ABS Valve Body / Pump Harness chafed through brake hydraulic line near transmission crossmember. This resulted in a hydraulic leak and loss of brake pedal feel / partial loss of brakes. Fortunately failure occurred in the driveway--I had 4500 Lbs of sailboat trailer hitched to the van and was about to go on a long trip. Design issue. Wiring harness should not be located so as to chafe on hydraulic lines. This is not the first chafe related failure on this vehicle.
The worst 2012 Chevrolet Express problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes4
- Electrical3
- Fuel system2
- Steering2
- Airbags1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes4
- Electrical3
- Fuel system2
- Steering2
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Driver assistance1
- Engine1
- Seat belts1
- Suspension1
- Transmission1
Recalls 6
Equipment
- What is wrong
- 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:
- Risk
- In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 18V267000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chevrolet Express compressed natural gas (CNG)vehicles manufactured September 10, 2010, to April 28, 2014, and GMC Savana CNG vehicles manufactured May 23, 2011, to April 21, 2014. The affected vehicles may leak natural gas from the CNG high pressure regulator.
- Risk
- A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure regulator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 14321.
Recall number 14V500000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2014 with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and less and equipped with front passenger air bags. In the affected vehicles, during a frontal impact below the air bag deployment threshold, if an unbelted front passenger's head hits the instrument panel above where the passenger air bag is located, the panel may not sufficiently absorb the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
- Risk
- In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the passenger instrument panel free of charge. Notices to the owners of the heavy duty vans were mailed on April 28, 2014. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Chevrolet owners may call 1‑800‑630‑2438. GMC owners may call 1‑866‑996‑9463. GM's number for this recall is 14082.
Recall number 14V117000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) and IMPCO Automotive Division of IMPCO Technologies, Inc. (IMPCO) are recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Cargo vans that have a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system installed as original equipment by IMPCO. The fuel systems, manufactured February 14, 2011, through February 20, 2013, have a fuel shut-off solenoid connector to the CNG tank that may corrode and form a short.
- Risk
- A short at the connector may cause overheating, resulting in an increased risk of fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners and GM dealers/fleets will perform the remedy which will include replacing the solenoid assemblies and fuel pump fuses and adjusting the wiring routing. The recall began on August 5, 2013. GM's number for this recall is 13139. Impco's number for this recall is FA13GM001. Owner's may contact GM Fleet Action Center at 1‑800‑353‑3867.
Recall number 13V225000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman
- What is wrong
- General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2012 chevrolet express and suburban vehicles, and gmc savana and yukon xl heavy duty vehicles. The steering gear pitman shaft may not have been adequately hardened and could fracture.
- Risk
- If this condition occurs, a loss of steering could result, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering gear and, if necessary, replace the steering gear pitman shaft. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on april 4, 2012.
Recall number 12V112000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling certain model year 2012 chevrolet express and gmc savana vehicles manufactured from june 2, 2011, through october 17, 2011. The second stage of the dual-stage air bag will not inflate in a severe frontal impact. Accordingly, the air bags fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
- Risk
- An improperly deployed air bag will increase the risk of injury to the occupant.
- Remedy
- Gm will notify owners, and dealers will install a new front passenger air bag free of charge. The safety recall began on november 29, 2011. Owners may contact gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782 or chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020.
Recall number 11V543000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Chevrolet Express 1,785
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- This Preliminary information communicates direction to find information at www.gmupfitter.com for Police...
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size...
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a...
- This PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-NA-255: Wax...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This preliminary information states to reuse a fastener during a front sensor replacement due to a supply...
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities.
2012 Chevrolet Express fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0L 8‑cyl | RWD | 10-11 | 15-16 | 12-13 |
| 4.8L 8‑cyl | RWD | 11 | 17 | 13 |
What 2012 Chevrolet Express owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
About 6:45 in the morning on November 10th, the vehicle was in a high-speed. Front end collision with adult cow elk at 70 miles an hour on the freeway, and the airbags failed to deploy in the Van on both front seats and the vehicle was severely damaged. Injuries were sustained.
Vehicle is upfitted as a school bus. Forward fuel tank strap failed in operation. Our company operates more than 100 of these vehicles and we experience a failure of fuel tank straps at a rate of about one vehicle per month. If the 2nd strap would also fail the gasoline tank would become dislodged and present a re hazard. This is even more critical as these vehicles are carrying students as a school bus. We perform visual inspections of the straps at 6 month intervals (per Pennsylvania these vehicles are subject to Semi-Annual State Inspection). There were no symptoms of the problem before this failure. There are never symptoms of the problem.
Vehicle is upfitted as a school bus. Forward fuel tank strap failed in operation. Our company operates more than 100 of these vehicles and we experience a failure of fuel tank straps at a rate of about one vehicle per month. If the 2nd strap would also fail the gasoline tank would become dislodged and present a fire hazard. This is even more critical as these vehicles are carrying students as a school bus. We perform visual inspections of the straps at 6 month intervals (per Pennsylvania these vehicles are subject to Semi-Annual State Inspection). There were no symptoms of the problem before this failure. There are never symptoms of the problem before any failure. Failed fuel tank straps on this were repaired by GM Dealer (Faulkner GMC, 705 Auto Park Blvd, West Chester, PA 19382) (Invoice #677658 - Invoice Date Feb 25 2025).
UNKNOWN...THE VEHICLE VEARED OFF ROAD AN INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. Did not seam like steering was working properly. The final out come there were 2 deceased operators. In 2 different vehicles. I'm not sure if the recalls were ever repaired.
Vehicle rolls while in park
I manage a fleet of 53 school buses, model years ranging from 2008 to 2015. I have noticed a trend with the hydro boosters and master cylinders, they tend to leak internally on these gm vehicles some have begun to leak as early as 30,000 miles. I expect to have to replace all of these components, on every bus in the near future. As the fleet ages the trend is getting increasingly worse. I believe this is a dangerous situation because I am vigilant with keeping up on this issue, however I am not sure that the general public will have the same understanding about the danger of this design flaw. I have had buses come in bleeding brake fluid or hydraulic fluid.
The engine will go to low power and not go more than 30 MPH without warning. This is an ambulance chassis and is a know problem gm has not addressed yet in the 2012 and 2013 chassis. It can do this on hwys with speed limits of 55, 65, 70 MPH suddenly which could cause an accident as no stop lights give any warning and you can't speed up anytime in poor visibility or at anytime. Not only is it bad for the injured or ill patient it could cause an accident and injury others. Gm has fixed this on the 2014 and newer models but not 12 &13. This is not just our one unit this is 2012 and 2013 chevy diesels ambulance all over the us. We have four units that it can happen to and two that is has with patients. I have contacted the epa, gm, and our indiana state senators trying to get this dangerous situation taken care of in the last few days. I am asking anyone who will listen to help push gm for a fix.
Engine was at idle had pulled into gas station . Alarms went off check engine light came on, stable track error, multiple tones. After 20 seconds engine stalled. Would not crank. After talking to people and couple tries fix took to dealership as it was diagnosed to be the engine control module shorted. I had gone thru rain earlier and a couple storms passed thru while at station and eating. Dealer replaced engine control module and programmed it. This could of happened while driving and would of lost engine power and power steering. Since just module replaced and ben told it is know to short out when wet it could happen again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet express. When the brakes were depressed and released, the vehicle began to shake violently. The contact mentioned that the stabilitrak activated independently after being turned off without warning. The vehicle was taken to dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
Compare the 2012 Chevrolet Express
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Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Express
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Express reliable?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Express, close to a typical Express model year.
What is the 2012 Chevrolet Express year score?
The 2012 Chevrolet Express scores 64 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Express: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Chevrolet Express?
Brakes, with 4 complaints. Next is electrical (3).
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Express have?
6 recalls, covering equipment, fuel system, other and air bags.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Express get?
Official estimates for the 2012 Chevrolet Express range from 12 to 13 mpg combined. The most efficient version (6.0L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 10-11 city and 15-16 highway.
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