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: engine
7 reports, newest first. Show all
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
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 7, 2015
THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP CP4 HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AS I WAS DRIVING ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, US RT.20. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I FELT FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT TOWING A 16,000 LB. FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD.I SAY THIS BECAUSE IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER THE TRUCK STEERING IT AND BRINGING IT TO A CONTROLLED STOP. I HAVE READ ABOUT THESE PUMPS FAILING ON NUMEROUS DIESEL FORD AND GM TRUCKS. I ALSO FEEL IF A WOMAN OR SMALL PERSON HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM THE OUTCOME COULD END IN LOSS OF CONTROL RESULTING IN INJURIES EVEN DEATHS. THE ONLY ONE THAT KNOWS THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF PUMPS THAT HAVE FAILED IS THE MANUFACTURERS, WHO WILL NOT SHARE THAT INFORMATION WILLINGLY. *JS
Engine, Dec 8, 2014
ENGINE WILL INCREASE IDLE FROM 700 TO 900 AT ANY TIME. ONE CAN BE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND IT MIGHT INCREASE OR DECREASE. I PULL A 5TH WHEEL (35 FEET) AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP WITH THE ENGINE TRYING TO KEEP GOING. ALSO IT IS VERY SCARY TO STOP ON SLIPPERY ROADS. THIS DID NOT START UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAD APPROX. 35,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER TELLS ME IT IS NORMAL, BUT I HAVE TALKED TO OWNERS OF THE GM DIESEL FROM MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2015 AND NONE OF THEM HAVE THIS CONDITION. *TR
Structure, Wheels, Engine, Mar 30, 2014, fire
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, IT JUST WENT DEAD, NO ENGINE, NO ELECTRIC, NO NOTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN PLACE AND AT SOME POINT, CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. A TOTAL LOSS. TO DATE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT PAID ME FOR MY LOSS BUT RATHER HAS GONE TO GREAT LENGTHS TO INVESTIGATE ME PERSONALLY, LOOKING FOR ANY REASON TO NOT PAY. SO, I'VE BEEN MAKING TWO VEHICLE PAYMENTS FOR THE LAST 8 MONTHS. AS A RESULT, I AM STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 4, 2013
APPARENTLY GM USES PEANUT OIL TO LUBRICATE WIRING SO THEY CAN MORE EASILY INSULATE, ETC (ACCORGING TO THE GM DEALER). THIS ATTRACTS RATS AND MICE WHICH CHEW UP THE WIRING - POTENTIALLY IMPACTING SENSORS AND OTHER ITEMS CONTROLLING CRUISE, STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL, AND ANY NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS THAT THE DRIVER MAY BE RELYING UPON FOR SAFETY. I ACTUALLY HAD MAP SENSOR WIRES CHEWED UP THAT DISABLED MY STABILITY/TRACTION SYSTEMS AND INHIBITED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. LUCKILY FOR ME IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY RATHER THAN ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALER CLAIMS IT IS NOT WARRANTY ITEM EVEN THOUGH CAUSED BY A PROCESS THAT GM ELECTS TO USE IN BUILDING THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD IMPACT ANY/EVERY VEHICLE THAT GM BUILDS WITH USE OF PEANUT OIL (MAY INDEED BE ALL OF THEIR MODELS). *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Structure, Engine, Oct 17, 2012, fire
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GMC DEALER FOR HEADLIGHT DEFECT AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER PARTS. DROVE TRUCK BACK TO SITE AND WHILE TRUCK WAS RUNNING BUT STATIONARY SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED THE ENTIRE TRUCK BECAME ENGULFED AND COMPLETELY BURNED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 12, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,200. ..UPDATED 04/16/12 *BF UPDATED 05/07/12