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2012 GMC Sierra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 GMC Sierra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 53.

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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

27 reports with mileage · 2 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

Visibility/wiper complaints

1 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2012
Visibility/wiper

PURCHASE A NEW 2012 GMC SIERRA SLE ON 07/26/12. AS I LEAVE FOR WORK IN THE EARLY HOURS, IT REQUIRES THAT I USE THE DEFOG/DEFROST. ON THE MORNING OF THE 28TH I SELECTED THE DEFOG/DEFROST AND ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE CLEARED. THINKING IT MAY BE ISOLATED, I RECEIVED THE SAME RESULT ON THE 29TH. I CALLED THE SELLING DEALER ABOUT ANOTH…

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PURCHASE A NEW 2012 GMC SIERRA SLE ON 07/26/12. AS I LEAVE FOR WORK IN THE EARLY HOURS, IT REQUIRES THAT I USE THE DEFOG/DEFROST. ON THE MORNING OF THE 28TH I SELECTED THE DEFOG/DEFROST AND ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE CLEARED. THINKING IT MAY BE ISOLATED, I RECEIVED THE SAME RESULT ON THE 29TH. I CALLED THE SELLING DEALER ABOUT ANOTHER MATTER AND MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM. ON AUGUST 9TH THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICE AND TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. WAS TOLD THAT IT IS OPERATING AS NORMAL AND THE DEALER TESTED TWO OTHER NEW TRUCKS. STILL NOT HAPPY WITH THE ANSWER, I CALLED GMC. THEY SETUP SERVICE AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR THE 16TH. AGAIN, NO PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND PER THEIR TESTING, BUT WERE GOING TO CHANGE THE DUCT AS THE AIR FLOW WAS MUCH GREATER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. WHEN THE DUCT CAME IN, THEY OPTED NOT TO CHANGE IT, AS IT REQUIRES TO STRIP THE DASH TO THE WINDSHIELD. ALL THIS TIME GMC WAS UPDATED OF THE PROGRESS. THE SYSTEM DOESN'T CLEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW. GMC STAND IS, THAT ENGINEERING DESIGN THE SYSTEM THIS WAY TO CLEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE QUICKER DURING POOR WEATHER, AS LIKE SNOW AND ICE. MY STAND IS THAT THIS IS NOT A PROPER ANSWER FOR A VEHICLE MAKER TO STATE. THIS ISSUE MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE AND I DO NOT LIVE WITHIN AN AREA SEEING THIS TYPE OF WEATHER OFTEN. I HAVE READ MANY INTERNET ARTICLES RELATED TO THIS. OTHER OWNERS TRUCKS OPERATE PROPERLY CLEARING BOTH SIDES OR HAVE HAD THEM PROPERLY REPAIRED IF THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I NEED TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED SO THAT IT CAN BE OPERATED SAFELY. GMC WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM REQUIRING REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472081

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.