← New search

2012 Chevrolet Silverado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 76.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Silverado years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

61 reports with mileage · 7 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

9 reports
Clear category filter
192,006 miles · Jun 9, 2023
Service BrakesCrashInjury

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated he purchased the vehicle at a used dealer on March 13, 2023, and the anti-lock braking systems (ABS), the traction control sensor, and the brake warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the used dealer on 3 different occasions and had the anti…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated he purchased the vehicle at a used dealer on March 13, 2023, and the anti-lock braking systems (ABS), the traction control sensor, and the brake warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the used dealer on 3 different occasions and had the anti-lock braking systems (ABS) sensor replaced and inspected the brakes. The dealer stated no failure was found when inspecting the vehicle. The contact stated while approaching an intersection another vehicle made a left turn and intercepted in his lane on the right side, he depressed the brake pedal but failed to stop or slow down the vehicle, causing it to crash into the other vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle continued moving forward while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle jumped a curb and crashed into a building and stopped the vehicle. The contact states the front driver side air bag deployed. The contact sustained leisure on his back muscles, had whiplash and leisure on the left side of his head and arm due to the air bag deployment. The contact stated he was taken to the hospital by ambulance to seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000.

NHTSA ODI #11526178

42,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Service BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO TWO, TWO-TON ROCKS. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LOWER BAC…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO TWO, TWO-TON ROCKS. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10778704

1,000 miles · Sep 29, 2015
Service BrakesSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND BRAKE BOOST PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND BRAKE BOOST PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

NHTSA ODI #10778449

9,597 miles · Jan 15, 2015
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,597. UPDATED 3/31/15*CN UPDATED 9/18/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10672668

135 miles · May 24, 2014
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

I BOUGHT MY 2012 TEXAS EDITION SILVERADO AUGUST 4, 2012 THE TRANSMISSION STARTED RESPONDING ABNORMAL IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP IT HAD 135 MILES ON IT BEFORE I BOUGHT IT I HAVE 32K MILES NOW AND NOTHING HAS CHANGE ALL THE SAME ISSUES BUT THEY SEEM TO BE GETTING WORST. MY TRANSMISSION HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING NO MA…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT MY 2012 TEXAS EDITION SILVERADO AUGUST 4, 2012 THE TRANSMISSION STARTED RESPONDING ABNORMAL IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP IT HAD 135 MILES ON IT BEFORE I BOUGHT IT I HAVE 32K MILES NOW AND NOTHING HAS CHANGE ALL THE SAME ISSUES BUT THEY SEEM TO BE GETTING WORST. MY TRANSMISSION HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING NO MATTER WHAT, UP, DOWN, TURN, FORWARD ALL NORMAL DRIVING MANEUVERS. WHEN IT DOES TRY AND SHIFT THE ENGINE CLATTERS WHICH IS EXTREMELY RIDICULOUS I'VE HAD SEVERAL SILVERADO'S AND THE LAST ONE THAT CLATTER THIS WAY WAS A 1978 WITH PROBABLY OVER 300,000(EXPECTED). MY TRANSMISSION DOES AS STATED BY OTHERS THE COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE TRUCK WILL LAUNCH FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY AND SHIFT EXTREMELY HARD THIS IS THE FIRST NEW VEHICLE I'VE EVER BOUGHT THE LAST 4 WERE ALL SILVERADO FROM 78-94 AND THEY DIDN'T DO THIS. THIS TRUCK ALSO WEARS THE OUTER EDGE OF MY TRES NO MATTER HOW MANY ALIGNMENTS AND BALANCE AND ROTATING I GET DONE. YOU MAY SAY YOUR TIRE YOUR FAULT BUT I'VE LOOKED AT OVER 40 2012 SILVERADO'S IN PARKING LOTS AND SAW THE EXACT SAME WEAR PATTERN THE OWNERS ARE PROBABLY NOT THE TYPE TO CHECK OR CARE. THE BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE $30,000 I PAID FOR THIS THING AND EXPECTED IT TO RUN FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS BUT I'M AT LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE ARE GOING TO JUMP OUT AND FLY THROUGH AN INTERSECTION LEAVING ME AT A GREEN LIGHT. IF I WERE TO LET ANY CHEVY "BIG SHOT" DRIVE THIS FOR 1 WEEK AS THEIR DAILY DRIVER (IT'S MY DAILY) THEY WOULD PROBABLY STOP DRIVING IT ON DAY 1 AND ASK ME HOW I'VE DONE IT FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. MY REPLY WOULD BE I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET ANOTHER ONE AND YOU "BIG SHOT" NEED TO GET THIS FIXED. ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY (NO MONEY) OVER WORKED UNDER PAID. TOOK MY SAVINGS BOUGHT A TRUCK THAT I WAITED 23 YEARS TO BUY AND THEN THE THING IS IN WORST SHAPE THAN THE 1994 EXTENDEDCAB I HAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593816

5,000 miles · Jul 30, 2013
Power TrainService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE CONTACT REACHED IN FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS DRAGGED SEVERAL FEET BEFORE THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRIDGE. TH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE CONTACT REACHED IN FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS DRAGGED SEVERAL FEET BEFORE THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRIDGE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR BRUISING AND SCRATCHES TO SEVERAL PARTS OF THE BODY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000.

NHTSA ODI #10532622

400 miles · May 29, 2013
Service Brakes

THIS TRUCK HAS CHATTERED, HOPPED, AND HAD BAD BRAKES AS SOON AS WE DROVE THE TRUCK OFF OF THE LOT. WHEN WE WENT WITH THE DEALER WHO SOLD US THE TRUCK, MY HUSBAND SAID WHY IS IT VIBRATING & HE TOLD US THAT IT WAS IN THE TIRES FROM "SITTING". IT HAS HAD 2 NEW WHEELS & NUMEROUS BRAKES, PADS, ROTORS, CALIPERS, DRUMS. & IT STILL VIBR…

Read full complaint

THIS TRUCK HAS CHATTERED, HOPPED, AND HAD BAD BRAKES AS SOON AS WE DROVE THE TRUCK OFF OF THE LOT. WHEN WE WENT WITH THE DEALER WHO SOLD US THE TRUCK, MY HUSBAND SAID WHY IS IT VIBRATING & HE TOLD US THAT IT WAS IN THE TIRES FROM "SITTING". IT HAS HAD 2 NEW WHEELS & NUMEROUS BRAKES, PADS, ROTORS, CALIPERS, DRUMS. & IT STILL VIBRATES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS EVEN PUT ANOTHER TRUCKS TIRES & RIMS ON THE TRUCK & IT STILL VIBRATES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A NEW VEHICLE. WHEN I CALLED THE GM DISTRICT SPECIALIST ON 5/29/13 SHE TOLD ME THAT THE VIBRATION & HIT & MISS ACCELERATION WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TRUCK. $40,000 TRUCK & IT IS NOT A VERY GOOD RIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514177

10,000 miles · May 24, 2013
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

BRAKES ARE SPONGY DOES NOT STOP TRUCK UNTIL PUMPED,POWER TRAIN CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND SHIFTING,ELECTRICAL AT TIMES DASH LIGHTS DIM AT ANY GIVEN TIME, MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS VERY ROUGH RIDE, TRANS SHIFTS VERY HARD, WHEN COMING TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT RUNS ROUGH. HAS BEEN TO DEALER ONCE AND LAST THURSDAY GOT A CALL FROM GM THE …

Read full complaint

BRAKES ARE SPONGY DOES NOT STOP TRUCK UNTIL PUMPED,POWER TRAIN CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND SHIFTING,ELECTRICAL AT TIMES DASH LIGHTS DIM AT ANY GIVEN TIME, MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS VERY ROUGH RIDE, TRANS SHIFTS VERY HARD, WHEN COMING TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT RUNS ROUGH. HAS BEEN TO DEALER ONCE AND LAST THURSDAY GOT A CALL FROM GM THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513436

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2012
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

SAFETY CONCERN- POTENTIAL TRAILERING ACCIDENT!!! IT APPEARS THAT CHEVROLET/GM HAS CHANGED THE WIRING IN THEIR VEHICLES SO THAT ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLERS NO LONGER ILLUMINATE THE TRAILER BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN THE ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROLLER IS OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY FROM THE VEHICLE BRAKES. ALL BRAKE LIGHTS WORK FINE WH…

Read full complaint

SAFETY CONCERN- POTENTIAL TRAILERING ACCIDENT!!! IT APPEARS THAT CHEVROLET/GM HAS CHANGED THE WIRING IN THEIR VEHICLES SO THAT ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLERS NO LONGER ILLUMINATE THE TRAILER BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN THE ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROLLER IS OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY FROM THE VEHICLE BRAKES. ALL BRAKE LIGHTS WORK FINE WHEN THE FOOT BRAKE IS APPLIED BUT NO BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE CONTROLLER OVERIDE IS APPLIED TO OPERATE THE TRAILER BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN TRAILERING THAT ONE ONLY WISHES TO USE THE TRAILER BRAKES TO SETTLE DOWN SWAYING OR ON LONG DOWN HILL GRADES. 2012 VEHICLES ARE NOT WIRED SO THAT BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO WORK OFF THE CONTROLLER OVERRIDE SWITCH. I HAVE BEEN TOWING FOR OVER 26 YEARS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE ALWAYS WORKED BOTH ON THE FOOT BRAKE AND CONTROLLER OVERRIDE BRAKE SWITCH. THIS IS A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. IF ONE APPLIES THE TRAILER BRAKES ALONE WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING, THIS COULD CAUSE ANOTHER VEHICLE TO SLAM INTO THE BACK OF THE TRAILER AND TOW VEHICLE CAUSING A CRASH. CHEVROLET STATES THEY CANNOT CONNECT THE TRAILER CONTROLLERS TO OPERATE THE BRAKE LIGHTS AS IT WOULD BACK FEED POWER INTO THE ELECTRONICS OF THE VEHICLE VOIDING ANY WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. TRAILER BRAKES LIGHTS ONLY WORK AS CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE WIRING WHEN STEPPING ON THE FOOT BRAKE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10452358

Official recalls

2

14V827000 · Electrical System:ignition

Dec 30, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

13V615000 · Fuel System, Diesel

Dec 11, 2013

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, equipped with 6.6L diesel engines and dual fuel tanks. In the affected vehicles, the transfer pump which moves fuel from the rear tank to the front tank could malfunction and cause the fuel gauge to indicate an inaccurate reading.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel transfer pump, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 13420.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Chevrolet Silverado problems