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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

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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

Structure complaints

14 reports
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35,000 miles · Apr 22, 2016
Structure

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

NHTSA ODI #10860856

26,000 miles · Apr 18, 2016
Structure

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 26,00…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10860023

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2016
StructureSuspension

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 BILLB…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10846412

55,000 miles · Feb 2, 2016
Structure

DOOR HANDLE COMES OFF ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR, MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS OF THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #10823806

27,000 miles · Jan 19, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD IN THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CRACKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD HAD A CRACK FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD TO T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD IN THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CRACKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD HAD A CRACK FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE AIR BAG COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

NHTSA ODI #10821116

78,580 miles · Nov 19, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPAINTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,580. UPDATED 1…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPAINTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,580. UPDATED 1/15/16 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 01/25/16..*JB

NHTSA ODI #10794807

30,000 miles · Sep 20, 2015
Electrical SystemStructureSuspension

HERE IS A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ISSUES INVOLVING THE 1012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO LT TEXAS EDITION AFTER THE PURCHASE DATE OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2012. FIRST, I NOTICED THAT IT HAS INCREASINGLY BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW FROM THE DRIVER SIDE MASTER CONTROL UNIT AROUND 2014. NOW, I HAVE TO PRESS HARD SEVERAL T…

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HERE IS A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ISSUES INVOLVING THE 1012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO LT TEXAS EDITION AFTER THE PURCHASE DATE OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2012. FIRST, I NOTICED THAT IT HAS INCREASINGLY BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW FROM THE DRIVER SIDE MASTER CONTROL UNIT AROUND 2014. NOW, I HAVE TO PRESS HARD SEVERAL TIMES TO OPEN THE WINDOW. SECOND, THE OUTSIDE MOLDINGS OF THE DOOR PANELS ARE FALLING OFF STARTING IN MID-2014. THIRD, I HAVE STARTED TO HEAR POPPING NOISES COMING FROM THE BALL JOINTS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AT A VERY LOW SPEED STARTING THE BEGINNING OF 2014. THESE ISSUES WERE REPORTED TO THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AT THE GM HEADQUARTERS IN AUGUST 2015. ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2015, THE TRUCK WAS FINALLY DIAGNOSED BY THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT SOLD THE PICKUP. THE INVOICE DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 INDICATES THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WORN WITH PLAY, DOOR MOLDINGS FALLING OFF, AND THE DRIVER'S MASTER SWITCH SHORTED.

NHTSA ODI #10765315

31,525 miles · Sep 11, 2015
StructureUnknown Or Other

TRUCK WAS PARKED WHEN I GOT BACK INTO IT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED

NHTSA ODI #10763229

79,746 miles · Sep 9, 2015
SeatsStructureWheelsFire

I HAD DRIVEN BACK HOME FROM TAHOE AROUND 6:00PM AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 2 HOURS WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE SLIDE ON THE 5TH WHEEL. I FOUND THE SLIDE ON THE TRAILER WOULD NOT OPEN DUE TO A LACK OF POWER ON THE 5TH WHEEL. AT THIS TIME THE PIGTAIL WAS STILL CONNECTED TO THE TRUCK. I DISCONNECTED THE PIGTAIL FROM THE T…

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I HAD DRIVEN BACK HOME FROM TAHOE AROUND 6:00PM AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 2 HOURS WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE SLIDE ON THE 5TH WHEEL. I FOUND THE SLIDE ON THE TRAILER WOULD NOT OPEN DUE TO A LACK OF POWER ON THE 5TH WHEEL. AT THIS TIME THE PIGTAIL WAS STILL CONNECTED TO THE TRUCK. I DISCONNECTED THE PIGTAIL FROM THE TRUCK AND PLUGGED THE TRAILER INTO A 50 AMP PLUG AND THE SLIDE OPENED NORMALLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THAT THE BATTERY HAD DISCHARGED AFTER SUCH A SHORT TIME. AROUND 10:45PM MY GIRLFRIEND SCREAMED THE TRAILER WAS ON FIRE AND WHEN I REACHED THE BACKDOOR THE ENTIRE TRAILER WAS ENGULFED AND THE REAR OF THE TRUCK WAS ALREADY ON FIRE. BOTH THE VEHICLES WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED ALONG WITH A BARN THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY10 FEET AWAY SUFFERING MAJOR DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10762717

40,000 miles · Apr 22, 2015
Structure

THERE ARE MULTIPLE CRACKS SURROUNDING MY PASSENGER AIRBAG IN MY 2012 SILVERADO. I BELIEVE THESE CRACKS ARE NOT ONLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN DESIGN BUT ARE ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING TOO WITH THIS MODEL TRUCK/SUV. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712323

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