 HIGH VOLUME LOW PRESSURE PUMP TO THE CP4 HIGH PRESSURE LOW VOLUME PUMP. WHICH MEANS THE PUMP RUNS WITH LESS LUBRICATION WHICH RESULTS IN PUMP FAILURE, AND NOT JUST FAILURE BUT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHICH CAUSES MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL GM OWNER FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS, AND I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT GM IS NOT WILLING TO MAKE IT RIGHT.
Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2019
THE DASH BOARD IS CRACK I REPLACED 2 TIMES AND THE REPLACEMENTS ALSO CRACKS THE PARTS IS $1200 PLUS $1200 LABOR.
Structure, Jul 25, 2019
OUR GMC HAS EXPERIENCED 3 EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FAILURES. WE PAID TO HAVE THE 1ST BROKEN HANDLE REPAIRED AS IT WAS NOT OPERABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS MAKES FOR A DANGEROUS EVACUATION EXPERIENCE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. WE CHOSE A NON-DEALER REPAIR FACILITY DUE TO THE COST OF USING A DEALER. THIS REPAIR HAS HELD UP WELL. SINCE THAT INITIAL REPAIR 2 MORE EXTERIOR HANDLES HAVE BECOME INOPERABLE. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE 4TH AND FINAL HANDLE FAILS. THIS VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IT'S ONLY VERY LIGHTLY USED AND HAS LESS THAN 60K MILES ON IT. A 75% DOOR HANDLE FAILURE RATE IS UNACCEPTABLE BY ANYONE'S STANDARD. DUE TO THE COST OF THE REPAIRS WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THESE REMAINING 2 DEFECTIVE HANDLES. GMC, BBB AND NORTH COUNTY GMC IN ESCONDIDO, CA HAVE BEEN OF NO ASSISTANCE. WE ARE ALWAYS PREPARED TO PERFORM THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ON OUR VEHICLES. IN NO WAY IS THE REPAIR OF 3 DOOR HANDLES A "NORMAL" MAINTENANCE ITEM. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT THE AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION IS REQUIRED. THERE IS NO WAY FOR 2 OF THE DOORS CAN BE OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. IT'S UNFORTUNATE GMC SEES THIS AS "DEFECTIVE" BUT IS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS. ALL 3 OF THE HANDLE BROKE WHILE TRYING TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY EACH TIME. ALL HANDLES ARE USABLE FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE 2 UNREPAIRED HANDLES DO NOT WORK FROM THE EXTERIOR. WE WANT TO FIX THEM AND WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE IN DOING SO.
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2019
THE DASH HAS CRACKED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND BY THE AIR BAG. UNSURE WHEN IT ACCORDED. NOTICED IT WAS MAKING A SOUND AND IN 2 WEEKS HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE
Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2018
CRACK IN PASSENGER SIDE OF DASHBOARD....VEHICLE WAS STATIOARY
Structure, Apr 4, 2018
MY DASH IS CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT'S TO A POINT NOW OF NEEDING REPLACED AND HAS RAISED MY SAFETY CONCERN FOR MYSELF AND PASSENGER IF I WAS TO COME INVOLVED IN A CRASH BY BROKEN LARGE PLASTIC FRAGMENTS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 10, 2017
THE DASHBOARD IN OUR VEHICLE IS CRACKING AND GETTING WORSE IN TWO LOCATIONS ON THE DASH. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ALSO ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. BEGINNING TO GO INTO THE AIRBAG AREA
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 11, 2017
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT 50 60 OR ANY SPEED - THE TACHOMETER JUMPS AND THE CAR SURGES FEELS LIKE IT GOING TO STOP
Air bags, Jun 25, 2017
DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED AROUND AIRBAG. CONCERNED THAT IF THERE WAS A COLLISION THAT TYE AIRBAG WOULD EXPLODE AND ENTIRE DASH WOULD EXPLODE WITH IT
Power train, Apr 8, 2016
WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED, TRUCK SHUT OFF EXCEPT FOR THE LIGHTS. LOST POWERS STEERING, BRAKES ETC. ONCE I GOT THE TRUCK PULLED OVER AND STOPPED, ATTEMPTED TO RESTART. WAS UNABLE TO DO SO UNTIL THE 4TH ATTEMPT DURING A 5 MINUTES TIME SPAN. ONCE STARTED, APPEARED TO BE RUNNING FINE EXCEPT FOR THE MIL ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH WAS LIT.
Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2016
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CRACK OCCURRED JUST BEFORE 50,000 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Mar 20, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKING ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG 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 22,000.
Structure, Jan 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD BE ABLE TO BE REPLACED AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 09/28/16*LJ *TR
Electrical system, Dec 16, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WHICH RESULTED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A GUARDRAIL. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2015
DASH IS CRACKING AROUND MY PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE CRACK IS IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CLOSER TO THE WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 32,000 MILES BUT IS JUST OUT OF THE 3 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY.
Air bags, Nov 14, 2015
DASH CRACKED AROUND AIRBAG MODULE
Air bags, Oct 27, 2015
THE DASH THAT SUPPORTS THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS CRACKING AND COULD POSSIBLY PUNCTURE THE AIR BAG OR SEND PARTS OF THE DASH FLYING A OCCUPANTS DURING A COLLISION. BECAUSE OF THE CRACKS THE AIR BAG IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED IN THE VEHICLE.
Structure, Sep 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED ABOVE THE AIR BAG HOUSING. 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 MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.